In Their Words: Daniel Alexander Garcia

Name: Daniel Alexander Garcia

Department: Politics & LALS

College: Rachel Carson

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive? The Valerie Fuette Scholarship

What year do you expect to graduate? Spring 2020

Where do you call home? Rowland Heights, California

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out? UC Santa Cruz stood out for me because it is encompassed in nature. As an environmentalist I love the ability to be able to be surrounded by redwood trees and get lost in the tranquility that nature offers.

What is your field of focus? My field of focus is Latin American Politics and understanding how the shift in the U.S. affects Latin America and vice-versa.

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz? I plan on taking on applying to a master’s program in education or in Latin American Studies.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? One memorable moment that stands out for me is being part of the student organization, Beyond Dreams and being able to create friendships and relationships that I will carry for the rest of my life.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz? Find your own truth, advocate for yourself and always reach for your goals. We often shut our own ideas down, it is time to see what happens when you let your creativeness come to life. “It always seems impossible until its done”- Nelson Mandela

How will this scholarship/award impact your academic life/research? This scholarship will impact my academic life by making it easier to focus on my research and allow myself an opportunity to pursue a senior thesis in Politics.