Embedded Files
Isabelle Aguilar
Major: Ethnic Studies
College: Earl Warren
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My name is Isabelle Aguilar, and I am a first-generation college student majoring in Ethnic Studies with a minor in Sociology at UCSD. My academic interests focus on environmental justice, social inequalities, immigration, and the
disproportionate impacts of climate change on low-income communities, particularly in southeastern San Diego.
I am a San Diego native who has lived in multiple low-income areas across the county. I've experienced firsthand the impacts of disparities and inequalities. My goal now and after graduating is to provide a voice for those who are not heard and to shed light on issues that are often purposefully neglected.
I would like to thank my family-especially my mom.
-for supporting me throughout my undergraduate education. Thank you, Mom, for getting me to where I am today and for allowing me to continue my journey. I'd also like to thank my friend Veronica, my mama Liz, and Denise, who were by my side through the stress and tears, as well as the happiness and most rewarding moments I experienced during my four years of undergrad. A thank you as well to everyone who has influenced my undergraduate education and has supported me throughout every moment. I’d also like to show an enormous amount of gratitude for Monica, who has been the best advisor since day one and has become a friend and mentor to me. And finally, a big thank you to my fur baby, Liam, who has been my cuddle buddy and emotional support since before undergrad and still to this day.
After graduation, I plan to dedicate more time to volunteering specifically with non-profit organizations that aim to protect the rights of immigrants and allocate resources to low-income communities. I plan to continue working at my current two jobs and attend California State University, Northridge for my Master's in Chicano and Chicana Studies.
Julia Christine Serrano
Pronouns: she/her
Majors: Ethnic Studies and Clinical Psychology
College: Eleanor Roosevelt
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Julia (she/her) is a proud first-generation Mexican woman who graduated from UC San Diego in 2025 with her B.S. in Clinical Psychology, B.A. in Ethnic Studies, and minor in Dance. Having grown up in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles -- a community adjacent to Downtown Los Angeles that is rich in Latine culture -- she saw first-hand how environmental and social injustices led to poor quality health care and education.
When Julia started her first year at UC San Diego in 2021, she made the choice to apply as a Peer Mxntor for the UC San Diego Summer Bridge Program. The program is specifically aimed at supporting incoming first year students who come from historically underserved and underrepresented backgrounds. Julia was trained on informal counseling methods and social justice activism to support her assigned mxntees and she has proudly served over 35 mxntees in her time at UC San Diego. In addition to this role, Julia was also a Resident Assistant in her last two years of undergrad. She assisted over 250 residents in the Eleanor Roosevelt College Community and hosted many educational programs where she used her love for Latin Dance to facilitate resident and community engagement.
Julia also has a deep passion for research and combining the fields of Ethnic Studies and Clinical Psychology. In her undergrad years, she worked as a Research Assistant in the Social Cognition and Learning Lab, Sexual Wellbeing and Gender Lab, and Language Production Lab. She worked with infants and created projects on how infants interpret emotions and social relationships. She also conducted a significant amount of research on the treatment people of color receive when diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and dedicates this work to her late cousin, Raymond Serrano, who passed of AIDS in 2017. She also has interest in researching the importance of enhancing sexual wellbeing among people of color to help enhance self-esteem and self-perception.
All in all, Julia wants to ensure that as a future therapist or counselor that she employs a culturally competent approach and culturally sensitive approach when working with clients. She hopes to work within the Los Angeles area and help the individuals who often fall through the cracks of society. Her biggest dream is to one day open a dance studio that allows adolescents and children to receive professional mental health counseling and also learn how to connect with their ancestors through dance and physical movement!
I will be starting at California State University of Long Beach in August 2025 for the M.S. in Counseling Psychology Program! I hope to work as a licensed counselor or therapist in a re-entry program for previously incarcerated individuals and also work in schools that are part of lower income areas in the Los Angeles region.
Sofia Daniel
Pronouns: she/her
Majors: Urban Planning and Ethnic Studies
College: Roger Revelle
Earning an Ethnic Studies B.A. with Honors
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Sofia is a double major in Urban Studies and Planning and Ethnic Studies, currently working in the public transportation industry with a focus on equity and access. She was awarded the 2025 UJIMA Scholarship for her Ethnic Studies honors thesis that exploring how Black women with non-Black mothers learn to care for their hair.
After graduation, she plans to pursue a master's degree in either City Planning or Business Administration to gain more knowledge and skills in urban development, with a possibility of pursuing a PhD in Urban Planning. She hopes to transition from her current role in California's public transportation industry to new opportunities in cities like Seattle or Chicago.
