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 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.
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.
Student Coordinators
Enrique a second-year Chemistry major pursuing a career in STEM. Born and raised in Mexico, he is a first-generation college student and immigrant who is deeply committed to advocating for his community. His goal is to uplift everyone around him thorugh kindness, respect, and mentorship.
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.
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.
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.
Janai is a second-year Spanish major pursuing a career in education. Born and raised in Mexico, she is a first-generation college student and immigrant who is deeply committed to advocating for her community. Her goal is to make students of all backgrounds feel seen, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Legal Support
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.
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.
