Atzi Olivarez

Pronouns: 

She/Her/Ella 

Major: 

Geology 

Hometown: 

Sacramento, CA

What are your campus involvements? 

Learning and Academic Resource Center (LARC) Geology Tutor, Geology Club Treasurer, Undergraduate Student Researcher, Louise Stokes Minority Alliance for Minority Participation member, Sonoma Senders member (Rock Climbing Club)

What is your favorite memory or experience at SSU?

Participating in the first Earth Day celebration in the spring of 2023 as an ambassador for the Geology Club is my favorite memory at Sonoma. I vividly recall it being one of the first events I tabled with my current club president and best friend, Yajaira, and one of the last events where I worked with the former club treasurer Emily, another amazing woman in STEM. I recall the event so fondly as I felt it truly conveyed the spirit of conservation and the call for an increase in campus sustainability, while still reinforcing positivity and fun among the community here at SSU. It also allowed me to be a representative of my club and campus on a larger scale. In the following days after the event, a photo of me tabling was published on the front page of >The Press Democrat, which was the cherry on top for me with this event.

What has been the most challenging part of your college experience and what did you learn from it? 

Navigating the hardships of obtaining a higher education while medically transitioning has been the most difficult mental and financial barrier while pursuing my degree. Within the process of doing so, I learned so much about adulting. Firstly I learned to advocate for myself in my personal and academic lives. In order to get onto Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), I had to adjust to speaking up for myself in a medical setting and simultaneously I had to grasp being able to convey the possible physical and mental side effects that transitioning could have on me to my educators so that they could uplift me in times of personal adversity. In addition to overcoming the mental challenges I faced, dealing with the financial costs of transitioning while being in school has been emotionally taxing in itself. From the prescription costs to textbook payments, it has not been easy, yet never impossible to put in the work to be able to afford it all and practice financial responsibility.

What brought you to SSU, and what motivates you to stay? 

A part of what brought me to SSU was the exposure and proximity to such a beautiful local landscape with an abundance of recreational pursuit opportunities. From the green and golden peak of Sonoma Mountain to the cold tides of Bodega, our campus is so blessed to be within this breathtaking county. What motivates me to stay is intertwined with the sentiment of exploring new scenic landscapes. As a proud geology major at SSU, it is astounding to have a department focused on providing robust integral field experience for the students of SSU. Starting my Bachelor's at Sonoma, I have had the opportunity as a geology major to take part in nearly all the field courses provided within my major, allowing me to apply the foundational knowledge taught within the classroom in the Death Valley region, Yosemite High Country, Lassen National Park, the Coastal Ranges and so on.

Who at SSU has influenced you and/or made an impact on your journey here? 

Being a part of a smaller major, the connections I have fostered with my professors and lecturers are quite personal and precious to me. One specific professor to highlight would be Marissa Mnich. Ever since stepping foot into the Darwin 128 lab for my first Geology Club meeting, Professor Mnich has uplifted and motivated me to take charge of my education and the development of my professional career. Being able to foster our connection has been one of the best impacts from my journey at Sonoma, from my first introductory class with Professor Mnich to the present day in which I am an embedded tutor for that same class, Marissa Mnich has been there for me.