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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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Florence-Firestone residents who organized against the demolition have mixed feelings about the new space.
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Tens of thousands of people have been waiting for help since they won a lottery last year.
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Staff members and volunteers at a Boyle Heights nonprofit are helping renters navigate the labyrinth of local housing rules.
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Staff and volunteers at InnerCity Struggle will go door-to-door through neighborhoods on the Eastside.
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The L.A. County Board of Supervisors will vote Tuesday on whether to expand the region’s guaranteed income program to make it more widely available to former foster youth.
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Pandemic-era eviction protections in place since March 2020 expire across L.A. County on Friday.
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Parents and students pivoted while a three-day strike shut down Los Angeles Unified School District. There were teachable moments, some more successful than others.
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Labor and environmental groups say wealthy corporations are using these initiatives to overturn laws.
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More than 3,300 Angelenos have already weighed in. But we’re still waiting to hear from you!
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From biking to volleyball, these homegrown groups are open to all.
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Over the last decade, scores of programs have promised coding skills for a new economy. Many of their graduates succeed. And many don't, left on the hook for some of the same high costs as traditional higher education.
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