Alicia Napules

Alicia C. Napules, MA is a passionate ecosystem builder, TRIO professional, and the visionary CEO of the Napules Foundation—an organization dedicated to providing equitable educational access and support to first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students across Northwest Indiana. With over a decade of experience in educational outreach, Alicia has cultivated a reputation as a connector, advocate, and strategist committed to closing opportunity gaps and empowering young people to thrive academically and beyond.

A proud alumna of Purdue University Northwest, Alicia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a double concentration in Broadcasting and Advertising, graduating in the top 10% of her class. She went on to complete her Master of Arts in Communication with a focus on Rhetoric and Theoretical Application, graduating in the top 2% of her cohort. Her graduate work was fully funded by Purdue in recognition of her academic excellence and her potential as a change agent.

Alicia’s professional journey is rooted in her own lived experience as a first-generation college student. She has served as a TRIO Educational Talent Search (ETS) advisor, working directly with students in grades 6–12 to develop college and career readiness, communication skills, and personal confidence. Her work spans school districts across East Chicago, Hammond, and Gary, where she’s led college access workshops, facilitated leadership conferences, and designed culturally responsive curriculum to meet the needs of underserved communities.

Through her role in TRIO and her leadership on the Indiana TRIO board as Chair of Communications and PR, Alicia has worked to build a statewide network of support for students and professionals alike. She is known for her innovative use of storytelling, data, and collaboration to drive systemic change and amplify the voices of first-gen students.

As founder and CEO of the Napules Foundation, Alicia expands her ecosystem-building work by offering free tutoring, mentorship programs, college prep resources, and parental engagement workshops—mirroring many of TRIO’s evidence-based practices. The Foundation also invests in mental wellness, social-emotional learning, and digital literacy as key components of student success. By forming strategic partnerships with schools, local businesses, and civic leaders, Alicia ensures that educational equity is not just an aspiration—but a shared responsibility.

Her impact has been recognized through multiple honors, including the Purdue Boilermaker Changemaker Award and Outstanding Teaching Assistant of the Year. Whether she’s teaching public speaking, leading a panel on educational policy, or developing community-rooted programs, Alicia remains grounded in her mission: to lift as she climbs.

From advising students to shaping statewide policy and launching grassroots initiatives, Alicia C. Napules exemplifies what it means to be an ecosystem builder—someone who not only navigates systems, but reimagines them to work better for everyone.