Where are they now?
By Sierra Ronning | November 1, 2024
Throughout the Expect Greater campaign, we have shared how donors have supported amazing Aggies across UC Davis. We caught up with three alumni to hear about their successes and how donors propelled them on their journeys.
Alex San Pablo ’18
A civil engineering graduate, San Pablo participated in the College of Engineering’s LEADR Program, which provides academic advising, internships, and research opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds. Supported by the Chevron Corporation and other donors, the program helped San Pablo pursue her dream of becoming a geotechnical engineer.
Where are you in your career path?
I am currently a project engineer in Carlsbad, where I work on projects related to dams and levees across the U.S., mainly on the West Coast, and assess their performance against seismic hazards. I plan to get my professional engineer license in the next few years.
How did the LEADR Program impact you?
The LEADR program allowed me to connect with other engineers, specifically other transfer students. Additionally, the scholarships I received during my undergraduate studies allowed me to focus on my schoolwork and not stress about my finances.
What does support for the LEADR program mean to you?
It meant a lot to me to have financial support and know that the LEADR staff genuinely cared about me. I remember walking around campus and running into director Tanya Whitlow or other staff and they always asked about my well-being. Those interactions made a difference because I felt someone else was rooting for my success.
Joana Peraza Lizarraga, J.D. ’21
Inspired by her immigrant background, Peraza Lizarraga knew she wanted to help undocumented communities. With the help of the Martin Luther King, Jr. and Satre Family scholarships, she was able to attend the UC Davis School of Law, bringing her closer to her goal to create a more just and equitable world.
Where are you in your career path?
I am about to start my third year as an immigration attorney in a nonprofit organization in Sacramento. I work with low-income communities, and my cases are mostly with crime survivors. I am not only proud of where I’m at but also deeply fulfilled, knowing that I can do what I went to law school for and make a difference in the lives of those in need.
How did scholarship support help?
The scholarships that I received were truly transformative. As a low-income student with parents who worked at restaurants, I knew I could not afford law school alone. The financial support I received allowed me to focus my energy on my studies, relieving the stress of my financial situation. It was a life-changing opportunity for which I am forever grateful.
What would you say if you could thank donors who support your scholarship?
Thank you for supporting students and for believing in them. I hope one day I can follow in their footsteps and return the favor to future students. I still remember that one of the donors was the Satre Family from Reno. It was nice to know that donors were people from the city where I grew up and went to undergrad. It almost felt like they were cheering for me. I hope more donors feel interested in connecting with students.
Irene Ezran ’18
Ezran was a UC Davis international relations and Spanish major with minors in mathematics and managerial economics. In 2016, scholarship support enabled her to intern at the United Nations, fueling a passion for international affairs and paving the way for a career in the field.
Where are you in your career path?
I am a professional in the field of international economics. After graduating from UC Davis, I worked for several years as a research analyst at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and at the World Bank’s Office of the Chief Economist for Latin America. I then pursued a master’s degree in international economics and China studies at the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. I am now an international economist at the Treasury’s Office of International Affairs, working to shape U.S. trade policy.
How did donors help you launch?
I received a scholarship while studying at UC Davis, which enabled me to do unpaid internships at the United Nations and the U.S. Department of State. These internships were crucial to my professional development, as they helped me to build experience that was beneficial when applying for jobs after graduating from UC Davis.
How did UC Davis change your life?
Attending UC Davis enabled me to develop a passion for international affairs and economics. The faculty guided me and provided invaluable advice as I sought professional opportunities upon graduating. In addition, by joining the board of several student organizations at UC Davis, I developed leadership and teamwork skills that serve me to this day.
