2026 Undergraduate Scholars
Julianna Amaya
Frank and Kathy Gouveia Scholar • UC Berkeley • Mechanical Engineering
Julianna is a dedicated STEM student pursuing Mechanical Engineering, committed to combining academic excellence with leadership and hands-on engineering experience. She has consistently balanced a rigorous engineering coursework load with leadership roles, extracurricular programs, and part-time work, developing strong discipline and time management skills along the way. Her interest in engineering began with a personal project building an automatic chicken coop door for her grandparents, and has since grown through involvement in programs such as NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS), L’Space, and Stanford Small Science groups. She also completed an internship at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, gaining practical research experience that strengthened her commitment to the field. At Diablo Valley College, she has taken on multiple leadership roles within MESA, including tutoring math and physics and leading STEM outreach events for younger students. She has organized and presented interactive engineering activities at community events, including rocket demonstrations and 3D printing showcases, helping make STEM more accessible and engaging for others.
Deshenae Anderson
Barbara Louie Fund Scholar • CSU Monterey Bay • Human Development
Deshenae’s life has been shaped by instability, responsibility, and an early need to create her own foundation. Growing up in a household impacted by mental illness and incarceration, she learned to navigate survival on her own terms, eventually becoming financially independent as a teenager and later experiencing homelessness. These experiences instilled in her a deep sense of resilience, discipline, and determination to break cycles for herself and her son. As a first- generation college student, she balances full-time coursework, work, and parenting while serving as the primary provider for her household, which includes her young son and a family member experiencing housing insecurity. Despite these pressures, she has maintained strong academic performance, earning a 3.8 GPA and acceptance into multiple colleges. Deshenae’s goal is to complete her degree and build a stable career that allows her to give back to her community while modeling resilience and possibility for her son.
Lateefah Anderson
Art and Robin Rangel I Scholar • Bowie State University • Computer Information
Raised in the San Francisco Bay Area by a single mother, Lateefah learned early the importance of education and resilience. Growing up in a household impacted by financial hardship and addiction, she took on responsibilities at a young age and eventually stepped away from traditional schooling to help support her family. Despite these setbacks, she later earned certifications in EKG and Medical Assisting and returned to education with renewed purpose. Now a student at CCC, she balances academics with motherhood while caring for her son with autism. Her experiences as a parent, caregiver, and returning student have strengthened her discipline, time management, and commitment to long-term success. Her long-term goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree at an HBCU and establish a nonprofit organization that helps minority entrepreneurs access secure and affordable technology tools. Despite financial challenges, she remains committed to her education and family responsibilities
Alana Banks
The Barry Taylor Scholarship Fund Scholar I• Xavier University • Premedical Psychology
Alana is a dedicated student leader at DVC whose academic journey has been shaped by resilience, responsibility, and a deep commitment to mental health advocacy. Growing up as the primary support for her family while caring for a mother, Alana developed leadership skills at an early age that continue to guide her academic and personal pursuits. At DVC, Alana has emerged as a leader on campus as co-founder and president of Soul Sistaz United, a student organization focused on supporting Black women through community-building, academic resources, and wellness initiatives. Through her experiences, Alana has developed a strong passion for understanding mental illness and supporting others facing similar challenges. She plans to pursue a career in psychiatry, with the goal of advocating for greater awareness, access, and culturally responsive care in underserved communities
Jakeya Butler
Friends and Familiy of Jamie Miller Scholar • Coppin State • Nursing
Jakeya Butler is a student at CCC pursuing a career in nursing, with a long-term goal of specializing in labor and delivery. Her educational journey has been shaped by early loss, family instability, homelessness, and serious health challenges, all of which required her to develop resilience, independence, and determination from a young age. After losing her mother at age nine and experiencing neglect within her family, she learned to navigate life without consistent support. As an adult, she has continued to overcome instability, including periods of homelessness while living in her car, while still maintaining her commitment to school and her goal of entering a nursing program. Despite these challenges, she remains focused on academic success, including retaking courses to strengthen her GPA and preparing for transfer into nursing. She currently supports herself financially while balancing school, housing, transportation, and basic needs, making financial aid essential to her continued progress. Her passion for nursing is grounded in lived experience and service. Through volunteering at Windsor Manor Healthcare Center as a Certified Nursing Assistant, she confirmed her commitment to patient care and developed a strong desire to support individuals during vulnerable moments with compassion and dignity.
