2011-2012 Fellows
CHCI welcomes its 2011-12 fellows on August 15. The class is composed of 24 diverse individuals from 13 different states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
Detailed Demographics: CHCI 2011-12 Fellows 
2011-12 Fellows Profile
Each fellow followed a unique path that led them to CHCI's fellowship. Learn more these impressive individuals.
2011-2012 Graduate Fellows
2011-2012 Public Policy Fellows
2011-2012 Graduate Fellows
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Gisela Ariza is a Guatemalan-American from the San Fernando Valley, CA. She received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from California State University – Northridge, and, in May 2011, she completed her master's degree in education and school counseling from the University of Southern California. Gisela became passionate about activism at a very young age. She served as president of Friday Night Live Partnership, an organization that works to eliminate alcoholism through education. She later participated in the California Youth Council, Future Leaders of America, and The Young Senators Program. In the last two years, Gisela focused on secondary education, and she worked diligently to increase student graduation rates in low-income communities in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. In collaboration with administrators, teachers, and parents, Gisela has assisted in the establishment and implementation of programming, bullying curriculum, and group counseling. In the last year, she worked for the USC TRIO Program, where she assisted first-generation and low-income students with academic and college admissions planning. During these experiences, she learned how to maneuver and mediate within bureaucracies, engage with school administrators, and employ her skills as a school counselor. She recently participated in research about the disparities for African American single mothers for community resources and programs to promote children's academic achievement and well-being. As CHCI's Secondary Education Fellow, she hopes to increase her knowledge on educational policies with a goal of promoting a multicultural perspective towards urban education and increasing success amongst minority students in the United States. |
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Nicole Burda is an Ecuadorian-American who was born in Arkansas and raised in Virginia and Washington. She completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. Nicole decided to pursue a master’s degree in public health from Oregon State University (OSU) to effect change at a population-based level. Throughout her graduate studies, Nicole focused predominantly on health disparities and vulnerable populations. While at OSU, Nicole worked at the local County Health Department, for the state, and in the community. As a part of Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, she educated and mobilized youth to advocate for policies reducing the number of health inequities in their communities. In her second year of graduate school, Nicole worked at the Office of Multicultural Health and Services as the Community Health Worker (CHW) Policy Intern. She helped convene the Oregon CHW Policy Advisory Council and collaborated with stakeholders to develop strategic plans to shape and inform state policy in support of the CHW workforce. Additionally, Nicole designed and implemented exercise programs for Latina women in the community including basic exercise movements to instill self-efficacy and promote the importance of physical activity. As the Health Policy Fellow, Nicole seeks to gain a better understanding of the federal legislative processes and policies that impact the social factors of health. Nicole will advocate for the development of health policies that promote health equality for the Latino community and other underserved communities. |
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Omar De Leon was born in Panama City, Panama, and later moved to Miami. He graduated from the University of Miami with two bachelor’s degrees – one in civil engineering and the other in environmental engineering. He then pursued a Master of Science in civil and environmental engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. Omar is interested in creating opportunities for Latinos in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. He was elected to the National Board of Directors for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and he has been broadly involved with the American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Water Works Association. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for the University of Miami’s College of Engineering Alumni Association. Among his many achievements, Omar was awarded the Carnegie Mellon Graduate Student Service Award and the Paul P. Christiano Distinguished Service Award from the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Carnegie Mellon. Omar also received the American Society of Civil Engineers Florida Section Student of the Year Award and was inducted into the Iron Arrow Honor Society – the University of Miami’s highest honor. As a CHCI STEM Graduate Fellow, Omar hopes to combine his expertise in engineering and technology and his interest in natural resources and energy with the world of public policy. He also hopes to contribute and gain experience in the current legislative efforts to increase Latino awareness and participation in the STEM fields – something he believes is paramount for our nation’s future. |
