It is the first time in history that something like this has happened; many of the students will be the first in their families to go to college
For the first time in the history of the University of California (UC) education system, Latinos are the largest group to be accepted as freshmen for fall 2020 classes.
Latinos now represent 36% of the total freshman student body, an increase of 2% compared to last year.
Asian American students remained at 35% and white students decreased one point to 21%. The African-American group rose from 4.8% to 5% and Indian-American students remained at 0.5%.
The admission of first-year students from minority groups increased by 4,678 to give a total of 33,225, an increase of 16% compared to 2019.
UC System President Janet Napolitano said this has been an incredibly challenging time as many students have made their college decision amid the pandemic.
“UC continues to see an increase in the enrollment of underrepresented students as we seek to educate a diverse student body of future leaders,” he said.
“The incoming class will be one of the most talented and diverse to date, and UC is proud to invite them to join us.”
From East Los Angeles to UC universities
From East Los Angeles to UC universities, Lizbeth Millán learned how to make tamales from the age of 10. It was not by her own decision but rather to help her mother, who every day
—For the past 24 years — he has gone out to sell on the street.
“I learned to stretch the leaves and shred the chicken and pork,” said the 17-year-old today.
However, as he grew older, his mentality did not remain stagnant in the tamales. She had a greater vision to improve her future and that of her family.
Millán is the third of four children and the first to attend college. At home it was very difficult to study, since 12 people live in a two-bedroom apartment.
“I always managed because I wanted to teach my nephews that you can study. I would go to the public library or the park or arrive early to school to study, ”said the young woman.
And his effort was worth it. This fall she will begin her first year of higher education at the University of California, Berkeley, one of the most prestigious universities. She plans to study environmental policy and economics.
“Working making tamales taught me that I can show those who think that we only make tamales, that there are also many better things to aspire to,” he said.
Melynna Marta, 18, is another East Los Angeles student who will begin her higher education this fall. She will go to the University of California, Santa Cruz to study politics.
She said that she is the pride of her parents since they could not attend university and as an only daughter, she will be able to give them that much-desired title.
“I’ve always had an interest in working for the government and would like to eventually run for the Senate,” Marta said.
He said that from a very young age he knew that he had to work a little more than the students who have better resources.
“I realized the downside, especially when I took the SAT exams where I had to excel without the help of private tutors and it became overwhelming but I did it … I always knew I wanted to go to college.”
Both students said they were proud to belong to the group that is making history in the UC system.
Millán said that during high school he worked on a project about the Chicano Moratorium, with the Chicano organizer Rosalio Muñoz, and there he learned that only 2% of Latinos received their master’s degree.
“So when I looked at the article that said that 36% of students this year are Latino, I was very excited,” he said.
Marta agreed when she said that she was very happy to “see that we are part of the largest group to attend UC”.
Community pride
LAUSD East District Superintendent Jose Huerta said they are very proud of the hard work that many of their students do.
“In particular, it is wonderful to know that Latino students, for the first time in history, represent the most diverse freshman class ever admitted to UC system schools… As a Latino, I am honored that my ethnic community contributes to the society in such a positive way. “
Andrés Favela, principal of James A. Garfield Middle School in East Los Angeles, said that as a UCLA graduate, educator, administrator of a school with a high percentage of Latino and Hispanic students, he is proud of the students.
“And in our case, the Latino ethnic group plays an influential and diverse presence in renowned higher education institutions, such as in the UC system,” he said.
“This historic stepping stone represents decades of parent-student organization, and the successful advocacy of civil rights organizations to increase access and call for equitable school budgets that address the historical inequalities that affect students of color in California,” said Maria Brenes, executive director of Inner City Struggle —an organization that advocates for the education of low-income students.
“The acceptation [a UC] it’s just the first step. Amidst the pandemic and the challenges with online learning. We look forward to seeing the UC system work to understand the needs of historically underrepresented students to support them in achieving success. ”L
