Can you describe a moment when you felt a sense of belonging on campus?
As a first-generation, low-income, student parent, and a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, finding the right resources that could support my educational journey was fundamental to my academic achievement. I was able to find the support and resources that I needed through UC Berkeley’s Undocumented Student Program (USP) and the Student Parent Center (SPC). They both provided me with emotional and financial support, I was able to feel a sense of belonging. I felt seen and cared for by both programs. I found my community of support and this allowed me to thrive at Berkeley.
A moment where I felt most connected to Berkeley was whenever I was able to take my kids to any of the events hosted by the university. Allowing my children to also be part of my academic life was fundamental to my sense of belonging. It was those moments where I felt seen and valued not only as a student but as a mother.
Berkeley is a large campus that can be challenging to navigate. Can you share a particular experience or resource that has significantly contributed to your ability to find your way around the university community?
Financial support is very limited for undocumented students in higher education, therefore, as a DACA recipient my funding was very limited and this led me no option but to commute about three hours per day. Commuting and balancing motherhood was very difficult. There were plenty of student events at Berkeley that I wish I was able to participate in but due to my commute, I felt very limited and constrained. Also, finding a healthy balance between commuting, academics, and motherhood led to some emotional burnout. Thankfully, I had family support that was able to help with childcare, allowing me to better focus on my classes when I was on campus. Additionally, with the resources that the Undocumented Student Program offered such as the emergency grants, and the Transcending Beyond Berkeley (TTB) fellowships, I was able to relieve some of the financial strains that came as a commuter and student-parent. The Student Parent Center at Berkeley also allowed me to feel included and provided me with the emotional tools to find a healthy balance between motherhood and academics. They made me feel part of Berkeley student life by hosting their events at times that I was able to be on campus. They were always making sure to accommodate our unique needs as student-parents.
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?
Thriving for me means having the ability to grow in every personal aspect. I was able to experience growth throughout my time at Berkeley. Berkeley allowed me to thrive as a leader and provided me with the foundation needed to further develop my agency. I was able to support many of the communities that I belong to, through volunteer work, mentorship, and advocacy. I am currently a mentor in the UndocuScholars Mentorship Program, a program designed to support undocumented students from high school and community college pursue higher education. I volunteered at the UC Berkeley food pantry, and at both of my children dual immersion school. Through research opportunities I was able to create a project that focused on the undocumented student population. This research Thesis project served as the foundation to further develop my advocacy skills to better support undocumented students pursuing higher degrees.
What could support my thriving even more is providing undocumented students more opportunities to expand their networking and professional development by increasing funding. Additionally, bringing more visibility to the student-parent community and making internships, professional development, and fellowships more available and tailored to serve the student-parent population.
What advice would you give to new members of our campus community to help them realize their hopes / dreams / thrive on campus?
Advice that I would give to new students would be to not be afraid to advocate for yourself. Do not be afraid to let people know what you need to successfully thrive at Berkeley. Advocating for myself allowed me to obtain the resources that I needed, it provided me with the tools to successfully navigate the unique challenges of my identity at UC Berkeley. To staff and faculty, I highly recommend taking time to understand the unique needs of their students to better support them. Participate in professional development and workshop opportunities that will educate and create awareness about the needs of the students they are serving. Being knowledgeable about the different ways that they can support their students will make a huge impact on their educational journey.
What is next on the horizon for you?
I am pleased to announce that I will be pursuing my Sociology of Education PhD at Stanford University this coming fall, where I will further my leadership and advocacy skills to advance the needs of my communities.
