Casual Astronaut
Margarita “Maggie” Landeros ’09: Leading On Campus and Beyond
My parents are from Guanajuato, Mexico, and I am the oldest of four siblings. As a proud Compton native, my identity as a Mexican American and the educational disparities I witnessed in my low-income community drive my work as an educator. I help to improve college access in communities like my own through my work with school counselors and my involvement with Cal.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Alumni Career Journeys
“It was only in June of 2020 that the US Supreme Court ruled that federal anti-discrimination laws now protect LGBTQ+ leaders from employment discrimination in every state. This is a step in the right direction and a catalyst for us all to continue uplifting the rights and stories of our LGBTQ+ students and alumni,” says Cal Alumni Association (CAA) Chief Program Officer Anh Tran ’06.
COVID-19 Vaccine Science and Facts
In February, the Cal Alumni Association’s UC Berkeley Black Engineering and Science Alumni Club (BESAC) hosted COVID-19 Vaccines: Science and Facts, a virtual event on how the virus replicates, the impact it has on the immune system, and the transmissibility of its variants.
‘Your Network Is Your Net Worth’: Connecting the Next Generation of Leaders
Jacob Neel ’20, who started his first job during the coronavirus pandemic, shared that at Cal, he learned how to “normalize rejection as redirection.” Austin Drake ’18 reminded everyone that “you have to have the audacity to ask.”
‘Justice for Communities of Color’: Amber Gonzales-Vargas ’15 on Inspiring Change
The November 2020 election season is not one that anyone will forget. It was an exhausting period that brought many first-time voters and more people paying attention to the voting process. Berkeley alum Amber Gonzales-Vargas ’15 was meant for this.
“Equal Parts Pain and Joy:” Fred Moten PhD ’94
Candice Elder ’06 Takes Pride in Serving Her Local Community
Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Cal alum Candice Elder ’06 has a background in law and philanthropy and uses it to serve her community every day. Elder is the founder and executive director of The East Oakland Collective, a nonprofit organization that addresses and focuses its efforts on racial and economic equity in East Oakland. She was appointed by the mayor of Oakland in November of last year to a new advisory commission on homelessness as the city’s crisis escalates.
A Berkeley Reading List for the Holidays (or Anytime)
If quality time with a brilliant read is just what the doctor ordered, the books on this list will keep you company during a season unlike any other.
Cal Alumni Meet with Chancellor Carol Christ
The Cal Alumni Club of Chicago hosted a talk with Chancellor Carol Christ. Chancellor Christ gave the chapter members an update on the state of the university and insight into how decisions are made, especially as they relate to the pandemic and out-of-state students. She also shared UC Berkeley's new initiatives and efforts to engage with alumni. The Cal Alumni Club of Chicago is grateful to Chancellor Christ for taking the time to speak with its members.
Gift Ideas for the Ultimate Cal Fan
Just about every Cal grad and fan owns a Cal sweatshirt or hat. So, what do you give the ultimate Cal fan during the holidays? Don’t worry—the Cal Alumni Association (CAA) has you covered this season with our list of the best Cal gifts. Some are extra, some are out there, but isn’t that what the Berkeley spirit is all about? We think so.
Felicia Yamaguchi Lives Up to Her Name
My name is Felicia Yamaguchi. My first name derives from the Spanish word feliz, meaning happiness, and my last name derives from the Japanese word for mountain, signifying unwavering strength. With that being said, you can say my mother had high expectations for the person I would become.
Emily Pilloton Is Opening Up the World of STEM—and Possibilities—for Girls
It’s late September, and Emily Pilloton ’03 is at Girls Garage, a nonprofit she founded in 2013 in Berkeley. Girls Garage recently reopened for small groups of girls eager to get back to the space and get building again. "I just feel like failure is not an option," she explains. "This space means a lot to the girls that come here."
