STUDENT OUTREACH TEAM
2011-2012 TEAM MEMBER BIOGRAPHIES
To connect with a member of the Student Outreach Team, please email outreachteam@e4fc.org. Make sure to write the team member's first name in the subject line.
Dulce
Rohnert Park, CA
Dulce was born in Guadalajara Jalisco, México. She was brought into the U.S at the age of ten, leaving most of her family behind. Her parents wanted to give Dulce the opportunity for a better education. School was not easy for Dulce because she came to this country not speaking any English. However, she was able to break the language barrier and graduated from Vintage high school. Today, thanks to Dulce’s hard work, perseverance, and the help of mentors, she is now at Sonoma State University double majoring in Global Studies with a concentration in Latin America and the Arts. Dulce dreams of becoming a human rights defender as well as an artist. One of her biggest dreams is to study abroad and be able to give back to the community.
Gladys
Berkeley, CA
Gladys was born in Jalisco, Mexico and came to the United States at the age of eight. She is currently a second year student at UC Berkeley studying Political Science and Media Studies with a minor in Education. She was raised in the Los Angeles Area and graduated high school with the highest honors in 2010. Her dream is to serve her community by raising issues within the Hispanic and immigrant community and becoming a congresswoman. She is co-chair of Rising Immigrant Scholars through Education (RISE) at UC Berkeley and is dedicated to helping the undocumented student community succeed while spreading awareness of immigrant rights and the DREAM Act.
Gonzalo
Redwood City, CA
Gonzalo was born in Michoacan, Mexico and came to the United States when he was ten years old. He graduated from Menlo-Atherton High School and is now attending Foothill College. He is planning to transfer to Santa Clara University and double major in Sociology and Spanish Studies. He wants to major in those two areas because he wants to give back to his community by helping low income students reach their goal of going to college. He lives with his older sister and younger brother and will be be the first male in his family to graduate from college.
Isabel
Oakland, CA
Isabel is a student at Mills College double majoring in Political, Legal, & Economic Analysis and Ethnic Studies. She was nine years old when she immigrated to the United States from Oaxaca, Mexico. Isabel is interested in law and politics and was selected to participate in the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO) Sophomore Summer Institute in Chicago, Illinois and the California Education Committee - Assembly Fellowship Program. Isabel is a dedicated agent of social justice and she hopes to empower other students to achieve their goals. Isabel aspires to get Masters in Public Policy after she completes her undergraduate studies. She then plans to enroll in a PhD- JD dual degree program.
Jose D.
Santa Clara, CA
Jose immigrated to the US in 2000 with his mother and sister. He was nine at the time, spoke no English, and came to live in a small room of a trailer home with 10 others. He started school in the US in the fourth grade. In 5th grade, Jose’s teacher recognized he needed a more challenging curriculum and created an independent studies program for him. That same teacher later got him into Arizona’s best high school, a private Jesuit Preparatory called Brophy. During his time at Brophy, Jose learned about Ignatian values of human dignity, social justice, and reflection. He became very conscious and passionate about doing good and social justice. Jose was accepted at Santa Clara University, where he received a full scholarship to attend. He is a now a philosophy major, hoping to add a political science degree to his studies. Jose hopes to continue doing good and striving for social justice and the recognition of human dignity.
Jose M.
San Francisco, CA
Jose was born in Acapulco, Mexico and immigrated to San Francisco when he was six years old. He currently studies at City College of San Francisco. After receiving his A.S. degree in Computer Networking Information Technology, he hopes to transfer to UC Berkeley and major in Media Studies. His main motivation is to be a role model for his younger sister by showing her the obstacles he has confronted and overcome. Being a full-time student, working in a restaurant and volunteering at his school occupies most of Jose's time, but he is always looking for more things to do, especially things that enable him to help out his community.
Julia
San Rafael, CA
Julia was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and immigrated to the United States when she was seven years old. She is a student at College of Marin planning to pursue her education in Sociology and Ethnic Studies at a 4 year university. She graduated from Redwood High School with no hopes to attend college. It was her counselor who pushed her to keep going. Now, Julia is a part of New Marin Scholars and is graduating with honors at her college. Her passion for working with young people grew after she mentored first generation high school students on their path to college. She is currently involved in her community as an advocate for the DREAM Act and encouraging other undocumented students to pursue higher education. Julia hopes to attend Law school to continue to fight against the injustice confronted by her community.
