Diversity at Stanford

Mercy Bell

Major: Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity, Public Service Concentration
Graduation Year: Senior (class of 2012)
Hometown: Boston, MA

Activities: Catch a Fyah Caribbean Dance Group, The Stanford Daily, Stanford University Board of Trustees Committee for Alumni and External Affairs

Research: I spent the spring in Italy researching international politics as well as Northern African immigration patterns into Southern and Western Europe. (Stanford's Bing Overseas Program is AWESOME!). I also spent two summers doing community service work-study in Boston and studied youth behavior in a small educational non-profit. My freshman year, I also had the privilege and honor of writing autobiographic pieces with detained youth in Alameda County.

Favorite Stanford Class: Economic Sociology, taught by Professor Mark Granovetter. 

Favorite Between-classes activity: Watching old 30 minute episodes of The Twilight Zone 

Top 5 Things to do at Stanford:

1. Check out the brilliant student-directed plays in the Nitery and Roble theater
2. Attend a Catch a Fyah dance show
3. Watch an NBA game in Old Union.
4. Study a language you couldn't in high school.
5. Take advantage of Freshman-Sophomore Seminars.

Why I wanted to be a DRI: I want to help Stanford continue to be a school that introduces itself to students with unique backgrounds, perspectives and stories. Diversity comes in so many forms, and I believe it is vital to creating a rich, unforgettable 4-year experience for us students!

What I do as a DRI: I answer questions, address concerns, and facilitate conversation so talented students have the access and opportunity to learn more about Stanford and the application process.

Cady Ke’alohi Ching

Major: Human Biology with focus on Ethnicity, Health and Education
Graduation Year: Senior (class of 2012)
Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii

Activities:

Stanford Powwow (current member and former co-coordinator), Native American Cultural Center: The American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Program (Staff), Stanford American Indian Organization, Resident Assistant for Stanford Housing (former), Summer participant in Community Service Work-Study for HAAS Center (former 2 summers).

Research: I started off with an interest in lab research at an early age, conducting diabetes-related research at the Short Term Education Program for Underrepresented Persons (STEP-UP), funded by the National Institute of Health.  After completing this internship, I moved out of the laboratory and into the community by focusing my interests in research targeted at increasing both academic achievement and health awareness with at-risk youth.  I have worked with low-income and at-risk youth in communities including Kalihi Valley in Hawaii, The Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation in Idaho, Rapid City in South Dakota, and Redwood City, California. 

Favorite Stanford Class: It’s a tie between Dr. Ronald Garcia’s “Ethnicity and Medicine” and Amado Padilla’s “Psychological and Educational Resilience Among Children and Youth”.

Favorite Between-classes activity: Catching up with my friends, who constantly amaze me with the brilliant, important work they are doing, academically and out in the world; hanging out at the Native American Cultural Center.

Top 5 Things to do at Stanford:

1. Go to Stanford Powwow- the largest student run event in the Nation! 
2. Work at a non-profit organization of your choice through HAAS Center’s Community Service Work Study summer program.
3. Connect with an advisor or mentor- they are amazing and they truly do care about you.
4. Take a course or attend a guest lecture done by a professor or scholar who interests you.
5. Get to know your dorm-mates, or even try being a RA- the relationships you make with your peers are priceless.

Why I wanted to be a DRI: This position affords the opportunity to use my life experience of growing up in uniquely multicultural Hawaii; to share what I’ve learned through my academic and extracurricular activities at Stanford; and to build a foundation for my future goal of serving indigenous and under-represented communities.  I have always worked with youth in various cultural communities and this is a way to continue to spread awareness about the opportunities that Stanford has to offer students of many backgrounds.  My personal experiences at Stanford have convinced me that here at Stanford there are not only supportive environments for students to stretch and grow but also opportunities that are offered nowhere else.  I want to be part of the team that explains this to under-represented youth. 

What I do as a DRI: Because I have gone through the admissions process, I am ready and able to answer any questions interested applicants or new admits have.  I work to coordinate outreach to communities both far and near in order to spread awareness about the opportunities Stanford can offer their students.  It is important to me that all prospective students not only feel confident that they can bring something amazing to the Stanford community, no matter what background they come from, but are also familiar with the admissions process so they can feel well prepared and confident with their application. 