Kevin Cervantes Zurita
Schaefer Fund Scholar I • San Jose State University • Mechanical Engineering
Kevin is a Mechanical Engineering student and first-generation college student who has navigated academic, personal, and financial challenges while building a clear path toward his future. As the middle child of three in a low-income household, he grew up in a Spanish-speaking home where his father’s health challenges and financial limitations required the family to live day to day, shaping Kevin’s sense of responsibility early on. As a student, he initially struggled with English, anxiety, and a learning disability, as well as adjusting to change across school transitions. He serves his community through Meals on Wheels as a friendly visitor, providing companionship to an elderly individual with early-onset Alzheimer’s, and tutors STEM students through MESA and his former STEM Pathway program, where he supports future engineers. His long-term goal is to complete his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, pursue graduate studies in mechatronics or engineering management, and ultimately use his education to give back to his family and community, including supporting younger relatives.
Jose Chavez
Uriel and Isabella Oseguera Scholar • UC Davis • Cell Biology
Jose is a biology major at LMC who has balanced a demanding academic schedule with multiple part-time jobs while fully supporting his own education and living expenses. Through this experience, he has developed strong discipline, time management, and resilience while completing rigorous coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, organic chemistry, and calculus. Beyond academics, Jose founded the Undergraduate Research Student Initiative (URSI) to address the lack of research opportunities for students at his college. Through workshops and faculty collaboration, he has helped students gain exposure to research and develop confidence in pursuing scientific careers, while also strengthening his own leadership and communication skills. He plans to transfer to UC Davis to pursue research opportunities and ultimately become a professor in the biological sciences.
Jose Cisneros Vaca
Kaiser-Permanente Scholar • Sacramento State University • Nursing
Jose is a first-generation college student whose educational journey has been shaped by instability, financial hardship, and persistence. Growing up in a low-income household, he experienced frequent moves, language barriers, and early academic self-doubt, often feeling behind his peers. After high school, he enrolled at LMC, where he later returned with renewed purpose after stepping away during a period of family financial crisis. To support his family, he worked physically demanding jobs while continuing his education, an experience that ultimately reaffirmed his desire to pursue nursing. He has since demonstrated academic excellence at LMC, earning a 4.0 GPA and placement on the Dean’s List. Alongside his coursework, he has balanced full-time work and full responsibility for his educational expenses, developing strong discipline and resilience.
Sarita Davalos
Diane Longshore De Golia Scholar • UC Berkeley • Psychology
Sarita is a first-generation college student. Her experiences adapting to language barriers, and economic hardship shaped her resilience and sense of purpose. Growing up in a household where her parents worked long hours in physically demanding jobs to provide stability, she developed a strong commitment to education as a way to honor their sacrifices and break cycles of limited opportunity. As an only child, Sarita carried high academic expectations and graduated high school in three years despite challenges in accessing guidance and support. She is now a psychology major with a clear goal of becoming a high school counselor serving underrepresented students. At DVC, Sarita is deeply involved in campus leadership. She serves as Treasurer of the Latinx Student Alliance, a Puente peer mentor, and an intern with United Latino Voices. Through these roles, she supports undocumented students, builds community spaces, and connects families to essential resources in education, housing, healthcare, and immigration support. Her long-term goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and ultimately complete a master’s in counseling. She hopes to become a school counselor who guides first- generation and underrepresented students through higher education and provides the support she once needed.
Karol Esquivias Contreras
Jan Zaitlin Fund Scholar • San Diego State University • Kinesiology
Karol is a first-generation student who overcame significant medical and educational challenges, including multiple surgeries and language barriers in healthcare. Her personal experiences as a patient, shaped her commitment to pursuing a career in physical therapy. After struggling to communicate during medical appointments, she developed a deep awareness of how language barriers can impact patient care. These experiences have strengthened her motivation to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy and ensure more equitable, compassionate care for underserved communities. Karol plans to transfer to San Diego State University to pursue a degree in Kinesiology, with the long-term goal of attending physical therapy school.
Carolina Fajardo Morales
Ralph and Loella Haskew Scholar • UC San Diego • Human Biology
Carolina is a first-generation college student pursuing a degree in Biology with the goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. She balances a demanding course load while working as a PUENTE Supplemental Instruction Leader and Certified Nursing Assistant, where she supports students and patients from underrepresented backgrounds. From a young age, Carolina served as a translator for her parents during medical appointments, often navigating complex conversations without guidance. These experiences shaped her understanding of how language barriers can create fear and confusion in healthcare. Today, she continues this work, helping Spanish-speaking patients better understand their conditions and feel a sense of trust and comfort in vulnerable moments.
