Brenda Rodriguez-Juarez

Brenda Rodriguez-Juarez graduated with an associate degree from Compton College in June 2019 and is transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles this fall to major in political science. She hopes to one day become a political activist to help marginalized students reach their ambitions. She says her commitment to social justice was instilled in her through personal experience and the knowledge she gained at Compton College.

Rodriguez-Juarez was brought to the United States when she was two years old. "I have faced many of the common hardships experienced by first-generation students trying to reach their academic and professional aspirations." she said. Rodriquez-Juarez credits Compton College's EOPS program with helping to reduce the impact of the barriers she faced. This inspired her to give back to the Compton Community because she learned the value of meaningful support.

She served as a student mentor for the college's First Year Experience program, and became a vocal activist for undocumented students. Through these combined experiences, she developed a passion for politics. In the future, she plans to pursue a career working with Congress to enact social change and help create policies that will benefit immigrant and marginalized communities.