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What was your undergraduate life like at Cal?
Cal was my dream school since the age of 12 so finally attending was truly a dream come true. As a first-generation college student from the inner-city, I knew that I was coming into Cal academically underprepared for the rigor of the university. It was having this understanding of where I would stand at Cal that urged me to quickly immerse myself in all of the experiences possible to help me succeed.
My involvement on campus remains a big part of my experience at the university, I worked as a program assistant for CAA's Achievement Award Program (TAAP) and I believe that connecting to CAA this early on set me up to continue my involvement. Cal helped me find my place and voice as a leader, it allowed me to see my potential in a broader context as a scholar and professional, and pushed my thinking around diversity beyond class and race.
What are some current projects you are working on?
At my charter organization, I coach and support school counselors to strengthen their practice and impact on students in communities similar to my own. I am leading a new professional development series, Counselor Chats, to focus on how to elevate counselor effectiveness and including the way in which we need to pivot to account for distance learning. I am also a peer reviewer for the American Educational Research Association (AERA). I actively seek out involvement opportunities outside of work because they challenge me in different ways and allow me to build my network to ultimately better serve students. I am in the Communications Committee for the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC), Co-Chair the Greater Los Angeles National College Fair for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), serve at Vice President of Internal Affairs for the Gates Millennium Scholars Alumni Association - LA Chapter, and I am in two committees for Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
How do you tap into your Cal Alumni network?
As a chapter leader, I reach out to others to learn about their practices, collaborate and to expand our reach. Participating in the CAA Chapter Leader Townhalls has been fruitful for me to network with fellow Bears, and also to learn from one another to increase alumni engagement.
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