Nadia
Union City, CA
Nadia was born in Mexico D.F., Mexico and came to the United States with her family when she was two years old. After graduating with honors from high school, she attended the University of California, Berkeley. During her college years, she was part of the Biology Scholars Program (BSP) and volunteered at the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (EBSC) as well as the Washington Hospital. With the unwavering support of her parents and her two siblings, she graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies and Integrative Biology. Nadia is currently pursuing an Associate of Arts degree in French and is applying to Master of Public Health (MPH) programs for the Fall of 2012. She hopes to research health disparities within underrepresented groups and work towards eliminating the disparities. Her ultimate goal is to promote health and social justice.
Nayeli
Marin, CA
Nayeli was born in Morelos, Mexico and arrived in the Unites States at the age of 12. She graduated from San Rafael High School in 2006 and decided to enroll at College of Marin. While she was at College of Marin, she was able to gain experience by being involved in various campus organizations and within the greater community in Marin. Although she had to take a different route to attend a four year university, she was able to succeed and recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Latin American Studies. At UC Berkeley she was able to develop her passions and become more educated about the different issues that communities of color have to face. She now looks to encourage young students to continue their journey to obtain a higher education regardless of their legal status or economic/social background. She hopes to attend law school in order to keep fighting and be a voice for the people who have been marginalized in this society.
Noemi
Vallejo, CA
Noemi was born in Jiutepec, Mexico and came to U.S. at the age of five with her mother and brother. She received an AA in Liberal Studies from Santa Ana College and transferred to CSU, Fullerton. In 2006, she received a BA in Liberal Studies. She graduated from high school in 2001 and had no plans of attending college, although she dreamed of it. Noemi is grateful to Santa Ana College recruiters who showed her the path and informed her of AB 540 and other resources. She hopes to encourage young students to pursue higher education and empower themselves with knowledge.
Steve
San Francisco, CA
Steve is currently a student at City College of San Francisco majoring in Biology. Last year Steve Li was put into deportation proceedings and spent over two months in a detention center in Arizona awaiting deportation. Fortunately, he was able to come back home to San Francisco with the support from the community and the Asian Law Caucus, which led to Senator Dianne Feinstein introducing a private bill to delay Steve's deportation to Peru. Now he is involved in his community as an advocate for the DREAM Act and immigrant rights. His career aspiration is to go into the field of medicine and open a free clinic in the Bay Area to serve uninsured/under insured immigrant communities.
STUDENT OUTREACH TEAM
2010-2011 TEAM MEMBER BIOGRAPHIES
Adriana
Mountain View, CA
Adriana was born in Cuernavaca, Morelos in Mexico and came to the United States when she was four years old. She graduated from Los Altos High School and is now attending Foothill College. She hopes to transfer to Santa Clara University and major in either sociology or pre-law. She wants to major in those areas because she wants to be in a position to help others. She has seen how people struggle with issues that are occurring around the world and would like to help by being involved in her community. She lives with both parents who support her and hope she will become the first person in their family to graduate from college.
Ana
San Francisco, CA
Ana was born in Tijuana, Mexico. She and her mother moved to Michoacan, Mexico when she was one and lived there until the age of eight. Ana's mother immigrated to the United States when she was six years old, leaving her with her grandparents. Two years later, Ana reunited with her mother in the US. Although she initially struggled with English, Ana able to learn quickly and was able to enroll in honors courses by the time she was in high school. She is currently enrolled at San Francisco State University. Ana is deeply grateful to her mother for all her sacrifice and hard work, as well as to her teachers and mentors who have guided and supported her. Ana was proud to be part of ASI Project Connect: a program at reaches out to underrepresented communities.
Anayeli
Napa, CA
Anayeli was born in Mexico D.F. and arrived in the United States at the age of 10. Once she learned English, Anayeli served as the family translator. After graduating from high school, she attended Napa Valley Community College, initially with the aspiration of just obtaining an Associate's Degree. Inspired by her counselor, friends and family, she decided to pursue higher education and applied to Sonoma State University, where she is currently a senior and expects to graduate this spring with a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and a minor in Chicano and Latino Studies. Anayeli has always had a profound love of learning and is grateful for the opportunity to get an education.
Angel K.
San Francisco, CA
Angel is a sophomore at San Francisco State University, majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology. As President of SFSU's chapter of Improving Dreams, Equity, Access and Success (IDEAS), a student-run group providing resources and support for AB540 students, Angel organized SFSU's first annual AB540 conference. He has also served his community as a mentor for younger students through Next Generation Scholars. Ultimately, he aspires to obtain a PhD in Public Health and Science. He is well on his way to achieving this dream. Last year, Angel became the youngest student in his school to be awarded the highly competitive Research Infrastructure in Minority Institutions (RIMI) fellowship, which has enabled him to begin research on increasing minority participation in clinical trials.
Angel O.
