The Teton Climbers’ Coalition (TCC) is proud to announce Lina Collado as the 2026 recipient of the Women’s Grand Scholarship, a needs-based program that provides a fully guided ascent of the Grand Teton.
Collado was selected from a pool of 67 applicants, a strong showing in a year when eligibility was narrowed to residents of Teton County, Wyoming and Teton County, Idaho. The continued depth of interest underscores both the demand for access to alpine climbing and the growing reach of the program within the local community.
A photojournalist, ESL teacher, and community advocate, Collado embodies the scholarship’s mission to expand access while strengthening representation in the mountains. Originally from Puerto Rico, she moved to Jackson Hole in 2013 with no background in mountain travel. Over the past eleven years, she has built her skills across the Tetons, taking on progressively more ambitious objectives each summer.
“This scholarship would give me access to something I cannot reach on my own—not just financially, though that is real, but experientially,” Collado wrote in her application. “Guided by professional women and climbing alongside others pushing toward the same goal—that’s something no amount of solo training can replicate.”
Her path to this moment has included significant setbacks. In late 2023, she underwent surgery after a mass in her knee left her unable to walk. Following a year of rehabilitation, she returned to training and now runs, hikes, and climbs without limitations.
Collado’s impact extends well beyond her personal pursuits. As an ESL teacher at Our Lady of the Mountains and an advocate with organizations including Womentum and Voices JH, she has worked to expand access and visibility for Spanish-speaking residents in the valley. In 2021, she was named Super Volunteer of the Year by the Jackson Hole News & Guide for translating COVID-19 information into Spanish for the community.
Through the scholarship, Collado plans to document the climb and share the experience with a broader audience—particularly older Latina women who may not yet see themselves reflected in the mountains.
“I want that climb to be proof that it is possible,” she wrote.
Scholarship Fund Momentum
This year’s award comes amid strong momentum behind the Women’s Grand Scholarship Fund, which is designed to sustain the program in perpetuity. The fund has now surpassed $64,000 in committed support toward its $115,000 goal, with nearly $45,000 already secured and an additional $22,000 pledged.
Since its launch, the fund has been bolstered by a series of major gifts, including a $25,000 founding contribution from Dawn Rucker and a $10,000 donation from Mr. and Mrs. Ian MacLeod. Additional support from donors including Constance A. Kemmerer and Ellen Houlihan—along with dozens of community contributions—has helped build steady momentum.
Funds are held and managed through the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole, ensuring long-term stewardship and impact. Additional pledged support, including a $20,000 commitment from Four Pines Physical Therapy and $2,000 from Women in the Tetons, will further expand the program’s reach in future years.
About the Women’s Grand Scholarship
The Women’s Grand Scholarship provides guided climbing opportunities on the Grand Teton for women who might not otherwise have access to such experiences. By removing financial barriers and pairing recipients with professional guides and a cohort of peers, the program fosters confidence, leadership, and a lasting connection to the mountains.
The fund remains open to additional contributions, with all donations directly supporting future scholarship recipients and the long-term sustainability of the program.For more information or to support the Women’s Grand Scholarship Fund, visit https://tetonclimbers.com/womens-grand-scholarship/.