UC Merced Representation for UC Undocumented Student Coalition Voting
The UC Undocumented Student Coalition's mission is to create a strong foundation by which undocumented students within the University of California can organize statewide.
Established on November 7th, 2015 at the Student of Color Conference, our coalition was the result of years of cross-campus undocumented student organizing within the UC system. This coalition came about the necessity for undocumented students throughout the UC system to organize collectively.
Each UC has two representatives from each campus. The first representative is Clara Medina. On April 2016, Clara was voted by Students Advociating for Law and Education (SALE) at UC Merced.
Below are students who have applied to be a UC Merced Representative. Please vote for the person you best fit to be a UC Merced representative. They are listed alphabetically. Voting is open to undocumented students at UC Merced. Voting ends on Oct. 14.
Name: Ricardo Bautista Delgado
Year: 2nd year
Major: Biology
How would you contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition as a UC Merced student?
As a UC Merced student I will dedicate my time and effort to help provide a safe and inclusive environment to all undocumented students here on campus.
Tell us about yourself
Hello all, my name is Ricardo Bautista. I am a first year Computer Science and Engineering major student from Los Angeles, CA. I came to the U.S when I was four year old and while growing up, deep down inside me there sometimes was a feeling of inferiority because I was undocumented primarily because everyone else besides my parents constantly kept putting me down by telling to stop wasting my time because it was all for nothing. Though I always performed well academically sometimes it felt as if my intelligence was not worth anything and that it truly was a waste because I thought that what everyone else said was true and that I wouldn't be able to go to college, but here I am now! I'm sure that many of my fellow undocumented peers have probably had these thoughts cross their heads at some point but worry not because you are not in this alone. I wish to serve as a leader and a voice who will guide and strengthen our community and aid those who still feel lost as well as unite everyone so that we may all reach prosperity as a whole.
Name: Bryon Hernandez-Mendoza
Year: 1st year
Major: Psychology
How would you contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition as a UC Merced student?
I can not put myself in the shoes of those who have struggled in this country being undocumented, but I can listen to them and help them the best way I can as a person. Being mixed as Guatemalan and Salvadoran, it has shed a bit of light into my eyes. While the world does not see the difference within Hispanic cultures, we are all different as people. We all experience the unjust of being suppressed by this country for being brown. Working with SALEF (Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund) I have had the opportunity to go to Salvadoran Youth Conference and hear the stories of countless youth who traveled to this land. I had the chance to learn about minors who are abused and raped on their way here to the US to have a better life to escape the violence in their country.. And because of their struggle, I have dedicated myself to help them get the best possible outcome in a society where white privilege prevails in oppressing minorities. My best friend being undocumented, it kills me in the inside to see her be denied basic medical attention when she has a tumor in her brain. She always finds an excuse to not stand up for herself at work as she is not paid her fair amount at work because of her legal status. As she pukes bits of blood here and there, my blood thirst for equal rights for immigrants grows within me. I have dedicate myself to SALEF for almost 4 years. I have stood up to the separation of families by attending protest, going to live interviews where they speak upon issues against the unlawful force of ICE, and more. My goal from all of this is to grow as a person and to have the undocumented of UC Merced have a voice in their future. I will make sure they do not go unheard and have everything they need.
Tell us about yourself
Name: Denisse Juarez Garcia
Year: 3rd year
Major: Psychology
How would you contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition as a UC Merced student?
They way I can contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition as a student will be to dedicate all my time and efforts to the organization. If chosen as representative, I am confident that I will learn the ways of the role and perform them as they should be done. As an undocumented student myself, I have an understanding of what students or family go through everyday. I want to be able to be part of the team that helps society change the way they view undocumented students and families. I want to help be the voice of the most under represented community on campus. I am aware that times get hard when trying to make our voices be heard, but another thing that I can assure that I can contribute to this organization will be my optimism. I also know it will not be a simple task, but I do believe in team work and with team work it can be easier to achieve our goal when working together. I will be more than thrilled to be part of a organization that cares as much for the community as I do.