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Janel Gomez is a Mexican-American from Elgin, IL. While completing her Bachelor of Arts in sociology at the University of Illinois, she worked as a case manager for mothers facing substance abuse issues and minor wards of the state. She received her master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While pursuing her graduate degree, she conducted research focused on housing, community development, and sustainability. Using her training in mapping, modeling systems, and statistical analysis, she has investigated the financial impact of big box stores on small communities, the efficacy of community development initiatives, and, as a research assistant for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the sustainability of military bases. Her master’s thesis employed spatial analysis to analyze inequities resulting from California’s property tax policy. Prior to and throughout her graduate studies, Janel worked actively in the housing field – coordinating housing and grant programs for the cities of Urbana and Elgin, IL, in cooperation with HUD, and advising city governments about federal housing policy. As a CHCI Graduate Fellow, she hopes to continue her work concerning the impact of federal housing and economic policy decisions, particularly upon immigrant or migrant communities. |
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Jessica A. González is first-generation Mexican-American and a native of Dallas. She received her Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Cooley) in Lansing, MI, where she graduated cum laude. She began practicing law in Texas in May 2011. During her time at Cooley, she served as the president of the Hispanic Latino Law Society, vice president of membership for the Hispanic National Bar Association – Law Student Division, and received the Distinguished Student Award for her graduating class. In addition to her active student life, Jessica volunteered for political campaigns and community, social justice, and civil rights efforts in Lansing and surrounding Midwest cities. In the spring of 2010, she was the clerk for the Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Voting Section in Washington, D.C. Recently, she was invited to write a chapter on constitutional rights and infringements in cyber-related issues as part of a multi-volume Cyber Crime book series. Jessica's advocacy efforts focus on immigration reform, social justice, and civil rights issues. She continues to work to enhance the lives and opportunities of all those in the United States, regardless of age, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, or religious affiliation. She plans to run for public office in Texas in the future. As the CHCI Graduate Law Fellow, Jessica intends to continue developing the professional and leadership skills necessary to advance her advocacy efforts by working with the Federal Government and Latino leaders. |
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Chelsea Martinez is a Mexican- and Costa Rican-American from Southern California. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry and biochemistry from Oberlin College in Oberlin, OH, with the assistance of several scholarships. Throughout high school and college, Chelsea was a swim instructor, peer tutor, and teaching assistant in the chemistry department. She was involved with Oberlin's student radio station, WOBC-FM, and trained fellow undergraduates to mentor younger children in radio production and broadcasting through the Experimental College. From 2002 – 2004, Chelsea worked as a math and science teacher at a small private boarding school in the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Charlottesville, VA, and at a large public high school in Santa Monica, CA. She then entered the Ph.D. program in the department of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Texas at Austin where she continued to DJ at KVRX-FM. In 2007, she became a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times Health Desk under an AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship sponsored by the Burroughs-Wellcome Fund. Following the fellowship, she created a half-hour science news show at KVRX with a math graduate student; the show continues to this day. In the fall of 2010, she worked on the "Changing the Conversation: From Research to Action" project at the National Academy of Engineering as a Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Fellow. Chelsea is interested in STEM education at all levels, including teacher recruitment and retention, assessment practices, racial and gender diversity, informal and extracurricular education, and green/skilled-STEM workforce training. |
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Melissa Ocana is a Dominican-Cuban-Filipina-American who was born and raised in New York. She received her Bachelor of Arts in biology from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Melissa continued her education on the West Coast, earning a Master of Science in wildlife science from Oregon State University. Her thesis focused on sea turtle conservation in coastal Oaxaca, Mexico. Her research included a consideration of community use of natural resources as well as an ecological study of wildlife behavior. Since finishing her master’s studies, Melissa has collaborated with environmental nonprofit organizations, coordinated a Latino youth mentoring program, reviewed an environmental ethics curriculum, and created climate change lesson plans for middle and high school students. As a CHCI STEM Fellow, Melissa hopes to gain science policy experience, help tackle pressing environmental issues, and encourage the presence of Latinos in scientific leadership positions. |
