Fall 2023 Advanced Students

^{Abdullah grew up in Sunnyvale and transferred from De Anza College to San Jose State to pursue a degree in Justice Studies. He is interested in issues related to how society incorporates determinations of what is “right” and “wrong” into law. He joined the RCP to assist people in the community. After graduating, he plans to go to law school with a focus on litigation and constitutional law. He is fluent in Arabic.}

^{Alejandro is a first-generation college student from Guadalajara, Mexico with a major in Justice Studies and minor in Criminology. He plans to graduate in Spring 2024 and wants to work as a legal assistant. Alejandro joined RCP since he believes everyone should be given a second opportunity in life and that a person’s past does not determine their future. He is fluent in Spanish.} 

^{David was born in San Jose, CA. He is a first-generation college student majoring in Justice Studies and Spanish. He will be graduating in Fall 2023. He is also a member of the Portuguese band, Sociedade Filarmónica Nova Aliança, which he has been performing with for the past 7 years. Upon graduating, he will apply to local police departments in hopes of becoming a peace officer to work with his community. He is bilingual in Spanish.}

^{Darya is an international student from Sweden and is a first-generation college student majoring in Justice Studies. She transferred to San Jose State from Santa Barbara City College, where she worked with the Center of Equity and Social Justice. She joined the RCP to help people involved with the criminal justice system and to gain experience in working outside of the classroom setting to help clients gain opportunities in their lives. After graduating, she plans to go to law school and pursue a career in family law.  She speaks Swedish and Farsi.}

^{Gisselle is a first-generation college student who grew up in Sinaloa, Mexico. She is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in Global Studies with a minor in Spanish. She joined the RCP to help improve people's lives, and to promote the importance of rehabilitation rather than punishment. Gisselle speaks Spanish.}

^{Gurjyot was born and raised in San Jose and joined RCP in Spring of 2023. She is graduating in Fall 2023 with a degree in Justice Studies with a focus on Criminology and a minor in Forensic Science. RCP has given her the motivation and opportunity to gain skills she will use in her future career. She is filled with gratitude to be a part of something so wonderful and life- changing. Gurjyot understands Punjabi}. 

^{Jenny is a first-generation college student from Napa, CA. She is majoring in psychology with a minor in legal studies. From an early age, she has been passionate about raising awareness of social justice; helping those from underrepresented communities; promoting diversity and inclusion; and immigration law. She is grateful for the opportunity the RCP has given her to help change another individual's life. After graduating, she plans to attend law school. Jenny is proficient in Spanish.} 

^{Linda is a first-generation Latina who was born and raised in San Jose, CA. She is majoring in Justice Studies and plans to graduate in Fall 2023. She plans to attend law school and focus on immigration law. She joined RCP to gain legal experience and learn more about the practical application of the law. Linda is eager to provide information regarding expungement to the Latino community and the broader public. She is a native Spanish-speaker.} 

^{Lindsay is a senior majoring in Justice Studies. She joined the Record Clearance Project to learn more about the criminal justice system while helping people. She is thankful for the opportunity to assist people in need of legal services and help them move on from their past. Inspired by the impact of the RCP, once she graduates, Lindsay plans to attend law school.} 

^{Lulu, a first-generation Latina, is from San Jose, CA. She is a Criminology and Justice Studies major and plans to attend law school and to honor her immigrant parents' legacy. Lulu's commitment to justice comes from the firsthand observations of the inequities that some community groups endure within the criminal justice system. This compelled her to join RCP, where she seeks ways to rectify injustices and foster positive transformation. She is fluent in Spanish.}

^{Maria was born and raised in Watsonville, California. She is a Justice Studies major and plans to attend law school after she graduates. Maria is a first-generation college student and a daughter of immigrants. She joined RCP because she has witnessed the discrimination of immigrants in her hometown. Maria received her seal of biliteracy in high school and she is happy to be able to communicate the knowledge she gains while in the RCP with others.  She is fluent in Spanish.}

^{Michael was born and raised in east San Jose. He is a first-generation college student majoring in Justice Studies. He grew up in an area with high crime, and joining RCP motivated Michael to help individuals expunge their records since he believes people deserve a second chance at life. Michael works weekends with his father doing construction and landscaping. Michael is unsure of his career path after he graduates. He speaks Vietnamese.} 

^{Quetzalli was born and raised in San José. She is a Justice Studies major and plans to attend law school. Quetzalli's passion for social justice stems from the under-representation and discrimination that her Purépecha community faces in Michoacán, Mexico. Quetzalli joined RCP because she saw first hand how the criminal system impacts the lives of so many people and believes that everyone deserves a second chance. She is fluent in Spanish and is able to understand Purépecha.} 

^{Raya is a senior Justice Studies major.  RCP helped motivate her passion as an advocate for human rights in the legal system. Raya intends to go to law school after graduation. She joined RCP to help people clear their records and strengthen her legal knowledge. Raya understands basic Tagalog.}

^{Sandy was born and raised in the Central Coast and is a first-generation college student, with roots in Mexico. She learned English as a second language and joined RCP so that she can help make a difference in the lives of her clients. She is a mom of three and stays very busy reading, cooking, and traveling. She will graduate in the Fall of 2023 with a degree in Justice Studies and plans to go to law school.}