Segen Girmay Zeray

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

Being a first-generation college graduate means opportunities, new doors, but above all, the chance to help my family, and to give a platform to my community; those in most need of a voice and offer to them the resources to heal, grow, and live their absolute best.

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

My proudest moment at UCSD was completing my senior capstone research thesis on the adverse experiences that African refugee youth from the Horn endure, and how that reflects on their overall health outcomes. This research was close to me as it involved telling my own personal story as an Eritrean refugee and immigrant, my family's story as we sought asylum in the States, as well as the story of my people and all they endure.

• 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 my mother, who took care of myself along with 4 of my other siblings, 2 of which attend UCSD with me. Who navigated a country she was not familiar with, with five of her children, all on her own. Who overcame every adversity, for us. To my siblings, my best friends, who always encourage and support. To my family who I love.

• 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?

Ben Merrill and Ellen Kozelka who were my thesis advisors and who truly taught me so much about the global health field and the writing process for bringing such important global issues to light. I owe them so much and offer my sincere gratitude and appreciation. I also want to thank Isidro Aborqui, Michael J. Stevens, and John Sherman, the leaders of the UCSD Bookstore Receiving and Staging department, and the backbone of UCSD as a whole. I thank them for teaching me the value of our work and what it means to work in a team. That is something I will carry with me beyond UCSD. I thank you all so much for all you have taught me.

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

After graduating, I plan to attain a MA in Global Health in the UCSD graduate program for the short-term. For the long-term, I want to hopefully gain a position within the UN, WHO, or UNCIEF to address health concerns among East-African youth, as well as youth in other developing countries who experience trauma and adverse exposures that negatively influence their health and well-being.

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Receiving Department Assistant in the UC San Diego Bookstore

Cultural and Resource Centers

• Black Resource Center

• African Students Association