From East SJ to Harvard

Born & raised in East Side San Jose, Allexys’ experience in education has been a rollercoaster. After struggling throughout her K-12 education and being labeled at a young age as a poor student, Allexys attended De Anza College where her goals and aspirations transformed. She is a proud San Jose Native, community college student, UC Berkeley alum, and daughter of a teen mother.

This March, I was admitted to Harvard Graduate School of Education, for a Masters in Educational Leadership, Organizations, & Entrepreneurship - an accomplishment I could have only dreamed of!

Understanding the current climate of Financial Aid & graduate study

I was extremely blessed and privileged to complete my Bachelor's education on scholarship, and debt free from 2021-2024. Unfortunately there have since been extreme changes to education due to Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill– effective July 1, 2026. Students pursuing graduate study are limited to strict borrowing limits, compared to previously being able to borrow their entire cost of attendance. Trump’s strategic borrowing limits, incentivizes private loans, and restricts first generation students, like myself, from pursuing graduate study.

Why Harvard & My Story

I began my higher education journey extremely rocky; as a senior in high school I was failing my classes, at risk of not graduating and my admission from the one college I was accepted into was revoked. I entered community college extremely defeated and with low self esteem.

This changed when I began taking classes of my interest in topics like Ethnic Studies, Sociology, and Creative Writing. What felt like for the first time, I was nurtured by students, professors and staff of color that believed in me, encouraged my learning, and found opportunities for me to succeed– eventually leading to me transferring to UC Berkeley. This transformed my understanding of community and education.

Seeking a similar community, at UC Berkeley I worked with bridges Multicultural Resource Center, resource and retention center for first generation low income students of color. I had the opportunity to work in many positions; as an Intern, Transfer Director, and eventually as the Executive Director. Through bridges I became passionate about helping and finding pathways of success for first generation students in higher education.

Since graduating from UC Berkeley I have had the privilege of working with many different student populations and demographics:

My experiences have inspired me to seek a professional degree in Educational Leadership, to be a leader on Community College campuses that advocates for marginalized students, and supports employees that are committed to student success. I hope to learn from and be mentored by renowned leaders and experts in Radical Leadership, Community College Systems and Social Change.

Your Support Would Mean the World

It's an absolute honor for me to have been admitted & I thank my community for believing in me and supporting me to get to this point. I could not have accomplished this without my family, friends, co-workers, etc.

As stated above, the lending limitations pose extreme barriers on my financial security in accepting my admission. I am hoping to raise anywhere near $20,000 to cover housing and food expenses for my time in Cambridge,MA.

I am forever thankful for your help in contributing and making my journey to grad school possible.

With all my gratitude,

Allexys