Hello! My beautiful doggies name is Zelda. The caption for the photo is "Living Our Best Life."

As a first generation Mexican-American college student, who comes from a low-income mixed-status family, getting into college was a significant accomplishment. I am the first in my family that went directly to a four year university after high school; an academic pathway that was strikingly different from that of my two older siblings who are undocumented. I was initially hesitant to attend Santa Clara University (SCU), a small liberal arts Jesuit school in the heart of Silicon Valley, as I had no idea what college and being far from home would mean, but financially it was the best decision as I had been awarded a generous scholarship. Though at first I struggled to find my place, and even contemplated dropping out, it was through this experience that I realized my race, class, gender, and language would serve as vital resources to help me support other through higher education. My best skill is contributing to the collective well being of others and giving back to my community. As a daughter of immigrants I find it critical to always show others the skills and knowledge that I am acquiring as I pursue higher education. I continue to improve this skill by sharing my knowledge via social media and mentoring other students with every opportunity I get. As I continue to develop my career I will continue to do so.

Recently UNIDOS US reported that Latinos make up an estimated 17% of the country’s population but hold only 2% of its wealth. By 2014, the wealth of White households was 10 times that of Latino families—a gap that is predicted to grow. As a first generation Latina, and child of immigrants from a low-income background when I first encountered this statistic I was shocked. Seeing this statistic sent me down a rabbit hole and resulted in me staying up until 3am scrolling through various websites, instagram pages, and youtube videos, and at the end I came to the conclusion that I had no idea what I was doing with my money. At that moment I ordered The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins, as I was determined to get my finances in order to build wealth and create a sustainable future. A month after finishing the books, in July of 2020 I began documenting everything I was learning about personal finance. A month later, August 2020, I co-founded Latinas Talk Dinero, a social media platform on Facebook and Instagram dedicated to providing bilingual and culturally relevant personal finance content. The Simple Path to Wealth taught me about the importance of providing a space that is honest and free of judgement as historically and statistically many folks of color stay in a cycle of poverty because they do not have the resources to become financially literate. I seek to change that by sharing the information I learn for free. I am passionate about financial wellness because as a first generation, low-income student, I know the change to create generational wealth starts with me.

In 1995, my father came to the United States from México, in search of educational opportunities and economic advancement for his family. Though he only reached a 6th grade education and my mother a high school education, they always emphasized the importance of getting an education. Growing up as a first generation college student, pursuing higher education was not an easy feat, yet I persevered through the challenges. Being a first generation student is something that I proudly represent because it means that thanks to my parents' sacrifice of leaving their home country, I have been exposed to a whole new world of opportunities. Being first generation means that even during the tough times, and despite the challenges that may come my way, I am always going to find a way. As a latina from a low-income background in a PhD program at one of the best universities in the country, UCLA, being first generation allows me to bring a unique perspective to the classroom, to the university, and to the students I work with. The journey to where I am today was not easy, as often I found myself figuring out the next step on my own. Nonetheless, it has also been just as rewarding and filled with gratitude. Being a first generation college student has impacted my life for the better as it constantly reminds me that I should strive to always positively influence students through mentorship as it is not about being the first, it is about not being the last.

What is meant to be yours, will be. As a young college student it can often be easy to get caught up in social media in the midst of everyones accomplishments. Some people graduating, others buying a home, landing a new job, etc. With that can sometimes come lot of pressure or a feeling of inadequacy and competition for the remaining opportunities. However, I truly believe that what is meant to be yours will be yours. Not only does this apply to a job opportunity, a scholarship, or even a college admission, it also applies to relationships, raises, and much more! Don't get me wrong, I still firmly believe that to a certain degree we must be committed, dedicated and passionate to reach our goals. However, it is important that we are not fixated on a single outcome and understand that we each have a unique and distinct path that we are walking on. As human beings and particularly in todays age of social media comparison is sometimes inevitable. Therefore, we must constantly remind ourselves that we are unique, perfect, and what is meant to be ours will eventually makes its way back to us.

Don't do it because others are telling you to do it. But don't not do it because you think you can't. Those were the words of my professor when I was considering applying to UCLA's PhD program in education. As a first generation, student of color from a low income background, being admitted to a PhD program was beyond the scope of my imagination. However, after hearing those wise words I took the risk and decided to apply. Fast forward a couple months, I was admitted to the number one graduate school of education in the country! As a current doctoral content I strive to always keep these words at the forefront. Though my passion is education and impacting students lives, this advice has also resorted in me pursuing entrepreneurial ventures such as founding a financial literacy resource, Latinas Talk Dinero, and a college and career consulting business, AMG consulting. These words remind me that I am capable of more than I can imagine and will one day accomplish my most wild dreams. As an educator and role model to many younger generations I strive to always pass on this advice and remind them that the world is their oyster, there are no limits to what we can accomplish when we set our minds to it.

