Student Testimonials
*
Student Testimonials *
Make it stand out
Student Testimonials
Welcome to the Center for the Critical Study of the Health of Latinx Communities, where our students play a vital role in our mission to understand and preserve the legacy of health justice in the Latinx community. Explore more testimonials to see how our current and former students are making a difference and gaining invaluable experience from their participation in this project.
This project has been an absolute pleasure to work on in every aspect. Beyond being given the opportunity to apply my media skills in a way that gave back to the Latinx community, I learned immensely from the leaders who have given so much to the betterment of our community. Being from Delano, an agricultural center and the foundation of the UFW, I was honored to preserve and archive the accomplishments of our leaders. I learned an incredible amount from and about them! This information is truly invaluable to the way I see the world, and I am certain I will apply it to help my community in a way that honors the foundation they laid. I’m equally inspired by the dedication of our team who contributed immensely, and the work of Dr. Mantinni-Briggs and Dr. Charles Briggs, our incredible co-directors at the Critical Study HLC.
— Bryan Avelar, Global Studies ‘26
Spring 2026 Celebration Dinner
2025-2026 Undergraduate Researcher Cohort
Working at the Critical Study HLC has given me the opportunity to think deeply about the accomplishments of the Latinx community in the struggle for healthcare equity and justice. Latinx leaders have pioneered union protections for agricultural laborers, for migrant workers; they have established free clinics, and provided accessible and culturally significant health services. So much of their work is overlooked. It's really inspiring and exciting to be a part of a team that works to honor and bring attention to these achievements. It’s a privilege to talk to these leaders first-hand, and to learn about methods of improving our healthcare system so that it actually helps those who need it most.
— Anaïs Roatta, Public Health ‘25
Working on this project has been a great experience! I love the positive environment and all the collaboration that occurs. I always feel like my opinions are valid and that I am making a difference. Through my assignments I have been able to improve on my writing and learn the process behind creating such a large archive. Overall I have enjoyed my experience working on the project and look forward to continuing my work!
— Sofia Perez, Public Health and Economics ‘27
I joined the Critical Studies HLC in Fall 2022. Since then, I've had the opportunity to meet leaders in Latinx health justice, such as Dolores Huerta, and assist with community events featuring panel discussions. Additionally, I've uncovered and digitized historical documents from my research site, La Clinica de La Raza. My work includes identifying key community members, conducting and transcribing interviews, and organizing a photography archive. This summer, I advanced our understanding of La Clinica by interviewing its staff and further curating the archive.
— Jimena Romano Silva, Integrative Biology ‘26