Monica (she/her/ella) is as Chicana, educator, advocate, and a first generation college graduate.  Driven by a desire for understanding her own history and a passion for social change she  earned her BA in Latin American Studies and Sociology from California State University, Chico. Her academic and personal journey profoundly shaped her approach as an educator and community advocate. She spent 10 years as an educator in alternative education; she was committed to addressing the conditions and barriers students experienced in the traditional school system. Additionally, Monica has been involved with the grassroots organization Brown Issues as an advisor engaging and equipping young students with the resources and tools necessary to becoming civically engaged leaders. By empowering students to advocate for change, she strives to create more equitable and inclusive communities for all.