Spring 2026 Advanced Students

^{Amy came to SJSU from Fremont, California. She is majoring in Justice Studies, where the coursework and content have grown her passion for social justice, community work, and activism. After graduating, she plans to attend law school and become an attorney. Throughout her journey, she hopes to advocate for those underserved by the legal system and use the law as a tool for meaningful change and empowerment. Amy speaks Mandarin.}

^{Citlali is a first-generation college student; her family’s resilience and sacrifices inspire her dedication to education and hard work. She is passionate about justice and committed to advocating for those whose voices are often overlooked. She plans to become a lawyer and use the law to create meaningful change in her community.}

^{Daniela is a fourth-year Justice Studies major with a concentration in Criminology, and an AA in Communication Studies. Daniela credits her work with the Record Clearance Project in expanding her understanding of the long-term effects of criminal records and strengthening her commitment to advocacy and reform of the justice system’s impact  on individuals and communities. She values the hands-on experience she gained working with RCP’s legal and mentoring programs and is excited to continue her studies in the legal field to make a meaningful difference in the justice system.}

^{Dianna is a first-generation Mexican-American student pursuing her bachelor's degree in Political Science, with minors in legal studies and Spanish. Raised in the Bay Area, she has witnessed firsthand how her communities are mistreated. She plans to attend law school and use her love of social justice to advocate for disadvantaged individuals. Dianna grew up in a Spanish-speaking household.}

^{Imariah is a current senior majoring in Forensic Biology and minoring in Chemistry. A first-generation student set on growing her knowledge and aiding the communities around her, she joined the RCP program to do just that. Imariah plans to study forensic anatomical pathology at Loma Linda University following graduation to continue her path in the forensics and justice field. She is fluent in American Sign Language.} 

^{Jen is a first-generation college student born and raised in San Jose, California, graduated from De Anza College with an Associate Degree in Administrative Justice. Currently, she’s pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Criminology. The Record Clearance Project stands out as the most fulfilling opportunity of her college career. Jen values the work she does and is eager to continue meeting and helping more people. She expresses gratitude for the chance to work with such an exceptional program and is excited to continue contributing to its success. After graduating from San Jose State University, Jen plans to pursue graduate studies in Criminal Justice.} 

^{Kayla was born and raised in the Bay Area. She is a first-generation student majoring in Justice Studies, with a concentration in Criminology and a minor in Legal Studies. Her two children inspired her to return to school. She joined the Record Clearance Project because she is passionate about helping individuals who are seeking a second chance at life, even if they believed it was not possible. Kayla plans to attend law school to become a criminal defense attorney.} 

^{Leslie is from Santa Cruz, California, and transferred from Cabrillo College. She is a first generation Mexican-American who will be graduating this Spring with a B.S. in Justice Studies with a concentration in Criminology. Leslie is passionate about helping others and wants to continue to do so through her career. She committed to amplifying diverse voices. She aspires to work in the Department of Justice or in law enforcement to make a change. Leslie is a California state-certified bilingual speaker in Spanish.}

^{Lisbeth is a first-generation college student born and raised in Salinas, California. She is pursuing a major in Justice Studies with a minor in Legal Studies and plans to attend law school. She is also an active member of Latinas United Nourished & in Action (LUNA) at San José State University, where she serves as the Social Media Manager. In this role, she helps amplify the organization’s mission of empowering Latinas through holistic wellness, leadership development, and community engagement. Lisbeth also participated in Speech and Debate for four years in high school and now gives back by returning to judge events. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Lisbeth is dedicated to using her education to advocate for and uplift her community.}

^{Maria is a first-generation Mexican-American college student born and raised in the Central Valley. She moved to the Bay Area to attend SJSU, currently majoring in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. Coming from a low-income background, Maria understands how socioeconomic conditions and educational attainment influence community prosperity. After graduating, Maria plans to attend law school and become an attorney to assist vulnerable communities.} 

^{Mariana P is a bilingual first generation Mexican-American who is graduating in the Spring 2026 majoring in Justice Studies with a concentration in Criminology. Mariana plans to earn a paralegal certificate following graduation and later attend law school. She is grateful for her involvement with the Record Clearance Project for not only the professional knowledge she has gained, but also for the opportunity for it provided in learning about herself on a deeper level. She is spending her last semester working with clients and staff in the RCP's mentoring program.} 

^{Selina was born in the East Bay and is currently pursuing a B.A. in Justice Studies with a minor in Psychology. She has always been passionate about serving her community as she volunteered with her fire department throughout her youth and also served in the Contra Costa County's Search and Rescue Team throughout high school. Selina also enjoys learning about different cultures. She studied abroad for two years with the University of Utah in South Korea prior to transferring to SJSU. Selina plans to attend law school and become an attorney. Selina speaks Cantonese and English.} 

^{Sheryl is a first-generation, Mexican-American, student majoring in Forensic Science. She has a passion for helping others, especially those who are underrepresented. She is committed to using her education to support justice and raise awareness. Sheryl is grateful for the opportunity to assist people in clearing their record and get a second chance in life.}

^{Sonny was born and raised in Benicia, a small suburban city in the Bay Area. He was a Benicia Police Department Cadet in middle school and a Campus Ministry leader in high school. He worked as an administrative assistant at the Contra Costa County Assessor's Office and as a clerk at two law firms. Sonny plans to attend law school to become a civil litigation or workers' compensation attorney.}