Yesenia Santoyo
Dean of Operations
Baker College Prep
About – Yesenia Santoyo
Yesenia Santoyo’s journey with Noble began in 2013, when she joined as a founding staff member at Baker College Prep, serving students from the South Side of Chicago. Over the years, with the support and development opportunities provided by Noble, Yesenia has taken on increasingly challenging roles at Baker, including Administrative Assistant, Office Manager, Dean of Culture, and her current position as Dean of Operations. Her dedication to education extends beyond Noble, as she started her career in 2012 at Chicago Commons in greater Chicago, working closely in the Head Start Program with a Reggio Emilia approach. Yesenia’s commitment to education is evident in her service as a catechist for adolescents in the Back of the Yards Community for over ten years.
Significant educational achievements have marked Yesenia’s time at Noble. When she first joined Noble, she earned an associate degree from City Colleges of Chicago—Harold Washington College. However, her thirst for knowledge and professional growth led her to participate in the Management Accelerator program and Noble Forward. These programs culminated in obtaining a bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University, making her a proud First-Generation College Graduate.
Yesenia Santoyo’s commitment to education is deeply personal. As a Chicago Native, she firmly believes that education can transform lives and should be equitable for all students. Yesenia’s dedication to this work is further amplified by her role as a mother with two children who are currently scholars at Noble. One of her children is set to graduate in 2024 and is also a Posse Scholar. Yesenia acknowledges that her work is a collective effort, and she is grateful for the outstanding leaders and educators at Noble. Her ultimate goal is to leverage her leadership and operational experiences to bring about positive change and contribute to the growth of Noble Schools.