Stephanie Perezgil

Stephanie describes her academic journey as “marked by twists and turns.” After graduating from high school in 2011, she enrolled at the College of the Desert. Family obligations interrupted her pursuit of a college degree, but she believes that her “passion for learning and …commitment to creating a brighter future for my family never wavered.” She enrolled at UC San Diego’s Sixth College at the age of 31.

She is maintaining a near perfect academic record and was invited to join the Tau Sigma National Honor Society, all while holding down two part time jobs. On campus she works at the UCSD Intertribal Resource Center as a Staff Development and Community Relations Specialist. She finds that her role there allows her to “give back to her community and advocate for the unique needs of Native and Indigenous Students.” It is not just a job for her; it is “an honor and a personal achievement.” Off campus she works as a barista at a downtown restaurant.

Music, dancing, and travel are also important to Stephanie. She enjoys salsa dance and belongs to the UCSD Salsa Society. She describes herself as a “devoted musician” and finds meaning in playing the Native American Flute, “weaving the rich cultural tapestry of my Indigenous heritage through the enchanting melodies of my ancestors.” She is also a certified sound healer specializing in Tibetan Sound bowls. Her backpacking adventures throughout Central and South American have given her a more profound understanding of her roots.

She also finds time to serve as a translator with Proyecto Madre, which translates to “Project Mother.” This organization supports indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Columbia. She translates information onsite in Columbia, where people from all over the world are educated on “nature conservation, food sovereignty, culture, and spirituality.”

Despite the gap in her undergraduate studies, Stephanie intends to enroll in graduate school in order to obtain a master’s degree in counseling. Her goal is to provide mental health support and academic counseling to Native American youth and students in a way that “fosters resilience, self-discovery, and a strong sense of identity.”