Summit Presenters

Dr. Ana Guerrero has worked with first-gen students in higher education—from community college to graduate school—for over 10 years. She is a local first-gen high school and college graduate in California's Central Coast and envisioned a space where other first-gen students in her community can access vital information, clear guidance, practical tools, and inspiring role models. Dr. Guerrero believes first-gen college students deserve a community that recognizes their potential and lifts them up. Thus, grounded in research, practice, and personal experiences, she founded FirstGen_Resilience, which provides higher education information, exposure, guidance, and motivation with a holistic approach. What inspires her the most is seeing people come together with a shared vision and purpose. Community! In her free time, she enjoys punch needling, working on puzzles, exploring, and reading!

Metzli Reyes serves as the Communications and Policy Research Lead at Future Leaders of America (FLA). She began her journey with FLA as an intern through the UCSB Minor in Poverty, Inequality, and Social Justice (MPISJ) program and officially joined the team in July 2022 as the Health Equity Policy Associate. Over the past two years, she has helped advance FLA’s mission by leading communications strategies, conducting policy research, and fostering relationships that center and uplift the voices of Latinx youth across California’s Central Coast.

In her current role, Metzli has co-led youth researcher cohorts for the State of BIPOC Youth Survey, helped collect over 2,700 responses, and cultivated regional partnerships to ensure community input shapes FLA’s advocacy. She now manages interns from the same UCSB program that introduced her to this work, bringing her journey full circle. From coordinating data-driven campaigns to co-presenting workshops at state convenings like Elevate Youth California, Metzli remains committed to creating long-lasting systemic change and ensuring youth feel seen, heard, and supported.

Hello, my name is Carmen Martinez. I was born and raised in Lompoc, CA. My family is originally from Michoacán, México and I am a first generation college student. I attended Lompoc High School and graduated in 2023. I am currently in my third year at Allan Hancock College and I will be transferring this Fall for Business Administration. I have been studying Accounting, Business Administration, Spanish, Culinary Arts & Management, and Culinology during my time at Hancock. I am a drop-in tutor for the Academic Resource Center and I also work at Route One Farmers Market in Lompoc. The past few years I have been involved in programs such as FUTURE for Lompoc Youth, California Freedom Summer, Goodwill's Breaking Barriers program, and Youth Impact SBC. I hope to continue working in advancing food systems and helping provide food to my community. Simultaneously, I would like to continue working with local youth to empower them and bring positive change. In the future, I hope to obtain a doctorate in Food Science and lead my own non-profit.

Etienne is a senior at OAHS. He is the Captain of the Boys’ Varsity Tennis team, a member of the track team and is the team manager for the Girls’ Varsity Tennis team. Participating in high school sports has helped him learn the importance of teamwork, consistent practice and leadership. As an intern with Partners in Education, Etienne gained valuable experience through job readiness workshops and development of professional skills. In the community, Etienne has volunteered as a summer camp counselor, participated in community outreach with NHS and is currently the Treasurer of SBC Youth Impact’s leadership team. He is an accomplished pianist, avid chess player and enjoys the outdoors. Etienne will be studying at Stanford University as an Earth Systems Major in the Fall.

My name is Eric Delgado, and I am a graduating Senior from the University of California, Santa Cruz earning a bachelor's in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology. As an NIH-MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) Fellow, I have engaged in funded undergraduate research for the past two years, most recently in Dr. Jacqueline Kimmey’s lab within the Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology. Currently, I am spearheading a project exploring the conservation of innate immunity within zebrafish models to assess their importance in host defense against sepsis induced by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae.

As a first generation Mexican-American scientist, I have experienced firsthand how transformative mentorship and community can be. Thus, during my time as secretary of the UCSC SACNAS chapter, I have worked to ensure that undergraduates have access to the same resources and mentorship I gained through programs like MARC, while drawing on my own background and experiences to inspire and guide fellow STEMM students as they navigate their paths forward. Beyond campus, I have taken an active role in dismantling systemic barriers within STEMM by coordinating outreach at local community colleges within historically underserved and marginalized communities.

As a first-generation South-Asian queer scientist, I am committed to creating environments that are innovative, representative, and supportive. Over the past three years at the University of California, Santa Cruz, I have identified my passion for biological sciences. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology. Through practical experience as an undergraduate researcher, I am gaining the skills necessary to become a scientist and aim to pursue a PhD in biomedical sciences. In addition to my academic pursuits, my role as the UCSC SACNAS Outreach Coordinator involves engaging with underrepresented students and communities by facilitating their inclusion. Furthermore, my work as a peer mental health educator has been transformative in supporting students from diverse backgrounds by addressing topics such as impostor syndrome, stress, and self-compassion.

