Growing up in southern New Mexico as the oldest of four, Jessyca Tierney-Smith learned early what it meant to lead with curiosity and care. The daughter of two educators, she was raised in a home where learning wasn’t just encouraged but it was a way of life.
After beginning her studies in Interior Architecture at Arizona State University, Jessyca realized her true passion wasn’t designing spaces, it was shaping futures.
She earned her degree in education and began her career as a multi-age teacher in Chandler, Arizona, later completing her Master’s in Education from Northern Arizona University.
Over the years, Jessyca has worn many hats: teacher, curriculum coordinator, ELL liaison, professional development coach, and director of product development. Each role strengthening her belief that education should be personal, purposeful, and empowering.
Today, as a college advisor and co-founder of ScholarPath, she helps students discover their strengths and step confidently into the next chapter of their lives.
Outside of work, Jessyca and her husband raised three children, now grown and thriving, whose own college journeys helped shape her understanding of what families truly need during this process.
In 2021, Jessyca served as a founding board member and Vice President of Philanthropy for the Young Men’s Service League Inspire Chapter, where she built partnerships with over 15 nonprofit organizations in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, deepening her commitment to community and mentorship.
Through ScholarPath, Jessyca channels all those experiences (professional and personal) into one mission: helping every student find clarity, confidence, and purpose on their path to college and beyond.
Bridging every gap
Shaping tomorrow
Based in sunny Las Cruces, New Mexico, Amber Gonzales balances life as an educator, mentor, and mom to two busy high schoolers. College and career readiness is more than her job; it’s her family’s daily rhythm. College tours double as vacations, and she’s the kind of person who can spot a great student union or rec center from a mile away (strictly for “research purposes,” of course).
Before pursuing a career in education, Amber attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and majored in Hotel/Restaurant Management as a proud recipient of the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program. It was a dynamic top-tier, hands-on program that landed her a job in Santa Fe, New Mexico. After several years managing a restaurant, she recognized a yearning for something more rewarding. Eventually, Amber returned to school and earned an MA degree in Education at New Mexico State University. Since then, she has earned a Gifted Education endorsement and looks forward to pursuing her National Board Certification.
For more than 20 years, Amber has dedicated her career to Las Cruces Public Schools, serving as a classroom teacher, facilitator, gifted specialist, and mentor. Across every role, her purpose has stayed the same: helping students discover who they are, connect learning to passion, and turn dreams into real-world goals.
Amber’s superpower is transforming the college process from overwhelming to empowering. Whether it’s applications, scholarships, or building a personal brand, she guides students with empathy, clarity, and enthusiasm. Through her work with Doña Ana County, Las Cruces Public Schools, and now ScholarPath, she’s helped countless students explore careers, strengthen soft skills, and confidently navigate what comes next.
Her commitment to service began early volunteering at shelters, food banks, and school clubs long before she could drive and it’s still a part of her life today. Between watercolor nights, book clubs, and the occasional sourdough bake-off, Amber continues to find joy in building connections and community.
Whether she’s cheering from the basketball sidelines, walking her dogs, or helping a student press “submit” on their college application, Amber brings warmth, humor, and heart to everything she does. Through ScholarPath, she helps every learner find a path that’s personal, purposeful, and full of possibility.
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