Official Blog | UCGPC

Who is Zaira?

Zaira J. Vidal-Cortes is a Mexican, First-Generation, Third-Year Graduate Student enrolled in the Spanish Linguistics Ph.D. program at the University of California, Riverside. She completed her B.A. in Global Studies with a minor in Spanish and her M.A. in Spanish (Linguistics, Cultural Studies, and Literature) at the same institution. With a diverse background in Business Administration and social and behavioral Science, she actively supports DACA/immigrant rights. Zaira’s academic pursuits are driven by her passion for sociological analysis, particularly focused on immigration, race and ethnicity, social structure, political policy, and social behavior. This motivation led her to continue her education and become an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the graduate and professional student body. She is interested in spearheading initiatives that tackle issues related to representation, access, and inclusion for underrepresented groups in graduate school and academia.

What are her advocacy and interests?

Zaira’s advocacy interests primarily revolve around effectively representing the needs and concerns of graduate and professional students within the university system. She aims to achieve this by creating opportunities that facilitate professional development, prioritizing the mental health and overall well-being of graduate and professional students. Additionally, she is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to ensure a more inclusive environment. Moreover, she seeks to enhance existing policies and programs concerning undocumented students, housing, nutrition, and food security, striving to create a more supportive and equitable academic community.