Jocelin Robles is a first-generation Latina from East Oakland majoring in Ethnic Studies and minoring in Education. As someone from a low-income immigrant family in the Bay, Jocelin has first-hand witnessed how local and federal governments inflict economic, social, and political injustices within her community. Her upbringing as someone who struggled due to intersectional identities has driven her to pursue opportunities that allow an in-depth understanding of education, immigration, and basic needs policies. More so, Jocelin believes in...
Raised by a single mother in a household of six siblings in Southern California, Anthony is passionate about creating solutions for formerly incarcerated, system-impacted, and marginalized communities. At an early age, Anthony was abandoned by his father and was forced to live in a heavily gang-infested area which led him to be incarcerated at a young age. Through this experience, he became acutely aware of policies that affect youth at a young age due to being forced to live in low-income communities with high crime rates. At UC Berkeley, Anthony, the first in his family to...
Born and raised by a mixed-status family in Los Angeles, California, Alexia Guerra is the proud daughter of Guatemalan immigrants and is the first in her family to attend college. She is a second-year double majoring in Political Science/Ethnic Studies with an intended minor in Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley. Alexia’s on-campus involvement is centered on fighting toward social, political, and economic self-determination, liberation, and empowerment of marginalized communities. Alexia co-leads Central Americans for Empowerment (CAFE) serving Central...
Hi, I’m Sarah Orozco. I’m a 1st-gen, low-income, Oaxaquena Senior transfer student from UC Berkeley. My family is from the Sierra Norte region in Oaxaca, Mexico, a small pueblito called San Mateo Cajonos. I’m majoring in sociology and plan to attend graduate school to get a PHD in Education. I'm apart of many communities on campus, such as EOP, transfers, basic needs center, DSP, and also most importantly uplifting the Oaxacan community at CAL and the bay area. I am currently involved in 3 position in the Center for Educational Equity and Excellence: at the Transfer student...
Kulsoom Hasan is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing studies within the Travers Department of Political Science and the Goldman School of Public Policy. Her passion for public service was initially forged through community engagement at the local governmental level as a voter drive organizer and grassroots campaign canvasser. From there, her foray into legislative research and policy advocacy expanded as she further explored the interdisciplinary nature of politics and government through hands-on experience.
Amber Griffin-Royal (she/her) is a low-income, disabled, Oakland native, fourth-year re-entry transfer majoring in African American Studies. Her time at Cal has been invaluable as she's been supported academically and creatively to pursue her interests in research, femtorship, and DJing. Some of the work she's done on campus includes being an Undergraduate Research Advocate Intern at the Library of Environmental Design, an intern at NavCal, femtoring newly accepted transfer students, a Program Coordinator for Experience Berkeley Transfer assisting community college students of color...
Marlyn is a first-generation college student who will be graduating in May 2023 from UC Berkeley with a degree in Political Science and Comparative Ethnic Studies. She was born in San Diego but grew up living in both San Diego and Tijuana. As part of a mixed-status family, she learned first-hand how complicated and overwhelming immigration legal processes are in our country. Living in a border site, the movement of people, particularly of refugees and asylum seekers, was highly visible throughout her life. These lived experiences have motivated her work throughout undergrad and...
Ngan Pham was born and raised in Vietnam and immigrated to the States in 2019. Growing up in a working-class family, Ngan deeply acknowledges the transformativeness of public education. It drives her to develop a strong commitment to bringing more educational access to marginalized students and increasing student retention and completion for higher education. Her post-graduation goals are to obtain a Master’s degree in counseling or a PhD in educational leadership.
While at UC Berkeley, Ngan is striving to get exposed and involved in different settings and areas...
Daniela Franco is a resilient first-generation college student at UC Berkeley who was born and raised in East Los Angeles. While growing up, she frequently witnessed Latinx laborers criminalized, struggled with financial security, and navigated an underfunded educational system. Through these experiences, Daniela became passionate about uplifting individuals negatively impacted by the criminal justice system, increasing financial resources for low-income families, and supporting minorities in their access and success in higher education. Now at UC Berkeley,...
Democracy Camp is designed for Cal undergrads who are interested in enhancing our democracy through public service, and who are still discerning their unique pathway. Students can apply to one of two programs: Democracy Camp in Berkeley, the Matsui Center's alternative spring break program, or Democracy Camp in DC...