Julia Barajas
What I cover
My reporting encompasses everything from research universities to community colleges, with an emphasis on students who’ve been historically excluded from higher education. I focus on issues that could affect students’ learning conditions and post-grad opportunities. This includes new programs and teaching methods; the spread of generative AI; labor disputes; disciplinary proceedings; and access to financial aid. I also highlight campus resources and events that are open to the broader community.
My background
Up until 12th grade, I was never assigned anything written by a person of Mexican descent, despite growing up in L.A. County, where Latinos make up nearly half of the population. So when a brochure for East Los Angeles College appeared in the mailbox, I tried out dual enrollment and took an introductory Chicano Literature course. Our class read everything from Tomás Rivera’s “... And the Earth Did Not Devour Him” to Bernice Zamora’s “Notes from a Chicana ‘COED.’” And what I learned there — about writing, about history and about myself — stayed with me. It informed my decision to major in literature and Latin American studies when I went on to earn a bachelor’s degree, and it continues to shape the work I do now.
My goals
I aim to help all college students chart a course of success for themselves, guided by their own curiosities and ambitions.
Best way to reach me
If you’re worried or excited about something related to SoCal higher ed, I’d love to hear about it. You can reach out by email at jbarajas@laist.com. If you have a tip you'd like to share more privately, you can reach me on Signal. My username is jbarajas.68. You can follow this link to reach me there or type my username in the search bar after starting a new chat.
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Immigration raids have caused some U.S. citizens to carry their passports to the store, to school or to work. But what documents to have on you depends on your citizenship. -
Faculty filed a public records lawsuit to get details of a negotiation that has mostly taken place behind closed doors. -
At Pasadena City College, a professor helps students gear up for the naturalization test. But lately, she’s been feeling conflicted about her role. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence. -
After the Supreme Court cleared the way for federal agents to treat the widely spoken language as grounds for suspicion, some Spanish speakers have opted to avoid using it in public. Others are doubling down. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
The beloved ice cream was discontinued in 2022. The Salt & Straw ice cream chain is aiming to improve on our childhood memories with a new version. -
The longtime lecturer was arrested in May and could face up to 3 years in state prison. -
Federal and state-based aid can help students pay for tuition and fees, as well as other essentials, offering some an opportunity for a debt-free education. -
Administrators say the bargaining units should be dismissed, or that they have no standing. One campus is going after the federal agency in charge of union activity.
