Mary Tanya Alaja

• What does being a First-Generation College Graduate mean to you?

It means showing that no matter where you come from or what your background is, if you set your mind to it and are passionate about your work, you will succeed at your goals.

• What is your proudest moment from your time at UCSD?

My proudest moment will be graduating and saying that I am a UCSD Alumni!

• Who are the family members, friends or loved ones who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

To the Alaja Clan: Thank you for never giving up on me and always supporting my education even if I didn't believe in it myself at times. Thank you for answering the phone every single night and listening to me talk about classes and people you had never met for hours! Going to college has not only been a journey for me but also for you and I appreciate the trust you put in that I was doing it the best I could. I love you forever.

To Marcella Torres-Sanchez: Thank you for going from a stranger to one of my best friends simply because we lived together. You made being away from family less scary and showed me that being a friend means being there for one another through the best and the worst times. I appreciate and love you Mamacita!

• Who are the staff, faculty or mentors who have been most influential throughout your college journey? Are there any words of gratitude you would like to share with them?

Dr. Wendy Ark: Thank you for making me work hard and understand that to fail means to learn from your mistakes and grow stronger and wiser because of them. I will take the teachings, both from inside and outside the classroom, and apply them to my life in every way possible.

Dr. Clarissa Reese: You showed me that when facing something scary and intimidating, to rely on my previous teachings and knowledge to guide me through the hardships. Thank you for teaching me to not be afraid to try things and ask for help when I am lost; and especially thank you for allowing me to lean on you in times of need and always giving advice for both educational and personal questions.

Dr. Keefe Reuther: Thank you for reminding me how much fun learning can be! Your class taught me so much more than genetics; it taught me how to see the positives in what others may see as tedious. I appreciate your teaching style and energy because it made every lecture a joy to come to and something to remember when i leave.

Samantha Woolley: Thank you for giving me the chance to give back to ERC in the greatest way possible. I can not express how grateful I am to have worked as an OL because through it I have made such great friends and had experiences that will last a lifetime. You (and this program) have taught me there are a thousand ways to go the extra mile and its always worth it if it makes the experience memorable.

• What do you plan or hope to do after graduating?

After graduating, I plan on working in a therapeutic office that aids children with disabilities. In December of 2020, I will be applying to graduate programs for 2021.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Vice-President, Lebanese Social Club

• Orientation Leader, ERC, 2019-20

Cultural and Resource Centers

• APIMEDA (Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Desi American) Program and Services

• Women's Center