Alexa Valladolid

She/Her/Ella

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

Being a first-generation college graduate means being resilient and persevering to break the cycles that were meant to hold us back.

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

My proudest moment was becoming Vice President of the student organization Chicanx Latinx for Community Medicine. Knowing that my team believed in my ability to lead this organization meant so much to me. I have learned a lot BOUT myself and what it means to lead with a community centered lens. More than anything knowing I always able to play a part in creating a close knit community of Latinx/Chicanx pre-health students at UCSD fills me with joy and hope for the future of our health system. "

• What advice do you have for current or future first-generation students?

Trust in yourself! You are first to do of many things and that should not discourage you from taking a leap of faith and applying for a job/fellowship/scholarship etc. You can do it and will motivate others to do so as well.

Don't forget to always advocate for yourself and what you believe in!

• 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 can't ever thank my family enough for all their support. It feels almost impossible to express it into words! Although, I am a first-generation college graduate, my parents are trailblazers in their lives and forever inspire me.

Thank you to all the genuine friends I met at UCSD. All of you have a special place in my heart and I thank the universe for placing you in my path.

Lastly, I want to thank the community I met throughout my time as a student at UCSD. Whether it be the patients I interpreted for at the UCSD Free Clinic or the day laborers I met outside of the Home Depot -- they have impacted my perspective on life and fuel my desire to create a better world.

• 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 give a huge shout-out to the Student Success Coaching Program and all the wonderful staff I had the privilege of working with this past year (especially the Muir pod <3). This program has played an integral role in where I am today (a first-gen graduate) and has allowed me to be a part of the important legacy it is leaving at UCSD. To my Pro Coach Alison, I was truly blessed to have you be a part of my journey and do not think I would be graduating from UCSD without your care and support.

To the wonderful educators, I met at UCSD thank you for making me feel like more than a number and expressing so much love and passion for what you do: Dr. Elaine Tanaka, Dr. Jose Luis Burgos, Dr. Olga Olivas Hernandez, and Sherry Hayes.

Thank you, Dr. Natalie Rodriguez and Katherine Garcia, and everyone involved in the Latinx Pre-Med Initiative, for always inspiring me and other Latinx students to not only pursue careers in medicine but to be changemakers within and outside of medicine.

Lastly, I want to say thank you to everyone I was able to meet and work with within the student organization Chicanx Latinx for Community Medicine. I have met some of the most selfless and kind people I am grateful to call my friends and a part of my community. This organization/community was the most memorable part of my UCSD experience!

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

I plan to take a few gap years to gain life experiences, study for the MCAT exam, and explore new hobbies. I have been a student for a long time and have learned about structural problems that exist, so I hope to take some time to build solutions for issues I have noticed in my community.

As for long term, I plan to attend medical school to serve medically underserved communities and mentor underrepresented youth to enter careers in medicine. "

Campus Affiliations

Campus Involvement

• Vice President of Chicanx/Latinx for Community Medicine

• Peer Coach for Student Success Coaching Program

• UCSD Student Run Free Clinic Interpreter

• TRELS Scholar Spring '21

Student Retention & Success Programs

• Academic Enrichment Programs - TRELS

• Student Success Coaching Program

Cultural and Resource Centers

• Raza Resource Centro