Cohort 2023
The NextGen Smoke and Vape Free Latinx Scholars Program
Maria Christina Huerta Avila
Major: Psychology
I am a mother of three, head-of-household, and full-time student at Southwestern College. I had always been determined to get at least a Master's in my education, but I thought once I had my first child I could no longer afford to follow my true dream of becoming an Academic Counselor. It took me 14 years to get back to school due to personal conflicts. While being a stay-at-home mother I was never inactive in the school setting. Although I was not the one going to school I made sure my daughters were in a positive environment by being part of their school's councils, committees, and the PTA as an officer or as the school representative.
In the Fall of 2022 I finally made the decision to go back to school with my original goal of majoring in Psychology. This was a long-shot since I already had many credits that made it near impossible for me to qualify for some financial help at school. Transferring to a university with a large amount of financial aid would be extremely difficult while being a full-time student, working, and taking care of my home and kids as a single mother. I went back to school in the hopes that it would work out, and to my amazement it has been a wonderful experience. I am ready to transfer to SDSU in the Fall of 2023.
In my first semester back to college I was invited to become a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society because of my GPA. I am now considering entering the field of Neuropsychology. My hobbies include spending time with my children and volunteering at my daughter's elementary school. I enjoy watching comedies and historical documentaries, reading, listening to music and the challenge of learning new languages.
Andy Jose Lopez
Major: Sociology
As a young child, school was a place that I learned that I was different. Where my insecurities became alive. Even with these bad experiences I learned how to excel in school by learning how to adapt by figuring out ways to learn while being dyslexic. I always kept a 90% average. Different circumstances lead me into incarceration. As a result, while incarcerated I enrolled in the New York University prison program. This awoke a passion in me to educate myself and help me understand my life's choices.
The reason I'm interested in this program is because I've seen the effects of tobacco products in my community and how it hurt people around me. I remember my brother telling me if he continued to smoke it would lead to him losing his finger. I aspire to obtain a Ph.D. in Sociology in order to do research on the effects of systematic problems. Also to become a professor.
This program will give me the opportunity to learn how to do advocacy work and research. It will also give the opportunity to open my eyes to how to use science to promote social justice. Something that I'm passionate about is how to achieve a world without prisons as we know them.
Some of my hobbies are hiking, bike riding and also working out to one day compete as a bodybuilder. I enjoy doing things to help others, even if it's just spending time with them or listening to their stories.
Oscar Alberto Lopez Vazquez
Major: Computer Science
Oscar Lopez is a student majoring in Computer Science at Southwestern College. He joined the NSF S-STEM Mentored Pathways Program where he is being mentored by Professor Juan Gonzalez. As part of this program, he participated in the Chollas Creek Watershed Winter Research Project, working alongside San Diego Coast Keeper and the Groundwork organization to gain hands-on experience in analytical chemistry and help analyze water quality in Chollas Creek. Additionally, he was selected to participate in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS), where he learned about the latest NASA research and robotics projects and learned part design using AutoCAD.
Oscar is particularly interested in understanding the social factors that make minorities more vulnerable to addiction, as well as learning about the resources and programs available to prevent substance abuse. He is also eager to conduct research on tobacco-related diseases and their effects on individuals and communities. Currently, Oscar is applying to transfer to San Diego State University (SDSU) to complete his B.S. in Computer Science. He believes that being part of the NextGen Scholars Program at SDSU would be a valuable opportunity to connect with other scholars and continue his academic and professional development.
Ashley Jasmin Pulido
Major: Psychology
Ashley is a motivated, passionate, and ambitious student with a deep love for humanity. Her educational background starts at Eastlake High school, where Ashley was involved in many extracurricular activities such as Peer Mediation, Academic Decathlon, Robotics, Show Choir, Art Merit Award winner, President of the Art club, and VP of the Astronomy club. In college, she was elected as the Vice President for Psi Beta club which harnessed her love of gathering people with similar interests in the field of Psychology. She began her journey in college with Communications, and is completing an Associates in Communication by the end of Fall 2023. In addition, Ashley is pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.
Her educational goals are to graduate from SDSU and apply for a graduate doctoral program. The Next Gen program will give Ashley the experience and knowledge in research in her field and stand out from her peers in the field. The NextGen program is a gateway to graduate school for Ashley and opens the door to gain more connections in her field. Her end goal is to be a therapist and scientist in her field. She hopes to conduct research in the field and use it in her own practice. Aside from school Ashley is a young mother of an energetic 2 year-old, who keeps her on her toes. When there is some free time she usually spends it with friends or at the gym.
She is also an outdoor enthusiast, going on hikes or the beach is her typical lifestyle. Ashley would like to be a part of this program because she loves research and school. She is passionate about making a positive impact on her community and will be the first to jump at an opportunity to do so.
Vanessa Quezada
Major: Psychology
Vanessa grew up in Mexico her entire life. She has witnessed the popularity of tobacco and e-cigarettes rise during her middle school and high school years. Within her community, smoking was normal and glamorized. She knew that the only way to help her community was to start at the root of the problem. Now, she is a psychology major who transferred from Southwestern Community College. She found this program interesting because she wants to help stop the use of cigarettes and tobacco related products. She has many career goals; she wants to pursue a career in psychology as a therapist for adults and teenagers. However, she also finds research fascinating.
The aspect she found most intriguing of the program was the summer research internship. Thanks to this program, she is able to dive into the wonders of research to further educate her community about the risks of tobacco as well as ways to prevent them. Although she is passionate about learning more of the impact that tobacco has within Latinx/Hispanic communities, Vanessa is also passionate about art. It is her favorite hobby and she finds herself indulging in it every day. She enjoys drawing both traditional and digitally as well as painting with watercolors. She enjoys reading novels when she isn't practicing art and occasionally writes her own. She can't do any of it without music, though. Whether it is calm classical music while studying or K-pop when dancing in her room or alternative rock when drawing or latin pop while driving, she always has a song playing. And, of course, she sings along!