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Blanchi Roblero was born and raised in Ecuador and moved to New York City in 2001. During her undergraduate years at Hunter College, she swam on the varsity team for two years and served on the student government. She attended New York University (NYU) where she graduated with a master's degree in education leadership, politics, and advocacy. After leaving NYU, Blanchi translated articles for the United Nations Environmental Magazine as a volunteer and served as an auxiliary volunteer police officer at the 26 precinct, where she earned many awards. She also received many academic honors; Blanchi was chosen for the Ronald E. McNair Fellowship, Hunter College Achievement Team, and the Summer Academy Fellowship for Research and Policy Analysis at the Urban Institute in Washington D.C. where she researched the effectiveness of bilingual education programs and English immersion programs on students enrolled in high school. As a CHCI Fellow, she hopes to conduct research on education for immigrants at the secondary level and gain hands-on experience related to education policies at the federal level. As a first-generation American, Blanchi dealt with many issues that affect high school students whose families recently immigrated to the U.S., such as language barriers, testing, and low support for academic achievement. Blanchi looks forward to combining her two research interests – immigration and education – and helping to advance research in these areas. |
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Enrique Soto is a first generation Mexican-American who was born and raised in Southern California. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in ethnic studies from the University of California – San Diego and served as the chair of the Student Affirmative Action Committee. For his honors research thesis, Enrique explored issues surrounding youth and activism in the 21st century as it relates to racial formations and educational accessibility. Enrique was also active within the San Diego community; he provided first-generation and low-income youth with the tools necessary to successfully enroll in institutions of higher education. As he pursued his master's degree at the University of Utah, Enrique served as a teaching assistant and instructor for a multicultural education course. Enrique took an active role in the Family-School Partnership between the University of Utah and local schools with high populations of immigrant and refugee youth and families, and he served as a research assistant for a Critical Youth Studies professor where he gathered emerging research on youth, art, and activism. After leaving the University of Utah, Enrique worked as an ESL Associate Instructor at the University of La Verne. More recently, Enrique served as a college counselor and educational advocate for a nonprofit in Los Angeles that works with youth in foster care to encourage them to complete high school and advance to postsecondary education. As a CHCI Graduate Fellow in Higher Education, Enrique seeks to combine his experience working with youth and his interest in policy to increase awareness of the educational trajectory of marginalized youth and the current trends in accessibility to higher education. |
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2011-2012 Public Policy Fellows
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Jorge Aguilar is a Mexican-American who was born in Laredo, TX, and raised in Rio Bravo. As the oldest sibling in a family of six, he became the first person in his family to attain a postsecondary education. He earned a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) where he majored in political science with a pre-law concentration and earned a certification in international studies. As an undergraduate, Jorge was involved with school organizations, often rising to leadership positions. As president of Pi Sigma Alpha of TAMIU, he moderated local, political debates and taught peers Parliamentary Procedure for the annual competition: Model Organization of American States. As community service committee chair for Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, he coordinated volunteer service events, and as senator-at-large for the TAMIU student council, he authored numerous bills and represented a portion of the student body. While in school, Jorge served as administrative council liaison for the City of Laredo Council Members; he answered constituent inquiries and conducted analytical research on local affairs. His undergraduate research on counter-terrorism and international relations fueled his passion for American Foreign Policy, but his familial struggles, adversity, and ethnic roots ultimately inspired him to pursue a career in law and American Public Policy. Jorge deferred his law school admission to participate in the CHCI Public Policy Fellowship. He hopes to gain hands-on experience with foreign affairs and relations, improve the Latino educational system, and build professional and personal relationships with colleagues to positively shape our Democratic system. |
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Lesly Betancourt-Gonzalez was born in Mexico but has lived in the United States since she was three years old. She earned a Bachelor of Science in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University in 2011. While at Cornell, Lesly was active in many organizations. She helped establish the Immigrant Farmworker Initiative and Ballet Folkflorico de Cornell, as well as participating in student organizations like el Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan. Because she is interested in social justice, Lesly participated in various campaigns on campus, including the DREAM Act student campaign, which met its goal to attain Cornell’s full public support for the DREAM Act. She also conducted research with the Cornell Farmworker Program. This project exposed her to new researching techniques and the importance of collaboration among grassroots organizations. Lesly previously participated in the University of California, Berkeley’s Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute fellowship. Lesly views the CHCI fellowship as an opportunity to expose herself to the legislative aspects of federal policy, while making connections with others who are working to move the Latino community forward. |
