Arlinda Ruiz (she/her), a first-generation student and mother of three, is advancing in her academic career. She was raised in South East Los Angeles by a Mexican immigrant family. Arlinda battled for years with her emotional and mental well-being, living on the margins of society, and dropped out of high school. Her years of hardship and abuse took years to heal. Arlinda discovered her passion for learning and social justice when she enrolled at East Los Angeles College. In search of a better life, she relocated to the Bay Area with her two youngest children earning her Bachelor’s Degree at UC Berkeley. Arlinda started her journey as a student in UC Berkeley’s Social Welfare Master’s Program. She will be pursuing a license in Clinical social work (LCSW) to provide mental health services in community based healing spaces that center Black, Indigenous, and People of color. Arlinda is a warrior, dedicated to serving communities through shared experiences, and providing resources, and cultivating academic social capital.
Fun fact, Arlinda loves dressing up for Halloween, indulging in candy- mostly sour stuff and laffy-taffy and loves to go to the movies cause she loves the movie theater popcorn. Additionally, Arlinda loves to travel and spend time with her family.