Pepper Elliot and Valeria Sandoval
Bright Futures Team: A Solid Foundation for Expanded First-Gen Access
"I’m thrilled more students will be able to participate in Bright Futures.
But it’s not just about participation - it’s about success.
And the new strategy creates the perfect launchpad for student success.”
-Pepper Elliot, Bright Futures Counselor | Park City High School
PCHS: BRIGHT FUTURES COUNSELOR PEPPER ELLIOT
In her more than a decade working with Park City School District, Pepper Elliot has guided hundreds of high school students through the college and career planning process. She offered individualized support in areas like financial aid, future planning, and social-emotional development.
Ms. Elliot, a longtime committed advocate for educational equity, also led impactful scholarship programs and built strong partnerships with Utah colleges, local organizations, and community stakeholders.
Now, she turns her expertise toward a more specialized role: Ms. Elliot is the new Bright Futures Counselor at Park City High School. Her work is critical to the expansion of the program.
“Starting this year, all first-generation students have access to Bright Futures. Additionally, Bright Futures will be integrated into PCHS’ top-notch college and career program, where I have been building expertise for nearly a decade.”
Ms. Elliot holds a master’s degree in school counseling and clinical mental health, as well as certifications in college and career readiness, trauma-informed care, and teaching English as a second language.
“The Bright Futures expansion is going to be so helpful,” said recent PCHS graduate Amy Nava. “To think that first-gen kids can go to talk to a counselor more, about different things, and thinking about where they might want to go to college, not just for specific meetings - it will be so much more accessible for students, all the time!”
Ms. Elliot brings a student-centered, equity-driven approach to her work and is passionate about helping all students build personalized, clear, and confident pathways to higher education.
“Bright Futures will also benefit from increased collaboration with all PCHS programs, like Dream Big, that serve first-gen students,” Elliot added. “Blending access to resources and experts means more help for students to achieve their post-secondary goals!”
POST-PCHS SUCCESS WITH COLLEGE PROGRAM MANAGER VALERIA SANDOVAL
Originally from Los Angeles, Valeria Sandoval is a Utahn at heart: the Westminster grad has worked with the Bright Futures team since January of 2024. Ms. Sandoval is proud that her work directly supports students who, like herself, are the first in their families to attend college.
“I feel fulfilled by the uniqueness each Bright Futures student brings to the table every day. While they all share the identity of being first-generation, their goals, dreams, and career aspirations are very diverse. Watching them work toward and achieve both academic and personal milestones has been incredibly rewarding. I feel lucky to know each of them, as they continuously teach me patience and determination.”
Ms. Sandoval, a First Generation Scholar graduate from Westminster, has a degree in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Work and a minor in Gender Studies. She now combines her education and firsthand experiences to inform her day-to-day. Her work to navigate challenging obstacles has demonstrated just how critical support can be for students.
The role of Bright Futures College Program Manager includes traditional tasks; she reviews, adapts, and delivers programming. She also analyzes and works to improve the engagement, retention, and success of Bright Futures students.
It also includes duties for which Sandoval is uniquely qualified. She consistently checks in on every single college student, makes sure they’re familiar with available resources, and is a calming resource who is available when classes, school, or life go off the rails - or just feel that way.
“I look forward to seeing Bright Futures students not only reach but thrive through post-secondary education. I’m so proud of the hard work and dedication they put into their studies, and I can’t wait to celebrate their successes as they achieve their goals.”
Part of her work includes the ability to connect students to networks of support when they come up against unexpected obstacles, and marshal urgent interventions and emergency financial aid. Essentially, Sandoval works to do whatever it takes to make sure students have the ability to surmount barriers to stay on track for college graduation, something that she said will be more achievable now, with this year’s expanded opportunities.
“The Bright Futures expansion will ensure that every first-generation student—no matter which organization they are connected with—has access to the support and resources they need to succeed.”