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Monica Bautista is a fourth-generation Mexican-American who grew up in Joliet, IL. She began pursuing her Bachelor of Science in biology at Loyola University – Chicago, but soon realized biology was not her passion. She then moved to Hawaii where she began working with families in the Marine Corps. Monica moved from Hawaii to Oregon, where she resumed her studies and earned a Bachelor of Science with Latin honors in community health education from Portland State University. Monica’s classes exposed her to public health, but public health did not become her passion until she interned with the Multnomah County Health Department’s Environmental Health Section. During this internship, Monica worked with the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program providing education to Early Head Start families. She also worked with the Healthy Homes Program analyzing housing policies and their effects on health. Monica served as Student Advisor with the Chicano/Latino Studies Program at Portland State University, which allowed her to work closely with the Latino community on campus. After graduation, Monica was a Hispanic Serving Health Profession Schools Summer Trainee with the Health Resources and Services Administration. Monica continues to work with Marine Corps families and is interested in veterans’ health, women’s health, and eliminating health disparities. As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Monica hopes to gain knowledge and skills about policy making, which she can use to develop policies that create healthier communities in the United States and abroad. She plans to earn a dual M.P.H./J.D. degree in the future and work in Health Law and Policy. |
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Gerardo Bonilla was born in Bakersfield, CA, and raised in Inver Grove Heights, MN. He attended the University of Minnesota, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a concentration in global politics and a minor in global studies with a focus on governance, peace, and justice in Latin America. As an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota, Gerardo became highly active in La Raza Student Cultural Center and the Department of Chicano/a Studies. He was also the vice president of the Minority Association of Premedicine Students and became a research associate for Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis. Gerardo became politically active during his final semester at the university when he joined the R.T. Rybak for Governor campaign. Immediately following his graduation, Gerardo worked on a gubernatorial primary election as a campaign organizer. He then transferred to Congressman Keith Ellison's re-election campaign as his Latino Outreach Director; the position gave him the opportunity to develop connections between the multifaceted Latino community and the campaign. His work helped lay the foundation for future Latino constituency outreach plans during on and off year elections. Gerardo currently sits on the governor-appointed Chicano Latino Affairs Council of Minnesota and the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer and Farm Labor Latino Caucus. As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Gerardo hopes to learn about public policy at all levels and work to empower the Latino community through policy change. |
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Lorraine Carrasco was born and raised in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, a city located at the west coast of the island. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, and she graduated magna cum laude. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Lorraine applied to the Cordova Internship Program, a highly competitive internship sponsored by the State Legislature, which gives college students the opportunity to spend a semester working at the United States Congress while taking classes and seminars at The Washington Center. Through the program, she was placed in the office of Res. Comm. Pedro R. Pierluisi, a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Her duties included working with constituents’ issues, coordinating and offering Capitol tours and special events, scheduling appointments, and performing special assignments for the staff. She also worked with several nonprofit organizations as part of her civic engagement. As part of her extracurricular activities, Lorraine was an active member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and a participant with the Political Science Students Association. Further, she served as a mentor to incoming freshmen during orientation week. Lorraine hopes to begin a career on the Hill after completing the CHCI Public Policy Fellow program. She plans to pursue a dual degree – a master’s degree in public administration with a joint degree in international business. |
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Gicel Estrada is a first-generation Honduran-American raised in New Orleans and Honduras. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American studies with a double minor in biology and environmental studies from Loyola University New Orleans. As an undergraduate, Gicel volunteered at Casa Oportunidades NOLA, where she helped immigrants improve their computer literacy and reading skills. She also volunteered at Habitat for Humanity following hurricane Katrina. Her desire to explore the field of politics was ignited during a semester program at American University, where she participated in the International Environment and Development program and conducted her environmental practicum in Ghana. During the summer of her junior year, Gicel participated in an NSF Undergraduate Research program investigating the plant community’s dynamics of the Wax Lake Delta. In October of that year, she presented her research at the 40th Annual Binghamton Geomorphology Symposium. She is a fellow of the Institute of Environmental Communication that explores important regional and national environmental issues. For her final project, she conducted an oral history that investigated how Latinos retain their Latino identity living outside of their country of origin. In the future, she would like to conduct further research on the subject and explore the effects of internal racism. As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Gicel is committed to finding a way to improve policies about the sustainable environmental development of Latin America. |
