Isela Reyes

Name:  Isela Reyes

College: Stevenson

Department: Sociology 

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive? I received the Fanny Carruthers Award in Sociology.

What year do you expect to graduate? Spring 2020

Where do you call home?  My home is in San Jose, California.

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out? I chose this university for its scenic views and its highly developed feminist studies program which is what I had originally been admitted into as a transfer student. As well as its close proximity to my hometown.

What is your field of focus? I am double majoring in Feminist Studies and Sociology.

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz? When I graduate I hope to work for non profits and domestic violence intake shelters for about 2 to 3 years and then go back to school to get my masters in either psychology or social work; I want to ultimately become an LMFT.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? One memorable moment that has stood out for me at this school is when my friends and I pulled an all-nighter study session for finals week. We ordered food and put a little bit of music on and motivated each other to get our final essays done. At the end of our study session we went to the beach to watch the sunrise and had some memorable conversations. I remember thinking to myself this is what community is all about. People uplifting each other and relishing in the moments of our success.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz? Find your people! Especially as a transfer student it is so easy to lose yourself in all the classes and work that you need to cram in to make sure you graduate on time. But don’t forget that one of the most beautiful experiences to have at college is the friendships and opportunities to network. Join clubs not just the prestigious ones, but also the ones that are catering to your interests.

How will this scholarship impact your academic life /research? I come from a single mother household, and my mom is disabled. It has been more than just struggle to get me here it has come with a lot of sacrifice on both my mother’s and my behalf. This scholarship reaffirms that there is a place at a university campus for people like me; a short but large first generation Xicana, who wants to bring change to her community and other communities like hers who are underserved, underappreciated and often overlooked.