Oakland, CA
Angel’s story starts in Cuidad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. He migrated up north when he was five with a friend of his mother. At that time he had a visitor visa that was good for six years. Six years went by and he never returned to his home country. He has completed all of his schooling here in the US, from first grade to high school and some community college. He played football in high school and in college.
Angelica
East Palo Alto, CA
Angelica was born in Michoacan, Mexico and came to the United States when she was 12 years old. She is currently attending Foothill College and will be graduating this year as an honors scholar with an AA in psychology. Angelica wants to transfer to the University of California and major in Sociology. She is currently a member of the Immigrant Youth Action Team, which supports immigrant students in their pursuit of education. She loves helping her community because it is her way to give back for all she has achieved and to help others to reach their dreams as well.
Arandelly
San Rafael, CA
Arandelly is a third year student at San Francisco State University where she is majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in International Relations. She is a Bay Area native who is very proud of her immigrant roots. In the spring of 2009, Arandelly became involved with Improving Dream, Equity, Access, and Success (IDEAS), an on-campus and student-run organization at SFSU that supports AB-540 students. She currently serves as IDEAS’s vice-president. Her involvement in the organization has made her a passionate advocate for immigrant student rights and immigrant rights in general. The experiences she has gained within the organization have led her to continue her work off campus and to volunteer with Bay Area community and statewide organizations. As a first-generation college student, Arandelly highly values access to higher education for all. In the spring of 2010, she became an intern for Project Connect, the recruitment and retention program at SFSU.
Ariadne
Oakland, CA
Ariadne was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but spent most of her childhood in a suburb of Portland, Oregon. She now attends Mills College in Oakland, where she studies psychology. When she recently came back from a semester is London, she decided that she would become more involved in the community and develop as an activist. Through being part of the Outreach Team, Ariadne hopes that she will grow not only as an ally but also as an active member in the movement towards a more just and effective immigration system. Ariadne is also trying to develop a queer student network that connects the LGBTQ clubs of the different colleges and universities in the Bay Area.
Chantiri
Oakland, CA
Chantiri was born in Queretaro, Mexico and came to California when she was 10 years old. After 11 years of domestic abuse, her mother decided to provide a better future for her and her younger sister; they left everything they had behind and came to the United States in search of a better life. Throughout her time in the United States, Chantiri has received much mentorship and support from people and groups who have believed in her. Thus she considers her personal accomplishments a testament to the community who has invested and believed in her. Chantiri graduated in May from UC Berkeley with a degree in Development Economics. At UC Berkeley she devoted most of her time to working in student groups and organizations that advocate for immigrant students and refugee rights, such as RISE and the East Bay Sanctuary. Chantiri aspires to go to graduate school in the field of education.
Cinthya
Napa, CA
Cinthya was brought to the United States at the age of four from Michoacan, Mexico, where she was born. She is currently a junior at Sonoma State University where she is on the Dean’s List. She is majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Mathematics. Through her work in the community, Cinthya was inspired to create a scholarship program helping elementary, low-income students attend outdoor educational programs. From an early age, Cinthya took care of her younger sister and autistic brother, which taught her many life lessons and shaped her into the person she is today. Cinthya hopes to attend graduate school in the future to become a Forensic Pathologist.
Delmy
San Francisco, CA
Delmy is from Guatemala, Guatemala. She moved to San Francisco with her parents when she was four years old. She volunteers in a non-profit agency that helps survivors of domestic violence. She is also a scholarship recipient of the Chicana/Latina Foundation, where she has met many amazing women and received great personal and professional training. Motivated by other AB540 students who were doing many wonderful projects, Delmy founded the first recognized AB540 student club at City College of San Francisco. She is now the president of the club. The club has held many workshops to educate people on what AB540 is and how teachers and counselors at CCSF and throughout the San Francisco Unified School district can better support AB540 students.
Denia
Santa Rosa, CA
Denia emigrated from Mexico to the United States when she was only 11 months old. In high school, she was recognized as a student of the month, was captain of the cross-country team and successfully defended her peers as a teen attorney. However, Denia's college path has not always been smooth. After being accepted at Mills College, she was forced to drop out after only a year due to financial reasons. She later enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior College, working up to 18 hours per week to pay for tuition and books. She has always used her struggles as a source of motivation to achieve and better herself in order to serve and uplift others. This year, she is attending San Francisco State University, where she is studying Economics and Women Studies and continuing on her road to becoming a civil rights attorney.
