Yolanda Arzola

Admissions Assistant

Yolanda Arzola is the Admissions Assistant at The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she combines her passion for structure, community, and creativity to guide new students through their enrollment. Her professional journey began in the U.S. Army, where she served nine years, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Her military career included roles as a Military Police Officer, Investigator, and Recruiter.

After leaving the military, Yolanda took on the role of Outreach Coordinator at Tu Casa Latina (Reno, NV), a nonprofit supporting undocumented and underserved populations in the Sierra Nevada region. She remains deeply involved in advocacy work, volunteering across youth programs and leading mental health awareness initiatives, including sneaker-painting workshops for tribal youth.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, and raised between Florida and Puerto Rico, Yolanda brings a vibrant cultural background and a fluent command of Spanish to her work. At NCOAE, Yolanda enjoys being close to the ocean and helping create a welcoming environment that inspires students to grow. She believes in empowering others to chase their dreams, often saying, “When your sole glows, nothing can stop you from following your dreams.”

When she’s not working, Yolanda enjoys designing custom sneakers and purses, dancing, and swimming with her three dogs: Simbah, Max, and Gio Papi. Her role model is music icon Benito Ocasio Martinez (Bad Bunny), for boldly bringing Puerto Rican culture to the global stage with authenticity and heart.