Tatissa Zunguze (April 14, 1996 – March 4, 2017) was a gifted student, compassionate leader, mentor, and passionate advocate for social justice. From an early age, she demonstrated a love of science, leadership, and service to others. She excelled academically, participated in prestigious opportunities including a public health internship at Johns Hopkins University, and later attended Scripps College in California, where she was recognized for her scholarship, character, and leadership. At Scripps, Tatissa was deeply involved in student leadership, mentoring, STEM research, and advocacy for first-generation, underserved, and marginalized students. She worked to strengthen campus resources, promote equity, and create a more inclusive and supportive community. Her professors regarded her as a rising star in STEM, and Scripps College awarded her a posthumous undergraduate degree in 2018. Tatissa is remembered for her beautiful smile, adventurous spirit, academic excellence, courage, compassion, and extraordinary ability to bring people together. In just 20 years, she touched countless lives and left a lasting legacy of service, leadership, and advocacy.

Her family established The Tatissa Foundation to honor her memory and continue the work she cared so deeply about—helping others, advancing social justice, and creating hope and support for those who need it most.