“Words can’t fully express how thankful I am for this opportunity. In today’s world, where DEI efforts are being dismantled at the foundation, I am especially grateful to receive support that is vital to achieving my academic and professional goals. This scholarship will help cover the cost of my education and reduce the financial burden I was facing for the upcoming year. With this support, I can dedicate more energy and focus to breaking down systemic barriers that exist for marginalized communities through what I am learning in my school curriculum.

I am a product of Sacramento, California. I am so grateful for the opportunity to receive this award to help fund my dream of supporting the same community that has raised me to this point in my life. Growing up in Sacramento, my mother often drove me to schools in better districts—an opportunity that came at the cost of being disconnected from my community. I’m passionate about closing the education and wealth gap so Black children can thrive in their own neighborhoods, surrounded by peers who look like them and foster community empowerment. I am currently the admin coordinator at Health Access California, where we work on California health policy. I aspire to continue my work in health policy, while also venturing into housing and education policy to support the community that raised me. After graduation, I hope to continue my work in health policy, with a focus on housing and education initiatives that support BIPOC communities.”

"In 2023, I embarked on a journey to augment my competencies as a public servant by enrolling in the Master’s program in Public Policy and Administration at California State University, Sacramento. My diverse experiences at the federal, state, and local levels testify to my professional trajectory, culminating in my current role where I contribute to Assemblymember Avelino Valencia’s legislative processes.

However, my career progression has not been without its challenges. As a first-generation college student, unique obstacles confronted me. The fact that my parents did not have the privilege of pursuing higher education meant that the responsibility of steering my academic journey fell solely on me.

Despite these challenges, I take immense pride in my ability to navigate the complexities of academia and the political realm. I have forged enduring relationships successfully that continue to guide my career. I aspire to become a key player in California politics, and to provide others with the opportunity to pursue the same goal."

"Receiving this scholarship is more than a means to fund my education; it's opening doors to opportunity and highlighting the crucial role that individuals who have experienced exclusive systems can contribute to shaping equitable policies within government. Now more than ever, I feel empowered to continue embodying diversity, equity, and inclusion in public policy and administration, driving meaningful change for communities like mine."

“Thank you for selecting me as a recipient of the GASPPA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion scholarship. This award will provide much-appreciated financial relief in my pursuit of a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration. I will continue to better myself as an individual to hopefully open opportunities for more people like me in the public service field. I am thoroughly honored and appreciative of being selected as a recipient. Growing up in a majority Latino community, I was privileged enough to have the opportunity to access higher education twice now. I am currently a Housing Policy Specialist with the State’s Department of Housing and Community Development and hope to continue a long, rewarding career in public service.”

“Thank you for the honor of being awarded GASPPA’s DEI Scholarship. These funds will let me focus more on my LGBT+, disability, Jewish, and other intersectionality advocacy rather than struggling to find money to afford school. I am an artist and action-oriented advocate focusing on using creative tools to drive public policy change. Along the way of my artistic and advocacy journey, I became a California Art Scholar with work showcased in numerous galleries in Midtown Sacramento, California as well as Arts of Life’s Circle Contemporary Gallery in Chicago, Illinois. My writing was published in The Sacramento Bee and School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Fnewsmagazine. My advocacy was also featured in The New York Times’ Upfront Magazine, Windy City Times, and Xceptional Learning Podcast. I am the founder of Disability in Hollywood, which shares interviews with prominent disabled folks in the entertainment industry, discussing their experiences and tips for combating ableism and increasing inclusion and representation.”

“I was excited to learn of my selection for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Scholarship and am deeply appreciative of this honor and GASPPA’s support in my education. As a current manager and public servant, I am dedicated to giving back to the State of California by improving outcomes for all children, families, and communities by improving the access, affordability, inclusion, and quality of prekindergarten programs. Upon graduation, I would like to use the knowledge, skills, and abilities I develop in the MPPA to continue to develop and implement early education policy to serve the public good and to be of more service in my current role as a program and budget manager.

By awarding me this scholarship, you have eased my financial burden for the upcoming academic year, allowing me to focus more on the most important aspect of school, learning. It is also an honor to be selected for the DEI Scholarship and I feel more empowered than ever to continue my efforts in leading DEI policies and practices within the workplace with this recognition and support. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals as you have helped me. Thank you again for your generous support.

I earned a Bachelors of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development, Cum Laude from Sacramento State. I currently work as a Staff Services Manager II for the California Department of Education, Early Education Division and supports the administration, allocation, monitoring, and oversight of funding to prekindergarten programs as well as oversight of contracts and grants for prekindergarten programs, services, and supports. As a first-generation American, I am the first in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree and pursue a master’s degree. I plan to use the knowledge, skills, and abilities I develop in the MPPA to continue to develop and implement public policy to serve the public good and to be of more service in my current role as a program and budget manager.”

“Receiving this scholarship helped me to feel welcomed into the PPA community. I wrote about the importance of allyship and how to use positions of privilege and influence to uplift the voices of others. As a new father, everything helps and this scholarship will help me to afford textbooks for the coming year!”

“For me, receiving the DEI scholarship means economic freedom. It is extremely tough, especially for women of color, to be successful in higher education, public policy, and public administration. This scholarship allows me to continue to pursue personal and career goals with less financial concern.”

"I would like to thank the GASPPA Board for creating the DEI scholarship. This scholarship recognizes my commitment to implementing and working on DEI issues in public universities’ campus action plans and statewide policies. I will be using the funds from this scholarship to invest in my final semester of the program, after which I hope to continue working around DEI related matters.”