Major(s): History and American Studies
Year: Fourth
Hometown: Salinas, California
Tell me about yourself.
I have three jobs: Teach For America, We Are Aggie Pride, and The Pantry. I am in the honors program, and a member of Alpha Chi Omega, a Panhellenic sorority. In my spare time I enjoy taking pictures, and going to concerts. Next year, I will be teaching in North Carolina.
Can you tell me about Teach for America and We Are Aggie Pride?
Teach For America is a social justice organization that puts highly-qualified leaders into classrooms in low income communities to serve underprivileged youth. Right now I work as a UC Davis intern, helping their recruitment team get Aggies to apply to Teach For America! We Are Aggie Pride (WAAP) is a safety net program that provides emergency financial aid to students who are in danger of withdrawing from Davis and have exhausted all other resources. WAAP helps students facing emergency medical costs, unexpected financial burdens, and many other types of financial emergencies. I’m the Student Director and have worked with WAAP for three years.
What is The Pantry?
The Pantry is an on campus food closet that provides food to UC Davis students who are facing food insecurity. Food insecurity is when you cannot afford food or when you do not have access to [nutritious] food.
Who is eligible to get food from the pantry and how does that work?
Any UC Davis student who has their UC Davis student ID can go to the pantry. It is totally anonymous. We don’t look up names or financial situations. We keep it as comfortable and inviting as possible. The Pantry is open Monday through Friday 10 AM-1 PM and Monday-Thursday 4 PM-6 PM and is located in the Memorial Union, room 21. Also, anyone can volunteer at the pantry. In addition, we take monetary and food donations, as well as personal items and toiletries (new).
What is your role at the pantry?
I’m the unit director. I started off as a volunteer three years ago, then I was an intern, then a staff member, and now a director. I’ve done pretty much everything from mopping the floors, to organizing food, to leading meetings.
Why did you get involved in The Pantry?
My mom went to UC Davis and is a first generation American citizen. Her grandparents are from Armenia and struggled to afford basic necessities. When my mom went to college she had three different jobs, including working at the DC because she knew it was the only way to get food. My mom promised I would never have to worry about food, so this is my way of paying it forward.
Will you keep working for these organizations when you graduate?
My plan for after graduation is to teach in North Carolina through Teach For America. I’m going to teach high school social studies!
What is your dream job?
My dream job is working in a Non-Profit. I love helping people and do my best work when it’s making a huge impact.
What has Davis enabled you to do that you would not have had the opportunity to do otherwise?
UC Davis has taught me one really important lesson – to give. This campus is filled with kind, loving, and compassionate people. My time here has inspired me to give my all in everything I do, and help those who are struggling to meet their potential because of circumstances they cannot control.
Is there any advice you wish someone had given you when you started freshman year?
I don’t really have any regrets. However, I do often wonder if what I do is worth all the time I put in. The only advice I wish had been given to me would be to follow your heart; it will take you the right way no matter how taxing or tiring it may be.
What advice would you give to other undergraduate UCD students?
My advice to other UCD students is to always pay tribute to their roots. I work incredibly hard to make the lives of many struggling students easier because I am inspired my mother, a fellow Aggie, whose time here wasn’t easy. My work is so fulfilling because I’m able to help and transform the lives of students on this campus while honoring my past, and the woman who made my life such an incredible one. I think it’s important to always have gratitude and give back to the people who made you who you are.