Connect

Selina Barajas

Community Engagement Strategist

Selina Barajas is a native Tucsonan and University of Arizona alum who attended schools in both the Sunnyside and Tucson Unified School Districts. She holds a Master's Degree in Urban Planning from UCLA and has extensive experience in project management. Selina has worked on social, cultural, and economic development initiatives in the Pico Neighborhood of Santa Monica, City of Inglewood, City of Tucson, and City of South Tucson. Selina serves as the Lead Community Engagement Strategist for several Tucson transportation and mobility projects, including the 12th Avenue Street Improvement Project, Proposition 407 Bicycle Boulevards on Tucson's south side, Tucson Norte-Sur (the City's first equitable transit-oriented development project), and Tucson Rapid Transit. In her free time, you can catch Selina cruising the streets of Tucson, reimagining vacant spaces, and admiring local murals, all with a cafecito in hand!

Selina Encinas

Selina Encinas, born and raised on the south side of Tucson, is a proud alum of Sunnyside High School and Pima Community College. Selina is and will always be a Blue Devil at heart and still resides in a Sunnyside Neighborhood with her children. She also spent many years living in a Midvale Park Neighborhood. Selina has a long-standing community presence in Tucson and her background ranges from working in community relations with Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), to Housing and Community Development for the City of Tucson, to most recently working with small and corporate businesses with the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (THCC). Selina’s goal is not only making sure that businesses are doing well, but that communities are also flourishing and are supported. "If our communities are doing well, our businesses will follow and also do well." What excites Selina most about the Drexel Road Bridge- Midvale Park to Calle Santa Cruz project is that, after living on both sides of the Santa Cruz River, she will finally see her vision of this much-needed bridge connecting both communities come true. During her "free time", you will find Selina cheering on her children on the baseball/softball field or supporting a local business!

Leah Vega

Leah Vega is a native Tucsonan, creative and local entrepreneur. Growing up, she attended Tucson Unified School District (TUSD) schools, including Grijalva Elementary and Pistor Middle School, and currently resides in the Midvale Park Neighborhood. Throughout her early years, Leah navigated the streets by taking Sun Tran buses and has come to appreciate the street view. She stays active by going on walks along the Loop and Midvale Neighborhood with her toddler, boyfriend, and dog by her side. She is involved in southside organizations such as Sunnyside Foundation and FUGA and supports local, small businesses. Leah loves to arrange balloons for gatherings, parties, and community events through her business, “Alealis Arrangement.” Leah is excited to talk to her neighbors about the Drexel Road Bridge- Midvale Park to Calle Santa Cruz project and is looking forward to “connecting my community by sharing our future plans with them. I cannot wait to utilize the bridge once it is complete - on evening bike rides, family walks, and for our entire community to use it!”

Breanna Rodriguez

Breanna Rodriguez was born and raised in the Midvale Park Neighborhood. She is an active mother of a one-year-old and a student at Pima Community College-Desert Vista Campus. Breanna is currently studying Library Science and hopes to one day become a Children's Librarian. She has volunteered and worked with several Pima County Public Libraries, including the Valencia Library and the Sahuarita Library, and enjoys helping out at the Community Food Bank and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. In her free time, Breanna likes to spend time with family and friends, reading a good book, and jamming out to music! She enjoys helping and giving back to her community and inspiring others to achieve their goals. Breanna loves her Midvale neighborhood because everyone is connected and knows one another. She is looking forward to connecting with others and informing them about the Drexel Road Bridge- Midvale Park to Calle Santa Cruz project.