Our Editors Our Radio TeamOur Spanish TeamOur Copy EditorsOur Visual TeamOur Staff WritersOur Social Media TeamOur Interns
Tommy Correa
Editor-in-chief
Saludos a todos. I am a third-year English major. I joined La Gente in Fall 2022 as a freshman and spent my first two years as part of the visuals and writing teams. I love all things creative, and La Gente has given me the space to pursue artistic endeavors outside of the classroom. También soy chismoso, and I wanted to use my skills for good.
Outside of La Gente, I am involved in the American Indian Student Association and am the editor of the Native Bruin. I love to learn about Indigenous cultures across the Americas, and I have learned quite a lot from being in AISA.
I love milk, guava products, and Halloween. My family is from Jalisco, Michoacan, Colima, Zacatecas, and Texas. I adore the heavy rain and lightning in Jalisco during the summer months.
He/him/él/dele
Raul Aguilera
Managing Editor
I’m a second-year transfer from Whittier CA, majoring in International Development Studies with a minor in Latin American Studies. I joined La Gente to help create and provide a space for Latine writers and artists. I love La Gente because it helped provide me with a space to tell stories and connect with people who also love journalism as much as I do. At La Gente, I could discover my voice and share the stories of my family and journey that have meant so much to me. A fun fact about me is that I collect vinyl records, and I have every Supremes vinyl. 🙂
He/they; él/elle
Jazmin Chavez
Content Editor
Second-year Neuroscience Major minoring in Gerontology
Hometown: Westminster, CA
My family’s roots: Queretaro, Mexico
Favorite type of writing: Creative & Analysis
Fun fact: I work as a certified nursing asssisant during the summer!
This will be my second year in La Gente. I joined because I found a community of people to reconnect with our Latine/Hispanic culture, while also spotlighting thought-provoking issues that impact the Latine community through writing.
She/her/ella
Andrea Hernandez
Content Editor
Hi everyone! I am a third-year double majoring in Chicana/o and Central American Studies and Public Affairs. I joined La Gente my second year because I wanted a writing outlet that wasn’t strictly for academia. With La Gente, I was also able to branch out into photography and art! My favorite accomplishment with La Gente has been my publication, "Thank you, Jenni", for our Winter 2024 print that honored the late Gran Senora Jenni Rivera and her feminist influences.
she/her/ella
Olivia Zepeda
Content Editor
HIIII I’m Olivia 💋
I‘m a second-year Political Science & Global Studies double major also minoring in Spanish. I joined La Gente last year as a writer because I have a passion for writing and my community (corny but true), and La Gente is a perfect blend of both-- I write about my community 😍😍. I read & write about the history of U.S. politics in order to better understand systemic issues (domestic and internationally) that the country upholds thru policy. I seek to educate others about and reform these institutions that prevent youth of color from realizing our full potential. I also love to learn about Latino culture-- especially Latino/Chicano youth culture-- to foster a sense of pride and community-responsibility within myself and those don’t mind the yap!!!! My favorite piece so far is the article I wrote about Ghetto Rodeo‘s creative director & owner! I’M FROM L.A. Most LA thing ab me is that I will gatekeep tf outta my swapmeet 🧎♀️🙏😇
She/her/hers
Cris Avitia Camacho
Spanish Content Editor
Hi y‘all! I’m a third-year triple majoring in Chicana/o and Central American Studies, Labor Studies and Gender Studies. I joined La Gente fall 2023 because I wanted to join an org that used writing as a means of power. I was born and raised in México, but currently reside in the Inland Empire (IE). I enjoy creative writing a lot, and I actually got to read my piece "Mis Dos Pilares" at the winter 2024 launch party for La Gente!! Outside of La Gente, I‘m involved in Compas, a farmworker empowerment organization, and Latinas Guiding Latinas, a mentorship program for Latine youth to pursue higher education. A fun fact about me is that I have over 500+ books, so you’ll always find me with a new book at hand 🙂
They/them/elle
Missy Soto
Layout/Visuals Editor
4th year Sociology major and education minor
I am from Long Beach, and I joined of La Gente to be part of a Latine/Hispanic community on campus.
