ETHN 100C & GRADUATING ETHNIc STUDIES STUDENT BIOGRAPHIES

ETHN 100C Students, Ph.D. GRAD & Graduating Seniors

Fatima Maciel

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Majors: Political Science, Public Policy

and Ethnic Studies

College: Eleanor Roosevelt

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When Fatima was in elementary school, she learned firsthand what it meant to be an undocumented immigrant. The media and politicians exploited the narrative of her family's situation and cast her as “a leech who managed to hack the system and take resources from ‘real citizens’.” As a result, she became ashamed of her heritage and status in the United States to the point that she would identify as white and deny her Mexican background. Today, after time and self-reflection, Fatima realizes the importance of staying true to her roots. “My parents’ journey and selfless actions formed me into an independent and determined individual who aspires to make her parents’ journey worth leaving everything behind.”

As a Political Science/Public Policy and Ethnic Studies dual major at Eleanor Roosevelt College, Fatima’s goal is to work in the public government sector as a policy advisor on homelessness and public safety in San Diego. “The social inequalities in our society have driven me to work in hopes of expanding my contributions to my community and helping the fight against policies that underserve and underrepresent minorities. I strive to be a strong leader who produces equitable and just policies that serve all, not just one.”

The Raza Resource Centro helped Fatima find “her” community on campus and realize that as a student she could design and conduct research on her own. As a Learning Specialist at the Raza Resource Centro, she has a goal of increasing Latinx participation in university-funded research. She wants people to know that Latinx/a are producers of knowledge through their unique lived experiences. Fatima believes that “there is power in knowledge; and when Latinx/a students engage in research and bring these unique perspectives into these heavily dominated white spaces in a way we reclaim our power. Our research gives people an opportunity to see our world through an intersectional lens.”

After working at the City of San Diego Mayor's for two years she transitioned into the City of San Diego District 3 Councilmember Stephen Whitburn's Office as a Community Engagement Assistant. In addition to this, she will be earning her certification in yoga instructing this upcoming summer to begin offering free and low-cost classes to diverse and underserved communities in San Diego.

Alejandro Raul Reyes

Pronouns: he/him

Majors: History and Ethnic Studies

College: Warren

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I’m a first generation college student from here in San Diego where I grew up down south in the Barrio Logan area. I grew up within the same school, Perkins K-8, from Preschool all the way until 8th grade where I then attended Point Loma High School before I eventually applied and accepted my offer to attend UC San Diego to major in History. It wasn’t until my third year that I decided to also double major in Ethnic Studies as well and after spending two years virtually over zoom I’ve tried to make the last two years of my undergraduate career the best I can. I’ve been involved with campus through the TCLI Program, my proudest accomplishment as a Triton, serving as a mentor for 1st year students for 2 years while previously being a mentee my first year and currently serving as one of the two coordinators for the program in my 4th year. I’ve also been apart of the Warren College Orientation Leader team in addition to numerous campus volunteer opportunities that are mostly focused on assisting first generation, incoming first years, high school prospects, and Hispanic students which is where my passion stems from to pay it forward to the next generations.

Kyleen Evette Martin

Major: Ethnic Studies

College: Revelle

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Kyleen is a proud Black, multi-racial, queer, non-traditional student who transferred from Fullerton College in 2021. During her time at UCSD, she has participated in the McNair Program, interned at the Cross-Cultural Center, and worked at the UC San Diego Library. Her academic and research interests span data privacy, race and technology, food justice, Afro-futurism, and student activism. Some of her other favorite moments at UCSD have been organizing the Cross-Cultural Center’s 2023 Social Justice Mixer, collaborating on 2024 Black History Month Blacktronika, and working on the Tell Us How UC It Living Archive for Student Activism.

Marysol Ysaura Valdez

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Majors: Ethnic Studies and Political Science

College: Muir

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Born and raised in Fresno, California, Marysol Ysaura Valdez is a proud first-generation college student and the eldest daughter in her family. As part of the Class of 2024, she will graduate from the University of California, San Diego with degrees in Ethnic Studies and Political Science.

At UC San Diego, Marysol has been dedicated to strengthening the community. She serves as Co-President and founding member of the Society of Hispanic Students in Law (SOHIL), a Senator in UCSD's Associated Student Government, and a previous intern at the UCSD Raza Resource Center. She greatly appreciates all of her friends and classmates who have made her four years at UC San Diego memorable.

Marysol has a strong interest towards a career in policy, law, and governance and plans to strengthen her toolbox of knowledge to uplift communities in the County of San Diego and across the State of California.

