Intern Profiles
Michelle Neumann
I am 19 years old and I am a Luiseño from San Diego, California . I am now a Sophomore, here at UC Santa Cruz. I live at Merrill College and am currently the Program Coordinator of Indigenous Flooring there. I am also vice president of the AIRC Green Team. My major is Sociology, but I enjoy a variety of different subjects such as sustainability, graphic design,, history and culture studies. It is my hope to get my MSW in social work, so I can then counsel youth and work within the child welfare services sector. I enjoy learning and am excited for my next years at the University. Interning at the American Indian Resource Center has been a great and enlightening experience for me personally and I am excited to continue working for the AIRC.
Madana Cast
My tribe is Ojibwe, which is in Canada. I grew up in Concord. I am the youngest of five. I am an EOP junior transfer from Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill. Now, I live in Santa Cruz. My major is Health Sciences. I am working towards going to medical school and becoming a surgeon. I was inspired to do this because my appendix ruptured when I was younger. During my free time, I like to draw, paint, sculpt, sew, and do other crafts. I prefer making gifts for people. I was raised vegetarian, so I have never had a hamburger. Growing up, I participated in the American Indian Education Program in Martinez. We had day camp on Mt. Diablo or at Wagner Ranch, Orinda. There we would learn about crafting and our heritage. I am happy to continue my involvement here at the AIRC.
Jessi Felix
Hello Everyone-Hola a Todos! I was born and raised in Watsonville, Ca. My dad was born in Sinaloa, Mexico and my mom was born in Michoacan. I'm very proud of my heritage, language, and culture. My parents and family are my motivation to continue education. I'm double majoring in Latin American Latino Studies and Intensive Literature. I love and enjoy dancing to Cumbias, etc and I enjoy running. But aside from having fun I am interested in issues of immigration as well as indigenous, and migrant working rights. My goal is to attend Graduate school and continue helping my community.
Adrianna Montaño
I am a second year here at UCSC, and I am Navajo. Born and raised in San Diego CA. I am a Feminist Studies major, in hopes of later becoming a lawyer. After I graduate here at UCSC I want to attend law school so I can then help children and low income families. I started interning at the American Indian Resource Center during winter quarter 2012, and I hope to stay involved with the AIRC in every way I can. I am excited and want to continue helping indigenous students feel at home during their university lives.
Alexis Ortega
Hello, I'm a member of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Shivwits Band. I grew up in Saint George, Utah. I'm a first year student, affiliated with Kresge College. I left home to come to UCSC because of the greater educational opportunities I was offered here. Leaving home and attending college out-of state was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself and my future. I'm a proposed psychology major, working to finish my undergraduate degree here at UCSC and I plan on moving forward for a Ph. D in Clinical Psychology. I'm grateful for all the opportunities I have received after working for the AIRC. It's a great feeling becoming apart of a wonderful supportive community.
Jazmine Castaneda
I am a daughter to Mexican immigrant parents and I grew up in Los Angeles, California. I am a freshman affiliated with Merrill College and my proposed major is Politics with a minor in Education. After receiving my bachelor’s I plan to attend UCLA for my master's in Education and/or Urban Planning. Once I accomplish this I plan to guide high school students in LA with their higher education. After graduating from high school, I noticed that several of my peers did not value higher education as I did because some did not have much support. I believe that if I become a high school counselor I will make an impact in one's decision. I am the second in my family to attend a 4 year university and first to pursue a career in the Education field.
Carolyn Rodriguez
My name is Carolyn Rodriguez and I am an Amah Mutsun tribal member. I am a fourth year UCSC student and I am affiliated with Merrill College. I am a Modern Literature major and I decided to attend UCSC to educate myself and take the first steps in fulfilling my dreams of becoming a writer. However, I did not realize that coming on this journey would help me define who I am, and who I will be in the future. My identity is of a young woman who is still learning about her history, but has strong outlooks and opinions on every aspect of life. I have multiple ethnic identities and a strong voice, and in the future I hope my voice will be heard. I stand on the land of my ancestors for myself, for my family, for Native Americans, and for Hispanics. I strive to be the best example that I am possible of being, and I hope that in the future I can also lead others in defining who they are.