Citlali Garcia Hernandez
John and Sunne McPeak Scholar I • San Jose State University • Social Work
Citlali is a first-generation college student, the oldest of four siblings. She is pursuing a degree in social work with the goal of earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees to serve families facing hardship. Growing up as the eldest, Citlali took on a leadership role within her family. Navigating financial instability and the responsibility of setting an example for her siblings strengthened her resilience and motivation to succeed academically, where she has consistently maintained strong grades. Alongside her academic journey, Citlali remains deeply connected to her community through her church, where she volunteers and builds meaningful relationships. These experiences have helped her grow in confidence and develop a strong sense of empathy and service. During her first year of college, Citlali faced a major personal challenge after being diagnosed with a non-cancerous brain tumor. While balancing medical appointments and uncertainty about her health, she remained committed to her education, learning the importance of self-care, patience, and perseverance. Citlali plans to become a social worker, inspired by her family’s experiences and her desire to support others facing similar struggles.
Cindy Gutierrez
Jim and Janet Kennedy Scholar • UC Berkeley • Sociology
Cindy is a first-generation college student who has developed a strong commitment to addressing systemic inequities and plans to pursue a doctoral degree and become a professor. Through leadership, community engagement, and advocacy, she has developed a strong commitment to addressing systemic inequities. Coming from a high school with limited college resources, Cindy sought support through programs like Puente, where she began to understand and navigate higher education. While balancing school, work, and service, Cindy encountered medical setbacks that forced her to step back and reevaluate her path. Despite hospitalizations and financial strain, she completed her semester with a 4.0 and has since returned as a full-time student, learning to advocate for her health while continuing to excel academically. Cindy plans to transfer to a four-year university and continue her education toward a doctoral degree
Edwin Hernandez Avina
Chevron Scholar • UC San Diego • Electrical Engineering
Edwin is a first-generation college student whose academic path has been shaped by his father’s work in construction and landscaping. Growing up working alongside him, Edwin learned discipline, problem-solving, and resilience, which led him to pursue electrical engineering. At DVC, he has completed rigorous STEM coursework including calculus, physics, linear algebra, and computer science while maintaining a strong GPA. His goal is to become an electrical engineer in the AI hardware industry, where he can apply his skills to real-world technology development. Alongside this, he hopes to help expand his father’s business into a more structured electrical and construction company that provides stable jobs and long-term opportunity. His journey reflects academic achievement, family responsibility, and a clear commitment to using engineering to create opportunity for his future and his community.
Natalia Longoria
tBP/Architecture Scholar • San Jose State University • Child & Adolescent Development
Natalia is a first-generation college student who works as a student employee in two departments at LMC. While balancing school, work, and family responsibilities, she often helps cover rent when needed, demonstrating a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to her household. Despite financial challenges, she remains dedicated to continuing her education and preparing for transfer to a four-year university. Natalia also works as an intern at the Child Study Center, where she supports children and families through daily care, assistance with meals, and maintaining a safe, inclusive learning environment. In addition, she has volunteered with Hijas del Campo, supporting farmworker communities and connecting her service work to her background. Through these experiences, she has developed leadership, communication, and confidence, while staying deeply connected to her cultural roots. Her long-term goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and become a preschool teacher.
Estephania Quintero
The Barry Taylor Scholarship Fund Scholar II • UC Berkeley • Sociology and Chicana(o)(x) Studies
Estephania is a first-generation college student whose educational path has been shaped by systemic inequality, family responsibility, and lived experience with injustice. At a young age, she became a translator and advocate for her family after her father suffered a severe workplace injury and was denied support. This experience deeply shaped her understanding of how legal and social systems impact underrepresented communities. While balancing financial hardship, Estephania has worked multiple jobs while maintaining full-time studies, developing discipline and resilience under pressure. She plans to transfer to UC Berkeley and pursue a career in civil rights law. Her commitment to community is reflected in her leadership and advocacy work. Through her role with United Latino Voices of Contra Costa and other campus organizations at Diablo Valley College, she has supported undocumented and first-generation students by connecting over 300 families to educational pathways, legal resources, and community support. She hopes to use her education to challenge systemic barriers and expand access to justice for immigrant and marginalized communities.