Kendall Morris

Pronouns: she/her(s)

Majors: Ethnic Studies and Critical Gender Studies

College: Marshall

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Kendall Morris (she/her/hers) is a graduating senior of the class of 2024 at UC San Diego, completing a B.A. in Ethnic Studies & Critical Gender Studies. As a student at UC San Diego, she was an active executive board member of the Black Student Union. Her passion for anti-racism and health equity is evident in her involvement as an intern for My Work To Do and The People Concern.

In the fall, Kendall will pursue an M.A. at UC San Diego in Public Policy with a focus on Health Policy, where she will address solutions for the Black maternal mortality rate in the United States.

Mekayla Andrea Nariño

Pronouns: she/ her/ ella

Majors: Ethnic Studies and Sociology with a concentration in Social Ineqaulity

Graduating with Honors in Ethnic Studies

College: Seventh

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I am a mixed (Colombian & white), queer woman from Escondido, CA. I am passionate about transformative justice, transnational relations, education, holistic health and reimagining our futures. Throughout my 3 years at UCSD I have had the privilege of creating community within the Cross-Cultural Center, MEChA, and Tijuana Youth Migrant Mentor Network. I am incredibly grateful to have experienced continuous learning and sharing with fellow social justice activists within these social justice centered spaces.

Social justice advocacy & traveling the world!

Angela Rochester

Pronouns: She/her / hers

Majors: Ethnic Studies and English Literature

Graduating with Honors in Ethnic Studies

College: Sixth

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Hi everyone! My name is Angela Rochester and I am a fourth year, first-generation college student born and raised in San Diego. I am double majoring in Ethnic Studies and Literatures in English. This degree has been 20 years in the making and I am beyond grateful to the Ethnic Studies community, faculty and my family for all of their support and encouragement.

Emma Belle Lhuillier

Majors: Human Biology and Ethnic Studies

College: Marshall

Emma Belle Lhuillier is an undergraduate and soon-to-be graduate student at UCSD, double majoring in Human Biology and Ethnic Studies with a minor in Human Developmental Sciences.

Completing a Master's program at UCSD in Biology, and then hopefully attending medical school to become a physician.

Valarie Castellanos-Ponce

Pronouns: she/they

Majors: Ethnic Studies and Clinical Psychology

College: Sixth

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Valarie is a current fifth year student at UCSD from Inglewood, CA. Valarie was raised by a single mother in a multigenerational, Latinx household. Her upbringing has inspired her to go into a career that will serve and uplift her community. On her free time, Valarie like to craft, go to concerts, and spend time with loved ones.

After graduation, Valarie will be going to graduate school for her Masters in Psychology. She hopes to one day pursue a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.

Britney Juarez

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Majors: Sociology - Social Inequality and Ethnic Studies

College: Roosevelt

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I am a proud first-generation, Mexican-American fourth year student double majoring in Sociology with a concentration in Social Inequality and Ethnic Studies. I am also minoring in Human Rights and Migration. I grew up in East Los Angeles, a vibrant community filled with Latinx culture and traditions. I am passionate about social justice issues affecting marginalized groups and communities. During my third year, I worked as the Jim Lin Alumni Relations and Development Intern and Social Justice Educator at the Cross-Cultural Center. Currently, I'm working as a Peer Coach at the Student Success Coaching Program where I provide support and mentorship to first and second year, first-generation students.

Gabriella Salvador

Pronouns: she/her/ella

Majors: Ethnic Studies

Graduating with Honors in Ethnic Studies

College: John Muir

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I am a second generation diasporic Zapotec from Tongva land (Los Angeles). In my four years at UCSD, I have found community with MEChA and with my peers in the Ethnic Studies department. My honors thesis focuses on memory and future building within the Indigenous Oaxacan diaspora, specifically through art and its potential for collective healing. I am passionate about storytelling and imagining futures of liberation.

After graduation, I plan on moving back to Los Angeles and running the Oaxacan Youth Oral History Project for Indigenous youth in my community. I hope to continue reading, writing, storytelling and organizing with other Indigenous youth in LA.

Annie Tang

Pronouns: they/them

Majors: Ethnic Studies and Cognitive Psychology

College: Seventh

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I am a graduating senior at UCSD double majoring in Ethnic Studies and Cognitive Psychology. I am passionate about queer of color liberation and served on the core board of the Queer and Trans* People of Color organization at UCSD over the last two years. After graduation, I hope to continue to engage in activism centering the resilience and joy of marginalized communities.