She/her/hers/ella
Alexia Jimenez
Copy Editor
Hey everyone! I‘m Alexia, a third-year Political Science and Sociology double major and I am the Head of the Copy Team! I joined La Gente my first year as a writing intern because I wanted an outlet that allowed me to advocate for my community and share our stories. I am from Boyle Heights, so I’m an LA native!💙 A fun fact about me is that I own a beige convertible Beetle and she is my pride and joy, her name is Vainilla🚗 My proudest accomplishment in La Gente so far has been my first article about the replacement of the Latine communities to build the Dodger Stadium. For this piece, I was able to interview an organization, Buried Under the Blue, who feels passionate about the displacement of their ancestors community.
She/her/hers
Naomi Orozco
Marketing Director
Hello I’m Naomi! I joined La Gente in winter quarter ‘22 with the goal of finding a Latine community on campus. I am a fourth-year student majoring in Communication and Sociology with a minor in Film, TV, and Digital Media Studies. I am from Long Beach, CA. During my free time I love to cook, bake, read books, and watch movies. A fun fact about me is that I love going to concerts and movie theaters! While I am not a write myself i enjoy reading articles and creative work.
She/her/ella
Evelyn Castillo
Radio Team Member
Evelyn is a second year, double majoring in Chicanx/Central American Studies and Labor Studies. She is from East Los Angeles and enjoys being part of her community like taking part in COMPAS, SLAP, First To Go Gentorship Program, LFTA, and more!
She/her/hers
Evelyn Castillo
Radio Team Member
Evelyn is a second year, double majoring in Chicanx/Central American Studies and Labor Studies. She is from East Los Angeles and enjoys being part of her community like taking part in COMPAS, SLAP, First To Go Gentorship Program, LFTA, and more!
She/her/hers
Vanessa Nicoll Leon
Spanish Writer/Translator
Hi! My name is Vanessa 🧸 I am from the IE, specifically Perris, CA. I am a fourth-year Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology major & Mathematical Biology minor trying to break my way into the healthcare field. I am specifically interested in community health & hope to learn more about different communities during my time here with La Gente. I joined La Gente in the fall of 2024 because I wanted to start writing again to express myself and improve my skills as I continue my ongoing research this year. My favorite types of writing are creative and analysis-based writing. I hope that with my writer’s voice, I can become more politically active and feel comfortable interviewing others. A fun fact about me is that I have been a BTS fan since late 2019 and my bias is Hobi ☀️!
She/Ella/They/Elle
Erick Portillo
Writing/Spanish Intern
Hii! My name is Erick! I go by He/Him/Él pronouns and I am from the San Fernando Valley. I am currently a pre-law fourth year double major in Spanish and Chicanx Studies! I joined la Gente to be able to strengthen my translation skills, as well as to apply my skills as a Spanish major in writing articles that inform not only our student body, but our families at home as well. I joined la Gente as an intern in Fall 2024. I enjoy creatively expressing my writing through poetry, short stories, and research-based articles on topics that keep me tossing and turning at night. A fun fact about it is that I love putting hot-cheetos everywhere, on my ramen, sandwiches, and sometimes pasta, don’t knock it till you try it! Some might say I am a social butterfly, I am guilty of liking a good laugh and yap session. I aspire to make my writings informative, provocative, accessible, and enjoyable!
He/Him/Él
Luis Magaña
Copy Staff
My name is Luis Magaña and I am a second year transfer (4th year), majoring in Sociology with a minor in Chicano Studies. I plan on attending law school in order to pursue my dreams of becoming an immigration/criminal defense attorney.
Growing up in a Mexican community made moving to UCLA a difficult experience as I felt like a fish out of water. My culture is something very near and dear to my heart which is why I chose to join La Gente. La Gente is a space where I can bond over similar experiences while advocating for Latino voices in media.
