Transforming Futures 2025 Interns
Our Transforming Futures internship program funds summer internships for UC Santa Cruz students with nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies, allowing students to build professional skills and give back to their communities.
A preliminary evaluation of early-career outcomes from the program found that participants were 38 percentage points more likely to receive at least one job offer with a starting salary above the $67,316 national average for social sciences graduates. They were also 45 percentage points more likely to engage in post-graduation community service or civic work. And they consistently reported greater confidence navigating the labor market because of their experience searching for, interviewing, and obtaining an internship. Learn more about how the program works on our Transforming Futures program page.
Amaya Aquino
Aquino is an intensive psychology and cognitive science double major who interned with The Stice Lab as an Undergraduate Research Assistant
The Stice Lab is a psychiatry and behavioral science research lab at Stanford University that works to identify the risk factors that predict the onset of eating disorders, obesity, substance abuse, and depression. Aquino’s role was dedicated to setting up research studies, recruiting participants, conducting interviews, writing literature reviews, and preparing grant proposals for research funding. This experience set her up for success in pursuing graduate school and a career in research after graduation.
Cherre Bull
Bull is a politics and critical race and ethnic studies double major who interned with Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos in administration and community outreach.
Barrios Unidos offers critical resources for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, working to break cycles of recidivism and create pathways to restoration. Bull supported a range of programs that address incarceration, reentry, and youth advocacy, including conducting research on restorative justice, organizing correspondence with incarcerated individuals, maintaining program records and reports, and coordinating events and communications.
Gisselle Castillo
Castillo is a human biology major and Latin American and Latino studies minor who interned with North Bay Aquatic & Physical Therapy.
North Bay Aquatic & Physical Therapy provides rehabilitative care and therapeutic services to individuals experiencing mobility challenges, injuries, or chronic pain. Castillo worked closely with licensed physical therapists to support patient care and gain hands-on clinical experience. This experience directly supports her long-term goal of becoming a Physician Assistant, with a focus on community-based, preventative care.
Stephanie Cerrato
Cerrato is a legal studies major who interned with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles as a Self-Help Center Courthouse Intern.
The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) provides free legal services to low-income individuals by working directly with clients and communities to address housing, family law, public benefits, and civil rights issues. Cerrato’s worked directly with self-represented litigants to help them navigate a wide range of civil legal issues. Her experience provided an in-depth exposure to legal processes and working with underserved communities.
Isabella Chairez
Chairez is a sociology and Latin American and Latino studies double major who interned with the Monteverde Institute as an Audiovisual Content Production Coordinator.
Monteverde Institute guides economically and environmentally sustainable tourism through academic programs, research, and community initiatives. Chairez contributed to their multimedia storytelling and outreach by creating videos, images, press releases, and promotional materials. She honed her skills in program development and cross-cultural collaboration, which she will use in her pursuit of public interest law.
Karla Estrada
Estrada is a sociology major who interned with Refugee & Immigrant Transitions.
Refugee & Immigrant Transitions (RIT) provides support, resources, programs, and training for refugees and immigrants in the Bay Area. Estrada was responsible for marketing and communications to educate and inform a broader audience and showcase the true diversity, strength, hopes, challenges, and personal stories of refugees and immigrants. This experience has helped her explore the nonprofit field to ultimately pursue a career in social work.
Kayla Flores-Casiano
Flores-Casiano is a global and community health major who interned with Ventures as a dedicated Semillitas program intern.
Ventures helps rural, working-class families in California’s Central Coast build stronger, more equitable economies by teaching people how to manage their finances, save money, and fight for fair wages. Flores-Casiano assisted families with understanding and creating personal budgets and provided translation and interpretation support during meetings, workshops, and tabling. She gained hands-on experience that will help her become a social worker in hospitals.
Njeri Gachoka
Gachoka is a computer science major who interned with the MIT Media Lab as an Undergraduate Researcher.
The MIT Media Lab conducts interdisciplinary research across STEM and the arts to envision better lives, communities, and environments. Gachoka used augmented reality, brain-computer interfaces, and artificial intelligence to measure and understand confusion and develop adaptive software systems that can respond in real time. This experience prepared her for graduate school and honed her interests in computer science and engineering.
Rosalva Garcia
Garcia is a politics and Latin American and Latino studies double major who interned with Centro Legal de la Raza as an Immigrant Rights Team Member.
Centro Legal de la Raza uses bilingual advocacy, education, and legal representation to defend and advance the rights of Black, Latinx, low-income, and immigrant populations in Northern and Central California. Garcia translated Spanish-language documents, completed forms and applications, and contributed to presentations. She gained firsthand experience in immigration law, asylum cases, and legal research for her future career in the legal field.
Bunky Hernandez
Hernandez is a sociology major who interned with ArtReach as an Art Assistant.