Camila Knigge Unibe

Major: Ethnic Studies

Graduating with Honors in Ethnic Studies

College: Thurgood Marshall

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I'm originally from San Jose, California, daughter of immigrants and an oldest sibling. My identity as a Mixed race person in the United States, specifically German-Mexican-American, guides my values, passions, and research interests. My current research investigates how Mixed student organizations navigate and address multiracial identity, and whiteness, within the University setting, focusing on the Mixed Student Union at UC San Diego. Mixed race / multicultural spaces are important for helping students find belonging, provide space for critical community dialogue, mitigating the romanticization of multiculturalism.

In my time at UC San Diego I worked as a Joy de la Cruz Art and Activism Intern at the Cross-Cultural Center, became Co-president for Mixed Student Union, and held a solo art show in the Kamil Gallery. I'm so grateful for the communities I found a home in and am proud of the work I have had the honor of contributing.

I will be pursuing a M.A. in Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University to continue working in the field of Critical Mixed Race Studies.

Julio Barboza Jr.

Pronouns: they/them

Major: Ethnic Studies

College: Thurgood Marshall

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I am a first-gen, third-year Ethnic Studies Major with a Minor in Music from the San Ysidro area. Being Queer and coming from a Latine family, I have been interested in exploring how Queerness affects the Latine family and the art produced from it. At my time here at UC San Diego, I’ve been involved with the Che Cafe helping organize music shows and have been working as a music instructor outside of campus.

Marlene Avila

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Majors: Ethnic Studies and Sociology (Social Inequality)

College: John Muir

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I’m a third year sociology and ethnic studies double major from the Inland Empire. I’m hoping to graduate after Fall quarter 2023. I currently plan to pursue teaching ethnic studies at the high school level and eventually pursue a PhD in sociology.

Jade Schachtell

Pronouns: she/they

Majors: Ethnic Studies and Critical Gender Studies

College: Revelle

I transferred to UCSD from Napa Valley College, where I dedicated two years to studying Ethnic Studies and Social Justice Studies. Throughout my time at UCSD, I have expanded my education to Ethnic Studies and Critical Gender Studies. With a background in law, community engagement, and social justice I is deeply committed to educating myself and others through the lens of Ethnic Studies. Outside of academia, I spends time painting and creating various forms of art. I am grateful to the trailblazing students who fought for Ethnic Studies, paving the way for future generations. My majors have transformed my life, instilling a deep sense of purpose and empowerment which would not be possible without a strong Ethnic Studies community. I am committed to spreading awareness of the ongoing genocide in Gaza and protest the University of California's financial investment in companies that enable and profit from Israel's occupation in Gaza.

I plan to obtain a certificate in paralegal studies and continue my education through law school in Washington State.

I am a mixed Black woman from Los Angeles, CA. My Honors Thesis explores how Black women with non-Black mothers gather cultural hair care knowledge, affirming their agency despite the marginalization of Black hair practices in mainstream cosmetology education. It illustrates their empowering journey of identity negotiation within their communities.

Sofia Daniel

Pronouns: She/Her

Majors: Urban Studies and Planning and Ethnic Studies

Graduating with Honors in Ethnic Studies

College: Roger Revelle

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Cassadie Morrish

Pronouns: She/her

Majors: Ethnic Studies and Literature

College: Eleanor Roosevelt

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I am a graduating senior majoring in Ethnic Studies and Literature. Throughout my four years at UCSD, I have dedicated my time as the president of a co-ed a cappella group, The UCSD Tritones, and as an intern for the non-profit, Words Alive, promoting literacy across San Diego. I am passionate about prison and immigration reform and am moved to explore these issues in my career. I plan to move back home to Sacramento, CA next year before applying to grad school.

Chloe Ann Lorenzana Soribello

Pronouns: she/they

Major: Ethnic Studies

College: Roosevelt College

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Chloe Soribello is a first-generation queer Filipino-American undergraduate student at UC San Diego. She has a strong background in organizational and social justice work which allows her to center and uplift the individuals impacted by institutional barriers on an intersectional and holistic level. She has currently taken on various roles of peer mentoring and advocacy work in previous positions—such as the LGBT Resource Center, Kaibigang Pilipin@, Summer Bridge at OASIS, and Anakbayan San Diego.

Her passion lies in creating meaningful connections and serving communities centered on building equity, inclusivity, and accessibility amongst youth. Chloe has worked closely with marginalized youth populations with the intention to further guide, empower, and advocate for their own personal goals, dreams, and lives by guiding, raising awareness, and fostering meaningful relationships that duel accessibility and empowerment. Chloe enjoys writing poetry, reading, film photography, and pairing outfits together to express her inner-world.

