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Resource Centers Assistants

  • Leila Torres Alvarez

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    Lead Business Assistant
    Year: 4th
    Pronouns: She/Her
    Major: Legal Studies & Latin American and Latino Studies 
    Affiliation(s): College Ten, Mujeres Activas en Letras Y Cambio Social, Chicanx Latinx Resource Center 
    I'm a proud and strong independent wombyn of Cem-Anahuac from San Diego, California. I'm very passionate about promoting empowerment to the people of color especially mujeres of color and working with the ERC allows me to encourage and advocate for higher education. Being a part of a supportive community allows me to grow, develop skills and network with beautiful and loving people.  

  • Daniel Subdiaz

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    Business Assistant
    Year: 5th
    Pronouns: He/Him
    Major: Critical Race and Ethnic Studies & Latin American and Latino Studies
    Affiliation(s): Student Alliance of North American Indians
    I decided to Join the ERC Front Desk team because they're a campus unit that focuses on fostering community and solidarity amongst ethnic groups as part of a larger support system for students attending UCSC. The mission of the ERC aligns with my personal and professional areas of interest which focus on assisting under represented groups in education. I am also a Research Apprentice at the Research Center for the Americas.

  • Steph M. Hernández

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    Business Assistant
    Year: 4th
    Pronouns: They/Them
    Major: Psychology & Literature
    Aquarius Sun, Sagittarius Moon, and Taurus Rising. Steph is from Norwalk, CA and loves to rollerskate, write poetry, and garden. They are recently married and have a puppy named Nala. When they are not in class or working, they help lead Oakes Garden and Poetically People of Color. They have worked for the ERC all through their undergrad career, and now enjoy welcoming folks into the space in their new position, just as they have always felt welcomed here.

  • Imelda Mercado

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    Lead Assistant
    Year: 4th
    Pronouns: They/She
    Major: Politics & Film and Digital Media
    Affiliation(s): Oakes College, Mujeres Activas en Letras Y Cambio Social
    I am a first generation student from Los Angeles who is extremely passionate about aiding the progress of historically oppressed groups. My high school days were spent learning as much as I could about my culture in between community actions and rushing through essays about long-dead white men. I think the resource centers are extremely important spaces for students that come from and identify with underrepresented groups and I am honored to be able to work with them.

  • Madelyn Lara-Villalpando

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    Lead ERC Assistant
    Year: 5th
    Pronouns: She/They
    Major: Literature, Sociology, Latin American Latino Studies
    Affiliation(s): Oakes College, Culture and Tech Lab Research Assistant
    I am a first generation xicanx student from San Diego. The ERC has been a very influential part of my college and personal experience here at UCSC and I wish I had discovered it sooner. Because of this I am very passionate about letting other students know about the space and resources available to them here. I am also a Capricorn Sun, Libra Moon, Taurus Rising and on my free time I like trying new foods and daydreaming. 

  • Desirae Barrera

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    ERC Assistant
    Year: 3rd
    Pronouns: She/Her
    Major:Psychology
    I joined the ERC because I wanted to be in a space where I can help other folks feel comfortable and welcomed on campus! I aim to be part of the change the ERC creates, such as creating safe and empowered spaces for students while also hosting programs that bring attention to important topics that need to be discussed. Some fun facts about me are that I am a Pisces and on my free time, I enjoy watching reality TV shows!

  • Mk Aruta Konefaw

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    ERC Assistant
    Year: 4th
    Pronouns: They/Them
    Major:Environmental Studies & Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
    Affiliation(s): Anakbayan Santa Cruz, Bayanihan
    I am a child of Filipino and Polish immigrants from Sacramento. My time at the ERCs have allowed me to further understand the intersections of my ethnic backgrounds, as well as my queer identity. I'm grateful for the constant learning that I undergo at the ERC and would love to contribute and support a community that does that for students like me at UCSC.