Edgar
San Francisco, CA
Edgar was born in Jalisco, Mexico. He came to the US speaking no English and began working at a construction company with his dad. Education was neither one of his goals, nor a priority. A couple of months after his arrival, he enrolled in high school and, after four years of hard-work, managed to finish in the top five of his graduating class. He is currently a second-year student at San Francisco State University pursuing a physiology degree with a minor in public health. He plans to go to medical school to better serve his community.
Hermes
San Francisco, CA
Hermes was born in Mexico. He was brought to the US when he was six years old. Since then, has not returned to Mexico. Twenty-three years later, Hermes has dedicated himself to helping others develop and solidify their self-confidence and self-worth. He is currently volunteering with Project CONNECT, and serves as the Treasurer for IDEAS (Improving Dreams Equity Access and Success) at San Francisco State University. Hermes has been able to motivate and inspire students to continue on their path to higher education. As a student who was able to successfully transfer from a community college to a four-year university, Hermes believes that education is an invaluable and powerful tool for all young people, especially low-income and marginalized youth.
Jazmin
San Francisco, CA
Jazmin is 18-years young and was born in Mexico. At the age of six, Jazmin and her mother immigrated to the US. She began the first grade here and has been in school ever since. She has three younger brothers, and believes it has always been important for her to set a positive example for them. She also has an older sister whom she looks up to a great deal. In June 2010, she graduated from high school in Southern California and was accepted into San Francisco State University, where she is currently enrolled as a freshman. She is planning on obtaining her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration (Management) and is considering minoring in Accounting.
Jose A.
Mountain View, CA
Jose was born in Durango, Mexico and came to the United States when he was four years old. With the unconditional love and support of his family and the guidance of many mentors along the way, Jose went on to study Political Science, History and Ethnic Studies at Santa Clara University. During his college career, Jose was an outspoken leader on campus around issues of racism, inequality, prejudice and oppression. Jose's work culminated as the Executive Director of the Multicultural Center of Santa Clara University. Upon graduation, Jose was trained as a community organizer for racial and economic justice by the Center for Third World Organizing in Oakland, CA. Jose's future aspiration is to aid in the alleviation of undue human suffering, in whatever way that may manifest. Jose believes himself to be incredibly fortunate for all opportunities he has had and therefore believes that he has an enormous responsibility to help uplift and empower his community.
Jose D.
Santa Clara, CA
Jose immigrated to the US in 2000 with his mother and sister. He was nine at the time, spoke no English, and came to live in a small room of a trailer home with 10 others. He started school in the US in the fourth grade. In 5th grade, Jose’s teacher recognized he needed a more challenging curriculum and created an independent studies program for him. That same teacher later got him into Arizona’s best high school, a private Jesuit Preparatory called Brophy. During his time at Brophy, Jose learned about Ignatian values of human dignity, social justice, and reflection. He became very conscious and passionate about doing good and social justice. Jose was accepted at Santa Clara University, where he received a full scholarship to attend. He is a now a philosophy major, hoping to add a political science degree to his studies. Jose hopes to continue doing good and striving for social justice and the recognition of human dignity.
Jose F.
Berkeley, CA
Jose was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico and immigrated to the United States when he was four with his mother and sister. He attended High Tech-LA in the San Fernando Valley, where he founded a student film club and participated in Students Run LA. He is now a junior at UC Berkeley studying Business Administration and Political Economy. Jose has always been a strong supporter of immigrant rights and has been an active member of RISE, where he has met inspiring and down-to-earth Cal students. Last summer he participated in the 2nd annual Tour de DREAMS, a 540-mile bike ride from UC Berkeley to UCLA in support of the DREAM Act. He is also a strong advocate for the legalization of drugs as a way to dismantle the Mexican drug cartels and put an end to United States' failed war on drugs. As part of his advocacy efforts, Jose founded a student organization at Berkeley, M.E.N.D., which calls for the legalization of marijuana and raises awareness about Mexico's current crisis.
Jose M.
San Francisco, CA
Jose was born in Acapulco, Mexico and immigrated to San Francisco when he was six years old. He currently studies at City College of San Francisco. After receiving his A.S. degree in Computer Networking Information Technology, he hopes to transfer to UC Berkeley and major in Media Studies. His main motivation is to be a role model for his younger sister by showing her the obstacles he has confronted and overcome. Being a full-time student, working in a restaurant and volunteering at his school occupies most of Jose's time, but he is always looking for more things to do, especially things that enable him to help out his community.
Karla
San Francisco, CA
Karla was born in San Salvador, El Salvador and came to the US with her two sisters when she was 11 years old. The first person in her family to attend college, Karla is currently a senior at San Francisco State University. She is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations with a minor in Raza Studies. Karla joined La Raza Student Organization in 2009, and it was there when she really became empowered as a women and a Latina. As a coordinator of LRSO, Karla saw the need to help out the immigrant community in San Francisco, especially immigrant women. Through La Raza, she got the opportunity to meet many community leaders who have inspired her to fight for the rights of the immigrant community. After graduating, Karla hopes to work with immigrant women in San Francisco.
