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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.
Stories by Julia Barajas
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The deal expands access for students, faculty, staff and recent alumni.
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The strikers are demanding better conditions for all detainees.
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College access advocates say the decline is due to fear of how the Trump administration may use student data and misinformation about available aid.
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AFSCME canceled a looming open-ended strike.
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ICE detention centers are placing more people in solitary confinement. Some detainees say they’ve been put in isolation for asking for essentials.
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Researchers compared students with similar backgrounds and financial circumstances.
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UCLA says its med school is complying with all federal and state laws and that its admissions process is based on a comprehensive review of each applicant.
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Immigrants rights groups say the federal government has a constitutional duty to care for the people in its custody.
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The workers union says the university system continues to engage in bad-faith bargaining. UC says it’s made generous offers.
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The L.A. Times will host its book festival this weekend, the same time as BookCon in NYC. Is there room enough for both?
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Jonathan Caravello, a philosophy lecturer at Cal State Channel Islands, was arrested while protesting a raid at a licensed cannabis farm in Ventura county last summer.
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Jonathan Caravello was arrested while protesting a raid at a licensed cannabis farm in Ventura County.
