Dani Molina

August 20, 2011

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"If I hadn't gotten all that [financial aid], I couldn't have gone to UCSC.  I'd be back in the 'hood.  I really appreciate people looking out for me like that."

Field
Latin American and Latino Studies

Scholarship
Campus Merit Scholarship, Joel Frankel Memorial Scholarship, Re-entry Scholarship, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, Soroptimist International of Santa Cruz Scholarship.

Background
Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, "I figured college was the only way out of the barrio," he says.  He joined the Army to serve his country and also to earn money for college.  After serving in Iraq, he's well on his way to making his dreams come true - thanks to the G.I. Bill and the support of people who have made private donations to the campus.

How has UC Santa Cruz changed his life?
Dani is the first in his family to graduate from college.  He's now serving an internship with Congressman Sam Farr, D-Carmel, and applying to graduate schools.  His goal is to become and educator and researcher as well as a mentor, so that he can help young people and veterans in higher education, in particular.