We are excited to celebrate the remarkable achievements of siblings Pedro, Olga, and Angelica, who all graduated from UC Berkeley in May 2024. Their shared journey through college exemplifies resilience, determination, and the power of family support. As they navigated their academic paths together, Pedro, Olga, and Angelica not only excelled in their studies but also uplifted each other and their community along the way. Their inspiring stories are a testament to what can be accomplished through perseverance, solidarity, and a commitment to education.
Tell us about you.
We are all from Delano–a small agricultural town in the Central Valley of California. Our parents are originally from the Mexican state of Zacatecas, where there’s no real opportunity for upward social mobility. In the early 1990s, our parents immigrated to the United States, hoping to provide their family with the opportunities they never received for themselves. They arrived in the Central Valley (Delano specifically) to work and have worked for over 30 years of their lives picking grapes as farm workers.
However, farm labor is not easy because, despite all the indispensable labor provided by farm workers to bring food to tables all across the country, their work is extremely undervalued and under-compensated. The three of us (Angelica, Pedro, and Olga) and our older brother Juan all worked in the fields from a young age during summers, weekends, and after school to help our family.
This challenging experience forced us to learn the value of hard work and resilience from the struggle. Most importantly, this experience made us conscious of the gruesome struggles that farmworkers throughout the Central Valley endure on a daily basis. In reality, this experience motivated us to break our family’s generational cycle of farm labor and pursue higher education (our own parents, for example, only had the opportunity to receive up to a third-grade level education) in order to address the exploitation and socio-economic oppression that many farmworkers face.
Our older brother, Juan, is the first person in our entire extended family to graduate from high school and college (Cal State Bakersfield ’18 with a BS in Mathematics). He is a passionate math and STEM teacher who currently teaches middle schoolers at the Wasco Unified School District. In his free time, he’s also a soccer and baseball coach who really shows up and motivates his students. Juan has been a great role model for the three of us and has always encouraged us to follow our dreams.
Can you describe a moment when you felt a sense of belonging on campus?
Pedro: A moment when I truly felt a sense of belonging on campus was through my involvement with the Public Service Center. Being a Peter E. Haas Public Service Leader allowed me to focus on a project that I was passionate about. My advisor's support, Aileen Pagdanganan, was crucial for the growth and development of my project. Eventually, my efforts transitioned into the Donald A. Strauss Scholarship Foundation, furthering the reach of my community service and solidifying my sense of belonging at UC Berkeley.
Olga: I truly felt a sense of belonging on campus when I connected with the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) during my difficult first year at UC Berkeley, which started during the pandemic. Navigating my academic journey felt overwhelming, especially without the usual access to resources. It wasn’t until I met with EOP counselors like Sandra Arias, that I began to feel supported and understood. Sandra’s guidance and dedication to my personal and academic growth profoundly impacted me. She went beyond the typical role of a counselor, investing in my development in ways that made me feel seen and valued. Because of this experience, I realized that I want to help students from similar backgrounds—those who may face challenges and barriers like I did—by providing the support and resources they need to thrive. EOP has shown me the importance of this work, inspiring me to give back and help others find their sense of belonging on campus.
Angelica: During my undergraduate years at Berkeley, I felt a sense of belonging when I broke out of my comfort zone and joined organizations that interested me. In particular, joining the Latinx Pre-Law Society (LPLS) and ASUC were two organizations that really made me feel belonging within a community. At first, it may be intimidating to join organizations because you don’t know people or you may feel imposter syndrome, but breaking out of your shell is the only way to meet others and truly get to know yourself. My advice is to get out there and explore new opportunities no matter how scary it may be at first! You might find your community there.
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?
Pedro: One resource that significantly contributed to my ability to navigate UC Berkeley was NAVCAL. NAVCAL assists incoming and historically marginalized students through a hands-on approach that includes active engagement and coaching by student mentors. This support has greatly helped me navigate my time at Berkeley. It provided me with a sense of community and valuable coaching on how to communicate effectively with instructors.
Olga: When I came to campus during my second year, navigating Berkeley was challenging. Pedro introduced me to NAVCAL, which was a great resource for me. The program helped me stay organized, manage my time, and reach out for help when needed. It also taught me about using resources like the Disabled Students' Program (DSP) and mental health support. Learning about communication, networking, and self-care improved my experience and helped me feel more connected to the Berkeley community.
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?
Pedro: Thriving meant getting out of my comfort zone and learning something new. I experienced this countless times here at UC Berkeley, and being able to thrive here gave me the skills and knowledge to succeed beyond UC Berkeley.
Olga: To me, thriving means having the adequate resources and support that allow you to grow and become the best version of yourself. At UC Berkeley, I’ve experienced thriving by actively surrounding myself with people who uplift me and by seeking out the resources that have helped me gain the knowledge and skills I need to succeed. To support my thriving even more, continued access to mentorship, and opportunities for professional development would be necessary.
Angelica: Thriving to me means navigating with a sense of belonging. I felt this at Berkeley when I was engaged in my community and actively giving back to others. To me, thriving wasn’t dependent on a GPA or resume. It was really about staying rooted in my values while trying to create meaningful connections.
What advice would you give to new members of our campus community to help them realize their hopes / dreams / thrive on campus?
Pedro: My advice for new campus community members is to actively seek out your community and take the time to explore everything the campus has to offer. Surround yourself with people who support and inspire you, and don't hesitate to engage in new experiences and opportunities. Seek out the resources available, whether academic, social, or extracurricular, and use them to build a strong foundation for personal and educational growth.
Olga: My advice to new campus community members is to stay authentic and true to yourself and your passions. We all have a "why" that drives us, and it's essential to keep that in mind as you navigate your time here. Embrace your identities, trust in your journey, and let your passions guide you. By staying true to who you are and what you believe in, you'll find the strength and motivation to thrive on campus and achieve your goals.
Angelica: Don’t be afraid to get out there and explore new things! Berkeley is a wonderful place to grow and learn, but you will only get what you put in! Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it! There are so many wonderful people on campus rooting for your success!
What is next on the horizon for you?
Pedro: I am currently working as a Program Representative for the Proctoring Department at the Disabled Students’ Program at UC Berkeley. This challenging yet fulfilling role allows me to contribute to making education accessible for marginalized students. In the future, I plan to go to grad school and eventually return to the Central Valley to continue empowering my community through education.
Olga: I am currently working as a Student Success Coach focusing on literacy development at June Jordan School for Equity in San Francisco. In this role, I support students, including English learners, by helping them overcome barriers and improve their literacy skills. Growing up as an English learner from a low-income background, I understand the importance of supporting those who face similar challenges. I collaborate with school staff and community partners to provide case management, educational support, and mentorship. Looking ahead, I am eager to further develop my skills in education and student support. In the future, I plan to attend graduate school to continue my professional growth and better assist underrepresented students in navigating their academic journeys and achieving their future goals.
Angelica: I just finished studying and preparing to take the California Bar Exam at the end of July so that I can officially become a licensed attorney in the state of California. After hopefully passing the bar, I plan to work as a staff attorney at California Rural Legal Services (CRLA) in their Community Equity Initiative department in Tulare, CA. This department of CRLA is an interdisciplinary effort designed to address and eliminate social, political, and environmental factors that negatively impact unincorporated rural communities. As a first-generation Berkeley Law graduate from the Central Valley, I recognize that my accomplishments result from cumulative acts of love from my community. So, it was crucial for me to have my first job after law school addressing farm workers and Central Valley issues.