In 1995, my parents came to the United States from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, in search of educational opportunities and economic advancement for their family. Though they only reached a middle school education, they always emphasized the importance of pursuing higher education. To honor their sacrifice, I told myself I would one day be the first in my family to earn a PhD. Throughout my educational trajectory my parents continuously pushed me to use my knowledge to support my community, which led to my involvement with a range of organizations that predominantly serve low-income individuals, first generation students of color. As a Mexican college student, coming from a mixed-status immigrant family, I am leading a diverse path through my scholarship and research, despite the barriers I face as a first-gen, low-income graduate student. Regardless, I continue to remain motivated to work toward my PhD in Education, and become a symbol of hope and inspiration for Latinas, who currently have some of the lowest percentage of graduate degrees. While an undergraduate at Santa Clara University (SCU), I quickly became aware of the barriers faced by students with financial and cultural burdens that can affect our ability to perform well in school, especially compared to peers who do not face such challenges. It was through the Leadership, Excellence, and Academic Development (LEAD) scholars program at SCU, which supports first-gen students in their undergraduate journey, that I recognized the importance of mentoring programs. Therefore, my sophomore through senior year I was a mentor for the LEAD scholars, where I provided holistic advising, vocational development and community building centered around decolonial pedagogies. Through an approach that used readings, narrative sharing, and critical dialogues, that brought light to the experiential reality of marginalized groups, I guided my peers in understanding systemic structural oppression. Similarly, with Hermanas Unidas Inc. de SCU I was responsible for crafting weekly meeting agendas as well as facilitating workshops to develop academic and professional skills. Through radically liberatory epistemologies, we engaged in conversations to demystify the academy and in turn facilitate the success of Latinas in their scholarly and career pursuits. I continue to practice my commitment to diversifying the academy through my positions, with the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP). CLYLP is a volunteer run, statewide organization that seeks to empower Chicano/a/Latino/a, first-gen college students through the acquisition of leadership skills, while emphasizing culture, community, and education. As part of the annual fellowship planning committee, I assist in creating a curriculum that includes a focus on the inner workings of California government and dynamics of public policy. Conference participants attend powerful workshops that enhance college preparedness, self-esteem, and cultural awareness. My involvement with the LEAD Scholars, Hermanas Unidas Inc., and CLYLP has allowed me to realize that my passion lies in the empowerment of communities of color, particularly uncovering narratives traditionally left on the margins. I am a Chicana, first-generation, feminist, social justice scholar with a teaching philosophy that is grounded in recognizing the value, contribution, and potential of every student. I am using my training to prepare for a career as a tenure track professor, dedicated to providing resources to underrepresented minorities, and empower students with limited educational opportunities. Through my work and mentorship I want students to be able to recognize my passion for teaching and genuine interest in them as individuals. Through practices that acknowledge and validate their lived experiences and what they bring to the classroom I seek to engage, with them, in a process of reflection, action, and transformation. Drawing from my experience as a first-generation student and Chicana, I strive to always positively influence students through mentorship and unconditional support.

