Veronica Liu

Veronica is a first-generation college student in Seventh College, with a double major in Urban Studies & Planning and Education Sciences.  Her admission to UC San Diego during the pandemic symbolized freedom and hope for the future, particularly at a time when the world seemed so hopeless.  Growing up in public K-12 schools with teachers who doubted her potential, instilled in Veronica a desire to change the public education system, especially for inner-city youth, and create opportunities for students and families to rise economically through education.  She is interested in potentially working in the government sector, especially as it relates to education and/or urban affairs, as a voice for underrepresented populations in those fields.  “Benefiting from public service and public programs like Medi-Cal, caring for the people as a collective, has always been ingrained in my identity.”

Veronica is a Resident Assistant (RA) at Thurgood Marshall College and supports fifty-six students through their first year of college, navigating conflicts and helping them to adapt socially.  “I take on a big sister-esque role with my residents, making sure they are safe, supported and healthy.”  As a way to help students who were having difficulties accessing food in the later hours, she looked into creating a food pantry on the Marshall campus.  Thanks to a lot of time and effort on the part of her team of RAs, they have identified a space and are positioned to receive a $2,500 grant to fund their endeavor.  “This project has shown me how community is created through people working together for a common goal and has equipped me with more wisdom as a RA, educator and community member.”

“I am looking to one day become a professor at a local university or community college back in Oakland to give back to my community through education.”  For this reason, Veronica applied and was accepted by the McNair Scholars Program, a federal program funded at 151 institutions across the United States.  It is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.  Veronica is well on her way to achieving her dream.