Fun Fact: Cranberry Beatbox
He/him/él
Arianna Macias
Copy Editor
Hi! I’m Arianna, and I’m a second-year Pre - Math for Teaching major. I grew up in the heart of LA in Boyle Heights! I joined La Gente my first year because I have always been interested in writing. A fun fact about myself would be that I co-founded my high schools newspaper club!
She/her/ella
Mari Garcia
Copy Editor
I am a second-year English major from Hawthorne, CA. I’ve been a copy and writing staff member since 2023/2024. I joined La Gente because writing is a vital tool to represent marginalized communities and I want to work in a space that shares my values. My reporting on the encampments at UCLA this past fall has been a major accomplishment and I hope to delve deeper into investigative journalism this year. I enjoy writing in all formats, but analytical essays hold a special space in my heart. A fun fact about me is Tyler, the Creator went to my high school and worked at my local Starbucks.
She/they/ella/elle
Jessica Hernandez
Copy Editor
Jessica is a second year and has been with La Gente since Fall 2023.
Darlene Sanzon
Visual Team Member
Darlene is a fourth year and has been with La Gente since Fall 2023.
Valeria Muñoz
Visuals staff
Hi! My name is Valeria and I‘m a 3rd year pre-psych major with a minor in Chicano Studies and Digital Humanities. I’m from Hesperia, CA (in San Bernardino County) and I joined La Gente this following year because I want to express my creativity while representing La Raza. During my free time I love to bake and LOVE going to concerts. My top 5 have been Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, Big Time Rush, Rauw Alejandro, and Grupo Frontera and the most recent artist I saw was Ivan Cornejo. I’m also a cat mom so please show me pictures of your cat! 🙂
She/her/ella
Marissa Bermudez
Visuals Staff
Hiii my name is Marissa!💗 I joined La Gente because I wanted a creative outlet and to create a community with other Latine student creators on campus. I’m a 3rd year transfer from the IE majoring in Chicana/o Studies with a minor in Public Affairs. I love creative writing, art, photography, and design & i can’t wait to join the team!
She/her/hers/ella
Yulissa Brianna Gonzalez
Visuals Staff
Hi, my name is Yulissa, and I am a second-year Design Media Arts major. I am a digital artist and photographer from Koreatown. I joined La Gente to contribute to a meaningful and impactful media space for Latinx and bipoc communities on campus. As a desma major, my practice is centered around how we can see the world through an artistic and visually driven lens. As a graphics intern for La Gente, I hope to contribute to the visual and design-related entities and contribute to the design decisions for the newsmag!
She/Her/Ella
Ruby Lopez
Visuals Team Member
Ruby is a first year transfer student double majoring in Psychology and Chicana/o and Central American Studies. She is from San Bernardino County and joined La Gente Fall of 2024. She joined La Gente to meet people from the Latine community and to have a creative outlet.
She/her/ella
Brettany Valenzuela
Staff Writer
Hi, I’m Brettany. I was born and raised in South Central LA. For the last three years at UCLA I have commuted from South Central and will continue to do so during my last year. I am proud to be the child of Mexican migrant parents. Most of all, I am grateful to have experienced such strong incredible women growing up. It’s really because of my mother, sisters, and tias that I am here. I also have five siblings who I love dearly.
Anyways, I’m a Sociology major with a double minor in Gender Studies and International Migration Studies. I am in my last year. It’s a bittersweet feeling. As a first gen I dealt with a lot of insecurities so I’m really proud of myself. I really just hope I make community as I heal.
It’s honestly the reason I joined La Gente. Community is really important to me and La Gente is a safe space that allows me to feel connected to others. As the year goes on I hope to write pieces that reimagine us and informative pieces that are digestible. I want our community to extend outside UCLA.
