Julian Sarza

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

I am a strong individual who can take on many challenges. I am proud to have taken the initiative to be the first in my family to get a Bachelors Degree. I can use this to help my family that lives outside of my local area.

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

My proudest moment at UCSD was when I participated in Summer Experience in the OASIS TRIO SSSP Program. I was so proud to make new social connections with other underrepresented university students. Living on campus for a week with them was a fun and memorable experience for me at UCSD.

• 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 have made so many friends at UCSD ever since the summer I got admitted to this university. I am so privileged to have been acquainted with Transfer Engineering students and Transfer/First Year OASIS TRIO SSSP students. I am also grateful to have developed many friendships with students at the Original Student Center, especially with the Veterans and Graduate students. Most recently, I got involved with Kaibigang Pilipino (KP) after finishing my transition as a transfer student to UCSD. I had fun strengthening my cultural ties with the Philippines through this organization. The students involved in KP dedicated much of their time to proudly make the Filipino heritage more visible. Due to the social distancing restrictions, I was not able to perform PCC. However, I still hold onto the relationships I have started with the Pilipin@ community.

• 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?

All of the staff of OASIS have done an exceptional job of retaining my academic status at UCSD. I appreciate that they have not forgotten about me throughout my time here as a transfer student. I also want to give words of praise to all of the student resource center coordinators for maintaining a safe and social shelter to study. The Original Student Center was like a second home for me. It was fun while it lasted.

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

I plan on writing a book about my life and how I can apply it to my major, Cognitive Science. Most importantly, I will look for a career in which I can proudly design attractive products that will benefit myself and the global society. Many of the design opportunities that I am interested in are involved with software engineering.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• MASA KF: Dancer

• Kaibigang Pilipino: Singer/Violin accompanist

• OASIS: Mentee/Mentor

Student Retention & Success Programs

• Student Veterans Resource Center

• Triton Transfer Hub

• OASIS

  • 2Excel

  • SummerBridge

  • TRIO Student Support Services Program

Cultural and Resource Centers

• Black Resource Center

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

• LGBTQ Resource Center

• Women's Center