For Julianna Melendez and Klarissa Palacios, first-gen identity extends beyond academics to how they value college as a whole. Wearing matching pink suits — which they said are meant to symbolize compassion and hope — they want to position themselves as “the untraditional entering traditional spaces.”
Palacios said that one of her main motivating factors is her grandmother seeing her graduate. “I always say that she crossed the borders so that I can cross the stage with a degree,” she told Annenberg Media.
Melendez wants to work with the new First Generation Student Assembly to expand accessibility beyond academics, in part by using a social media plan outlined by Palacios, who currently works in the communications department of USG.
In their campaign, they also prioritize accessibility for disabled students who are not always represented properly by the university. Drawing on her own experiences as a visually impaired student, Palacios feels that the Office of Student Accessibility Services has not always been adequate, citing problems with communication and timeliness.
“You should be able to come to USC with full confidence knowing the administration, faculty and even the infrastructure is able to support you,” Palacios said. Melendez says she has the experience and the connections to support these students because of her position as Accessibility Chair.
The main role of the USG is to serve as a bridge between the student body and USC Administration, something that both Melendez and Palacios say they are highly experienced in. During the past semesters, Palacios has invited President Carol Folt to USG meetings, hoping to foster more communication between the student body and the administration.
Last semester in USG was marked by heightened conflict within the student community, as well as numerous protests and sit-ins during senate meetings. As a result, these meetings were transitioned to an online format. According to Melendez, this change came straight from USC administration, as opposed to the USG. In response to this crisis, the administration organized a series of meetings with the Middle Eastern North African Student Assembly (MENASA). As the Senator for MENASA, Melendez has relayed a general feeling of dissatisfaction from students involved with these meetings.
“They came to share their story and that was it. I feel like that also happened at Senate meetings. They came to share their stories and they wanted an answer and they weren’t given that.”
If elected, Melendez plans to leverage USC administration connections to point students toward resources and connections that can help them make the actionable change they are looking for. One way they hope to do is by creating a monthly town hall with students, faculty, and USG. Melendez says that students have the right to speak to USC administration themselves instead of through their student representatives.
“This past year, as a senator, I’ve noticed the deep need for students to be heard by those they feel that represent them and by those that they feel should be advocating for them,” said Melendez.
While Melendez is off the campaign trail, church is a large part of her life. Melendez said that religion is a large part of her motivation, and Palacios added that she’s motivated by her drive to succeed in college as a first-generation student, and also that she wants to make the most of her time in college because she expects to lose her eyesight in her early twenties. Both candidates agreed that they see their opportunities as “a blessing.”