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Originally from Miami, Mario Flores moved to Chicago after transferring from the University of Miami to DePaul University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in commerce with a concentration in finance and business management. During his undergraduate studies, Mario was a member of the nation's largest Latino-based fraternity, Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity. Mario served as partner in charge in PWC's annual xTax case competition and as a member of the Midwest Association of Hispanic Accountants. He was also a member of Model Illinois Government and head counsel in the annual Moot Court competition during Illinois's mock government simulation. As a Hearst Scholar, Mario was the recipient of the National Hispanic Institute Scholarship, U.S. Army ROTC Scholarship, and the Fitzgerald Academic Scholarship. He was nationally recognized as an inductee to The National Dean's List as well as being included on his campus' Dean's List. Mario was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, serving as a Military Intelligence Officer in the Army ROTC program; this program trained him to effectively lead American soldiers. As an undergraduate student, Mario held full-time positions at P.A.C.T.T. Learning Center and T-Mobile. As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Mario hopes to push the envelope on Latino leadership and foster credibility in the Latino community. He is committed to working with policies affecting immigration, education, armed services, and intelligence. |
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Born in Managua, Nicaragua, and raised in Inglewood, CA, Lydiesther Martinez earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from the University of California, San Diego while working as a teaching assistant in the biological science department. Lydiesther and her peers founded The Pulse Medical Ministry through Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Lydiesther networked with physicians and nurses to organize weekend medical trip to San Vicente, Mexico, and bi-monthly trips to downtown San Diego to care for and feed the homeless. As a Moores Cancer Center intern, she sought ways to reach the Deaf community about cancer education programs by investigating and co-authoring research studies. Lydiesther learned American Sign Language and hopes to advocate for better access to healthcare for the under-represented Deaf population. As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Lydiesther hopes to further understand the far reaching effects health policies have on underserved communities. |
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Blanca Adriana Ontiveros was born in El Paso, TX, but was raised primarily in Juarez, Mexico. In 2003, Blanca Adriana migrated to Albuquerque, NM, to continue her education. In May, she received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Mexico with majors in political science and Spanish. Her professional experiences began at St. Joseph Community Health where she helped coordinate a diabetes program for the uninsured Latino community. She also helped organize an asset mapping program to promote the existing resources in the community. In 2008, she worked at Working America, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, encouraging the community to vote during the elections and organizing several actions to advocate for the rights of the working class in Central New Mexico. For approximately three years, Blanca Adriana dedicated herself to protecting and promoting the rights of the Latino Immigrant youth in Albuquerque. She created the program Albuquerque DREAMERS in Action (ADA). ADA is a program within El Centro de Igualdad y Derechos, which is an organization dedicated to defending the rights of the community regardless of their immigration status. ADA is dedicated to advocating for the DREAM Act and other laws that protect the equal access to higher education for all New Mexican students. It also works to inform the students about their rights and responsibilities as immigrant youth. |
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Eric Ortega, a first-generation American, was born and raised in New Jersey. Eric attended Rutgers University, where he received dual degrees in dance and political science. While focusing on his undergraduate studies, Eric danced for numerous companies in the tri-state area, taught throughout the state of New Jersey, and presented his choreography domestically in New York City and internationally in Mexico and Argentina. However, it was his desire to make a substantial difference to the problems facing Americans that led him to pursue a degree in politics. Eric was able to experience the inner workings of the federal government during his previous internships at a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm and for Rep. Frank Pallone. He later served as the constituent services representative on banking and housing for Senator Robert Menendez. As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Eric hopes to further experience the government in order to better serve the American people. He also hopes to utilize his unique history with the arts to creatively formulate policy proposals to better serve the public. |
