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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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Families have voiced concerns about how their personal data might be used under a second Trump administration.
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The U.S. Department of Education expects to get 1 million financial aid applications from students across the country by Tuesday.
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Holiday fare like Home Alone and Elf are on the menu for most major U.S. airlines.
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Record layoffs. The threat of AI. A free fall in public trust. All around, journalism is crumbling. And yet, at Santa Ana College, these students and educators are keeping the faith.
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Financial aid experts have workshops for students and families in need of help.
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Brandi O’Kelley, who runs the system’s social media, uses humor to draw more readers.
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Folt was brought on in 2019 to usher in "a new era" following a series of high-profile scandals.
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The president-elect has pledged to carry out mass deportations.
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Four of the seven seats on the Los Angeles Community College District board are on the ballot.
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Muchos titulares van a pedir que los electores les confían a través de la crisis.
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A collaboration devised as part of Getty's PST ART taught students about environmental issues from the perspective of communities across the Americas.
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Advocates say barring formerly incarcerated students can keep them from securing gainful employment.
