Veronica Solis Mora

Name:  Veronica Solis Mora

College:  Merrill

Department:  Anthropology

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive?  Dr. Midori Arima Scholarship in Anthropology

What year do you expect to graduate? Winter 2022

Where do you call home?  Acapulco, Mexico and San Francisco, California

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out?  The diversity in the community, the commitment of the UCSC community to work in social issues, the Anthropology department that have the faculty that focus in topics that helped me in my interests and the beautiful location in a natural reserve.

What is your field of focus?  My focus is Cultural Anthropology. My interests are Nahua culture, natural resources its cultural uses and conservation, landscape, and community participatory projects through artistic expressions.

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz?  I will apply to grad school, visit couple communities I am interested to work with and survey a landscape in my hometown where in the future I plan to work in a community collaboration mural.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here?  The sudden change of our routines in 2020. The enormous challenge to learn apart in the pandemic and then the Santa Cruz fires, but also the great humanity I witness in my department, Anthropology and also Earth Science (minor). I will treasure the caring and resilience of my Anthro friends and faculty in 2020-2021. And of course, all what we made happen in Minorities in Anthropology Club.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz?  Go to office hours, get involve in groups/clubs/activities, making community is important to have a sense of belonging. Take classes from other departments to broaden your field perspective.

How will this scholarship impact your academic life /research?  This scholarship is making my interest move forward, as it will be used to visit couple communities and their lands.