​​Andrew Luong has a strong passion for wielding his experiences as a nurse aid and pharmacy technician, alongside his position in the world of pharmacy and healthcare, to better the community around him. He is currently pursuing his PharmD degree and a minor in Law at Purdue University and is excited to continue his efforts with community health screenings with the American Pharmacists Association at Purdue. Outside of school, he enjoys playing tennis, visiting the Indiana Dunes, and exploring new restaurants with his friends.

Kyla Le is a dedicated student at the University of San Diego, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics. Since her enrollment, she has consistently earned a place on the Dean's Honors List and was given an SSS Most Inspirational Tutor award (in math). Beyond her studies, Kyla has actively engaged in research initiatives, notably contributing to projects under USD's undergraduate research programs and the Alliance of Chinese Americans organization. Her work on Asian businesses in the City Heights area has been published, demonstrating her passion for exploring diverse socio-economic landscapes. Kyla also has experience interning at LPL Financial, where she applied her analytical skills and Excel proficiency to real-world financial scenarios. 

Outside of her academic pursuits, Kyla is a dynamic leader on campus, serving as the co-founder and Vice President of the Vietnamese Student Association and as a peer mentor for the AnchorSTEM scholars. She actively participates in multicultural organizations such as the Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization and the Asian Students Association. She enjoys immersing herself in new languages and diverse cultural experiences! Kyla also finds joy in culinary exploration, indulging her passion for cooking and seeking out the latest dessert spots. Committed to holistic well-being, she also prioritizes physical fitness through regular workouts.

Angel Arellano is currently a junior at UC San Diego majoring in Economics and History with minors in Environmental Science and Political Science. He has interned for the Department of Commerce during the 23-24 school year and also currently works for Student Financial Solutions at UCSD. Angel has worked in student government as he served as a First Year Representative for the UCSD Warren College Student Council and served for UCSD’s Associated Students in the Office of Local Affairs. Angel has a strong interest and passion for the law as he is a part of The Society of Hispanic Students in Law at UCSD and served as the finance chair during the 23-24 school year, he hopes to gain further legal experience in San Diego and Los Angeles in the years to come.

Kimberly Kritzer is a current student at San Diego State University earning her bachelor's degree in Social Work. She has volunteered for several organizations including the YMCA raising over $5,000 for their teen programs. Currently she works for an after school program supervising 40 teens as they support children in the classroom. Kimberly serves as the Event Coordinator for the Social Action Club at San Diego State University. She finds herself going back to the community college she transferred from to help motivate current students to also transfer to a university. After graduation Kimberly wants to use her lived experience to help support families experiencing homelessness find permanent housing.

Fanny Benitez, a first-generation college student, currently attends SDSU after transferring from San Diego City College. She is a full-time mom to a beautiful 1-year-old named Valerie, while also juggling the responsibilities of being a full-time student and employee. Despite the challenges, she finds it all worth it. Her dream is to become a teacher, inspired by the educators who changed her life. Currently working towards her bachelor's degree, Fanny plans to pursue a credential in multiple subject bilingual education. Among her 3 siblings, Fanny is the first to go to a university. She takes pride in her accomplishments and is grateful for the support she receives on her academic journey. Fanny looks forward to making a positive change in the world and is thankful for those who have supported her along the way.

Meghan Nguyen is a third-year student at UCSD pursuing a Bachelor's degree in both General Biology and Marine Biology. In addition to her academic pursuits, she dedicates herself to research as a lab assistant at the La Jolla Institute of Immunology, where she handles various tasks related to cell culture and genotyping. Beyond the laboratory, Meghan enjoys outdoor pursuits, including rock climbing and running, with plans to tackle a half marathon this year. She is deeply committed to giving back to her community through volunteer work with organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Crisis Texting Helpline, embodying her  belief in the power of humanitarianism.

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Peyton Emmett-Graham is heading into her undergraduate senior year at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. She started her education as a non-traditional and first generation student at the North Idaho College in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho before transferring to University of Idaho. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Wildlife Sciences with emphasis on human interactions. She is dedicated to conservation and preservation of our wildlife and wildlife habitats. Her emphasis in human interactions will allow her to utilize her communication skills and educate others.  During her free time, Peyton enjoys spending time outdoors with her two dogs or reading whilst snuggled up with her two cats.

Christopher Huerta is studying Neurobiology at UCSD, with plans to take this interest into a neurology specialization in medical school. His passion for the medical field was sparked as a young child by his mother’s accident, which left her incapacitated in the hospital. He has spent years in and out of hospitals working to better understand and care for his mother following her brain injury. Christopher believes there is a gap between doctor and patient relationships, and he hopes to use his experiences to provide the best possible compassion to patients and their families as a doctor. His introduction to research upon entering UCSD led him to explore a dual MD/PhD degree program to more aggressively study and treat neurological conditions similar to the one his mother is facing.

Ashley Espinoza Reyes is a driven third-year undergraduate student at Yale University, pursuing a double major in Political Science and Ethnicity, Race, & Migration. Hailing from Stockton and as the first-born daughter of Mexican immigrants, Ashley is deeply committed to advocating for racial, social, legal, and economic justice for marginalized communities. Currently, Ashley holds the position of Public Service and Law Track Head at SUBE, Yale’s Latinx Pre-Professional Student Association. In this role, she actively promotes opportunities and mentorship for Latinx students pursuing careers in public service and law.

Previously interning at KIVU Immigration Law Firm PLLC, she specializes in Asylum and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases, providing translation and interpretation services. Ashley is part of the Running Start 2024 Next Step Cohort, focusing on political campaigns for underrepresented communities. Additionally, as a LEAP Munger, Torres, & Olson Chapter Fellow, she prepares for law school with a focus on International Human Rights Law, Immigration Law, Civil Rights, or Criminal Law. Her goal is to establish a practice addressing the intersection of these fields, with a focus on expanding POC rights both nationally and globally. In 2019, Ashley founded Respira, Mi Amor, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Mexican youth. Through her leadership, the organization has made a tangible impact, raising funds to support disadvantaged youth in Baja California, and working towards expanding its reach with the goal of obtaining a 501c3 license. Ashley’s unwavering commitment to social justice and community empowerment underscores her determination to create positive change, both within Yale University and beyond.

Manuel Rodriguez, a student at the University of California, San Diego, is studying Structural Engineering. His passion lies in creating public work projects for marginalized communities. However, he's come to understand the broader impact of local policies and seeks to address systemic issues. With this in mind, Manuel plans to pursue graduate studies in Sociology to become a policy advisor and advocate for the needs of marginalized communities.

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