Julia Barajas
Higher Education Reporter (she/hers)I was raised in the city of South Gate.
When I was 12, I started getting bussed out to schools in the South Bay, an experience that gave me early exposure to the vast educational inequities among zip codes in L.A. County.
I came to journalism after working in education. Some of my former students are now in college and bring me to tears when they share photos of their accomplishments. I know that college can transform lives. But I also know that it can serve to uphold existing systems of power.
My focus is on how students navigate obstacles that come their way, with an emphasis on those who’ve been historically excluded from higher education. This includes students who’ll be the first in their families to earn a degree; DACA and Pell Grant recipients; students who are parents; Black and Latino men; BIPOC and women in STEM; and incarcerated students.
I’ll also be looking closely at what’s happening inside professional and graduate schools to see how we’re creating our next generation of teachers, principals, doctors, lawyers, historians, etc .Accountability is central to my reporting, but I’m equally interested in learning about programs and policies that work.
When I’m not reporting, I’m often dancing or reading books and magazines that I get in Mexico City. I’m also prone to talking to strangers about their student loans.
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Education
The district blamed a programming error. But parents want to know why school officials didn't offer additional guidance. -
Education
DACA recipients must reapply every two years at the cost of $495. This can pose a real challenge for students already grappling with college expenses.
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News
Not everyone wants to head to a mall or big box store. Some people are making a point of patronizing small businesses.
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Education
With deadlines looming, one local nonprofit took advantage of Thanksgiving break to provide last-minute support.
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Education
A new report from the California State auditor has found that some public universities did not make the best use of federal pandemic relief funds.
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Education
State authorities verified the union’s right to be recognized in August. Months later, the University of California hasn't acceded.
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Education
California recently became the first state to make ethnic studies a high school graduation requirement. Now educators are seizing the opportunity to create a hyperlocal curriculum.
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Education
The union representing non-tenured professors and some other faculty members says it has reached a tentative contract agreement with the UC system.
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Education
Latinos make up the bulk of California high school students. But how many of them go on to college? And how do they fare once they launch their undergraduate careers?
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Education
Students at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts have been putting blood, sweat and tears into reviving a chilling Halloween event — emphasis on blood.