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” As a Mexican college student, coming from a mixed-status immigrant family, I am leading a diverse path through my scholarship and research, despite the barriers I face as a first-generation, low-income graduate student. Regardless, I continue to remain motivated to work toward my PhD, because the change I want to see in my community, the country and the world is that all children have access to a quality education. While an undergraduate at Santa Clara University (SCU), I quickly became aware of the barriers faced by students with financial and cultural burdens that can affect our ability to perform well in school, especially compared to peers who do not face such challenges. It was through the Leadership, Excellence, and Academic Development (LEAD) scholars program at SCU, which supports first-gen students in their undergraduate journey, that I recognized the importance of mentoring programs. Therefore, my sophomore through senior year I was a mentor for the LEAD scholars, where I provided holistic advising, vocational development and community building. Similarly, with Hermanas Unidas Inc. de SCU I was responsible for crafting weekly meeting agendas as well as facilitating workshops to develop academic and professional skills. I continue to practice my commitment to making a difference through my volunteer positions, with the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP), a volunteer run, statewide organization that seeks to empower Chicano/a/Latino/a, first-gen college students through the acquisition of leadership skills, while emphasizing culture, community, and education. As part of the annual fellowship planning committee, I assist in creating a curriculum that includes a focus on the inner workings of California government and dynamics of public policy. I also assist in planning the annual Sacramento Leadership Conference for high school sophomores and juniors. Conference participants attend powerful workshops that enhance college preparedness, self-esteem, and cultural awareness. My involvement with the LEAD Scholars, Hermanas Unidas Inc., and CLYLP has allowed me to realize that my passion lies in the empowerment of communities of color, particularly in access to education. Intellectual curiosity, fervor for social justice and passion for mentoring students motivated me to pursue a graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles. As a PhD student in the Department of Education and Information Studies at UCLA I continue to disrupt, problematize, challenge, racism and oppression. I am using my training to prepare for a career as a tenure track professor, dedicated to providing resources to underrepresented minorities, and empower students with limited educational opportunities. Throughout my graduate career and beyond I will continue to advocate for educational equity and access for students of color. Lastly, drawing from my experience as a first-generation student and Chicana, I strive to always positively influence students through mentorship and continue to support marginalized students. I am fully invested and confident that my commitment to academic excellence, access, opportunity, and equity for all students, paired with my strong passion to serve others, will guide me in fulfilling all my career goals of serving my community. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you!

In 1995, my parents came to the United States from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, in search of educational opportunities and economic advancement for their family. Though they only reached a middle school education, they always emphasized the importance of pursuing higher education. To honor their sacrifice, I told myself I would one day be the first in my family to earn a PhD. Throughout my educational trajectory my parents continuously pushed me to use my knowledge to support my community, which led to my involvement with a range of organizations that predominantly serve low-income individuals, first generation college students, and students of color. As a Mexican college student, coming from a mixed-status immigrant family, I am leading a diverse path through my scholarship and research, despite the barriers I face as a first-gen, low-income graduate student. Regardless, I continue to remain motivated to work toward my PhD, and become a symbol of hope and inspiration for Latinas, who currently have some of the lowest percentage of graduate degrees. While an undergraduate at Santa Clara University (SCU), I quickly became aware of the barriers faced by students with financial and cultural burdens that can affect our ability to perform well in school, especially compared to peers who do not face such challenges. It was through the Leadership, Excellence, and Academic Development (LEAD) scholars program at SCU, which supports first-gen students in their undergraduate journey, that I recognized the importance of mentoring programs. Therefore, my sophomore through senior year I was a mentor for the LEAD scholars, where I provided holistic advising, vocational development and community. Similarly, with Hermanas Unidas Inc. de SCU I was responsible for crafting weekly meeting agendas as well as facilitating workshops to develop academic and professional skills. Intellectual curiosity, fervor for social justice and passion for mentoring students motivated me to pursue a graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles. I am using my training to prepare for a career as a tenure track professor, dedicated to providing resources to underrepresented minorities, and empower students with limited educational opportunities. Throughout my graduate career and beyond I will continue to advocate for educational equity and access for students of color. Drawing from my experience as a first-generation college student I strive to always positively influence students through mentorship and continue to support marginalized students. I am fully invested and confident that my commitment to academic excellence, access, opportunity, and equity for all students, paired with my strong passion to serve others, will guide me in fulfilling all my career goals of serving my community. In my education and career I will always ensure that equity and inclusion is at the forefront. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you!

