Giovanna Castellanos

My name is Giovanna Castellanos, but everyone calls me Gio; my pronouns are she/her/ hers, and I am third year here at Sonoma State University. I entered SSU as an english major for my single subject credential, but I now have a double major in women’s and gender studies and a minor in queer studies. I also dance in Ballet Folklórico de Sonoma, and I just joined Vagina Monologues. I attend MEChA and QSA when I can - it’s hard to find time with school and work!

Being at SSU has allowed me to fully realize myself. I work as the Youth Programs Director for Join Us Making Progress (JUMP), our student-run, student-led community service organization. I help run our after-school tutoring and mentoring programs in a leadership role I would never have imagined when I began volunteering with JUMP as a first year student. I love to see not just the impact we have, but also how we can continue to improve our service to better meet the needs of our community.

I had never recognized the diversity I had back home until I arrived here, and navigating the school as a person of color has been difficult. I am also actively working to overcome my inclination towards shyness, but I have also begun to recognize that my introversion and vulnerability are assets, not weaknesses. I just have to speak up more - and it doesn’t have to be in volume, but rather in my actions.