Jennifer Ramirez is a first-generation Latina studying Economics and Public Policy at UC Berkeley from the Bay Area. Growing up in a mixed-status household, she experienced first-hand the hardships Latinx immigrant families faced, such as the struggle to assimilate, obtain basic needs, and become financially stable. The systematic barriers that limit the upward mobility of historically marginalized communities propelled her to become an advocate in her local community, and pursue a career in public service. After being selected to attend Harvard Kennedy School’s Public Policy Leadership Conference, she continues to creatively think about ways in which public service can foster change within local communities. She is most passionate about policy issues surrounding socioeconomic mobility and education equity.
As an intern at the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, she has been given the opportunity to work on a community-based oral history project that aims to uplift refugee and immigrant experiences often ignored within political dialogue and mainstream media. Working for the Chicanx Latinx Student Development Office as the Lead Facilitator for the Leadership Seminar has enabled Jennifer to foster a sense of community and belonging among first-generation Latinx students at Cal. This semester, Jennifer continues to create positive change by working on advancing education and digital equity initiatives within public libraries as an intern at the Urban Libraries Councils in Washington DC.
Major(s): Economics
Minor(s): Public Policy