Julia Barajas
I explore how college students achieve their goals — whether they’re fresh out of high school, or going back for the first time in years — and what support they get along the way.
My exposure to college began when I was a high school senior. In all my years of schooling, I’d never been assigned anything written by a person of Mexican descent, despite growing up in L.A. County. So when a brochure for East Los Angeles College appeared in my family’s mailbox, I tried out dual enrollment, and took an introductory Chicano Literature course. We 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 four-year degree, and it continues to shape the work I do now.
My hope is that all college students will get a similar chance to chart a course for themselves, guided by their own curiosities and ambitions.
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For several years, Safe Parking L.A. has provided unhoused Angelenos with a place to park their cars overnight. There are still dozens of spots available. -
A community college upstate asked neighbors to pitch in for student housing. They did, and other campuses are taking note.
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The move comes after a study found varying levels of lead in the neighborhood’s tap water.
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Housing going up at UC Riverside will create much-needed space for university students — and also for hundreds of community college students who are encouraged to transfer.
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The California Student Aid Commission is urging community college students to submit their applications by the deadline, which is for all types of financial aid.
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Researchers examined more than 500 water samples in Watts.
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As lawsuits against a company that uses ethylene oxide get resolved, air regulators are keeping tabs on local facilities.
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“Wild Things Are Happening,” on view till September, showcases the children's book author’s work and legacy.
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Chancellor Francisco Rodriguez says he’s retiring to take care of his ailing father, but the announcement comes amid district turmoil.
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As the deadline for undocumented community college students to apply for financial aid approaches, advocates are doubling down on their summer outreach.
