Diana is the granddaughter of immigrants from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Diana’s father was an English learner who later became a computer programmer for Alcoa Rockdale Works, and he served in the US Navy in Monterey, California (along with his six brothers, who served in the Army, Air Force, and Navy!).

 

Diana’s mother grew up harvesting fruits and vegetables as the daughter of migrant workers, and she attended over 20 schools following harvests in multiple states. Because of this, Diana’s mother was always behind in school, but she knew the importance of education so she finished her high school diploma in night school, later becoming the Housekeeping Supervisor at our local hospital.

 

Diana's life’s work is access—access to literacy, access to higher education, access to healthcare and mental health resources, and access to quality jobs. Alongside amazing team members, Diana taught ESL biology in Rogers, started family literacy and leadership programs for students and families, and led from within Arkansas’ higher education community to increase the number of ESL trained teachers. Diana and her team provided health fairs and raised mental health awareness through radio shows, and they have created pathways to quality jobs by empowering bilingual/bicultural paraprofessionals to become teachers.

 

In addition to leading Arkansas’s education community in addressing cultural and language barriers – and the obstacles to achievement and inclusion those barriers present – Diana mentors up-and-coming Arkansas teachers. She is passionate about sharing her career of service with those who are beginning their own career of service.

 

Diana has deep roots in our Springdale community. She is the recipient of the Arkansas Education Association’s Citizen Award and has been honored by the Springdale School Board. In 2009 Gonzales Worthen co-founded OneCommunity, a Springdale nonprofit that works to promote access to education resources, health and mental health resources, and leadership development programming. She is also the co-founder of the Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas, an organization that celebrates culture & community and grants scholarships to local students. Gonzales Worthen currently serves on Boy Scouts of America Westark Diversity Committee, UAMS Community Action Network & NWA Latinx Taskforce, National GYO Network and has served on the boards of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Washington Regional Medical Foundation, Partners of the Americas Arkansas-East Bolivia Partnership, Washington County Historical Society, National Holmes Scholars Alumni, and more.