ArtReach hosts community events and art classes, including free & affordable art opportunities for creatives of all ages. Hernandez helped facilitate a summer camp and art demonstrations, gaining valuable experience through direct engagement with children. Through mentorship from supervisors, this experience equipped them with the skills needed to pursue becoming a Music Therapist after graduation.
Lucy Herrera Reyes
Reyes is a sociology and legal studies double major who interned with the Community Action Board as a Communications & Research Intern.
The Community Action Board of Santa Cruz empowers individuals facing critical challenges by providing essential services, helping them acquire legal status, reuniting immigrant families, and making U.S. citizenship accessible. Reyes supported community-based programs that address issues such as homelessness prevention, immigration assistance, and poverty reduction, providing a foundation for her career in the legal field.
Zoë Koenigsaecker
Koenigsaecker is a psychology and sociology double major who interned with Loretta’s Helping Hands.
Loretta’s Helping Hands provides transitional housing and basic-needs resources to women and children in crisis and/or experiencing homelessness. Koenigsaecker mentored youth program participants and assisted with community supply distributions and events. This work provided vital experience for her to apply for Ph.D. programs in Social Psychology and continue her path community-engaged researcher.
Yennifer Lopez
Lopez is an education, democracy, and justice major who interned with Beyond Athletics Orange County as a Program Coordination Intern.
Beyond Athletics Orange County cultivates successful student-athletes through a holistic approach that blends academics, community engagement, and character development. Lopez oversaw summer camp instruction and outreach to foster youth and nonprofits through community-based events. She developed skills in planning structured programs, managing group dynamics, and building strong relationships will directly support her as a future educator.
Anahi Matias Santiago
Matias Santiago is a politics and Latin American and Latino studies major who interned with The Campaign For College Opportunity as a Policy Impact Fellow.
The Campaign for College Opportunity is dedicated to ensuring that all Californians have an equal opportunity to attend and succeed in college by addressing systemic barriers faced by underrepresented and marginalized communities. Matias Santiago conducted research and analysis on state-level higher education policies that advance racial equity and college access. She sharpened her policy research skills, which will aid her professional career.
Daisy Miranda
Miranda is a psychology and education, democracy, and justice double major who interned at the Alliance Eric & Susan Smidt Technology High School providing academic guidance.
The Alliance Eric & Susan Smidt Technology High School is a public charter high school that provides low-income students with the resources to pursue higher education. Miranda observed counselors, presented college and career lessons, and provided students with supervision, counseling, and tutoring. She gained more experience working with students, supporting her path to becoming a college and career facilitator in public education.
Leah Murray
Murray is a psychology and education, democracy, and justice double major who interned with Environmental Volunteers: Sprout Up as a Curriculum and Programs Intern.
Environmental Volunteers is a non-profit that oversees Sprout Up, a program that provides free education to elementary school students, primarily in Title 1 schools, about environmental justice and making a difference. Murray was responsible for creating a K-6 curriculum, hosting training sessions, and assisting with an annual retreat. This experience helped her acquire more knowledge on teaching and learning in her journey to becoming an educator.
Lizbeth Ortiz
Ortiz is a psychology and Latin American and Latino studies double major who interned with The UFW Foundation as a Legal Services Intern.
The UFW Foundation advocates for farm workers’ rights and protections and provides educational outreach and legal services. Ortiz assisted with immigration legal intake, supported educational and outreach events, managed case documentation, and participated in policy research and community organizing campaigns. She enjoyed shadowing legal staff and learning more about the procedural aspects of immigration casework.
Pio Perez
Perez is a business management economics major with an accounting concentration who interned with the USC Equity Research Institute as a Research Intern.
The USC Dornsife Equity Research Institute (ERI) conducts data-driven research to support policy change. Perez conducted research on racial, economic, and environmental factors affecting marginalized communities across the state, using data analysis, mapping, reports, and interviews. This internship offered the opportunity to explore and use data for equity and advocacy on his path to becoming a juvenile delinquency researcher and advocate.
Daisy Sanchez
Sanchez is a sociology major who interned with Refugee & Immigration Transitions.
Refugee & Immigrant Transitions (RIT) provides support, resources, programs, and training for refugees and immigrants in the Bay Area. Sanchez created social media posts, flyers, posters, and promotional materials for events, and assisted with events and outreach. This internship allowed her to explore career interests that align with the type of work she hopes to do as a caretaker for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Amy Urzua
Urzua is a sociology and Latin American and Latino studies double major who interned with the United Way of Santa Cruz County as an Assistant and Web Designer Intern.
The United Way of Santa Cruz County partners with donors, volunteers, advocates, governments, and other nonprofits to build a better future for youth, families, and communities. Working in an executive assistant capacity, Urzua assisted with grant writing, budget planning, and the creation of a new website, and she gained the skills to work in the nonprofit field after graduating.