Hello!
My name is Diego and I've been recently accepted into the Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership doctoral program at the University of Southern California (USC). I start my doctoral journey this January 2025, and I humbly ask for your support. All funds will be used for tuition.
In 1991, my mom came to the United States with the idea that she could give her kids every opportunity possible. My mom and stepdad have given up their dreams and hopes for their kids. I owe everything to them. They are my driving force and the reason I work to build an equitable, just, and loving world.
Because of their vision for me, I started my educational trajectory at East Los Angeles College as an undocumented student in 2005. Throughout my time there, I joined the honors program and worked multiple gigs to pay for my tuition. Then, after three years, I transferred to my dream school: UCLA. There, I advocated for policies to make education a right, not a privilege. I made my way through community college, my bachelor's, and master's (MBA) as an undocumented student. While in classes, I was thinking about work, where my next meal was going to come from, if I could make it back home with the $2-3 I had in my pocket, and how to pay my tuition every 10 weeks.
You can take a look at my educational trajectory here, as covered on ABC World News with Diane Sawyer:
I have been the first in my family to graduate from college and an advanced degree; now, I'm trying to become the first (but not last) person in my family to earn a Doctorate.
For once in my life, I feel like I'm thriving, not just surviving. Your contribution to my doctoral journey means the world, not only for me, but for my family and the generations of young people to come.
With all my heart, thank you.
Sincerely, soon to be:
Dr. Diego Sepulveda, MBA, Ed.D
Organizer
Diego Sepulveda
Organizer
Long Beach, CA