Karen Oliva

Karen was raised in Koreatown, a neighborhood in central Los Angeles, and Pacoima in the San Fernando Valley. She is the oldest daughter of Salvadoran immigrants who encouraged her to persevere through challenges and prioritize her education. Through studying Sociology and Education at Occidental College, Karen learned about the enduring impact of historical systems of oppression on students of color today. This motivated her to pursue professional roles where she could support students and their families in navigating educational inequities and reaching their goals. Karen is currently earning a master’s degree in school counseling at the California State University, Long Beach. As a future school counselor, Karen will support her students’ academic and socioemotional growth. She’s also committed to helping them develop the tools to advocate for themselves and their communities, beyond school. She is thrilled to join the policy team and contribute to advancing the Campaign’s policy implementation priorities.

MS, School Counseling candidate, California State University, Long Beach

BA, Sociology, Occidental College

Your role in one sentence: I collaborate with the policy team to help advance policy implementation efforts that benefit students across California.

When I am not at work helping students get to and succeed in college, I am…enjoying time in nature, cooking, or spending time with my fiancé and our 2 dogs.