We are honored to feature Dr. Kathleen Arambula-Reyna as one of our esteemed faculty members at Fresno City College and our Lead Coordinator for our Community-Based Immigration Legal Services Fellowship. Dr. Kathleen Arambula-Reyna brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our CLINIC-CYLC Community-Based Immigration Legal Services Fellowship. We are delighted to have our colleague, Kathleen, featured in this newsletter:

“As a first-generation college student, I had a unique journey toward discovering my passion for social justice. It wasn’t a single moment or issue that sparked my interest, but rather a series of experiences that shaped my perspective. Growing up, my parents instilled in me the value of higher education and community service. My mother’s business ownership and my father’s teachings motivated me to blend into various educational and social fields. This allowed me to explore different paths and gain new insights into the world. 

After working in legal and political fields, I found that teaching at a small college near my hometown brought me the most fulfillment. It was there that I was approached by a student who urged me to help establish an LGBTQ+ Human Rights club. This eventually led me to volunteer for a local LGBTQ+ film festival, where I now serve as the Festival Director and Board President. Through this role, I am able to advocate for underrepresented and historically marginalized LGBTQ+ youth in our community.

As a professor of Political Science for over 15 years, I am motivated by the natural curiosity of my students and their willingness to engage in the local and state political systems. It is encouraging to see a new generation of protest and social justice mindsets emerge. As an organizer, I draw inspiration from a quote by Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” My social justice journey is a continuation of other stories, and my goal is to pass pieces of myself forward through strength, determination, and perseverance of community.”