Edith Avalos-Rodriguez

Department: Education

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive? The Kathryn Cheney Merriam Scholarship

When do you expect to graduate? Summer 2023

Where do you call home? Watsonville, CA

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out? It was the university closest to home.

What is your field of focus? Teaching in the K-12 education system

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz? I plan to teach at Pajaro Valley High School in Watsonville as an ELD teacher.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? Making new friends who I was able to relate to and find support.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz? Finding affordable housing is almost impossible

How will this scholarship impact your academic life /research? As a single mother and first generation college student, this scholarship will assist me with paying tuition for summer that I need in order to complete my credential in the teaching program.