Dr. Marina Chavez graduated from UC Santa Barbara with her PhD in Chicana/o/x Studies in 2023. Currently working as a career development educator, Dr. Chavez approaches career development as a powerful vehicle for working towards equity and upward socio-economic mobility for all students, especially first-gen students. She enjoys supporting others to feel empowered to build the life and world that they dream of for themselves, their families and their communities. 

Anthony Bencomo is a first-year Ethnic Studies faculty member at Hartnell College in Salinas, California. He earned his Ph.D. in Politics from UC Santa Cruz with a Designated Emphasis in Latin American and Latino Studies and previously earned a master's degree in Mexican American Studies from San Jose State University. Anthony is a former community college transfer student and first-generation, Pell Grant graduate of Fresno State (B.A.), where he majored in sociology and Chicano Studies. He has taught courses such as Introduction to Ethnic Studies, Ethnic Studies Cinema, Introduction to Chicanx/Latinx Studies, Introduction to Legal Process, and Introduction to Latina/o/x Politics at the community college level, California State University, Sacramento, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. Anthony’s dissertation focused on city and community efforts to reform police. His research examines police reform efforts, legal cynicism, the politics of crime, and racial/ethnic politics.

Sarahy Torres is a first-generation college student born and raised in the unincorporated areas of Oxnard, CA (Nyeland Acres and El Rio). She is also the proud daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter of farmworkers/Braceros. She received her B.A. in Chicana/o and Central American Studies and Education from UCLA. She is a current PhD student in Chicana/o and Central American Studies at UCLA, studying the challenges of women farmworkers inside and outside the fields, specifically food accessibility and reproductive justice.

Diana Ortiz Giron is the Director of Programming and Education for the Department of Culture and Institutional Excellence at Cal Poly SLO. In this role, she leads a student internship program, oversees the planning and execution of signature events, and advances partnerships that support equity-centered learning and campus engagement. Her work focuses on developing department-wide systems, strengthening support for student interns, and creating professional development opportunities for university employees.  

Prior to Cal Poly, Diana served as Assistant Director for Diversity Education and Support at Harvard College, where she led an intergroup dialogue internship program, supported first-generation low-income students through a pre-orientation program, and expanded programming for undocumented and Latinx students. She brings over 10 years of experience in higher education roles that advance student success, foster belonging on campus, and facilitate community-based learning opportunities. 

Diana holds a Bachelor’s in History and a minor in Chicana/o Latina/o Studies from Pomona College and a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School. Her journey is shaped by her experiences as a first-generation low-income Latina professional who navigated higher education as a formerly undocumented student and DACA recipient. She lives in Nipomo with her spouse Frank, their pit bull mix Axel, and their 15-month-old daughter, Aitana.

Vania Agama Ramirez was born in Acapulco, Mexico and raised in Orange County, CA. From a young age, her undocumented identity fueled her drive for supporting underserved communities and create equitable spaces. This purpose led her to earn her B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine and then her M.A. in Higher Education with a concentration in Diversity and Social Justice from the University of Michigan. As a student, scholar, and activist, Vania is dedicated to increasing access, resources, and retention for historically underrepresented students across institutions. Her work has included advocating for equitable policy changes in California K-12 English Learner education, working in cultural centers across institutions, and most recently serving as a Director of a TRIO program at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She believes in the importance of engaging in an equity driven, culturally affirming, and inclusive practice to uplift students, disrupt oppressive systems, and create healing spaces.

Hello, my name is Cynthia, and I was born and raised in Santa Maria, California. As a former first-generation college student and the first in my family to earn a master’s degree, I understand both the challenges and opportunities that come with navigating higher education. I have worked in higher education for over 13 years, beginning my career at Allan Hancock College and now serving at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, both institutions I am proud to call my alma maters. 

Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to supporting first-generation and low-income students by helping them access resources, build confidence, and persist toward their academic and personal goals. It is truly a privilege to give back to the community that raised me and to empower others to successfully navigate their educational journeys. 

I lead with empathy, respect, and a deep appreciation for the diverse experiences students bring, and I remain committed to creating inclusive spaces where all students feel seen, supported, and capable of thriving.