realized how easily each decision we make can truly impact our life experience,” she said. “For me, this was inspiration to continue on my path to pursuing a new and distinct direction for my life.”

When it was time to transfer, Michelle’s excellent academic records combined with her compassion and leadership won her a Pister Scholarship, a prestigious $20,000 award for transfer students.

Becoming a full-time university student hasn’t slowed Michelle down a bit. Among her many activities, she serves as the Legislative Analyst and Action Intern for the External Affairs Division of the Student Union Assembly, working on state-wide campaigns to put such items on the ballot as financial aid for undocumented students and a free community college program. “My internship with SUA is at the heart of what I want to do in life, working in social justice issues and advocating for educational reform. The feeling that I’m making a difference is rewarding,” she says.

As a student representative on UCSC’s Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid (CAFA), Michelle gets to have a say in important decisions affecting the university. “I really enjoy working on CAFA,” she says. “I am learning about different policy issues, and I have a say in changing things for future students.”

Michelle also works as a Research Assistant for UCSC’s Education Department, researching how California community colleges evaluate English language learners when placing them in English classes, with the goal of finding solutions to better serve these students.

Diversity is an integral part of the International Living Center (ILC), a unique residential community at Colleges Nine and Ten where Michelle lives. At the ILC, about half the residents are from the U.S. and the other half are from other countries.

“The best thing about UCSC is the diversity of the student body,” Michelle says. “I have met so many interesting people from different backgrounds and majors. Everyone is really friendly here.”