Alum Spotlight: Elizabeth Umanzor

At YES Prep, we believe opportunity can begin in the most unexpected places — even in a required high school class. For Elizabeth Umanzor, Southeast Secondary, class of 2014, that class became the foundation for a career that now spans Houston, cities across the country, and international spaces abroad. 

Today, Umanzor is a full-time muralist collaborating with brands, government offices, and community organizations to create large-scale public art rooted in culture, movement, and identity. Her journey is a powerful reflection of what happens when students are given the space to discover who they are becoming. 

Now in her fifth year as a full-time artist, Umanzor has painted over a dozen murals, including multiple five figure commissions. In a recent collaboration with the Houston Dynamo FC, she was given full creative freedom to interpret the energy of soccer through nature-inspired imagery — a project that blended movement, culture, and storytelling on a large scale. 

Her path to becoming a professional artist began with a required art class. 

A Turning Point at Southeast Secondary 

Umanzor says she has always loved to draw. Even in elementary school, teachers noticed her talent and encouraged her to submit artwork to competitions. 

But it was not until her junior year at Southeast that art became something more. AP Art became one of the most meaningful experiences of her high school years, a small class filled with energy and possibility. 

“I’m grateful the state of Texas requires students to take art in order to graduate, or else I don’t believe I would’ve realized how much I loved art and how quickly I learned skills,” Umanzor said. “Ms. Crancer was the first person to believe in me, before I believed in myself to be able to pursue my dreams of being an artist.” 

She credits her teacher, Ms. Jennifer Crancer, for creating a classroom environment that balanced guidance with creative autonomy. Students were encouraged to choose their own artistic direction and develop portfolios that reflected their personal interests and voice. That creative freedom helped Umanzor grow in confidence as an artist, preparing her to pursue larger projects and professional opportunities beyond the classroom. 

Building a Career Beyond the Classroom 

Through weekly artist spotlights and visits from working creatives, Ms. Crancer exposed students to the many paths a career in art could take. She also encouraged them to build connections beyond school and emphasized the importance of networking. 

“She brought in GONZO247, arguably one of the biggest artists in Houston,” Umanzor said. “Now I can proudly say he’s both a friend and a colleague.” 

Those early opportunities to meet artists and understand the business side of creativity helped Umanzor see how careers are built through both talent and relationships. 

After graduating, she chose stability first, becoming an art teacher while taking on art projects on the side. In early 2022, she made the decision to pursue murals full time. Within months, she landed her first brand deal and multiple five figure commissions. Her largest mural project to date reached $45,000. 

Ms. Crancer has watched that evolution with pride. “Liz was a powerhouse in my class,” Crancer said. “She often reminded me that she was not going to be an artist and that she was going to study something else. About six months into college, she messaged me to say she had changed her major. Now she travels the world for her job. I am incredibly proud of her work. She is one of my greatest success stories in art.”

Coming Full Circle 

Last month, Umanzor returned to YES Prep as an expert panelist for Ignite Career Week, speaking during the Imagination Station session focused on the arts. She shared her journey with a classroom of engaged students who, like her, have a passion for creativity. Students asked questions about networking, commissions, and what it takes to build a sustainable career as an artist. 

Standing in front of students who are now where she once was, Umanzor represented what is possible when passion is paired with opportunity and belief. 

The Power of YES  

Umanzor’s journey is a powerful reminder that when students are given access to opportunities, mentorship, and the freedom to explore their potential, they can build lives filled with purpose. 

When she returned to this year’s Ignite Career Week, she brought her story back to the place where her dream first took shape. And now, she is helping the next generation find imagine what is possible.  

Because at YES Prep, the dream doesn’t end with graduation. It grows—powered by belief, community, and the lifelong Power of YES.