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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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Education Department says issues are fixed, begs remaining students to submit.
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The city council wants greater transparency in how millions of taxpayer dollars are being spent to address L.A.'s unhoused crisis.
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The Men of Color Action Network's annual conference gives students and professionals a chance to share resources and rethink higher ed.
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Even if your old grades are not stellar, you can still move forward with your academic goals.
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A program at East Los Angeles College pushes students to think critically about how museums shape our views and how to make them more inclusive.
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Across the country, transfer rates remain bleak. Here’s how UCLA’s Scholars Program is working to change that.
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The famous and pesky “ankle biters” are back after a couple months of record rain. Plus, how you can mosquito-proof your surroundings.
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At Los Angeles City College, students turn toward financial literacy to chart a new path.
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Rain can make some allergens more potent, and it’s not just pollen you have to worry about.
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Ohtani said he has never bet on sports and that his former interpreter had been stealing from his account.
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Because of delays at the federal level, some colleges are still waiting to receive financial aid information from the U.S. Department of Education.
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As the U.S. Department of Education continues to fix its glitchy website, state lawmakers want to give students more time to complete their FAFSA forms.
