Professional Staff
Born in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, Victoria (She/Her/Ella) is the proud daughter of Zapoteco farmworkers. She graduated as a first-generation undocumented student from CSU Monterey Bay with a B.S. in Molecular Biology. Victoria proudly identifies as Oaxaqueña and serves her community through Oaxaqueño Youth Empowerment and United We Dream.
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." — Maya Angelou
Paloma serves as UC Merced's dedicated immigration attorney through the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center. Raised in Arvin, California, she was inspired by her mother's resilience to pursue law. She earned her B.A. in Human Development from UC San Diego and J.D. from Nebraska College of Law.
Student Leadership
Heidi is a third-year Psychology major and proud first-generation college student. As a Mexican-American daughter of immigrants, she is deeply passionate about advocacy for undocumented, low-income, and first-generation students. Heidi strives to make the Monarch Center a welcoming and empowering space for all students.
Student Coordinators
Jordy is a fourth year political science major and a proud first- generation college student. Born in Mexico and son to Mexicans, he’s deeply passionate about advocacy for undocumented, first generation student. Jordy’s goal is to make the monarch center a welcoming place and help everyone who needs it.
Symphony is a fourth-year Psychology major, minoring in Cognitive Science. Born and raised in Bakersfield, CA, she loves going to church, reading her Bible, hiking, and hanging out with friends and family. Symphony helps other students find their sense of belonging by supporting them through providing resources and vital opportunities at the Monarch Center.
Claudia is a fourth-year Cognitive Science major with a Psychology minor. As a first-generation student and the daughter of an immigrant, she is committed to advocating for undocumented, low-income, and first-generation students. Her dedication extends to mental health advocacy as well, and she wants the Monarch Center to be a place where every student feels at home.
Student Fellows
Fatima is a fourth-year Public Health major. Born in Oaxaca and raised in Sacramento, she is dedicated to healthcare advocacy and outreach. Passionate about supporting undocumented and first-generation students, Fatima helps ensure every student at UC Merced feels seen, supported, and empowered.
Emily is a fourth-year Civil Engineering major. Born in Puebla, Mexico and raised in the San Fernando Valley. As a Latina in STEM, she is passionate about supporting undocumented families and undocumented students in STEM by advocating for more opportunities and resources.
Edwin is a fourth-year double major in Psychology and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies, with a Cognitive Science minor. Born in El Salvador and raised in Compton and Bakersfield, he aims to become a Forensic Psychologist. Edwin advocates for marginalized voices and encourages peers to fully utilize Monarch Center resources.
Warm and intuitive, Zayne is a third-year psychology major. Born in Quezon City, Philippines, he channels his compassion to other foster youth and undocumented youth to guide and support them. Seeking knowledge and having a positive mindset, Zayne encourages others to visualize their success and believe in themselves to attain in.
Hello, my name is Azael Cruz, and I am a political science major. I was born in Mexico and raised in San Diego. I’m proud of my roots, and I hope to use my education to help others and make a positive difference in my community. My goal is to help create a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone feels included and can find the resources they need.
Legal Support
Alexsandra is a third-year, first-generation student majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in Law and Policy, while also pursuing a second major in Sociology and a minor in Chicano Studies. Passionate about advocacy and empowerment, she hopes to become a lawyer and continue supporting undocumented individuals and communities.