Dominic Roberts
Art and Robin Rangel Scholar II • SF State • Psychology
Dominic’s journey reflects resilience shaped by instability, loss, and self-determination. At seventeen, he left an abusive home and entered transitional housing, where he took the initiative to enroll himself in high school and complete his senior year while learning to live independently. During this time, he also navigated the added challenge of a learning disability, balancing academic expectations with the urgency of survival. Just as he prepared to graduate, he experienced profound loss with the passing of his mother, followed by the deaths of his grandparents. In 2024, he returned to CCC with renewed purpose, determined to build a future grounded in meaning and service. His long-term goal is to become a Community Psychologist focused on improving transitional housing systems for young adults, especially those ages 18–24. His goal is to turn personal hardship into systemic impact through community-based psychological support and program redesign.
Francisco Romero
The Treehouse Fund Scholar • UC Berkeley • Political Science
Francisco is a first-generation Chicano college student and former foster youth from Richmond, California, whose path has been shaped by housing instability, systemic barriers, and a strong commitment to breaking cycles for himself and his brother. Growing up in foster care without consistent family support, he learned early to rely on discipline, education, and self-motivation, especially during periods of homelessness in high school when he focused on academics as a pathway forward. Through this work, he has grown from feeling uncertain in college to becoming someone who actively guides others through similar challenges. Francisco plans to transfer to a four-year university, study political science or pre-law, and ultimately become a lawyer focused on justice, equity, and community empowerment. His long-term goal is to use his legal career to advocate for foster youth and other marginalized communities while addressing systemic inequities.
Bryanda Ruiz Moreno
Art and Robin Rangel Scholar III • San Jose State University • Psychology
Bryanda is a first-generation college student at DVC, navigating several new languages, cultures, and educational systems with resilience and determination. Her early experiences adapting to unfamiliar environments shaped her commitment to education and her passion for supporting others facing similar transitions. While balancing full-time work and academics, Bryanda is an active leader in the Puente Program, where she serves as a peer mentor supporting first-year students through academic guidance, community-building, and cultural engagement. Her work has reinforced the importance of mentorship and representation for students from underrepresented backgrounds. She plans to pursue a career in counseling, with the goal of empowering first-generation and immigrant students to navigate higher education with confidence and clarity.
Gabriela Tapia
John M. Gilkison Jr. Scholarship Scholar • UC Davis • Cognitive Science
Gabriela is a first-generation Latina college student whose educational journey reflects resilience, transformation, and a deep commitment to justice. After being encouraged to leave high school at 17 and later experiencing years of financial instability, abuse, and disconnection from formal education, she returned to DVC after a 10-year gap determined to rebuild her future through learning. At DVC, Gabriela quickly distinguished herself as an honor roll student studying Sociology and Cognitive Science. She found academic grounding and mentorship through the Puente Program, which helped her rebuild confidence, develop study strategies, and reconnect with her intellectual potential. She has conducted research on food insecurity among students after identifying gaps in campus support systems, using sociology and statistics to present findings to administrators and advocate for change. Her long-term goal is to transfer to a four-year university and attend law school to become a criminal or immigration attorney. She is committed to using her education to advocate for equitable systems, expanded access to justice, and stronger protections for marginalized communities.
Carolina Zanni
Schaefer Fund Scholar II • UC Merced • Business Administration
Carolina is originally from Santiago, Chile, and has spent over 30 years serving her community by guiding families and students toward higher education while connecting them to critical resources. Now a first-generation college student, she has returned to school after more than 25 years in the workforce to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Despite the barriers she has encountered, she remained committed to building stability for herself and her family, while quietly holding onto the goal of pursuing higher education. Today, Carolina balances full-time work at a school with full-time coursework. For more than three decades, Carolina has been deeply rooted in community service, helping families navigate complex systems such as college access, financial aid, and essential support service. Carolina plans to use her degree to expand her leadership and deepen her impact in the community she has long served.
2025 Graduate Scholars
Marcelo Clark
Park Regency LLC Scholar • NYU • Master’s in Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Marcelo is a first-generation Afro-Boricua scholar and graduate student at New York University’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, where his research focuses on race, memory, spirituality, and land within Afro- diasporic and Indigenous traditions. Rooted in ancestral teachings, he approaches education as a practice of “re-remembering,” centering knowledge, land, and collective history as tools for liberation and community transformation. Marcelo earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology and African American Studies from UCLA, where he conducted research with the Million Dollar Hoods project, examining the social impacts of policing and incarceration in Los Angeles communities. His academic work integrates ethnography, oral history, and community-based research methods. Marcelo’s work is grounded in resilience shaped by financial hardship and educational barriers, and he is committed to producing scholarship that is accessible, community-centered, and rooted in lived experience.
