Student Leadership Institute Graduation Celebrates Belonging and Empowerment 

On a Friday in early May, a cohort of college students gathered at the Los Angeles Music and Art School in East LA to celebrate their graduation from the Campaign’s Student Leadership Institute (SLI). The 18 SLI students—hailing from as far south as the University  of California (UC), San Diego and as far north as UC Davis—spent 7 months gaining hands-on advocacy skills and knowledge of the state’s higher education systems, equipping them to become agents of change on their own campuses and beyond. 

At a time when higher ed faces threats to funding, diversity, and freedom of speech, the Campaign believes that student voices are more important than ever.  

“Leadership isn’t just about the moments when people are watching,” Campaign Public Affairs Manager Ashley Tejada said to the graduates assembled in the school’s courtyard. “The courage you’ve shown here, the stories you’ve shared, and the ideas you’ve brought to life are already making an impact.” 

The diverse group of students applied to SLI for a variety of reasons, and with a range of goals. California State University (CSU) Monterey Bay student Rylee Jue knows she wants to pursue a career in the policy field. Maya Murchison is a UC Berkeley student who hopes to someday become CEO of her own nonprofit for racially minoritized youth. 

Isaac Ceballos, a sophomore at Porterville College, hopes to be a role model. He said that in his Central Valley hometown, “So many students don’t go to college. They start the workforce or head into the fields. That’s not the dream we want. Community college is usually seen as a back-up plan, but it’s not something to be embarrassed about.” 

The students were united by a common desire to lead the charge for equity in higher education. 

“In order to be a good leader, you need to be open to growing,” said Keiry Saravia, a CSU Northridge student. “To be completely honest, I never thought college was an option for me. My parents didn’t go to college. But so many opportunities were created for me that I was able to go. And it shouldn’t stop with me. I should be able to watch my sisters and my nephews and nieces and cousins go to college. [The system] wasn’t created for people who look like me. It was created to keep people like me out. I really want to change that.” 

After a school year of sessions, they are armed with tools for change. At their May 2 graduation, the cohort joined Campaign staff in celebrating their achievements and toasting their future. They also enjoyed lunch from a local Mexican restaurant and a mini concert by one of LAMusArt’s star singers. The musical component was part of SLI supporter Dan Schnur’s donation to the program, which stemmed from a desire to expose students to the larger world around them, including the arts. 

The set closed with a pared-down version of Chappel Roan’s “Pink Pony Club,” as the audience nodded along to the lyrics. “It’s where I belong.” 

“[SLI] is a great opportunity to hear other perspectives and gain knowledge from students who are going through similar things,” said UC Irvine student Angela Roberson. 

“Students drive everything in this world, from the economy to innovation,” Rylee Jue said. “We’re the backbone of society.”