Savana Doudar

Savana Doudar is a first-generation Palestinian, Muslim American who was born and raised in San Diego, California. Coming from a family of immigrants and refugees, she had to quickly learn the governing systems and politics that ultimately decided her family’s safety and peace. Savana attended predominantly white educational institutions for much of her middle school and high school journey. She realized the vastly different treatment and disciplinary measures she received as a young brown woman in comparison to her white peers. This mistreatment was her awakening- she wanted to ensure that Black students and students of color are treated in an equitable manner and provided the necessary resources and support systems to succeed.

During her time at California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) she held several different leadership roles. By her senior year, she was elected by students to serve as the student body President. She worked closely with state and federal education policies and legislators to ensure that college is affordable and equitable.

Upon graduating in 2019, Savana was offered a full-time role with the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego & Imperial Counties (ACLU) as a Policy Associate. At the ACLU, she specialized in local and state education, housing & homelessness, and economic justice work. She researched, advocated, and supported several different policies to ensure that San Diegans were supported in a racially equitable manner. Her time at the ACLU encouraged her to deepen her professional policy experience. She is a current Master of Public Policy candidate at the University of California, Los Angeles concentrating on education and social policy.

Savana is super excited to be joining the Campaign to further her experience with higher education policy and advocacy.

California State University, San Marcos (BA); Current student at the University of California, Los Angeles (MPP)

Your role in one sentence: I work within the policy team to support the Campaign’s overall goals of making higher education equitable, accessible, and affordable.
When I am not at work helping students get to and succeed in college I am… cooking and testing different recipes, exploring Los Angeles, and missing San Diego!
If not higher education then what cause? Economic justice – ensuring that individuals and families who are low-income, regardless of their citizenship status, have access to robust social and financial resources.