In 1995, my parents came to the United States from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, in search of educational opportunities and economic advancement for their family. Though they only reached a middle school and high school education, they always emphasized the importance of pursuing higher education. To honor their sacrifice, I told myself I would one day be the first in my family to earn a PhD. Throughout my educational trajectory my parents continuously pushed me to use my knowledge to support my community, which led to my involvement with a range of organizations that predominantly serve low-income individuals, first generation college students, and students of color. As a Mexican first generation college student, coming from a mixed-status immigrant family, I have witnessed the impact of a wide range of mental health issues (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, etc). Most often, the mental health issues I witnesses were not attended to due to lack of access. In my experience, I have come to identify three main barriers keeping immigrants from accessing mental health services; stigma, language, socioeconomic status. In many immigrant communities mental health issues are often seen as taboo and therefore actively ignored. Individuals are discouraged from seeking help and often reluctant to others finding out. This culture of hiding mental health issues often results in people not getting adequate care and the issue progresses to something that requires more intensive treatment. I would solve this issue by meeting immigrant communities where they are and promoting a deeper understanding of what mental health issues are and what mental health professionals do. This can be done via community centers, churches, and schools in a way that is inclusive of everyone and free of cost. Which brings me to my next point; language. Many immigrant families speak a language other than what is considered ""mainstream" in the United States, English. With an already challenging experience assimilating to a foreign country, trying to access resources that are not in an accessible language make access to mental health resources even more challenging. It is cleat that there is a need for more bilingual and bicultural mental health providers that understand the immigrant experience and can provide culturally relevant care. My solution would be to implement policy that direct funding towards the recruitment of mental health providers of color and that speak multiple languages. Having a provider that speaks your language can make all the difference when seeking a service, specially something like mental health which people do not very easily disclose. The third barrier I believe is important to address is socioeconomic status (SES) as this has been shown to correlate with health and the ways in which social determinants of health show up in different areas based on income. Not only does having a lower SES play a role in where you grow up, but once a mental health issue arises, having insurance to access the services needed is a whole other issue. After that, even if you do have insurance finding a provider that is close enough in range is another challenge. This all relates to socioeconomic status as research has shown that the more white and wealthy an area is, the more resources it has. I would solve this issue by demanding that resources for health and community center in low income areas also be delivered.

In 1995, my parents came to the United States from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, in search of educational opportunities and economic advancement for their family. Though they only reached a middle school education, they always emphasized the importance of pursuing higher education. To honor their sacrifice, I told myself I would one day be the first in my family to earn a PhD. Throughout my educational trajectory my parents continuously pushed me to use my knowledge to support my community, which led to my involvement with a range of organizations that predominantly serve low-income individuals, first generation college students, and students of color. As a Mexican college student, coming from a mixed-status immigrant family, I am leading a diverse path through my scholarship and research, despite the barriers I face as a first-gen, low-income graduate student. Regardless, I continue to remain motivated to work toward my PhD, and become a symbol of hope and inspiration for Latinas, who currently have some of the lowest percentage of graduate degrees. As a low-income, first generation, Mexican college throughout the trajectory of my undergraduate and graduate education I have resorted to scholarships, such as this one, to finance my education. As a doctoral student I am no longer eligible for federal, and therefore must constantly be applying to scholarships and fellowships. The cost of an education nowadays is often what deters first generation college students from continuing their education, but I will not let that stop me. I am committed to earning my doctoral degree and contributing to the number of latinas with PhDs. Therefore today I am writing to ask for your support in the amount of $3,500. If selected as a recipient for this scholarship the funds will contribute to my education by providing financial support for my living expenses, groceries, and school textbooks. With both of my parents having lost their job because of the Covid-19 pandemic I have become the primary provider in my household. This scholarship will support these unexpected expenses and reduce my risk of having to withdraw from my program as I will be able to dedicate more time to homework, studying and learning. Furthermore, as an individual who is passionate about encouraging and supporting Latinos and Latinas to obtain graduate degrees, investing in my education now will be an investment for future Latino/as education.

In 1995, my parents came to the United States from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, in search of educational opportunities and economic advancement for their family. Though they only reached a middle school education, they always emphasized the importance of pursuing higher education. To honor their sacrifice, I told myself I would one day be the first in my family to earn a PhD. Though, I continue to remain motivated to work toward my PhD, 2020 was a challenging year, to say the least. The COVID-19 pandemic, the transition to online schooling, and the loss of both my parents income resulted in me having to work multiple jobs while being a full time student, and also balancing multiple responsibilities at home. Despite the barriers, however, I have learned that when it comes to school my passion for education and making a difference in the lives of students is the primary drive that keeps me motivated. In my career, the possibility of becoming an administrator dedicated to social justice and educational equity reminds me that I must never give up and continue striving for my goals. When it comes to life, I have learned that we must appreciate the little things and be thankful for having our loved ones healthy. I am currently the teaching assistant for Introduction to Community Engagement, a three part series designed to nurture civic engagement, and foster authentic student-community relationships, I work directly with students to support their learning. As an educator I ensure to always make lessons engaging, collaborative and hold high expectations of the students I work with. Transitioning to teaching online was no easy feat, but I ensure to always make lessons engaging, collaborative and thought provoking by posing reflection questions and ending class with break out room discussions followed by class share out. As I engage in a variety of teaching practices, I realize that I must remain committed to receiving my PhD to be able to become a full tenured professor in the future and continue mentoring and supporting students. Similarly, though there have been moments where I have felt overwhelmed, stressed and unmotivated, during those times I remember why I chose to pursue a PhD in the first place. I remind myself that I am doing this for the next generation of students, and to support their dreams and aspirations as an administrator. Remembering that why brings me back to my passion and fervor for social justice and re-sparks that fire in me. Lastly, when it comes to life I have come to realize that we must also hold our loved ones close and appreciate each and every moment that we are alive. We must live our lives to the fullest and pursue what truly makes us happy.

