As a first-generation college student and the product of immigrants who built their lives in this region, I have a deep and personal understanding of the struggles that many students and families in our community continue to face that prevent them from reaching their full potential, including economic hardships, limited access to resources, and the complexities of systemic inequities. These experiences have not only shaped my identity, but also ignited a lifelong passion for ensuring that others, have the opportunities and support they need to succeed. Essentially, my passion for helping others was ignited at a young age. Like many others, my grandfathers immigrated to the United States as part of the Bracero program in search of better opportunities …show more content…
Notably, UCR prides itself in promoting diversity amongst faculty and students, and providing resources that promote mental health, address food insecurity and homelessness amongst students, support international students, veterans, students with disabilities, single moms, and LGBTQ+ students, and ethnic communities. Yet, I felt so alone in my journey, until I found myself on academic probation. As part of the probation program, I had to let go of the cultural stigma that asking for assistance was a sign of weakness and begin to partake in new experiences to achieve my goals. Ultimately, these circumstances paired me with a mentor who ignited my passion for Human Resources and opened my mind to a new way of thinking regarding the barriers we continue to create and experience in higher …show more content…
To illustrate, a few initiatives I have undertaken at Palo Verde College include redesigning the district’s recruitment strategy. This has included highlighting the district’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), the programs and services offered to diverse students, including rising scholars, and providing resources for applicants to enhance their cultural competency. The changes have allowed the district to increase diversity of applicants and resulted in more impactful diversity statements from applicants. I also reconstructed promotional materials for the district to create more inclusive advertisements and brochures, and increased recruitment channels. Additionally, I have restructured job descriptions to include inclusive language and communicate the positions responsibility to supporting districts efforts to create an inclusive environment and completed a comprehensive job analysis to support workplace accommodations. As an EEO officer, I ensure that the screening and interviewing process truly evaluates each candidate on the commitment to DEIA. Also, I play a major role in implementing and creating the District’s EEO plan to ensure it continues to meet the robust requirements and needs of our students and community.