Tell us about yourself
I am a 3rd year transfer from Los Angeles County.I am the first in my family to attend college. Receiving my AA in Psychology was a great accomplishment and now attending UC Merced is an even greater accomplishment. Being the first one to attend college in my family has been difficult, i know that there are future generations ahead of us with the same troubles and would want to help them know that they too can go to college. At my previous community college I was president and member of the AB540 Dreamers Alliance club which helped undocumented students have a safe place on campus where they can come in freely and voice any concerns they may have. Along with our advisors, we seemed legal experts to come and help students and their families with any questions or problems they may have. As an undocumented student myself, I was very afraid for people to find out what my legal status was in this country, but I quickly realized that I was not alone, which is why it is so important to me to be able to reach out to other students in the same situation as me. I have come to understand that our possibilities are endless when we are doing what we love and helping our community understand that is very important to me.
Year: 3rd year
Major: Business Management and Economics with a minor in Sociology
How would you contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition as a UC Merced student?
I think that I would be able to contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition as a UC Merced student an unique perspective to our population of undocumented students attending UC Merced. While everyone may have different experiences and opinions about what it is like to attend our university as an undocumented student and possibly being the first generation from their family to attend college, I feel that I can be able to provide possible issues felt by our community that needs to be addressed. As a former Resident Assistant, I have gained experience of observing peoples' needs and certain community concerns that need to be improved upon. I can contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition by providing other opportunities or suggestions that can benefit other undocumented students such as myself.
Tell us about yourself
I am a third-year student currently attending UC Merced. I would describe myself as a caring, compassionate person. These traits are very important to me because I have two nephews and a niece that I love with all of my heart so I believe that I turned into a compassionate people person because of them. I love getting to know others and my favorite thing to do is to have conversations with others about life. I am more quiet and shy compared to others. However, once I am comfortable with someone I am not so shy and quiet. I also consider myself a hard worker that once I set my mind to something; I try my hardest to accomplish my goals. One goal that I set for myself this academic year is to become more involved with the undocumented population and peers through clubs and possible opportunities like this one.
Name: Jesus Gonzalez Moctezuma
Year: First Year
Major: Psychology
How would you contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition as a UC Merced student?
As a first year student at UC Merced, I believe that I can contribute positively to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition. To begin with, being an undocumented student myself enables me to have a heightened sense of the many challenges that students like myself have to face throughout our academic careers. Secondly, throughout high school I was very involved in community service groups like Helping Hands and Communities of Excellence in Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Prevention (CX3). My participation in said programs enabled me to directly help the immigrant population in my community by providing proper nutrition guidance, tutoring, community clean ups, and fundraisers. Most importantly, I gained knowledge about my fellow immigrant community that has motivated me to give back to the community that has influenced and given me so much knowledge.
Tell us about yourself
First and foremost: Hello! My name is Jesus Gonzalez Moctezuma, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am currently a first year psychology student here at UC Merced. I was born in Mexico City, Mexico and have spent the majority of my life in Escondido, California (San Diego County). Growing up as a first generation undocumented student has influenced me to mature at an early age and obtain important skills such as responsibility, organization, and time management. However, after personally going through the difficulties of immigrating to a foreign country at an early age, I am fully aware of the tremendous obstacles one must overcome as an undocumented student. As a consequence, I have learned to empathize with students who are in my situation or students who are going through rough patches in general. I am an open individual who is always willing to sit down and have a conversation with anyone who needs someone to listen to them and acknowledge what they have to say.Overall, I am passionate about my people, my undocumented community. I am eager to give back to a community that is not only my identity but one of my main sources of motivation that has enabled me to be where I stand today.
Name: Cristian Montero-Gutierrez
Year: 2nd year
Major: Computer Science/Polical Science
How would you contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition as a UC Merced student?
I can contribute myself to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition by voicing my opinion on important topics that not only affect me by my fellow undocumented UC Merced students. In order to grow as individuals we must work not alone, but together. Teamwork and leadership is essential to this process and is something I am contributing to the coalition. The most important thing I know matters is the fact that a team doesn't work on its on and that one person can't be the judge for all undocumented students. It takes every single undocumented student to take on these important issues together and I stand strong with this important notion I will take to have everyones voice heard.
Tell us about yourself
am the person hiding beneath the bushes. I am the one discouraged by others by the color of my skin. I am wise, strong and a leader.
Name: Reina Pacheco
Year: 2nd year
Major: Biology
How would you contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition as a UC Merced student?
