Office of Merit Scholarships, Fellowships & Awards (OMSFA)

My story begins in the beautiful Mexican states of Oaxaca and Michoacán, where my parents were born and raised. They left everything behind to move to the U.S., where they faced limited job opportunities and systemic barriers. As a child, I started to recognize barriers that inhibited my family from receiving adequate health care. My passion for advocating for marginalized communities began with a shaky and small voice as I translated for my relatives in doctor’s offices. Over time, that voice grew stronger and more confident.

During my first year in the School of Public Health, I explored the inequities tied to environmental infrastructure, nutrition, and historical policies that continue to affect health outcomes in communities like mine. I am especially passionate about the diabetes crisis in Hispanic communities. I’ve learned that diabetes is not just an individual health issue – it is deeply embedded in broader systemic challenges.

As a first-generation student, I find myself seeking guidance while navigating the labyrinth of questions that come with higher education. I find support in my Latine community on campus. I’m a proud member of Gamma Alpha Omega, a Latine sorority that empowers Latinas through their academic journeys. I also work as a Student Resource Coordinator at the Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center and serve as a peer mentor for the Sisterhood Initiative. Having navigated the stress of higher education on my own, I now support first-generation students and underclassmen adjusting to their first year at UW.

I am honored to be selected for this scholarship as it will fund my study abroad in the blue zones of Sardinia, Italy which enables me to gain an international perspective on public health, one that I hope to bring back and apply within underserved communities like my own.