Oswaldo Lopez Jr. serves as the Project Director of the Upward Bound Program at ÂÌñÉç, where he leads initiatives aimed at empowering high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue and succeed in higher education.
A native of Montecito Heights in Northeast Los Angeles, Oswaldo is an alumnus of Abraham Lincoln High School and a proud former participant of the ÂÌñÉç Upward Bound Project. His passion for education and leadership was first ignited during his time at Lincoln High School.
Oswaldo earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chicana/o Studies with a minor in Educational Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). While at UCSB, he became deeply involved in student access programs and community outreach—experiences that solidified his commitment to educational equity and policy advocacy.
He continued his academic journey at the University of Southern California (USC), where he earned a Master’s degree in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs. His graduate work deepened his understanding of the systemic barriers faced by students in underserved communities and prepared him to be a more effective advocate and practitioner.
Since joining the Upward Bound Program at ÂÌñÉç in 2017, Oswaldo has served in several key roles—including Administrative Coordinator, Assistant Director, and Associate Director—before stepping into his current leadership position. Under his direction, the program has significantly expanded its reach and impact, providing vital support, mentorship, and college preparation resources to first-generation, college-bound students.