She/They/Ella/Elle
Lucia Valadez
Writing Intern
Que tal! My name is Lucia Valadez and I am a first-year Psychobiology major, originally from San Bernardino, California. My family is from Sinaloa, Mexico, but I was raised in the United States. Regardless of this I have so much pride for my Mexican roots. As a first-generation student, my identity is, and always has been, a huge influence on who I am today. Thus, I am so grateful and more than excited to be a part of La Gente’s writers this year. I was a part of my high school’s M.E.Ch.A for 3 years (2 years as President) and I decided to join La Gente because I adored having involvement in bringing attention, education, and pride to the Latinx community. This is my first year as a writer for La Gente and I hope to represent the wishes, issues, and ideas of la raza in the best way possible through my writing. I don’t have many hobbies, but I love, love, love to read absolutely anything to do with historical fiction or classical novels. Some of my favorite novels include: The Secret History, Mornings in Jenin, and The Silent Patient. I am also matcha and chai’s #1 fan, so if you have any book or cafe recommendations please let me know! 🤍
She/her/ella
Jacqueline Aguirre
Staff Writer
Hello everyone! I’m a first-year pre-psychology major! I come from Boyle Heights in East Los Angeles and am a proud Chicana! A little about me, I love watching movies! I’m a proud AMC stubs member, catch me at the AMC at Century City every weekend. I love music and listen to all genres from indie to reggaeton! This year I’ve only been to two concerts, Mon Laferte and Matt Malteste, but I have tickets for Camp Flog Gnaw in November!! This is my first year with La Gente. and I’m really excited for all the articles I’ll assist with. I decided to join La Gente because, in a predominantly white institute like UCLA, I think newsletters like this one are very important for uplifting the voices of communities that are often ignored and underrepresented. I also wanted to find a community of Latinos that shared my love for our culture. I enjoy writing opinion and creative pieces because I feel that they leave a lot of room for creativity and personality to shine which I think is important for newsletters. I hope to assist in achieving La Gente’s mission to create an all-inclusive Latine platform for the underrepresented. I’m excited about all the experiences and opportunities I’ll have with La Gente!
She/Her/Ella
Jess Reyes Segura
Marketing Staff
I’m a second-year Psychology major with a minor in Chicana and Chicano Studies. I’m from the Riverside area in the IE and my family is from Guerrero and CDMX! I love anything arts and crafts related like jewelry making, painting, sculpting, and I also love buying trinkets and collectibles! I joined La Gente during my first year as I wanted to find other Latines who shared similar goals and ideologies. I wanted to find a community that aimed to highlight both the struggles and successes of the Latine community at UCLA and across the country. During my time in La Gente, I have found passionate, like-minded individuals who have inspired me to become a greater advocate for my community, especially during these difficult times where diverse and ethnic organizations are under attack.
she/her/ella
Genesis Munoz
Marketing Staff
I’m a second-year student majoring in Pre-Human Biology and Society and minoring in Musicology. I love exploring the intersections between science and society, and I think La Gente offers a unique space to share important perspectives that reflect that.
I joined La Gente because I wanted to be part of a community that tells the stories often overlooked by mainstream media. Growing up in Highland Park, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to give a voice to underrepresented communities such as my own, and I knew La Gente was the perfect space to do that. I have been a part of the La Gente Marketing Team since my freshman year, and I’m excited to be a part of this amazing community!
A fun fact about me is that I LOVE trying new things, even without any previous experience. Meeting new people and hearing everyone’s stories have always been fun, it is the reason I love UCLA. Whether it’s trying a new hobby or getting involved in different organizations, I’m always open to new experiences.
My favorite type of writing is definitely argumentative – there’s something powerful about building a case and debating it. And although I’m not a writer, I enjoy finding ways to use writing to support causes I care about, whether that’s through marketing, advocacy, or even just conversations.