Marissa
Napa, CA
Marissa was raised in Napa Ca, with her Mexican heritage from Milpillas de Allende, Zacatecas, Mexico running through her veins. She is an active member in her community where she fights for various social justice issues. She is the founder of Sembrando Semillas en la Educacion, an organization and club that helps Hispanic and Latin American students go to college. At the moment she attends Napa Valley College and is aspiring to transfer to a four-year university. Her dream is to eventually work in educational law.
Miriam
Menlo Park, CA
Miriam was born in Mexico and has lived almost her entire life in the San Francisco Bay Area. She attended Eastside College Prep, and with the magnificent support of her teachers, she became a first-generation college student and found local scholarships to help her pay tuition. It was in the season of applying to colleges that Miriam discovered how being undocumented might block her from accomplishing her academic goals. Nonetheless, Miriam's family inspired to overcome these obstacles. She graduated from Mills College in May 2010, majoring in Women's Studies. Immediately after graduating, she worked with the Sadie Nash Organization, a feminist social activist summer program for female high school students in Newark, New Jersey, where she assisted and lead classes on leadership, social justice, and wellness. Since then, she has devoted her heart to working alongside youth in low-income marginalized communities. She plans to obtain a Master's Degree in the future.
Oriana
Hayward, CA
Oriana was born in Mexico City, Mexico and moved to the United States when she was 15 years old. In the US, she has faced many challenges such as separation from her family, language barriers, and acclimating to a different culture. Despite the language and cultural differences, she was able to graduate with honors from high school. After high school, she worked full time, volunteered for the Hayward Public Library, participated in her church basketball league, and attended Chabot Community College. Soon to achieve her goal of of obtaining her Associate's Degree, she will be working on obtaining a BA degree in International Relations. Oriana's dream is to one day become a role model in her community and help others achieve their dreams.
Osvaldo
Sunnyvale, CA
Osvaldo was born in Mexico City, where he spent the first ten years of his life. At the age of ten, he came to the United States and feels as though he has been able to adapt to American culture quite well. Osvaldo is currently a student at De Anza College, and is planning to transfer to San Jose State University in order to pursue a career in Environmental Studies. He believes that environmental issues are some of the most urgent and important issues we face as a society and global community. He wishes to work in environmental policy with the goal of reaching eco-equity for all communities.
Tsatsral
Oakland, CA
Tsatsral was born and raised in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. When she first arrived in the United States, she did not speak any English. She remembers reading a lot of books to learn English fast. In 2006, she graduated as valedictorian of her high school. She went on to major in Architecture and minor in City and Regional Planning at the University of California, Berkeley. In May 2010, she received her Bachelor's of Arts in Architecture. Since graduation, Tsatsral not only works two jobs in order to help support her family, but has also become more involved in empowering the Mongolian community. She is a member of the Mongolian Student group MSNOA, and is currently their Education Committee Coordinator. Her future goal is to receive her Master's Degree in green, sustainable urban design and planning.
Valeria
East Palo Alto, CA
Valeria was born in Michoacan, Mexico and came to the United States when she was thirteen years old. She came to live with one of her sisters and her family, while her mom stayed in Mexico. She entered middle school as a seventh grader without knowing anyone here in the US. Since she started school, however, Valeria always knew she wanted to pursue higher education. She wanted to be the first one in her family to go to college, and with the support of people who believed in her, she was encouraged to follow her dreams. During her sophomore year, Valeria's mother passed away -- a time that she would say was one of the hardest in her life. Yet she continued to persevere and was accepted to many universities upon graduating from high school. She decided, however, to go to community college because it was the best option financially. She is now a third year student at Foothill College, and is looking forward to transferring to a four-year university this fall.
Yaquelin
Richmond, CA
Yaquelin was born in Mexico and raised in California. Despite being raised here, she faced many struggles as an immigrant, from separation of her family to not having a father. Growing up, Yaquelin was always the first to raise her hand in class and wanted the best grades in the family. As a teenager she played many sports, but her favorite was soccer. It was through getting involved with student government clubs that she discovered that helping others is what she enjoyed doing the most. Yaquelin turned into a school health advocate and a leader in her church. She currently has a part-time job to be able to pay for college where she is pursuing her Associate's Degree in psychology. Her long-term goal is to major in Political Science at her dream university: UC Santa Barbara.
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