Luciana Morales Mendoza — Woman International Master & Chess Educator

Luciana Morales Mendoza is a Peruvian Woman International Master (WIM) and Pan-American champion known for her inspiring journey from youth prodigy to international chess educator. Born in Lima, Peru, she began playing chess at age eight and quickly rose through the competitive ranks, winning multiple Pan-American youth titles and qualifying for the 2004 Women’s World Chess Championship. She represented Peru in the Women’s Chess Olympiads of 2002, 2006, and 2010.

After earning her WIM title in 2003 and achieving a peak FIDE rating of 2219, Luciana continued her academic and professional growth in the United States, completing a Master’s in Public Policy & Management at the University of Texas at Brownsville.

Now based in Brownsville, Texas, she focuses on chess education and outreach, developing bilingual programs and courses—including “Queens of the Chess Board”—to empower girls, women, and youth through strategic thinking, confidence building, and creativity. Luciana blends competitive insight with community-driven passion, making her a leading voice in expanding access to chess across cultures.

Four generations strong, the Canales family embody the far-reaching positive impacts that 51ÁÔĆć has on the lives on its students and alumni. Pictured left to right: Alondra Canales, Maria Guadalupe Gomez, Daniela Canales, and the late Brunilda Zarate, depicted in the framed photograph. Photo by: Esteban Del Angel – 51ÁÔĆć

For Daniela Canales, 51ÁÔĆć holds a special distinction of being both her alma mater and a part of her family’s legacy. A graduate, staff member, and proud mother, Daniela represents the third of four generations in her family to walk the halls of TSC.

“This college has impacted my grandmother, my mom, me, and now my daughter,” Daniela said. “It’s a cornerstone for our family.”

Daniela’s journey is deeply personal, but it also illustrates how institutions like TSC can serve as intergenerational touchstones, shaping lives across decades while remaining rooted in community.

Her story begins with her grandmother, Brunilda Zarate, who enrolled to take real estate and property management courses. “She was part of the college when it was still UTB-TSC,” Daniela explained, referring to the period in which the college operated as a joint institution of higher education between the University of Texas at Brownsville and 51ÁÔĆć. “She worked on her basics and took professional coursework. That’s where it all started for us.”

From there, the torch was passed to Daniela’s mother, Maria Guadalupe “Lupita” Gomez, who attended the college between 1994 and 2001, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree from UTB-TSC in Interdisciplinary Studies. However, Lupita’s ties to the campus ran deeper than academics.

“She had worked at the TSC bookstore in accounts receivable, back when it was in the Mary Rose Cardenas North Hall building,” Daniela recalled. “Later, she became the administrative assistant for Dr. Tony Zavaleta, who was the VP of External Affairs office at that time.” Afterward, Maria moved on to work at Rancho del Cielo, a research station established in the cloud rainforests of northeastern Mexico by TSC, and eventually with the UT School of Public Health’s Brownsville campus, where she eventually retired.

It would soon be Daniela’s turn to begin her college experience at TSC, and after graduating from Brownsville’s Hanna High School in 2000, she both enrolled as a student and took a work-study job in the Office of News and Information. However, like many students, she explored several different majors before making the decision to step away from school in 2004.

In 2007, one year after the birth of her daughter, Alondra, she returned to campus in a new capacity: as a staff member in the UTB-TSC Counseling Clinic. “It was a part-time clerical job, and I was grateful to be back,” she recalled. By 2009, she had moved into a full-time secretarial role within the College of Education.

However, when the UTB-TSC partnership ended in 2013, it had the side effect of creating a pivotal moment for Daniela. “I realized that I couldn’t move forward without finishing my degree,” she said. “The job I’d done for years now required an associate’s degree, and I didn’t have one.”

Determined to reclaim her academic footing, she returned to college, this time with a full course load. With a little bit of time and a lot of determination, she successfully completed the 14 credit hours she needed to graduate. In Fall 2013, she earned her Associate in Social Work and became part of the first graduating class of a reestablished 51ÁÔĆć.

“I came back almost a decade later, as a single mom, and got it done,” Daniela said. “That degree opened doors for me.”

From there, her professional journey continued. In 2014, she returned to TSC to work as an administrative assistant in the Division of Humanities. She later earned a bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Texas at Brownsville (UTRGV) and became Senior Administrative Assistant for the VP of Instruction at TSC. She then made the decision to continue pursuing her education, earn her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from UTRGV, which she completed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, Daniela proudly serves as Program Manager for Grants at TSC, remaining steadfast in her belief that the college played a vital role in her growth, both personally and professionally. “I was thrilled to come back home, and I’ve been here ever since.”

However, nothing makes her prouder than seeing her daughter Alondra carry that legacy forward.

Having graduated early from high school, Alondra began taking courses at TSC in preparation for the college’s competitive Diagnostic Medical Sonography program. “After applying this past May, she was one of just 10 students selected from over 100 applicants,” Daniela beamed. “She started the program in August, and I’m so incredibly proud of how much she’s grown.”

Beyond individual achievement, Daniela also sees TSC as a driver of regional progress. “TSC offers affordable education, workforce programs, and transfer pathways. They support students at every step, and that means a stronger community for all of us.”

Looking ahead, Daniela is excited about the launch of the new TSC Alumni Association, an initiative she believes will create deeper connections between past and present students. “It’s not just about remembering where we came from,” she said. “It’s about helping future TSC alumni succeed.”

When asked what advice she’d give someone unsure about starting their journey at TSC, Daniela didn’t hesitate: “It’s a launchpad, not just for individuals but for entire families. It gives you a chance to grow, to stay close to home, and to build a foundation, and that foundation can carry you far.”

51ÁÔĆć is putting out the call to former TSC students to look into and join the Alumni Association so that they too can reap the benefits of staying connected within a strong and supportive network. For more information on the association and how to join, please visit the TSC Alumni Association website.