Diana Frias
Pronouns: she/her
Majors: Political Science: Public Policy and Ethnic Studies
College: Thurgood Marshall
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Diana will be receiving her B.A. in Political Science: Public Policy and B.A. in Ethnic Studies from UC San Diego Spring 2025. She has a passion for community organizing and advocacy, making strides for transportation justice through her involvement in the Youth Opportunity Pass and subsequent campaigns. Diana is committed to the fight for social justice and liberation, inspired by youth leaders advocating for change.
Jonathan Carmen Chavez
Pronouns: He/Him
Majors: Ethnic Studies and History
College: John Muir
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I am a Chicano transfer student and a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. I am originally from San Jose, CA, but have served as a social justice activist and organizer in San Diego for the past 6 years. I joined the Marine Corps for economic reasons, but now strive to educate others about alternatives for themselves besides military service. I have dedicated myself to organizing for socialism and for the creation of a truly democratic society where working people are the ones in power. I have participated in many organizations over the years, such as the Democratic Socialists of America, the Party For Socialism and Liberation, and Tenant Councils - San Diego. As a student, I helped found Students For Socialism at UCSD and restarted United Students Against Sweatshops Local 619, as a continuation of my commitment to social and economic justice.
I plan to attend graduate school in the coming years, but first I plan to take a gap year to ready myself before applying to different programs. I would like to join a graduate program within the city of San Diego to continue my research about the Vietnam Anti-War movement during the late 1960's in this city.
Jaliyah Journigan
Pronouns: She/Her
Majors: Psychology B.A. and Ethnic Studies
College: Thurgood Marshall
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Jaliyah Journigan is a fourth-year student at UC San Diego, graduating with a double major in Psychology and Ethnic Studies. Born and raised in San Diego and a part of the commuter community for four years, she serves as the Lead Intern at the Black Resource Center and is in her second term as President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council at UCSD. She also holds the position of Anti-Basileus for the Exquisite Eta Delta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Dorian Alexander Jeffcoat
Pronouns: any/all
Major: Ethnic Studies
College: Roger Revelle
Earning an Ethnic Studies B.A. with Honors
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I am a fifth-year Ethnic Studies major with a background in cognitive science. I come from a multigenerational military family that moved around frequently during my childhood, but I call California my home. I am a proud queer abolitionist and am passionate about antizionist activism. My work in the Honors Thesis program draws upon my family's history within the military-industrial complex.
After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master's in social work and engage with abolitionist and antizionist organizations.
Valeria Bianda Rodriguez- Lozano
Pronouns: She/ her/ ella
Majors: Political Science: Race, Ethnicity, and Politics and Ethnic Studies
College: John Muir
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I am a first- generation student who has commuted these past four years to campus and back to my hometown: Carlsbad, California. I am a double major in Ethnic Studies and Political Science: Race, Ethnicity, and Politics. I am a timid and quiet person, but I do love listening and learning from my peers or new people. My favorite color is green and is the reason I selected Muir College-- when I probably should've done better research when I was 17, but I'm not upset about it. I love spending time with my family, as well as taking time to do the things I love such as reading, napping, and exploring new cities.
After graduation, I plan to take time to prepare myself for law school, and begin the application process as well as taking the LSAT exam. I aspire to attend law school and become an attorney in the field of corporate law. The reason I am interested in becoming a corporate lawyer is to amplify the voices of marginalized communities, and become a vessel for my community. Marginalized communities have been underrepresented, especially within the legal system. Thus, I plan to use every opportunity to give back and provide any form of resources once I become a practicing attorney. If I were to change my plans-- because as we continue to grow our plans can sway into a different path-- I'll continue to utilize my voice in order to advocate for basic human rights.
Hannah Drake
Pronouns: they/them
Majors: History and Ethnic Studies
College: Thurgood Marshall
Earning an Ethnic Studies B.A. with Honors
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Hello everyone! My name is Hannah Drake, and I'm a first generation college student from a loving Filipino family in San Diego. I am also a graduating History & Ethnic Studies major with minors in Critical Gender Studies (CGS) along with Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS). This will be my third time presenting at the symposium, so it feels surreal that I'll be actually graduating this time! I'm grateful to have learned so much about community, care, and love from our department here. I'll definitely miss it a lot after I graduate, but I know I will be carrying that with me wherever I end up.
