Valerie Garcia

Sociology
University of California, Santa Cruz

Valerie Garcia (she/ella/they/them) is a fourth-year first-generation Chicana student at the University of California, Santa Cruz. They aspire to become a scholar-activist that works alongside queer and immigrant communities. Their research interests are immigration, incarceration, sexual/physical violence, and higher education in connection to identity, solidarity, community, and social movements. Since their second year, Valerie has participated in two research projects as a research assistant and continues to find ways to become involved with research. Valerie is currently conducting a senior thesis project which addresses the latine student experiences at UC Santa Cruz in connection to the university's Hispanic Serving Institution designation. This project aims to highlight what it means to be latine at UC Santa Cruz to create a more visible and intentional representation of the latine communities in the form of a collective art piece and event. Valerie is also a sociology peer advisor and enjoys supporting students to foster community and mutual support. Valerie plans to pursue a PhD. in sociology after taking a gap year to contribute back to their queer and latine communities!