Tell me about your major and why you chose to study it.
I’m majoring in psychology. I think the reason I chose it was due to different factors. I want to become a therapist, specifically a bilingual therapist. I know in the city of Albany, and just in Oregon in general, we need more bilingual therapists to understand those who are having troubles with mental health, specifically among immigrant families who come from a place where mental health is very much stigmatized. So I want to help my community, and I also just like helping people in general. I always knew that I never really wanted to become a nurse or a doctor, but rather help people emotionally.
What brought you to LBCC?
What brought me to LBCC was definitely just that it was local, and I heard from many other professionals who went to community college first and then went to a four-year university and they saved so much money around that. I wanted to do the same. Also, I got a hold of LBCC resources before I even decided to attend here, specifically among the IEDI Center. They helped me a lot finding those resources and just helping me in general, even before I could consider going over there. Overall I’ve had other people that I know who went to LBCC and they said it was an amazing school, so that’s why I decided to attend LB after highschool.
What are your plans for after graduation at LBCC?
My plans after graduation are to hopefully attend Oregon State University and continue on with my studies. Definitely find a job, like many other college students, and hopefully further all my education. I really want to become a therapist and hopefully I can get even more, like get a PhD or something like that. I just want to earn as many degrees as I can.
What classes have you enjoyed most within your major?
Within my major, definitely my psych classes. I did take AP psychology in high school, but these classes have shown me the concepts even more in depth. I learned more about therapy, I learned more about human behavior and all of that, and my professors were amazing.
Are you involved with any clubs or organizations at LBCC?
I’m a student worker at the IEDI Center, the Equity Center, and I just love them. I mean, our mission is to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion among campus and I’m all about that. I’m all about helping my community. I love that I get to be a part of that and help create events to further educate people, making it known that these communities are also welcome on campus.
Tell me more about your experience with the Institutional Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Center and how you got involved with them.
I first got involved with them through Angel Dorantes. He is a Latino outreach retention manager at the Equity Center. When I was in high school, he came to one of my classes and basically said what the Equity Center is and I was so interested in it. I got a hold of him throughout the summer and then at the beginning of my first year I believe, the Equity Center was one of the first places I went because I knew that they had resources and they could help me. That’s when he offered, “Do you want to work here?” And I decided I wanted to work there. I got to learn even more about their values, and they stand very close to my values and beliefs about everything. I just love it there and I get to help with their events, many projects, and overall it’s an amazing community and everyone there is super nice and really understanding.
How did the recent Ushli National Conference go?
It was amazing. It was definitely an experience. It was my first time going on a plane, going really far away in this country. It took place in Chicago, Illinois. Overall, that conference was super amazing. I got to learn so much from many Hispanic leaders, more importantly women leaders among the Hispanic community, and it just motivated me even more to understand that they also grew up like me in immigrant households and now they’re at the top of their careers. It was really an amazing experience and I’m grateful I got the opportunity to go learn so much more from my community and also meet so many people there. It’s really nice to know you can relate to someone and they’ll understand.
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of school?
Outside of school I like to play my instruments. I used to be in band for several years before I took a break from it, so I like to play my flute sometimes so I can not lose that memory of playing. I also like arts, crafts, baking, and hanging out with my friends and family.
Is there anything else you’d want people to know about the IEDI?
What I want to say about the IEDI Center is that you can always come in. Everybody is welcome. There’s amazing people there. If you ever need help, I know there’s someone in there who can definitely help you. It’s a loving community.
The Institutional Equity, Diversity & Inclusion office is located next door to The Commuter office in Forum 220 on the second floor.
