As I roamed Chapman University’s Orange campus, my eyes widened. It was the beginning of a new chapter.
Students typically attend college for a few reasons: They want to continue to college after high school, experience “college life,” and sometimes because of their parents’ expectations.
At Chapman University, I found MY path of activism and advocacy, and now advocate for equity and diversity in financial aid and higher education. I had always been passionate about helping others and learning about how the world worked. At Chapman, I quickly discovered my aspirations to attend law school and become a lawyer.
As a political science major, we’re often discussing social issues in classes and asking ourselves what will motivate us to step in or speak up for others. By getting involved on campus, I was fortunate enough to take on an opportunity to represent thousands of students in the fight for higher education and the increase in Cal Grant funding. Additionally, I was able to establish a Model UN club on campus and become the vice president of a pre-law club titled Legal Underground.
In the beginning of my sophomore year, I was recommended for the Independent California Colleges Advocate Program (ICCAP). The selection process was rigorous, and I was afraid I wasn’t going to get into the program. However, I heard back the first night of winter break. ICCAP serves as the unified voice for the 380,000 students across more than 80 independent, nonprofit California colleges and universities (ICCUs). The program develops the leadership, communication, and advocacy skills of participants and deepens their knowledge of how policymaking affects their education. ICCAP strives to ensure the student voice is in the public sphere and amplifies concerns and needs to broaden policymakers’ understanding of students in the independent and nonprofit college sector and their contributions to California.
While a part of ICCAP, I am able to make my voice heard and focus on advocating for bills that affect students like me. Equity, affordability and diversity in higher education are the main priorities we focus on. Through ICCAP, I was able to fly to Sacramento, where I was able to talk to state legislators and advocate for an increase in the Cal Grant. The proposed increase would support low-income, first-generation and non-traditional students, as well as their parents in financing the students’ education and their aspirations for the future.
I knew my college experience would be a time of personal growth and development. Chapman offers countless opportunities to develop new skills, build social connections, and make new friendships that will last a lifetime. I grew relationships with both my professors and peers and took on various opportunities for professional development.
Although I was thankful for all of the new experiences that had become available to me, I quickly realized that the increased workload was stressful and sleep-depriving. Something had to change in my cycle of school, work, extracurriculars, school, work, extracurriculars. People relied on me, and I didn’t want to disappoint them. I learned that time management and meal prep were key to a healthy work-life balance. I put time aside to focus on myself, to work out, hangout with friends and sometimes even party. Overall, the college experience can be both challenging and rewarding, providing opportunities for academic, personal and professional growth.
I dream more than I sleep and I wake with a purpose.