I want to contribute the knowledge I have for undocumented students and parents. I have met individuals with different backgrounds and cultures, who are afraid to speak up about the issues they face because they feel inferior, with no right to educate themselves in a country where they “don’t belong”. I want to contribute with my personal experience and acknowledge the struggles I have faced, not only with my undocumented community but also with other students who are not aware of the issues undocumented students and family face. I want to contribute my passion for helping, undocumented students, low socioeconomic students, students of color, LBGTQ students, international students; anybody who needs and seeks for help in achieving higher education. I would also want to share with other UC’s the amount of diversity we have on our campus and the amount of work undocumented students and advisors have put into helping this community and the numerous resources we have for undocumented students. My educational background has been a strong connector for my activism, I have taken classes that may be understand and respect different ethnicities and backgrounds. I have been part of a community research project where I have seen the lack of opportunity provided for disadvantage communities. I want to represent and advocate for my undocumented community in such way that we can support one another and help everyone who is ambitious in completing their goals.
Tell us about yourself
I want to contribute the knowledge I have for undocumented students and parents. I have met individuals with different backgrounds and cultures, who are afraid to speak up about the issues they face because they feel inferior, with no right to educate themselves in a country where they “don’t belong”. I want to contribute with my personal experience and acknowledge the struggles I have faced, not only with my undocumented community but also with other students who are not aware of the issues undocumented students and family face. I want to contribute my passion for helping, undocumented students, low socioeconomic students, students of color, LBGTQ students, international students; anybody who needs and seeks for help in achieving higher education. I would also want to share with other UC’s the amount of diversity we have on our campus and the amount of work undocumented students and advisors have put into helping this community and the numerous resources we have for undocumented students. My educational background has been a strong connector for my activism, I have taken classes that may be understand and respect different ethnicities and backgrounds. I have been part of a community research project where I have seen the lack of opportunity provided for disadvantage communities. I want to represent and advocate for my undocumented community in such way that we can support one another and help everyone who is ambitious in completing their goals.
Name: Cristian Puente Gurrola
Year: 3rd year
Major: Pyschology
How would you contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition as a UC Merced student?
As a UC Merced student I feel like I have already done a lot for this organization. This organization has helped me stay and continue to pursue my college education and reach my goals one step at a time. It is because of this reason that I am so passionate and such an enthusiast about this amazing organization. Although I am not an officer, i have already referred numerous students to the organization and always promote the services and support that the Undocumented Student Coalition has to offer to UC Merced students whether they are undocumented or not. I have committed lots of time and effort into this organization and its members. I can genuinely say that I have established a family bond with every single member and ally within this organization. Without a doubt, I will continue to promote our organization's resources, campus involvement, and our passionate advocacy for law and education. It is because of my immense love for this organization that I seek to become more than just an active member in this organization as a UC Representative in order to enhance our success as an undocumented and unified ally community.
Tell us about yourself
My academic and career goals here at UC Merced are many, but ultimately to ensure that I finish my four years at college and obtain a career in the field of Psychology. Although I am not exactly sure what kind of career I would like to pursue, I am quite sure that I would love to work with children. Concerning my academic goals, the main goal I am focusing on is to graduate from this four year university by my expected graduation date. I am aware that I still have a couple more years to go, but by taking things one step at a time I am sure that I will get there in no time and with great success enhanced though the UC Undocumented student coalition. Something significant that I would really like to share with everyone is how this amazing organization has been a wonderful catalyst to my education and especially in my personal life. Part of being successful in life means that you have to ask for help when you know you need it. During my first semester I was going through some difficult times, but I spoke with the staff and people I knew I could trust. Two of them being Alex Delgadillo and Diana Valdivia who supported me with everything they possible could. This took a lot of courage from me because I used to be quite shy with people. However, knowing that I had all these great people and resources available to me, I made the best out of them and asked for their advice and guidance. Through, hard work, dedication, and by taking advantage of the resources available to me is the way by which I plan to succeed and accomplish my desired goals. Although my journey has just begun I am excited to see what is next for me to achieve and accomplish.
Name: Lizeth Torres
Year: 1st Year
Major: Political Science
How would you contribute to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition as a UC Merced student?
UC Merced has the highest percentage of undocumented students amongst the UC’s. I am passionate about advocating for the education of undocumented students. By being a member of the UC Undocumented Student Coalition I would bring feedback, concerns, and ideas from students at UC Merced. I would work to create more awareness of laws protecting undocumented students and families. I have talked to multiple students at UC Merced, both undocumented and documented, and noticed many students do not know how there could even be undocumented students in a UC. On campus I am involved with different clubs and organizations who support undocumented student rights, through this I know I have support which I can bring to the UC Undocumented Student Coalition. The people identify as allies to undocumented students and know there is a need to raise awareness and support among communities.
Tell us about yourself
