Eliza Velarde

My name is Eliza Velarde and I am Mexican-American. I am a first-generation college student born and raised in Vallejo, CA. My pronouns are she/her/hers/ella. This is my third year here at Sonoma State University as a pre-nursing major. My ultimate goal would be to become a midwife. I am passionate about helping others, music, and food. Being the oldest in my family, I love taking on the leadership role and providing comfortable and inviting environments to my peers.

Challenges that have occurred throughout my time here at Sonoma State would be balancing time for academics while still having a social life. It is important to give each aspect space in order to fully enjoy the experience and also not burn yourself out. In addition, homesickness has been a constant battle since I am very family oriented. I usually cope by having time to call my loved ones and visit when I can. Also, the workload can be very draining and could challenge your self-esteem. However, surrounding yourself with positive influencers and taking time for yourself will get you motivated to continue your academic journey.

During my freshman year, I had the opportunity to partake in a research project on autism and employment. The project highlighted resources that were limited to autistic individuals once they entered the workforce. This project hit home for me because my brother is autistic and has recently entered the workforce. This project exposed the challenges people with a mental disability live with but also provided a different outlook which could influence others who are unaware of this situation. In addition, I am a TA for English 100A/B. This experience allows me to become more independent and take part in a leadership role for freshmen students.

Some positive experiences here at Sonoma State would have to be the faculty. All of my professors have been very approachable and helped me when I struggled with a certain topic. There are many events on and off campus that I have attended which granted me the opportunity to meet new people and discover new interests. The idea of just being able to attend this beautiful campus is an honor because academia is so helpful and almost a necessity to achieve your dream job.