Christian Diaz-Galarza
Swarts Scholarship Endowment Fund Scholar • San Jose State University • Master’s in Counseling and Guidance
Christian is a first-generation graduate student committed to supporting students in achieving their educational goals. As a Kennedy-King scholar and honors graduate of LMC and San José State University, where he earned a degree in Creative Arts, Christian has remained dedicated to giving back to the community that shaped his academic journey. While balancing the challenges of a learning disability, Christian has demonstrated resilience and determination throughout his education. His passion for helping others led him to work as a program assistant in the counseling department at LMC, where he supports students by connecting them with resources, guiding them through academic processes, and fostering a welcoming environment. Through this work, Christian discovered his calling to become a community college counselor. He plans to earn a master’s degree in counseling and guidance and return to serve students at LMC, helping them feel connected, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Mariela Garcia
The Humprey Family Charitable Fund Scholar • San Francisco State University • Master’s in Social Work
Mariela is a Mexican American, first-generation college student, former foster youth, and single mother of two daughters completing her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Counseling at San Francisco State University, where she maintains a 3.84 GPA. Her educational journey has been shaped by early experiences in foster care, housing instability, and significant personal adversity, which have deepened her commitment to educational equity and family support systems. After multiple interruptions in her academic path, Mariela returned to higher education with the support of programs such as EOPS, Guardian Scholars, and NextUp. She now serves as an Administrative Assistant with NextUp/EOPS, where she supports current and former foster youth in navigating college and accessing critical resources, including housing, food security, and academic support services. Mariela plans to pursue a Master of Social Work, with a focus on supporting system-impacted youth and families in educational and community-based settings.
Aria Hamiter
Miller Starr Regalia Scholar • UC Law San Francisco • Juris Doctor
Aria is a law student driven by a passion for intellectual challenge and a deep commitment to community-centered advocacy. Inspired by the analytical rigor of the legal profession, she has immersed herself in her studies, actively engaging in coursework, mentorship opportunities, and professional development to strengthen her skills in legal research and analysis. At law school, Aria continues to connect her academic interests with real-world impact. After developing an interest in tax law, she will serve with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, helping low-income individuals access critical financial services. Aria aspires to build a legal career rooted in advocacy and accessibility, with a strong commitment to pro bono work and ensuring that underserved communities have meaningful access to legal support.
Toi Mickle
Sharon Simpson Scholar • Liberty University • Doctorate in Community Care and Counseling - Traumatology
Toi is a doctoral student in Community Care and Counseling – Traumatology whose academic work centers on trauma, youth development, and community healing. Her research examines how childhood relational trauma and family systems shape coping patterns across the lifespan, with a focus on building trauma-informed environments in schools and community organizations that support long-term youth resilience. Toi’s academic journey has been shaped by significant personal adversity, including serious medical challenges and the loss of close family members during her graduate studies. Despite these hardships, she completed her master’s degree with distinction, demonstrating sustained academic excellence and resilience. Her scholarship is grounded in a commitment to translating lived experience into systems of care that prioritize healing, narrative restoration, and community empowerment. She is committed to advancing community-based models of care that integrate psychology, social science, and youth advocacy, while mentoring future scholars dedicated to trauma-informed practice and community transformation.
Jordan Nouri
Carol and Bruce Fund Scholar • University of Tennessee • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Nurse Anesthesia
Jordan is a first-generation American whose journey reflects resilience, transformation, and a deep commitment to service. After overcoming early academic challenges and returning to college at age 23, he excelled academically, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and graduating summa cum laude with a 3.9 GPA. Jordan has built a career in high-acuity healthcare settings, serving as an EMT, emergency department technician, anesthesia technician, and now as a registered nurse in a Level 1 trauma center intensive care unit. His experiences caring for patients in critical moments have strengthened his dedication to providing compassionate, high-quality care to underserved communities. He has been accepted into a Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia program, where he plans to further develop his clinical expertise. Jordan is committed to mentoring future students and advancing equitable access to healthcare, using his journey to inspire others to overcome barriers and pursue their goals.