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Juan Pachon was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. He later immigrated with his family to Florida's Tampa Bay area. He attended the University of South Florida, where he received his Bachelor of Science in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and a minor in management information systems. As an undergraduate, he co-founded and served as marketing director for the National Hispanic Business Student Association. He helped develop marketing campaigns to enhance brand recognition and increase fundraising within the university. Juan actively participated in various professional student organizations, such as the American Marketing Association and the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, which increased both his interest in Latino leaders within the Tampa Bay Area and his passion for business advancement opportunities inside the Hispanic community. Juan interned for Tech Data Corp and learned about the fundamentals of country level campaign proposals. He also participated in developing comprehensive advertising and sales incentive programs. After receiving his bachelor's degree, he worked as an anti-money laundering business analyst for Latin America at Citigroup. As the CHCI Google Policy Fellow, Juan hopes to learn about strategies that influence progressive policy efforts that will positively affect the Latino community. |
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Tomas Robles, Jr. is a first-generation Mexican-American who was born in Tucson, AZ, and raised in Phoenix. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and he was the first person in his family to join the Marine Corps. He was also the first person in his family to graduate from a university; he graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts in transborder studies with an emphasis on immigration policy and economy. Tomas became involved in politics after Senate Bill 1070, an anti-immigration bill that would have led to racial-profiling in Arizona, passed. Tomas became a community organizer with Promise Arizona – a nonprofit organization that promotes civic engagement and comprehensive immigration reform. At Promise Arizona, Tomas recruited, trained, and worked with volunteers to successfully promote civic engagement and voter registration in the South Phoenix area. Tomas was instrumental in helping Promise Arizona register over 13,000 new voters, the highest total an all-volunteer organization had ever accomplished in Arizona. Most recently, Tomas became the Education Coordinator for the Cesar Chavez Foundation and created a summer community service program for underprivileged middle school youths. During the summer program, middle school children learn the importance of community service, the ideals taught by Cesar Chavez, and the importance of attending college. As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Tomas hopes to learn new and effective ways to change his community, and he hopes to gain a better understanding of the public policy process. |
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Born in San Jose and raised in Stockton, California, Cristal Ruiz is a first-generation Mexican American and one of five children raised by a single parent. She is also a first-generation college student and would like to continue her education by studying Law. While studying at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Cristal joined her student council as Freshman Representative for Revelle College and maintained a high level of involvement with her community. She also worked as a Student Involvement Leadership Consultant for two years and then became Resident Advisor for the last two years of her college career. Cristal applied to the AmeriCorps program called Justice Corps and volunteered her time at the Superior Court of San Diego to self-represented litigants that needed assistance with restraining orders, name changes, and evictions. The program expanded in 2010-11 and Cristal became the first-ever, full-time Justice Corps Member at the San Diego Superior Court. After graduating from UCSD, Cristal maintained full-time employment and also became involved in her local government by becoming volunteer coordinator for a Mayoral Candidate in National City, CA, for the 2010 elections. As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Cristal hopes to further her knowledge of government on the national level, create quality relationships with other young professionals, and make this life-changing experience one that she can share with her community. |
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Born to indigenous farm workers from Oaxaca, Mexico, Bernardo Salazar is a first-generation Mexican-American. Originally from Fresno, CA, he received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology at San Francisco State University. While attending San Francisco State University, he conducted research at two community-based organizations located in the Mission District: the San Francisco Living Wage Coalition and Mission SF Credit Union. At San Francisco Living Wage Coalition, he conducted field research for a short documentary that was looking at the experiences of Latina and African American women enrolled in the city’s job training program. At Mission SF Credit Union, Bernardo worked closely with the executive director and financial coaches to evaluate and set recommendations for the organization’s financial literacy program. The program worked to inform low-income residents about best practices to successfully manage financial responsibilities. On campus, he developed an independent study course under the mentorship of Tomás Almaguer, author of “Racial Fault Lines: The Historical Origins of White Supremacy in California.” His decision to develop an independent course stemmed from a need to understand the effects, if any, of mass media on the formation of Latin youth identity. As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Bernardo hopes to add the public policy process to his already eclectic mix of experiences in his pursuit to improve the quality of life for those marginalized in society. |
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Elizabeth Salinas was born in Brownsville, TX, and she earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Before beginning her studies at MIT, she helped create an annual Christmas toy drive for the impoverished Hispanic community. |
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