For Marissa Lara, supporting students isn't just a job—it's personal. As Scholar Success Manager at the Chime Scholars Foundation (CSF), she works to help students access the resources they need to succeed because she knows firsthand how transformative those opportunities can be.
A personal connection to education
Marissa's passion for education started when she began volunteering with a nonprofit in Costa Mesa in her first year of community college, working with kids from immigrant backgrounds similar to her own.
"I was tutoring second graders and realized that some of them could only recognize the letters in their names but didn't know the whole alphabet," she says. "It was heartbreaking because I knew how much harder their journeys would be compared to students who receive more support early on."
That moment made Marissa reflect on the opportunities and support she received growing up and opened her eyes to the inequities in the education system. This ignited her passion and shaped her drive to create opportunities for students facing systemic barriers to success.
Finding her path: From community college to nonprofit work
While her passion for education was sparked early, Marissa didn't always know she'd pursue a career in the field. As a first-generation college student, she started her journey at a community college, unsure of what she wanted to major in before transferring to a four-year university, where she majored in communications and public relations.
After college, Marissa continued to feel the pull of education and equity and was hired in her first full-time role at the Taco Bell Foundation. It was there that she first learned about scholarship displacement—a lesser-known but significant issue in higher education: "When students receive outside scholarships, some colleges reduce their financial aid," she explains. "It disproportionately affects students who need the money most, and I had no idea this could happen to students until I started working in the higher education space."
Learning about scholarship displacement deepened her commitment to ensuring students not only get funding for school but also the resources and knowledge to navigate the system effectively.
Joining Chime: A new opportunity to make an impact
After nearly seven years at the Taco Bell Foundation, Marissa was ready to take on a new challenge: "I had reached a point where I felt like I'd hit a ceiling," she says. "I always told our scholars to 'live life by design, not by default,'— something a mentor always encouraged me to do, and I realized I needed to take my own advice."
While job searching, she came across Chime. Although she wasn't familiar with the company, she was drawn to its mission-driven approach and was excited to discover its commitment to higher education. As she learned more about CSF, she was intrigued by the chance to build something from the ground up and continue working in a field she is passionate about.
"CSF was still new, and I loved the idea of an empty canvas," she says. "I knew I had the skills and experience to help shape it into something impactful."
Determined to make the opportunity happen, she reached out to Jeni Izuel, the hiring manager, on LinkedIn and asked to connect over coffee. "I just wanted to learn more about her journey and the team," she says. "And, of course, I also applied for the job."
Taking her own advice—to live life by design, not by default—paid off. She landed the interview—and, ultimately, the role.
What she does at Chime: More than just scholarships
As Scholar Success Manager, Marissa focuses on ensuring CSF scholars receive financial support and the tools and resources to succeed in their education and careers. "It takes more than just money to make it through college," she says. "And often, it takes more than college to build the career you want."
Her role includes managing scholar engagement, career readiness programs, leadership development, and financial education. One of her favorite aspects is meeting scholars in person and learning about their journeys.
"I feel fortunate to have had certain opportunities, along with support from family and mentors that helped me get to where I am today and I want to be part of that support system for someone else."
Finding growth in a fast-moving environment
Since joining Chime, Marissa has worked hard to drive engagement with scholars, communicate the value of the program, and ensure they're getting the most out of everything it has to offer. "Students receive a scholarship, but we also provide community events, networking opportunities, and career resources—there are so many ways our scholars can benefit from CSF," she says.
She's especially excited about the growth of CSF's career workshops over the past year: "Our monthly career readiness workshops started with small groups," she says. "Now, more and more people are showing up, engaging, and keeping their cameras on—and it's rewarding to see those connections forming. I'm excited to see how engaged our students are and to encourage even more enthusiasm so our students continue to succeed."
Navigating a fast-moving company like Chime has also been an adjustment for Marissa, especially coming from a much larger organization. "Things change fast here," she says. "But one thing that remains a constant is the relationships and commitment across the company. Chimers are always willing to help each other and lift up our program and our scholars, and that sense of dedication makes all the difference."
Final thoughts: Advice for students and professionals
For students looking to get a leg up on their education and career, Marissa emphasizes the importance of seeking out opportunities beyond financial aid, including finding a supportive community and mentors to help guide you along your journey.
"Education isn't one-size-fits-all," she says. "Take advantage of every resource available to you, whether it's mentorship, networking, or career development programs."
And for professionals looking to grow in their careers, she encourages taking an active approach: living life by design, not by default.
"Be the person who reaches out," she says. "If there's a job you want, don't just apply—connect with the people hiring for the role, ask questions, and put yourself out there. That's how I got here, and those actions made all the difference for me—they just might for you, too."