After graduation, I plan on pursuing a PhD in Ethnic Studies or an allied field like American Studies! I hope to become a professor as wonderful as the ones in our department <3
Zhenee Charisma Presa
Pronouns: she/her
Majors: Political Science/Public Law and Ethnic Studies
College: Eleanor Roosevelt
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Hi! My name is Zhenee Presa, and I am a proud daughter and granddaughter of Filipino immigrants, born and raised in the Bay Area. This year, I will be earning my bachelor's degree in Political Science/Public Law & Ethnic Studies as a first-generation college student. During my time at UC San Diego, I have been active in mentorship programs through my job as an Embedded Writing Mentor for the Analytical Writing Department and in my role as a peer mentor with the Mentor Collective. I have also challenged myself to explore research with my role as a writer at our school's Undergraduate Law Review and as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Political Science department.
Most importantly, however, I've had the privilege of learning, in great detail, about my family's immigration story through various Ethnic Studies classes I've taken here. I dedicate all my hard work over the past four years to my recently departed grandfather who sacrificed everything to join the U.S. Navy as a teenager from the Philippines with the intention of curating a better life for himself, his family, and his future. Living in San Diego, where he was stationed at one point in his service, has connected me with him, our family's history, and our culture in ways that I cannot even put into words.
After graduation, I hope to further my grandfather's legacy by pursuing a career that bridges my bleeding heart with my passion for legal studies through my aspirations to become an immigration attorney. In doing so, I will be the first person in my entire family to go into law.
Kriya Subramanyan
Majors: Linguistics - Speech and Language Sciences and Ethnic Studies
College: Seventh
Earning an Ethnic Studies B.A. with Honors
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Kriya Subramanyan is a fourth-year Ethnic Studies and Linguistics major in Seventh College. She's been involved as a researcher within the Linguistics & Ethnic Studies department. Throughout her undergrad, she has been involved as a board member of the Mustard Seed Project, a homeless outreach and mutual aid organization catered towards the San Diego houseless community. She has interned at both the LGBTRC and the CCC on campus as a Social Justice Educator Lead. Her research project within Ethnic Studies combines her interest in both Linguistics and Ethnic Studies, utilizing DisCrit to conduct a critical historical investigation on standardized Speech Language Pathology practices, particularly focusing on the effects for neurologically diverse and otherwise marginalized communities.
Britney Muñoz Arriaza
Pronouns: They/She
Majors: Ethnic Studies and Sociology
College: Eleanor Roosevelt
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Britney, a proud first generation student born in Guatemala & raised in South Los Angeles, became engaged with Ethnic Studies their first year while she was TRELS recipient. With the mentorship of Roy Perez, she deepened her understanding of the field and later declared Ethnic Studies as a major.
During their time at UCSD, Britney engaged in experiences that furthered their passion for disability justice, decolonial thinking, education equity, & undocumented advocacy. They’ve been working at the YMCA with neurodiverse youth for a little over 2 years where they have actively engaged in inclusion efforts for her kids during YMCA programs.
During their 4th year, Britney has also worked alongside an immigration attorney as an interpreter in her community in South Los Angeles & as the Alumni Relations and Development intern at the Cross Cultural Center where she created & facilitated Alumni panels & her student initiated project, “Colonial Borders”.
Britney’s heart is full wrapping up this chapter, especially after being part of such a beautiful major, department, and community. Their hopes post-grad are to continue engaging in mutual aid and legal advocacy for the undocumented and & disabled community.
Angela Rochester
Majors: Ethnic Studies and Literatures in English
College: Sixth
Earning an Ethnic Studies B.A. with Honors
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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.
Joaquin Mena Jr.
Major: Ethnic Studies
College: Seventh
Earning an Ethnic Studies B.A. with Honors
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My name is Joaquin Mena Jr., and I’m graduating from UC San Diego with a degree in Ethnic Studies. I came in as a transfer student and found a community through Ethnic Studies, CLS and Underground Scholars, where I’ve been able to support other Chicanx/Latinx Urban living Formerly Incarcerated/ system-impacted students like myself. As a single father of three daughters, this journey hasn’t been easy but it’s been worth it. I’ve spent my time here building bridges between the university and the community, mentoring, organizing, and using storytelling as a way to heal and inspire. Whether through theater, outreach, or late-night writing sessions, I’ve stayed rooted in my faith, my cultura, and my commitment to making space for those who come after me.
