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.
Ingrid is a fourth-year Management, Business, and Economics major with a minor in Political Science. Born in El Salvador and raised in Los Angeles, she aspires to become a judge in the criminal justice system. She advocates for undocumented and low-income students, helping them navigate higher education with confidence.
Emily is a 3rd 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.
Heidi is a second-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.
Zaid is a third-year Computer Science and Engineering major with a focus on database management. Growing up in Pacheco, California, he has long supported undocumented families by connecting them to job and resource opportunities. At UC Merced, he combines technology and advocacy to promote equity and representation in STEM.
Adriana is a fourth-year Human Biology and Spanish major. Born in Baja California and raised in Fresno, she plans to become a dentist serving low-income and undocumented communities. As the Monarch Center's Legal Intern, she helps connect students and families with the UC Immigration Attorney for trusted legal support.
Edwin is a third-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.
Fatima is a third-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.