While I’ve been part of La Gente for a little while, I feel like there’s still so much more I want to accomplish. I’m excited to push myself further this year, contribute more meaningfully to our team, and take on new challenges.
she/her/ella
Valeria Muñoz
Marketing Staff
Hi! My name is Valeria and I‘m a 3rd year pre-psych major with a minor in Chicano Studies and Digital Humanities. I’m from Hesperia, CA (in San Bernardino County) and I joined La Gente this following year because I want to express my creativity while representing La Raza. During my free time I love to bake and LOVE going to concerts. My top 5 have been Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, Big Time Rush, Rauw Alejandro, and Grupo Frontera and the most recent artist I saw was Ivan Cornejo. I’m also a cat mom so please show me pictures of your cat! 🙂
She/her/ella
Karime Paredes
Marketing Staff
Hi everyone! I’m Karime, a first year transfer from the Bay Area. I’m majoring in Psychology and am hoping to pick up a Social Data Science minor. This is my first quarter with La Gente and I joined because I wanted to be part of an organization on campus that benefits and uplifts the Latine community. Being in a PWI I wanted to be able to find a space with like minded individuals as well as a safe space to explore my creative side. While working within the marketing sector I hope to contribute to the spread of Latine stories and amplify our voices around campus. Within La Gente I hope to play a role in bringing forward thought provoking issues and creating impactful content that benefits marginalized communities. Some fun facts about me are that I love reading and house music. My family roots come from Jalisco and Michoacán, some of my favorite memories are the summers I’ve spent in Mexico!
She/Her/Ella
Samantha Padilla
Marketing Staff
Hi everyone! I’m a third-year transfer student majoring in Political Science. I joined La Gente to be part of the voice for the Latine community here at UCLA. As an intern for our marketing team, I hope to bring more attention to La Gente.
She/her/ella
Maricruz Huerta
Writing Intern
I joined La Gente in Winter Quarter 2025 because I’m passionate about storytelling as a means of advocacy and representation. As a first-generation Chicanx Studies and Psychology major at UCLA, I understand the power of narratives in shaping our collective experiences, especially for marginalized communities. Growing up in South Central LA, I witnessed firsthand the resilience and struggles of my community—stories that often go untold or misrepresented in mainstream media. La Gente provides a platform to amplify these voices, and I’m excited to be part of that mission. My favorite types of writing are creative and analytical, as they allow me to blend personal expression with critical thought. Whether through poetry or in-depth analysis, I strive to capture the complexities of identity, culture, and mental health. Fun fact: the top artists I have on rotation right now—SZA, Kali Uchis, and Tyler the Creator—are all water signs, which makes sense given my love for deep introspective music. As a new member of La Gente, I hope to contribute meaningful pieces that resonate with our gente, ensuring their stories are heard and valued. Through powerful storytelling, I want to shed light on overlooked issues, challenge harmful narratives, and create space for dialogue and connection within our community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to connect! I’d love to exchange ideas, collaborate, or just chat:)
She/They, Ella/Elle
Gabrielle Trujillo
Writing Intern
Hey everyone! My name is Gabrielle "Gabi" Trujillo and I joined La Gente during the 2025 Winter Quarter. I‘m a first-year pre-law student double majoring in Public Affairs and History, originally from Pasadena, California. I joined La Gente because I wanted to be a part of a community where I could make friends, improve my writing, and learn about issues relevant to the Latine community. I’ve always enjoyed writing and I‘m excited that La Gente is my outlet for it. I’ll be the first lawyer in my family and take great pride in that. I love being a Bruin and my family loves being a Bruin family. I strongly resonate with my Chicana identity, I’m a Mexican-American living in the Los Angeles area and educated in the issues that affect my community. As a history major, events like the 1968 walkouts and the Chicano Movement inspire me to take action toward equity in inherently white institutions--a passion I hope to voice in my writing. My fun fact is that I like making art; I have a whole portfolio titled "A Love Letter to Mexico" taking inspiration from urban art, Chicano Style, and Mexican struggles in the United States. I had never created art seriously before, so that was an accomplishment I was quite proud of. My favorite writing style is opinion, I like the combination of news writing, analytical, and creative styles. It gives me the freedom to be opinionated in the article, pull from personal anecdotes, and also be informative to the reader. In my La Gente journey, I want to learn more about the Latine community at UCLA and the greater LA area and help non-Latine Bruins become educated on Latine events and issues that greatly affect our community.