Fernanda Noriega Hernández
Pronouns: she/her/ella
Majors: Ethnic Studies and Sociocultural Anthropology
College: Thurgood Marshall
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Hello! My name is Fernanda Noriega(she/her/hers), I was born and raised in South East San Diego but I also lived some years in the Bay Area, specifically in Vallejo and Richmond. I'm currently double majoring in Ethnic Studies and Sociocultural Anthropology. I love to be around nature especially the beaches, I enjoy taking care of my plants and I love coffee. I also enjoy creating art, and it is one of my aspirations to travel to many different places in different countries!
I will be graduating following the Fall quarter and have aspirations of becoming involved in my community to help uplift those who normally don't have access to as many resources as others. Coming from a low-income & being a first generation Mexican American has inspired me to help others who have experienced similar hardships as myself, not only those in communities I belong to but those communities who also face parallel social justice issues.
Leila Viramontes
Pronouns: She/Her
Majors: History and Ethnic Studies
College: Eleanor Roosevelt
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My name is Leila Viramontes and I am a first-generation undergraduate student at the University of California, San Diego. I am graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history with a concentration in U.S. history as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in ethnic studies. During my time at UCSD, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a local San Diego high school where I had the privilege of working with low-income and multi-racial children coming from immigrant families. My experience working within the community has been informed by my education throughout the Ethnic Studies program, as I strive to create a classroom environment and student relationships based on principles of inclusivity and diversity.
I will be attending the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the fall, working towards a Masters in Education and my single-subject teaching credential in social sciences.
Breanna Ramirez
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Ethnic Studies
College: John Muir
Earning an Ethnic Studies B.A. with Honors
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Hello! My name is Breanna Ramirez. This year, I will be earning my B.A. in Ethnic Studies with a minor in Spanish Literature. During my time at UC San Diego, I have found community in so many places on campus, like Summer Bridge, the Cross-Cultural Center, and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx por Activismo. In these spaces, I was able to apply so much of what I learned in Ethnic Studies courses, allowing me to rebuild with my community. Having had the support of these incredible communities has empowered me to continue on as an activist on the path to collective liberation. I am incredibly grateful for all of the support and love I have found in my communities that got me to where I am today. My heart is so full as I end this chapter. I will take what I have learned everywhere I go after this.
After graduation, I plan on pursuing a Master's degree in Education at UCLA's Teaching Education Program, to teach Ethnic Studies.
Sophia Cardenas
Pronouns: any
Majors: Ethnic Studies and Education Sciences
College: John Muir
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I am a first generation Queer Chicana student in my fourth year of higher education who comes from a family of five where I am the eldest daughter. My home town of North Long Beach gave me the roots I hold to this day that ground me as I navigate the institution of higher education. My own education allowed me know that I was meant to be an educator myself and Ethnic Studies gave me the perfect lens to see that through.
Ethnic Studies gave me so many tools that I base my MEChA involvements in as well and most importantly gave me my own history back to me. My own primary and secondary education never included the real critical history of my people and knowing how much it has impacted me I want to do the same for all of my future students.
I plan to take a gap year before applying and attending Grad school for a teacher education program where I can get credentials to teach Ethnic Studies in public education! During my gap year I plan to continue to hold space for my creativity and find even more community in Los Angeles to grow with <3
Iliana Alexandra Maiz
Pronouns: she/they/ella/elle
Major: Ethnic Studies
College: Earl Warren
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Iliana A. Maiz is a writer and community organizer from Chino, California. Iliana believes in the transformative power of Community and storytelling as disruptors of hierarchical systems of power. In her writing, Iliana tells the stories of her Community and shares her personal experiences as she has navigated both hostile and loving spaces. Her research focuses on the expansion of archives and pushes to understand them as a continuous praxis of archiving. That is, a communication between the past, present, and future that both informs and fuels us, always prompting us to reflect, theorize, and act. She has achieved this by working specifically with the Latinx community at UCSD, holding meetings and discussions aimed at creating life-affirming spaces where people can learn and grow together.
Iliana's project consists of a scrapbook called "The Latinx Coalition," made in collaboration with Movimiento Estudiantíl Chicanx por Activismo (MEChA) de UCSD, La Familia de UCSD, Society of Hispanic Students in Law (SOHIL at UCSD), Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social (MALCS) at UCSD, and Latinx Advancing in Math and Physics (LAMP) at UCSD. Without the work, love, and tireless care from the students involved in these organizations, this project would not be possible. Her Honors Thesis focuses on the process of creating this scrapbook and the political history of UCSD that ultimately led to the creation of over 20 Latinx-serving organizations at UCSD.
Con toda la alegría y el dolor de ser parte de una memoria que es parte del movimiento colectivo por la liberación de todes, gracias por ser parte de este proyecto.
