Placement:Placement Location: Sacramento, California
My name is Alexis Aguilar, I am a fourth year student studying Conservation and Resource studies. At the age of seven years old, my mother and I fled our hometown in Michoacán, Mexico, escaping a life flustered by organized crime and violence. Throughout the course of my life, I’ve used these experiences to frame the mantra I live by; no matter what happens, never let it affect your education. As I navigate my undergraduate career at UC Berkeley, I proceed to valorize this notion while I forge...
Cristal is a first-generation Latine student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Political Science. She was raised in the California Central Valley and attended College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California prior to transferring to Cal. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants from the states of Michoacan and Zacatecas. Her identity of being a Latina and an unconventional college student is what makes her passionate about advocating for educational equity and immigration reform policy.
Placement:Placement Location: Sacramento, California
Sidney Carrigan is a third year student completing her B.A. in Legal Studies along with minors in Disability Studies and Public Policy. Throughout her life, she has witnessed her mother struggle to comprehend the intricate legal system that governs her autistic brother’s life. Her early experiences with disability rights law and advocacy developed into a passion for alleviating the burdens of others, specifically by means of legal support. Through an internship with Harvard Law School’s Legal...
Paola Castellanos Martinez is a first-generation Latina student at UC Berkeley majoring in Political Science and Chicanx Latinx Studies. Raised in the San Gabriel Valley and daughter of two working-class parents, she is motivated by her experiences of growing up in an underfunded community to address issues surrounding prison, housing, labor, and immigration reform.
In her last year at UC Berkeley, she focused her thesis on studying the relationship between being an undocumented student to...
Born in Guatemala and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Emily's experiences have shaped her into a driven and passionate advocate for positive change. She is a first-generation student at UC Berkeley, pursuing a double major in political science and ethnic studies. Growing up in South LA, she observed the inadequate resources her community received. During her freshman year of high school, an Ethnic Studies class deepened Emily's connection with her history and identity, revealing a global cycle of enduring injustices...
Passionate about the intersection of environmental and social justice, Naydelin Chimil, an indigenous woman majoring in society and environment, is a recent transfer student. Fueled by firsthand experiences of environmental and social injustice in her community, she actively advocates against systemic racism. With a relentless curiosity and commitment to public service, Naydelin contributes a unique perspective to public policy. As a former Youth City Council Member for City District 1 of Los Angeles, she brings a passion for further learning about...
Joselen Contreras is an ambitious and determined individual who has recently started her freshman year at the University of California, Berkeley. She has been awarded the highly coveted Regents' and Chancellor Scholarship, which reflects her commitment to academic excellence. Majoring in public health, she is eager to make a significant impact on healthcare and community well-being.
Despite coming from humble beginnings, Joselen's upbringing instilled in her a sense of purpose and a strong drive to improve the lives of those who are often overlooked and...
Karla De La Cruz is a 1st-generation student pursuing her bachelor's degree in sociology. She is part of various campus communities such as EOP, NAVCAL, USP, and E&I. Karla's interests include researching farm workers and the socioeconomic determinants influencing health disparities in northern California. Beyond academia, Karla envisions leveraging her education in sociology to empower undocumented communities by challenging systemic oppression through legal advocacy. She has aspirations of...
Joshua is a first-generation, junior transfer student. His interest in public service was sparked by his family, with his mom working as an EMT. From this grew a strong desire to also help communities directly, but through developing policy in the state legislature. Following a non traditional path, from a community where opportunities are limited, Cal in Sac is an exciting beacon of hope for him to not only prove himself and what he is capable of, but to more importantly learn from meaningful experiences...
Jishan Jiang is a third-year student at UC Berkeley, pursuing a double major in Legal Studies and Data Science, with a minor in Education. She is passionate about the intersection between policy, technology and educational equity. Her research interest revolves around learning design, curriculum development and educational policies that prioritizes marginalized or underrepresented students’ experience. With aspirations to become an educator and researcher, Jishan hopes to harness the transformative power of...
