Lesly Castro is currently a pre-law student at UC Berkeley, majoring in legal studies with a minor in public policy. Castro is a first-generation college student from Salinas, CA. As the daughter of Mexican immigrant parents, Castro has witnessed first-hand the hardships of her family and community. This has empowered her to bring awareness to the needs of underrepresented communities. As the Cal Alumni Association (CAA) student director, she aims to represent the Cal student voice and become an advocate for the needs of all students.

On campus, Castro holds multiple board positions, including Vice President for Latinos in the Law (LIL). She is also heavily involved with the Chicanx Latinx community at Cal through her participation in multiple Chicanx Latinx focused student organizations and her various leadership roles within the Chicanx Latinx Student Development Office. Most recently, she has begun working with the Chicanx Latinx Alumni Association on creating a mentorship program that will enable Chicanx Latinx students to receive networking and professional opportunities. She hopes to continue to expand this program and its resources to all students through Cal’s strong alumni network as the new student director. 

Castro   finds aiding underrepresented and marginalized communities to be deeply impactful. Previously, she has interned for the Social Justice Collaborative, a non-profit that focused on providing legal services to undocumented community members. As a product of her own community, Castro currently mentors high school students at various Salinas high schools, through MariposesRISE. This summer, Castro is working at the Office of the Federal Defender’s in Sacramento as a social work intern, where she conducts client case reviews and assists indicted and incarcerated individuals at the Federal level. This fall, Castro is excited to participate as a College Corps Fellow where she will get to work with Berkeley’s youth. She is excited to create relationships with fellow and former students, community leaders, and other stakeholders that are committed to building stronger communities.

Lesly finds her most impactful experiences to be with her interactions in aiding underrepresented and marginalized communities. Previously, she has interned for the Social Justice Collaborative, a non-profit that focused on providing legal services to undocumented community members. As a product of her own community, Lesly currently mentors high school students at various Salinas high schools through MariposesRise. This summer, Lesly is working at the Office of the Federal Defender’s in Sacramento as a Social Work Intern, where she conducts client case reviews and assists indicted and incarcerated individuals at the Federal level. This fall, Lesly is excited to participate as a College Corps Fellow where she will get to work with Berkeley’s youth. She is excited to create relationships with fellow and former students, community leaders, and other stakeholders that are committed to building stronger communities.