Tell us about you.
Da Nzho, greetings! My name is Poppy Gallegos-Zingarelli, and I am the Program Specialist for Native American Student Development and the Native Community Center here at the University of California, Berkeley. I was born and raised right across the Bay in San Francisco, traditionally known as Yelamu Territory to the Ramaytush Ohlone people. I am a descendant of the Jicarilla Apache and Taos Pueblo Tribes of Northern New Mexico. I am a Berkeley Alumna; I graduated in Spring 2024 with my B.A. in Native American Studies and a Minor in Education, Summa Cum laude. As a student, I worked for Native American Student Development at the Native Community Center as a Community Steward for two years, until moving into the Program Specialist prostaff position in August 2024. With over nine years of experience working directly with Bay Area youth ages 6-17, I am happy to continue my career path by now working with transitional-aged youth like myself! Furthermore, I am happy to continue supporting and growing the Native and Indigenous community here on campus.
Can you describe a moment when you felt a sense of belonging on campus?
I wasn’t even physically on campus yet when I felt my first sense of belonging. I had just been accepted to Berkeley in 2020, during the beginning of the pandemic. After making my decision, I posted to Instagram with excitement, but also uncertainty of what was to come. Instantly, a staff member from NASD reached out to me via Instagram, not only to congratulate me, but to welcome me into the Native community here at Berkeley. Growing up in San Francisco public schools, Native student representation was very scarce. With this communication, I felt reassured that I had made the right decision in choosing Berkeley for my higher education journey.
What does "thriving" mean to you personally, and how have you experienced this during your time at UC Berkeley? What could support your thriving even more?
To me, “thriving” means having all the tools and skills needed to do your best, day in and day out. With a resource like NASD and the Native Community Center, I was, and still am, fortunate to have so many of my needs met. Through NASD I worked as a Community Steward, our student intern position, for two years, providing me with financial support; Bear Brunch and Community I didn’t have to worry about my next meal with Bear Brunch and Community Dinner; and the friendships and opportunities for mentorship here in the community have always been plentiful. Most of what I have always needed has always been here for me, which I am forever grateful for. I was, and am, truly able to thrive here at Berkeley thanks to NASD and the NCC.
What advice would you give to new members of our campus community to help them realize their hopes / dreams / thrive on campus?
I truly believe that finding your community during your time here at Berkeley is critical in regard to your academic and personal growth. With a supportive network behind you that you can fall back on when things get difficult, you will be able to accomplish so much more than feeling like you are doing it alone. My mother always tells me that life is about the energy; the energy that you bring to others, and that others bring to you. So, try to find that during your journey, and who knows, you may be the energy someone didn’t know they needed too.
