This is a response to the blog prompt above.

Being involved in my community means showing up where I can be helpful—through teaching, mentorship, research, and service. As a scholar and researcher, I create spaces for learning and conversation, whether in the classroom, through workshops, or in mentorship roles for incoming students. I have also volunteered with community-based organizations like the Alameda Community Food Bank in California and supported graduate diversity initiatives while working on my master’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley, which have allowed me to address people’s everyday needs and support academic paths directly. My work in social media and storytelling has also been a way of building community while I was at International House Berkeley by sharing ideas, amplifying voices, and fostering connections across cultures.

Beyond formal roles, community involvement for me is about responsibility and connection. Through leadership positions in student councils and organizations, as well as past advocacy work with domestic workers’ rights, I have learned that community is built on care, listening, and collective effort. Whether through environmental projects, cultural storytelling, or student advocacy, I aim to contribute in ways that foster belonging and support others meaningfully, while also taking care of myself.