Sarah De La Garza

Major: Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity
Graduation Year: Senior (Class of 2012)
Hometown: Laredo, TX

Activities:First Generation/Low Income Partnership (FLIP), East Palo Alto Stanford Academy (EPASA), Students Organizing Unique Liturgical Settings (SOULS)

Research: As a junior, I served as a Research Assistant in the Political Psychology Research Group studying public opinions and politicians’ views on climate change. I plan to pursue an Honor’s Thesis in CSRE that will look at the legacy of queer & Chicana writer Gloria Anzaldúa and awareness among Chicano/Latino youth of her writings.

Favorite Stanford Class: The (W)Rite to Remember: Performance and Chicana Indigenous Thought

Favorite Between-classes activity: Finding a nice patch of grass to relax or stopping by El Centro.

Top 5 Things to do at Stanford:

1. Visit other community centers - Meet other students and get to know the student and professional staff.
2. Public Service - Countless student groups and the Haas Center for Public Service offer opportunities to serve our neighboring East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park communities. Learn about Community Service Work Study!
3. Engage in inter-faith dialogue - This past year, I participated in FRE, Fellowship for Religious Encounter; everyone, even those with no religious affiliation, are welcome in his group. Attend services of other traditions with a friend; it’s a great way to experience one aspect of diversity at Stanford!
4. Dorm Trips – It’s a great way to know your dorm-mates and get off-campus at reduced or no cost!
5. Explore the Bay Area - Visit San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, and other cities in the Bay Area and visit museums, attend musicals, and other activities.
   

Why I wanted to be a DRI: It’s important for students from under-represented communities be present at institutions like Stanford as they not only bring different perspectives and experiences to classroom discussions and student life, but also have the opportunity to receive a quality education.  My goal is to outreach to more first generation and/or low income middle school and high school students from every ethnic/racial group, religious affiliation, and sexual orientation, especially from the Rio Grande Valley. Together with the other DRIs, I want to open up Stanford as a possibility to hard-working and dedicated students.

What I do as a DRI: I will work with the Admissions Office to continue the relationships it has established with area schools and organizations and hope to establish new partnerships with middle schools. I’ll also look for opportunities where student groups and the Office of Admissions can partner for outreach initiatives in addition to coordinating panels and leading campus tours. Please contact us if you have any questions about any part of the college application process, financial aid, or Stanford-specific questions - we want to help you!

Jasmine Rodriguez

Major: Sociology
Minor: Education
Graduation Year:Senior (class of 2012)
Hometown: Graham, WA

Activities: Ballet Folklórico de Stanford, Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc., Stanford Department of Sociology (Peer Advisor)

Favorite Stanford Class: Research and Policy on Postsecondary Access with Professor Anthony Antonio

Favorite Between-classes activity: Sitting on a bench in the Main Quad to do some reading for class or taking a quick power nap in the computer cluster at El Centro Chicano.   

Top 5 Things to do at Stanford:

1. Fountain Hopping
2. Run the Dish
3. Take a moonlit stroll around the Quad
4. Participate in Dance Marathon
5. Study Abroad

Why I wanted to be a DRI: Most people assume that the average Stanford student is a genius with a 4.0 and near perfect SAT scores. These are just some of the many stereotypes surrounding college admissions, which can discourage many students from applying at all. Part of the reason I wanted to be a DRI was to dispel these and other common myths about the admissions process. It is important for me to be able to share my story with others and to show them through my own experience that Stanford does not have a set image of “the ideal student.” We all come from different educational and cultural backgrounds and test scores or grades play only a small fraction in what it takes to get here.

What I do as a DRI: Diversity Recruitment Interns are your student guides into whatever questions you may have about college. We work with other members of the Undergraduate Admissions team to give presentations, campus tours, or just to talk with students and parents who want to learn more about Stanford. Having been in your shoes not too long ago, we know that college applications can be stressful. The other DRIs and myself are here as a resource to prospective students like you.