Ariana Aparicio Aguilar
Meet Ariana
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Alum
Degree: Sociology B.A.
Position: Ph.D Student at UC Riverside in Higher Education Administration and Policy
Hometown: Mexico City, MX and Point Reyes Station, CA
Why did you choose SSU?
As a first-generation, undocumented, and transfer student from SRJC, my undergraduate options were limited at the time because of my immigration status and lack of support/awareness about this issue from universities. As a commuter student, it made financial sense to stay in Sonoma County and attend SSU. Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised to find caring faculty within the Sociology department whom I continue to stay in touch with today. A couple of faculty, Dr. James Dean and Dr. Madeline Rose, wrote me strong letters of recommendation that enabled me to get accepted into my graduate school programs. Overall, given the small student population, I was able to get noticed as a student versus just being a number at a larger university.
What is one piece of advice you'd give your college self today?
Don't be afraid to ask for help or get out of your comfort zone. Stepping outside your comfort zone will help you become the best version of yourself. If you ask for help, you will be surprised by how many people are willing to lend you a hand. As the old saying goes, “A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.”
What does life look like now after graduating from SSU?
Life after graduating from SSU is bright! I obtained Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals in 2012, a year after I graduated from SSU, and that temporary program enabled me to exercise my bachelor's degree in Sociology and give back to my community that watched me grow up. Four years after graduating from SSU, I returned to work as an Academic Advisor and helped push for the creation of the UndocuResource Center alongside colleagues and students who were instrumental in its creation. Thereafter, I was admitted into the Harvard Graduate School of Education where I obtained my Master in Education in 2019. Looking back, I never imagined that I would be pursuing a Ph.D. program and nevertheless be presented with opportunities such as meeting the first lady, Dr. Jill Biden, at the White House to attend DACA’s 10th Anniversary celebration and share my immigration story with her. I have also presented my research on undocumented graduate students at national conferences and am contributing to this area of scholarship.
What are your campus involvements?
During my senior year, I Co-Founded AB540 Student Group (Pre-DACA, CA Dream Act) and when I returned as a staff member, I helped push for the creation of the UndocuResource Center now known as the Dream Center that serves the undocumented student population