SUMMER 2023
COMMUNITY COLLEGE RESEARCH FELLOWS

ALEJANDRA HURTADO CARDENAS​

SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE
Alejandra Hurtado Cardenas (they/them/elle) is a student at Southwestern College in their second semester majoring in Psychology. Ale was born in San Diego but grew up in Tijuana,
Baja California, Mexico, and is the eldest child of a family raised by parents from Mexico and Nicaragua.

Ale is furthering their studies by planning on transferring to UC Berkeley in 2024, to get a B.A. in Psychology to become a therapist. They are later planning on getting a master's in Neuroscience at UC San Diego. Outside of their studies, Ale is currently working at
Southwestern College Office of Student Equity. They have also been part of the SWC PRIDE committee since Fall 2022, promoting diversity through the celebrations of heritage and awareness months to create a safe environment for students. Ale enjoys casually playing bass, oil painting, drawing, and beach hiking. Being part of the Latinx and queer community gives them a sense of belonging and wishes that through their studies they can support and serve their community.
Ana Zamudio is a first-generation Latina student transferring from San Diego Miramar College. There, she majored in Psychology and was the President of the Psi Beta/Psychology Club. In her free time, Ana enjoys painting, baking, reading, and films. She moved to the United States
from Mexico at the age of eight and is the youngest of six. Her hardships have resulted in a great sense of resilience that she hopes to channel into building a future where she can enact social and systemic change through her work.

Ana has graduated from Miramar College and will be transferring to the University of California, San Diego in the Fall of 2023. There, she will be pursuing a B.S. in Psychology with a Specialization in Clinical Psychology. Her dream is to become a research psychologist, and to do so, she has been pursuing mentorship and undergraduate research experience.

ANA ZAMUDIO

SAN DIEGO MIRAMAR COLLEGE

ANGELA ORTNER

MIRAMAR & MESA COLLEGE
Angela Ortner (she/her) is a Political Science major with an interest in specializing in international relations at Miramar and Mesa College. 

Angela was born in Japan to an American father serving in the US Navy and a Japanese mother and spent most of her developing years there. Growing up in Japan and being raised in two cultures, exposed Angela to various global and cultural perspectives, developing her interest, curiosity, and love for different world cultures, peoples, languages, and politics. 

Angela is a member of Miramar College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter and President of Mesa College’s Japanese Club. Angela plans to transfer to an in-state four-year university after receiving her associate’s for transfer. Angela’s dream career would be to work as a diplomat representing the United States and Japanese relations. As of now, Angela’s endeavor is to expand her knowledge on various world issues regarding politics, economics, and human rights.
Angelica Tharpe (she/her/hers) is a Psychology major at San Diego City college and a member of their Psi Beta chapter and research subcommittee. With being the first out of eight children in her family to attend college, she aspires to further her academic and career path by attending graduate school and obtaining her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology to become a therapist and researcher. In doing so, she is actively pursuing opportunities to gain research experience and mentorship to help guide her undergraduate educational journey into graduate school. She anticipates on being accepted into a doctorate program within one year from now.  
 
She has a zealous intent to provide resources and interventions for populations that endure trauma and domestic abuse. To do this, her plan of action is to conduct research studies soon so that she can help implement practices and policies that will better circumvent the outcomes of those behavioral patterns and conditions, as well as provide therapy-based treatment for individuals who belong to that population. Her leisure activities include dancing, analyzing suspect behavior from crime detective interviews, and learning about any and everything. Angelica will be attending SDSU in the Fall of 2023 to continue earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

ANGELICA THARPE

SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE

ASHLEY QUIROZ

SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE
Ashley is a San Diego City College Psychology major with a deep-rooted passion for the LGBTQIA+ community, having an end goal of providing resources and shelter for homeless LGBT youth within the community. Returning to college after a 12-year gap, community college provided a first step at achieving dreams that were never thought to be possible. As a transgender man who grew up in the South and faced adversity and the mental health implications, this research fellowship provides an opportunity to give a seemingly invisible group of kids the love, care, and support he was lacking at their age. Having been bounced around and never having a place to call home, community college gives him the peer support, guidance, faculty mentorship, care, resources, and path to achieve that end goal and provide today’s homeless LGBT youth a place to call home, be seen, and feel accepted.
Cheryl Macadaan Paraiso is a proud first generation Filipino American. Born the fourth of five daughters, she is forever grateful to her parents Carlos Basa Macadaan and Zenaida Florita Macadaan for the ultimate sacrifice they made by leaving their homeland to provide a better life for their daughters’. Her parents lovingly instilled the importance of deep rooted family values, which has influenced her favorite Filipino quote:

​“He who does not know where he came from, will never reach his destination.” -Jose Rizal

Aside from pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Cheryl is happily married and blessed to be a Mother of five children. She aspires to honor the richness of her culture, while simultaneously being sensitive to the changing world and creating traditions for her own family. Aware of the current mental health of young adults’, it is her wish to help those in need with genuine compassion, not judgment.

CHERYL MACADAAN PARAISO

CHRISTOPHER DIGIROLAMO

MESA COLLEGE
Christopher DiGirolamo (he/him/his) is a dedicated Psychology major currently attending Mesa College in San Diego and holds the position of Treasurer at Psi Beta National Honor Society, San Diego City College chapter. He was born and raised in Connecticut and takes pride in his New England roots. Being a first-generation college student, his aspiration is to pursue graduate studies and ultimately obtain licensure as a clinical social worker. By combining his
academic knowledge with his personal life experiences, he aims to become a compassionate listener and supportive counselor for individuals from diverse backgrounds facing various challenges.

Chris remains driven through the encouragement of friends and family, a deep sense of gratitude, and his firm belief that our purpose in life is to uplift others. Outside of work and study he enjoys art, music, stand up comedy, going for walks, relaxing in the sun, daydreaming, travel, quality time with friends and family, and embracing whatever unique experiences life throws his way.
Fanny Benitez is a 25 year old college student who is also a DACA recipient and a first generation college student. Regardless of her status and being the only person in her family who doesn't have a U.S citizenship, she has managed her way through college and will be the first person to graduate in her family. She has been a student at San Diego City College for several years and will be transferring to San Diego State University this upcoming fall. She is a mother to a young child, a student and an employee among many other titles. She is a self driven individual seeking to obtain her teaching credentials and to give back to the world through education.

FANNY BENITEZ

SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE

JAMEELAH JONES

SAN DIEGO COLLEGE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION
Jameelah Jones (She/Her/Hers), is a first-generation college student attending SD College of Continuing Education, completing the last of 3 certificates for the Business Information Worker Program.

Via the Pathways Cohort, she began attending SD City College with the Promise Program in Fall 2022, giving chase to an A.S., in Computer Business Technology, an A.A., in Liberal Arts and Sciences, and earning certificates in Exercise Science, Communication Studies, Computer Information Systems, and Human Services.

Jameelah participates in various clubs and programs at SD CE, City, Mesa, and Miramar Colleges and was awarded the UMOJA Good Trouble, EOPS, and Perseverance to Prosperity Scholarships in Spring 2023.

​Jameelah comes from a diverse and complex background and is determined to persevere despite adversity. She aims to utilize her life experience, research training, and education to pursue a career advocating for marginalized and underserved populations, social change, and equity as a Community Outreach Professional. She looks forward to learning and collaborating with the SEMILLAS Research Fellowship and joining the CARES Outreach team in the Fall as a Student Success Specialist.
Jules Bunn is a United States Marine Veteran that is originally from Kansas City, KS/MO. She is a 22 year old woman that was an adopted youth that had no dreams of college, only the military. She is a sexual assault survivor and her main mission is to help other SA survivors, veterans, and PTSD warriors navigate the trauma they have experienced. Mrs. Bunn is an outspoken woman and a lively presence in any room. She is a dog and cat mum. Her hobbies include reading books, collecting tattoos, and learning. 

She is a Psychology major, Humanities Studies minor, and a Social and Behavioral Sciences minor. Her next focus is picking a university that will stimulate her thirst for knowledge and academia. Her goal is to attend Yale, Duke, or UNC Chapel Hill university. She plans to get her doctorate in Clinical Psychology. As a Marine spouse and veteran, she plans to work directly with military personnel and families on military bases. The greatest challenge for her is gaining experience in research. She joins the Semillas Program to find mentors to stoke her curiosity of research and to develop new skills.

JULES BUNN

MIRAMAR COLLEGE