I plan on taking an indefinite gap year. I’ll be working at a public health nonprofit organization called the Institute for Public Strategies while pouring the rest of my time into activism and organizing in San Diego.

Lin (Carolyn) Kreider

Pronouns: She-they

Major: Ethnic Studies

College: Thurgood Marshall

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Lin grew up in rural Loma Rica, California and is passionate about animal rights, Indigenous peoples’ rights and worker’s rights.

Lin is going to enter a Master’s program in Family and Marriage Therapy and live with many, many chickens.

Tyann Reneau

Pronouns: she/her(s)

Majors: Ethnic Studies and Education Sciences

College: John Muir

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Hi everyone, I’m Tyann Reneau. A third year Education Sciences and Ethnic Studies double major from Los Angeles, California and Corozal, Belize C.A. I am proud to represent Queer Black Women as an activist, educator and empath.

I plan on getting my Ethnic Studies teaching Credential and furthering my education in getting my masters on the east coast.

Ph.D., Department of Ethnic Studies Graduate Students

Jael Vizcarra

Naaila Mohammed

Noelle Sepina

India Pierce

Noelle Sepina

I am earning a Ph.D. from Ethnic Studies at UC San Diego

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Noelle Sepina is a scholar, educator, filmmaker, and curator born and raised in Los Angeles, CA.

Noelle’s research interests include connections between Black and Filipino histories and cultures; cinema and resistance; US empire in the Philippines; Filipino American history; and race, urban planning and architecture. Her dissertation, Made in the Philippines: Blaxploitation and Transnational Collaboration in the 1970s Marcos Era, explores the little-known history of how Filipino filmmakers contributed to and participated in the blaxploitation film movement. She is also producing a short experimental documentary companion to the dissertation that centers the voices of Filipino filmmakers. Her first short documentary, This is Historic Filipinotown, tells intergenerational stories of Filipino American experiences of immigration, gentrification, and resistance in Downtown Los Angeles.

She is currently an adjunct professor in Filipino American Studies at Miramar College and a film programmer for the San Diego Asian Film Festival. She also organizes and hosts community film screenings and conversations in collaboration with local organizations. She enjoys teaching and connecting with students, traveling and experiencing different cultures, spending time in nature, and a variety of random hobbies.

Noelle’s work is grounded in love. Her purpose is to bring forth collective freedom through love and an understanding that we are all connected as one.

Rest! Travel, teach, and eventually publish a book and direct and produce more documentaries. Whatever Life has planned for me.

India Pierce

Pronouns: She/her

I am earning a Ph.D. from Ethnic Studies at UC San Diego

and a Grad Specialization in Critical Gender Studies

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India is an entrepreneur and consultant who works with organizations to create equitable and joyful workplace cultures. She will be finishing her studies at UCSD with a PhD in Ethnic Studies and a graduate certificate in Critical Gender Studies. Her research interests include: liberation theology, women's activism, love as a research practice, freedom as a speculative imaginary, social movements, queer spiritual formation, and queer theory. India is proud to be the first in her family to obtain a Ph.D.

Naaila Mohammed

Pronouns:: She/ Her

I am earning a Ph.D. from Ethnic Studies at UC San Diego

and a Critical Gender Studies Specialization

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My work exists along the intersections of pop-culture, cybernetics, and Orientalism. Thinking collaboratively with Professor Curtis Marez, my dissertation has evolved to consider how imperialism, race, gender, and capitalism show up in visual arenas and digital cultures- with case studies in interior decoration, fashion, and "boho-chic" aesthetics. I take a close look at how cultural trends shape and are shaped by the US and India's historical and socio-economic investments in Islamophobia, casteism, and heteropatriarchy. I enjoy applying a critical lens on everything from online pop-culture moments, Bollywood films, social media, and make-up + fashion trends, to trace the legacy of colonialism in the contemporary moment. I am excited to continue researching the ways in which Muslim and South Asian women and queer communities are performing refusal, disrupting these legacies, and producing new epistemologies and futures.

Jael Vizcarra

Pronouns: she/her

I am earning a Ph.D. from Ethnic Studies at UC San Diego

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¡Hola! I am an Ethnic Studies educator from San Diego/Tijuana. I have been teaching college students, adults, and non-traditional learners for a decade and I am deeply committed to the ethnic studies ethos; the idea that education and critical thinking are tools for collective empowerment through their deeply transformative and life-changing potential. In the tradition of Ethnic Studies, my intellectual pursuits center histories and herstories from below to highlight the important contributions of marginalized folks throughout the 20th century. Power to the People! ¡Arriba les que luchan!

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