In 1995, my parents came to the United States from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, in search of educational opportunities and economic advancement for their family. Though they only reached a middle school education, they always emphasized the importance of pursuing higher education. To honor their sacrifice, I told myself I would one day be the first in my family to earn a PhD. As a first generation Mexican-American college student, who comes from a mixed-status family, getting into college was a significant accomplishment. I am the first in my family to go directly to a four year university after high school; an academic pathway that was strikingly different from that of my two older siblings who are undocumented. I was initially hesitant to attend Santa Clara University (SCU), a small liberal arts Jesuit school in the heart of the Silicon Valley, as I had no idea what college and being far from home would mean, but financially it was the best decision as I had been awarded a generous scholarship. SCU was a completely different world then what I was used to. The student body and professors did not reflect any similarities to the working class community in which I grew up. Though at first I struggled to find my place, and even contemplated dropping out, it was through this experience that I realized my race, class, gender, and language would serve as vital resources to help me navigate my journey in higher education and came to learn about my passion for higher education. Additionally, had it not been for the support of professors, role models, peers, and friends, I would not have made it through the violent institutions of higher education I went through. Most importantly, I would not have reached the place I am at now, an incoming 3rd year doctoral degree student. Though my long term goal is to become a professor, before that I want to make change at the structural and policy levels. A higher education degree is often seen as a large factor in upward mobility for first generation, low-income families. Though research has shown that is true to an extent, there is a need for policy changes to make sure higher education is accessible in the first place. Given that my passion is to ensure students of color are accessing and graduating at higher rates each year, I will make it my life's work to ensure financing structures change, to ensure students have support systems on campus, and to ensure the hiring professors of color who are willing to mentor students. What is important to note is that regardless of the position or job title that I will hold, I will always remain committed to my vision of access to higher education for underserved students. Whether I work for a public institution or corporate company, you will always see me working with students.

In 1995, my parents came to the United States from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, in search of educational opportunities and economic advancement for their family. Though they only reached a middle school and high school education, they always emphasized the importance of pursuing higher education. To honor their sacrifice, I told myself I would one day be the first in my family to earn a PhD. Throughout my educational trajectory my parents continuously pushed me to use my knowledge to support my community, which led to my involvement with a range of organizations that predominantly serve low-income individuals, first generation college students, and students of color. As a Mexican college student, coming from a mixed-status immigrant family, I am leading a diverse path through my scholarship and research, despite the barriers and challenges I face as a first-gen, low-income graduate student. Regardless, I continue to remain motivated to work toward my PhD, and become a symbol of hope and inspiration for Latinas, who currently have some of the lowest percentage of graduate degrees. While an undergraduate at Santa Clara University (SCU), I quickly became aware of the barriers faced by students with financial and cultural burdens that can affect our ability to perform well in school, especially compared to peers who do not face such challenges. It was through the Leadership, Excellence, and Academic Development (LEAD) scholars program at SCU, which supports first-gen students in their undergraduate journey, that I recognized the importance of mentoring programs. Therefore, my sophomore through senior year I was a mentor for the LEAD scholars, where I provided holistic advising, vocational development and community building. Similarly, with Hermanas Unidas Inc. de SCU I was responsible for crafting weekly meeting agendas as well as facilitating workshops to develop academic and professional skills. Most recently the unexpected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic forced me to pause and re-examine what is important to me and what is essential for my happiness. After spending time reflecting on my priorities and true passions I decided I needed to reconnect with my love for medicine, patient care, and making a difference in the lives of under served communities via health care. This led to taking what I believe to be the biggest risk I have ever taken in my life. After graduating with my PhD in Education in June of 2023, I will be pursuing a career in nursing. I truly believe that my experiences as a first generation, low income, student of color have prepared me to advocate and work for and with underserved communities and health care. My passion for equity, social and racial justice continue sparking my commitment to serve those at the margins. If given the opportunity to serve as the recipient of the Bervell Health Equity Scholarship I will represent the scholarship with the utmost integrity, passion and commitment. Thank you for your time and consideration.