Mariela Cambria Martinez

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

A first generation college graduate means that I succeeded for my family. It means that all of my parents sacrifices were worth it, and I can help my family have a better future. I can also be a role model for other first generation students and prove that it is possibly to graduate and succeed.

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

My proudest moment at UCSD would probably be graduating.

• 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?

I would like to first thank my parents who without them this college journey would not have been possible. Thank you for always supporting me in any way you knew how. Thank you to my twin brother who would always ask how I was doing and always hang out with me.

Gracias a mi Nani por siempre apoyando me, y cocinando y mandando mi comida favorita tu eres mi inspiración, y eres la razón que cumplí esta meta. Te amo con todo mi corazón Nani, mil gracias.

Thank you Grandma for always loving me and supporting me, and showing God's love to me. I love you very much. P.S. Grandpa this one is for you

Tambien quiero agradecer a mis tias que están en el grupo en que cada viernes me mandan mensajes que dicen que esperan que yo tenga un viernes feliz. Gracias a estas tias, Tia Miriam, Tia Liz, Tia Marlene, Tia Patty, y Tia Katty, gracias por siempre apoyando me.

Thank you to all of my family and friends especially Penny, Kristy, Lucy, and Dulce y'all literally got me through college love you amiguis. Also shoutout to Olive and Lilly who I have enjoyed our weekly calls throughout this quarantine. Big shoutout to my valley friends Gerryl, Lindsey, Tiffanny, Jen, and Celine thank you for keeping me sane in the summer. Love ya.

Thank you to my Hermanas who were my home away from home and who truly showed me the power of Poder de la mujer. I would also like to thank my HFiT family thank you for always supporting me special shoutout to my coordinators Robert, Arm, and Yaz y'all are so inspirational and inspire me to do and be better everyday.

This degree would not have been possible without family and friends. Thanks!

• 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?

I would like to thank all the staff at the career center as they have been extremely influential in my college journey with giving me advice on everything from career to life advice. I would like to especially shoutout Nadia and Jessica my pre-health advisors and Lee Desser and Analia for always encouraging me and giving me opportunities to succeed as well as Francys and Robin for always helping me get my timecards in on time.

Last but definitely not least the family who has supported me throughout all my four years at UCSD are my Goody's family. I would like to thank everyone who has worked there from students to career to staff.

I would especially like to shoutout Alaric Bermudez, my FSM who helped me grow professionally, as a leader, and as a person, and who truly cared about my wellbeing you taught me many life lessons, and where the best brunch places in SD are.

I would also like to thank the careers Octavio and Andres who would always be real with me and encourage me and give me life advice.

Thank you Alma my AFSM who would bring me homemade food, and who always made work a lot more fun, and allowed me to make decisions to grow as a leader.

I would also like to thank Ahlynna, the career who always encouraged me, who would make work welcoming and positive, and who was so supportive, thank you for pushing me and inspiring me to get this degree.

Finally I would like to thank my work mom Elizabeth who would do anything for me and got me through these four years thank you for always being supportive and lending an ear whenever I needed to talk to someone.

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

I am currently interning at the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative through the summer, and will be mentoring and tutoring in LA through City Year which is a program through AmericaCorps. I hope to eventually go to medical school one day and become a doctor for my community.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Hermanas Unidas de UCSD-community service chair, academic chair, co-president

• Health Frontiers in Tijuana-clinic coordinator

• Career Center-Pre-health Career Peer Educator

• Goody's Market Student Manager

Cultural and Resource Centers

• Raza Resource Centro

• Women's Center