With all the joy and pain of being part of a memory that is part of the collective movement for the liberation of all, thank you for being part of this project.
I will be pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Latin American Studies at the University of California, San Diego, to continue my research, which focuses on community healing and the transformation of spaces through joy.
Aimi Kim
Pronouns: she/they
Majors: Ethnic Studies and Psychology
College: Thurgood Marshall
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Hi! My name is Aimi and I am a graduating senior double majoring in ethnic studies and psychology. I am a Japanese & Zainichi Korean American, Queer, first generation student born and raised in Los Angeles.
My academic and research interests lie at the intersections of identity, decoloniality, sexuality, and cultural studies (particularly visual culture, cultural difference, and pop culture). I am fueled by radical curiosity, joy as resistance, and the notion that the personal is the political— both in and out of academia.
My involvements at UCSD include Division 12 Dance Team, TREND Magazine, Nikkei Student Union, OASIS’s Summer Bridge (where I participated both as a mentor and mentee), and Korean American Student Association. I also had the privilege of studying abroad at Keio University, in Tokyo, Japan, during my junior year.
To the incredible UCSD ethnic studies community— thank you for cultivating space where kindness, accountability, and hope thrives, and for allowing me to fall in love with learning again!
After I graduate from UCSD, I plan on moving to Tokyo and earning my Masters at Waseda University. Moreover, I will continue to engage in social justice initiatives that thicken the conditions of possibility, joy, and collective liberation. I also plan on being a lifelong learner!
Jasper Lopez Zuniga
Pronouns: They/he
Majors: Critical Gender Studies and Ethnic Studies
College: John Muir
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I am a third year in the ETHN 100C sequence and I am hoping to continue my research practices in my CGS honors thesis in the upcoming school year. My research interests are in researching physical media and community spaces made by queer and trans people historically. I am also interested in race and gender and how they intersect with the law. In the future I hope to get an MSW and work as a gender therapist.
Bria Woods-Kirk
Pronouns: She/Her
Majors: Urban Studies and Planning and Ethnic Studies
College: Sixth
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My name is Bria Woods-Kirk and I’m third-year student at UC San Diego, double majoring in Urban Studies & Planning and Ethnic Studies, with a minor in Theatre focusing on set design. I’m also a Spring 2025 initiate of the Mu Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
I’m passionate about using architecture and urban design as tools to uplift marginalized communities and improve quality of life. My goal is to build a career rooted in service, creativity, and community by designing spaces that reflect the needs and culture of the people who live in them.
Julio Barboza
Pronouns: they/them
Major: Ethnic Studies
College: Thurgood Marchall
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I am a 4th year Ethnic Studies Major interested in education and becoming a teacher. This past year, I have spent my time interning with Border Region Talent Pipeline K-16 and Cal-SOAP working in multiple high schools observing the classroom, as well as assisting my alma mater in completing their financial aid applications.
During my time at UCSD, I have had the pleasure of teaching students as a music instructor for 2.5 years and presented at last years symposium, combing a spoken word piece with a drum part.
I would like to thank my family and my girlfriend for keeping me grounded during the highs and lows of my educational journey, as well as the many professors I’ve had for keeping my mind open and the insights they’ve shared as through the interdisciplinary education I received through Ethnic Studies.
I will be joining Teach For America in Los Angeles to become a Bilingual Multiple Subjects Teacher!
Ph.D., Department of Ethnic Studies Graduate Students
Ph.D., Department of Ethnic Studies Graduate Students
Rochelle McFee
Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies with a concentration in Critical Gender Studies
Pronouns: she/her
Dissertation Title: Tallawah: A Re-imagined Black Girlhood
in the English-Speaking Caribbean
Dr. Rochelle A. McFee is a scholar, activist, and educator who earned her Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, San Diego, as part of the Class of 2025. Her dissertation, Tallawah: A Re-imagined Black Girlhood in the English-Speaking Caribbean, offers a critical intervention across multiple disciplines, including Ethnic Studies, Black Studies, Caribbean Studies, Gender Studies, Queer Studies, and Performance Studies. Her academic pursuits are deeply intertwined with over a decade of grassroots activism, focusing on ending violence against Black women, girls, queer individuals, and involuntarily returned migrants. Her work emphasizes decolonial approaches to program evaluation, expert witness reporting for queer asylum seekers, and convening dialogues on violence against marginalized communities. As of Fall 2025, Dr. McFee will join the Department of Ethnic Studies at Butte College as a tenure-track faculty member, continuing her commitment to scholarship, community engagement, and transformative education.
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