she/her/ella
Ceanna Anaya
Marketing Intern
Hey Everyone! My name is Ceanna and I am from the Riverside County area. I am a first-year Pre-Bussiness Economics student with the intention of getting a minor in Film, Television, and Digital Media! I joined La Gente Winter 2025 in order to make meaningful content that aligns with the work produced by the La Gente team. I hope to accomplish the goal of gaining valuable experiences that can be used in future projects and finding a community full of ambitious latinos that are making a difference with their work. A fun-fact about myself is I love to visit new places in Los Angeles, ranging from food, museums, or even historic buildings. My biggest dream was to move to LA so being able to study here while getting the privilege to explore the city has been the biggest perk, my favoirte place I visited so far was The Griffths Observatory. Shout-out to Rebel Without a Cause and La La Land!
she/her/ella
Caroline Lopez
Copy Intern
Hi everyone! My name is Caroline Lopez, and I‘m from McAllen, Texas. I am a second-year here at UCLA majoring in Political Science and Minoring in Global Health. I joined La Gente because I wanted to be part of a welcoming Latine community, something that can sometimes be hard to find at UCLA. It’s a place where I can grow, learn, and nurture my love for journalism while celebrating our cultures. A fun fact about me is that I love comedy, especially Saturday Night Live. I love how SNL discusses important themes and current events through a comedic lens while educating viewers. If you ever need a good SNL skit recommendation, I got you. I also hope to pursue a career in law, using policy to advocate for underrepresented communities. I am thankful for La Gente giving me the space to refine my voice and see firsthand how storytelling and journalism can drive real change.
she/her/ella
Odalis Cruz
Writing Intern
Hello! I‘m a second-year Political Science major from Escondido, California. I joined La Gente during Winter 2025 to shed light on issues and current events relevant to the Latino community, while simultaneously building a community with new people! Growing up in a predominately Latino community, I witnessed firsthand the struggles my community faced, from economic hardship to healthcare disparities and distrust of public systems. Since then I have committed myself to addressing these issues and working towards creating change for those who are often overlooked. I have always seen writing as an essential tool for being informed and self-expression. My favorite type of writing is creative because it allows me to tell unconventional stories and step out of my comfort zone. Although not always appreciated writing allows for a plethora of people to connect on shared experiences, interests, and curiosities. I hope to present stories that not only shed light on the complex issues within our community but also give our community a voice and a space to take action. My fun fact is although I am not the best at cooking (yet) I am learning from my mother who makes the best food🫔 in the world (trust) and it allows me to further connect with my Oaxacan roots and hear stories about my mom’s life in Mexico. I look forward to using this opportunity of being a part of La Gente! Feel free to reach out with any questions!
she/her/ella
Adriana Perez
Writing Intern
I joined La Gente to uplift and document Latine voices through my passion for graphic design.
I joined La Gente 2024
I was born and raised in San Diego
I am Adriana Perez
My major is Design|Media (DMA)
2026
My favorite type of writings are interviews
I hope to continue uplifting and highlighting the Latine community at UCLA, as well support La Gente through my knowledge of graphic design
she/her/ella
Xela Vargas
Copy Intern
Hiii! My name is Xela like chela. I’m a third year transfer from San Francisco, California- proper! And I’ve just joined La Gente because I’ve always had an interest in journalism, was a cultural editor at The Guardsman- and would love to be involved in the editing world. I’m an anthropology major, with an interest in art, writing, music and people. I do a lot of drawing, thinking, and writing in my personal time- journaling, writing poetry, and just blabbering in the notes app. I hope to create community and learn how to work in the newsroom with La Gente.
she/her/ella