Elizabeth Munguia, 2012 Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) Polanco Energy Fellow, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Welfare with a double minor in Chicano Studies and Education from UC Berkeley in 2010.  During her student tenure she was active leader in TRENZA, Raza Caucus, and a House Advisor for Casa’s multi-ethnic residential program. Elizabeth also intern for bridges Multicultural Resource Center, the Raza Recruitment and Retention Center and conducted research for the Center for Latino Policy Research at UC Berkeley.  Elizabeth also participate in the “Cal in the Capital” 2010 summer program, where she worked for Campus Progress-Center for American Progress in Washington D.C.

After graduating from UC Berkeley, Elizabeth worked with the East Bay Consortium, an organization dedicated to increase the number of students graduating high school and enroll in post-secondary institutions. Elizabeth has also served on multiple scholarship committees including the East Bay Consortium, The Ed Fund of West Contra Costa Public Education, American GI Forum (Oakdale/Fremont Women’s Chapter) and TRENZA.

As a Polanco Fellow, Elizabeth hopes to gain more experience and exposure to the legislative making process.  Elizabeth is a first generation, Mexican American, raised in Waterford, California.  Growing up in the central valley and witnessing the struggles her mother faced working in agriculture, she understood that receiving an education was the best path towards a better future.  Ultimately, Elizabeth will continue to pursue a career in education where she can focus on K-12 education reform and make higher education more accessible to all students.