Alexis Takagi

Alexis Takagi is a second-year doctoral student at Santa Clara University’s School of Education and Counseling Psychology studying social justice leadership with an emphasis on higher education. Concurrently, she is the Basic Needs Coordinator in the Office of Student Life at Santa Clara University, connecting students to resources such as food, housing, and transportation, and assisting them in applying for programs like CalFresh to further support their basic needs. Prior to her role at Santa Clara University, Alexis was a research fellow at the American Voice Project (AVP), a collaboration between Stanford & Princeton University examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shift to remote education, recession, and systemic inequities, which informed policy at the Federal Reserve System.

Alexis served as co-chair of the policy and budget advocacy team in the Independent California Colleges Advocate Program (ICCAP) (21/22 cohort), representing over 329,000 students at independent non-profit institutions. She and her cohort secured a $25.9 million investment in Cal Grant Program improvements for ICCU students, adopted into the state budget.

In 2022, Alexis was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom as a commission member for the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), which oversees $3.2 billion in financial aid, serving as the student representative for the independent non-profit sector. Subsequently, she was one of the first students to be appointed to serve on Cradle to Career’s (C2C) Community Engagement Advisory Board. Alexis has received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (2024) and Richard J. Riordan Award from Santa Clara University (2022) for her student advocacy.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Why I Do What I Do: Educational research and policy have the potential to remedy systemic inequities that hinder opportunities for students. Ensuring accessibility and academic retention requires upholding equity in higher education, where every student’s journey is supported and valued.

Alma Mater(s): Foothill Community College (Associate of Arts); Santa Clara University (Bachelor’s degree); Santa Clara University (Second Year Doctoral Student)

Your role in one sentence:  As a research fellow, I support the Campaign’s research efforts that will inform public discourse and advance policy reforms championed by the Campaign.

When I am not at work helping students get to and succeed in college I am… spending time with my family, volunteering, researching, or getting a coffee!

If not higher education then what cause? Academic retention, financial literacy, immigration policy, and basic needs.