Martha "Azi" Carter
Azi is a re-entry student and a Media Studies major from Los Medano College. Her research interests include restorative justice and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline. A formerly incarcerated student, Azi is passionate about working to enhance the lives of and advocate for those from her community. A grandmother and spoken word artist, Azi is a "rapping granny."
Elijah Chhum
Elijah transferred from Minneapolis Community and Technical College, where he gained a great deal of production experience. He is a Film and Media Studies major. A second-generation Khmer American and child of genocide survivors, Elijah's research interests center around issues affecting the Khmer community: intergenerational trauma, assimilation/acculturation, incarceration and detention, and queer spaces. Elijah is an avid traveler and sings in an a cappella choir.
Daisy Flores
Daisy is a Political Science major from Long Beach City College, the first of five siblings to graduate from college. Her research interests focus on immigration issues, including deportation and the privatization of detention centers. Her father's deportation motivates Daisy to engage in research about and advocate for immigrant rights. Daisy takes excellent notes and loves to roller skate.
Lucy Gee
Lucy is an Economics major who transferred from Sacramento Community College and plans to conduct research in the field of dentistry, focusing on community-based dental hygiene projects in India and/or other countries. Lucy is a first-generation college student and an avid swimmer, and she loves to be in the water.
Uma Karki
Uma was born in Nepal and is a graduate of Long Beach City College. She is a Computer Science major whose main interests are software engineering, data science, and artificial intelligence. She plans to research the underrepresentation of women in engineering. Uma loves to cook and teach cultural dance.
Tatiana Quicero Rosero
Tatiana is a Media Studies major from Santa Monica College. Born in Colombia, Tatiana immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 13. She credits her involvement in clubs and programs at Santa Monica College for developing her passion for and interests in public education and educational equity. She plans to research what factors influence low-income students to drop out of high school and how institutions can address these factors.
Esteban Salazar
Esteban is a Spanish major who transferred from Santa Ana College. He is a first-generation, undocumented student whose research will focus on how undocumented Latinx transfer students access the resources and form the community they need to thrive in higher education. After graduation, Esteban plans to attend law school.
Kimberly Salazar
Kimberly transferred from Rio Hondo College and is majoring in Sociology. Her research interests grow from her experience as a re-entry student and single parent: she plans to explore how re-entry student parents navigate their transition to and success in four-year institutions. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kimberly enjoys astrology,
Samuel Scott
Samuel is a re-entry student who transferred from Yuba College and English major. His research interests include youth and adult literacy and issues related to second-language matters. He plans to develop and promote effective literacy programs in poor and underserved communities. Sam is originally from New Orleans and is a diehard Saints fan/
Johnny Smith
Johnny is a Sociology major who transferred from Santa Rosa Junior College. He identifies as a first-generation, formerly incarcerated student who is in recovery from addiction. Johnny plans to research employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated college graduates. While he's not a "hat person," Johnny looks forward to being the proud owner of a Miller Scholars cap.