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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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Pierce College students made use of the skills they honed in class to help hundreds of large, stressed-out animals.
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Santa Monica College is hosting a distribution event this week to provide free essentials to those who’ve been affected by local fires.
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Undocumented immigrants and mixed-status families are learning how to assert themselves — and prepare for worst-case scenarios.
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Students in L.A. and Ventura counties will get more time to apply.
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Newsom has signed an executive order meant to help students who’ve been displaced by the recent fires.
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As first responders work to put out the Palisades and Eaton fires, colleges across Greater L.A. have set up relief funds to provide support for students, faculty, and staff.
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Santa Monica College will hold a donation drive to gather aid for students, employees, and other community members who’ve been affected by recent fires.
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At an upcoming exhibition hosted by Cal State Long Beach, Greater L.A.’s next generation of artists are honing their skills and building community.
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The LAist education team this year worked to bring nuance to difficulties the state faces, and shine a light on solutions that can fly under the radar. Here's some of what we learned along the way.
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Students will receive the payments for one year. The program aims to bridge the gap between expenses and the region’s cost of living.
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There's no need to register. Students and families can just drop in.
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The L.A. Unified School District is hosting a three-day winter academy next week, open to students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade.