Jennifer Ordonez
Alfonse Upshaw Scholar • UC Berkeley • Master’s in Business Administration
Jennifer is a first-generation graduate student at the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, pursuing a degree with a focus on advancing financial leadership in the nonprofit healthcare sector. Her journey is defined by resilience, having navigated the early loss of both parents and becoming a mother at a young age while continuing to pursue her education. Jennifer currently works as an accountant at La Clínica de la Raza, where she manages grants, oversees budgets, and prepares financial reports. She has also demonstrated a strong commitment to community impact by founding a diabetes awareness club in partnership with the American Diabetes Association, expanding access to health education for underserved communities. In addition to her professional work, Jennifer is an active mentor and leader, supporting first- generation students and advocating for greater access to higher education. She aspires to become a senior financial leader in the nonprofit sector, using her expertise to develop programs that serve at-risk communities and create lasting, equitable change.
Joana Orozco
Nikki Maziasz Scholar • Sonoma State University • Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Joana is a first-generation college graduate from UC Davis, where she earned a degree in Psychology with a minor in Chicano/a/x Studies. As an immigrant, Joana navigated her educational journey with resilience, balancing academic responsibilities with supporting her family from a young age. Now working as a registered behavior therapist in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Joana supports neurodivergent children in developing communication, social, and daily living skills. Her work is grounded in advocacy and culturally responsive care, shaped by her own experiences overcoming anxiety and navigating barriers to mental health support. Joana plans to pursue a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and become a licensed marriage and family therapist. She is committed to expanding access to culturally sensitive mental health services and empowering underserved communities through compassionate, community-centered care.
Kabria Pervoe
Merle and Bonnie Hall Scholar • University of Colorado Denver • Doctorate of School Psychology
Kabria is a first-generation college graduate whose academic and personal journey has been shaped by resilience, healing, and a deep commitment to breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma. After navigating significant childhood adversity, Kabria transferred from DVC to UC Berkeley, where she graduated with honors. Her path has been marked by both academic achievement and personal transformation, including early exposure to trauma, recovery, and ongoing reflection on the impact of family systems and lived experience. Through these challenges, Kabria has come to view education as both personal liberation and collective responsibility. A central influence in her life has been her niece, a fellow first-generation student pursuing higher education while raising a young child. Kabria has supported and inspired her niece’s journey, viewing their shared educational progress as part of a broader effort to create opportunity across generations. Kabria is committed to continued personal growth, healing-centered leadership, and contributing to pathways that support future first-generation students in breaking cycles of limitation and expanding access to higher education.
Araela (Raela) Richie
Paul Davis Associate Fund Scholar • University of Amsterdam • Master of Science
Araela discovered her passion for geology after initially seeing science as out of reach due to her cultural and socioeconomic background. While attending community college, mentorship from women in science helped her envision a future in the field, leading her to transfer to UC Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geology with honors. At Berkeley, Araela conducted volcanology research, co-authored a published study, and presented her work at the American Geophysical Union conference. She also participated in international field research through the International Ocean Discovery Program and completed multiple competitive field courses. As the only Black student in her department, Araela remained deeply committed to community and advocacy. Araela plans to pursue graduate studies in geochemistry and ultimately build a career as a scientist dedicated to advancing equitable and impactful scientific research.
Yazmin Rocha Delgadillo
Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation Scholar • Sonoma State University • Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Yazmin is a first-generation college graduate from UC Davis where she earned a degree in Psychology with a minor in Chicano/a Studies. Yazmin’s academic journey has been grounded in resilience and a deep commitment to education as a pathway for opportunity. Throughout her educational path, Yazmin balanced academic achievement with significant family responsibilities, often serving as a translator and support system for her household. Yazmin currently works in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), supporting children with developmental disabilities through person-centered and compassionate care. This experience, combined with her academic background in psychology, has strengthened her commitment to clinical mental health work. She plans to pursue graduate training to become a licensed marriage and family therapist, with a focus on culturally responsive care for Latinx and underserved communities and expanding access to mental health services while reducing stigma.
Elriana Styles
John and Sunny McPeak Scholar II • NYU • Master’s in Social Work
Elriana is a Psychology major with a Global Studies minor at UCLA, committed to advancing equitable mental health care for marginalized communities. Shaped by her experiences growing up in a household impacted by generational trauma, Elriana developed a deep understanding of the importance of empathy, healing, and access to care. At UCLA, Elriana has engaged in research focused on trauma and underserved populations, including work examining the developmental impacts of the child welfare system on Black foster youth. She also serves as a crisis counselor, supporting individuals in moments of acute distress, and has worked directly with youth as a behavioral specialist, strengthening her commitment to people-centered care. Elriana is dedicated to creating inclusive and culturally competent mental health spaces. She plans to pursue a Master of Social Work and build a career focused on expanding access to care, increasing representation in mental health professions, and advocating for systemic change in underserved communities.