With the help of 14 scholarships, Elene graduated debt-free from the University of Arizona Yuma with her bachelor’s in Sustainable Plant Systems.

While obtaining her degree, and before dedicating her career to agriculture and public health, Elene developed a successful house flipping business during her time in school. Within her time at the University of Arizona Yuma, Elene was featured as a Winning Wildcat on Scholarship Universe and won the University of Arizona's Outstanding Senior Award. After graduation, Elene was hired as a manager at Yuma County Citrus Pest Control District and is the coordinator for Yuma’s first Citrus Health Management Area. She is in training to become a manager at the Yuma County Pest Abatement District. Within all of these roles, she oversees how diseases in plants and bugs can influence both citrus life and public health.