Katie Galindo Espitia

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

Being a First- Gen College Graduate to me means setting the way for my young siblings. As the oldest of 5, I hope to inspire them to pursue their dreams, to beat the odds. It means being able to continue the hard work that my parents started when they immigrated to this country. It is a symbol of resilience and dedication. It means everything.

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

Making studying abroad a reality! I got to do a UCEAP program and attended the University of Glasgow in Scotland. I did a year-worth of physics in 2 months and it was most definitely one of the highlights of my undergraduate career. Scotland is underrated and the sights are mesmerizing. I connected with students from all over the UC system and I was also lucky to do the program with my childhood best friend, Elizabeth. Once a upon a time traveling the world seemed so far fetched but I've only just began.

• 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?

The people who kept me grounded through this wild ride were old and new friends, my parents, my brothers and my sister.

My journey started with Summer Bridge and it introduced me to some amazing people who shaped my college experience. Jocelyn, Daniel, Daniela, you all gave me the space to process, understand and grow. You were all with me from the start and never left my side.

Shoutout to my high school friends, who always reminded me who I was and who were always there when I came home running. Anthony, Andrea, Gisselle, you all witness my ups and downs and stood by me. To the rest of my friends Ismael, Eleanor, Jhesika, Andrew, Alexis, Robert, Alberto, Elizabeth thank you for always cheering me on.

Pamela, Lily, Michelle, thanks for keeping me sane when things got tough and for sharing your wisdom. You all made the last of my undergrad years more special.

To my amazing mother, you always knew how to comfort me even when you had no idea what I was experiencing in the higher ed world, thank you for always going above and beyond to ensure I was successful. Thank you for teaching me to dream and achieve. To my siblings, you wild kids reminded me to stay true to myself and each individually gave me some of the best advice an older sister could ask for.

To all of you, thank you for your support, for the laughs, for the tears. For exploring this world with me and being open to trying new things. For being my adventure buddies and validating my experiences. I love you all. You all have a special place in my heart and in more ways then you will ever know, you have helped me achieve this degree.

• 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?

To Amy Shen, thank you for investing time in our development as professionals. For checking in and introducing me to new snacks. You are amazing and I admire your ability to bring ideas to life. Thank you for creating a community and family between my coworkers and I. I didn't know what I was missing until you put it all together. For your boldness and unapologetic self, thank you for mentoring me.

To my sweet mentor and friend, Stephanie Ramos you made the university experience a little less scary. You gave me tools to succeed and you helped me understand how to navigate the system. You constantly reminded me that things would get better, that I was capable and that I belonged. To our numerous talks, you always made sure to make the time for me in a place where time to time can feel so lonely. Most importantly thank you for being my friend, my guide and my number one supporter.

Alyssa Dawson, my favorite coworker and soul. You have a gift for listening and knowing what to say. Thanks for advising me and for checking in to genuinely see how I was doing. You inspired me to be a tutor and an avid learner. Our talks will forever be one of my favorites.

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

After graduation I plan on taking a gap year and take some time to reflect on future steps in my career. My ultimate goal is to return to school and obtain a masters degree. Gaining an education has always been about being able to give back to my community and people.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Language Arts and Tutorial Services (LATS) Writing tutor/ Facilitator

• CASP Peer Mentor

Student Retention & Success Programs

• Chancellor's Associates Scholars Program (CASP)

• OASIS

  • 2Excel

  • SummerBridge