Undocumented Resource Center
- Arts and Letters (AR) 202
- Mon.-Fri.: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Virtual: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - [email protected]
- URC on Instagram
Cynthia Torres
Director of Undocumented Resource Center
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/Ella
[email protected]
Cynthia A Torres is the proud daughter of an immigrant woman, who came to the USA undocumented, with a 7th-grade education, to provide a better life for her future family. Cynthia was born and raised in East San Diego, a low-income community, which is now known as City Heights. Her father was 1st generation and attended Memorial Jr High and lived in Logan Heights (before the Coronado bridge was built). She attended Herbert Hoover High School, SD City, and Mesa Community Colleges and then transferred to San Diego State via the EOP program.
In addition to the EOP program, Cynthia participated in the Faculty Mentor Program with Professor Ortiz, was involved in MEChA, AChA, and served as AS Vice President of Finance. Cynthia is the 1st in her family to attend and graduate from a University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree! Cynthia is a double alum from SDSU with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and masters from the Postsecondary Educational Leadership in Student Affairs (PELSA) program
Cynthia identifies as a Chicana and loves low riders, has an extensive Wonder Woman collection, Sagittarius, and is a thyroid cancer survivor. Cynthia served as an advisor to the student organization Education Without Borders (EWB) from 2010-2022. EWB served as the only on-campus entity that guided many undocumented students and those of mixed immigration status to navigate the maze of higher education. Cynthia has dedicated her life to serving under-represented students and has worked at SDSU since fall 2001.
Angel Rocha is a 2 time SDSU first generation graduate. He has a bachelors in Communications with a minor in Spanish, and a Masters from the Postsecondary Educational Leadership in Student Affairs program.
Angel was born in Bakersfield California, started school in Tijuana Mexico, and grew up in South Bay San Diego. He comes from a undocumented/mixed status household with a low socioeconomic upbringing, and is thankful to his family for his accomplishments. He graduated from Chula Vista High School and is proud of his Southbay community. Angel has over 10 years of higher education experience advocating for underrepresented students and guiding students on how to maneuver university policies.
Angel is an enthusiast of video games, coffee, and traveling. He does his best to always have his door open for students in need of support, a check in, or a quick chat.
Ingrid Clara Ramos was born In Morelos, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States at the age of five. Being the eldest daughter of immigrant parents whose life morals were to always strive for the Sueño Americano ( American Dream) became her passion to continue to persuade a higher education.
In 2020 Ingrid Graduated from South Western Community College with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Arts and Humanities and Transferred to San Diego State University. In 2022 she graduated from SDSU with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Science with an Emphasis in Sustainability and a minor in Public Health. Post graduation, Ingrid embarked on a journey in Seattle, Washington in continuing to help impacted communities through advocacy. Her focus was to educate and become a voice for various individuals through the ideologies of Social Justice diversity equity, inclusion, and mental health.
Ingrid, who is DACAmented, knows that her life experiences and educational journey have given her the necessary tools to continue to commit to providing a brave place for the URC family! She believes that when a student finds a safe space It is then that students will be able to disprove damaging myths and become their own advocates, creating change for not only themselves but for future generations that will follow.
Meet Our URC student staff
Victor Zavala
Pronouns: He/Him/His/El
Student Assistant
Victor is a Kinesiology Pre-Physical Therapy major, he is greatly passionate about health and athleticism. Victor is truly determined about his goal of becoming a physical therapist and helping his undocumented community. His main drive is his family since they are the biggest support for him and motivators. Even when faced with adversity he always manages to be resourceful and surround himself with amazing people. Resilience and hard work are some of Victor’s character traits that define his persona at its best. One of the main reasons why he wants to work in the healthcare field is to help people with disabilities.
Jose Hernandez Sanchez
Pronouns: He/Him/His/El
Mentor
Alan Rojas Duran
Pronouns : He/Him/His/El
Mentor
Business Administration
Alan Rojas Duran is a first-generation student born in Mexico and raised in the USA, more specifically, Spring Valley California in which he has lived for 17 years. Some of Alan’s hobbies include exercising, playing video games, watching esports, spending time with his friends and family, and furthering his education, something which he considers invaluable. He is a proud volunteer at the Undocumented Resource Center, where he has learned the importance of community and brotherhood, as well as the importance of helping others.
He plans to continue his service at the URC these upcoming two years and work on shining a light on the hardships that many undocumented students like himself have had on their educational journey. He hopes to work with other students in situations similar to his and to let them know “que si se puede”. (“ Yes we can”)
Sara G. Martinez
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/Ella
Mentor
Sara Martinez was born in Tijuana, Mexico, but was raised in Chula Vista, California all her 23 years of life. She was brought to the United States at the very young age of 6 months old for a better life, including opportunities. Given that she is also the eldest daughter, she is a first-generation, undocumented college student. Not to mention, she takes a lot of pride in those things as it motivates her to pursue her career. Sara is currently majoring in Political Science as well as minoring in counseling and social change for the purpose of becoming an immigration Attorney in order to help the undocumented community. She really wants to help her community, especially those who have similar situations as her, and be there for them when they feel like no one else is. Being part of the Undocumented Resource Center, she really feels like she can already do that and at the same time receive support from both, her directors and peers too. Additionally, she is beyond grateful to be part of a center that not only makes one feel at home but makes coming to school exciting. This is Sara’s last year at San Diego State University and she is very excited to be earning her Bachelor’s Degree in the Spring of 2024!
Marciano Rodriguez Bautista
Pronouns : He/Him/His/El
Student Assistant
Marciano Rodriguez B. is a Junior who is transferring from the San Fernando Valley, located in L.A. Mariciano is excited to be a volunteer at the Undocumented Resource Center and additionally be part of EOP. He is majoring in International Business Spanish - Western Europe and looking forward to becoming a successful and supportive student at SDSU.
Steven Sylvia
Pronouns: He/They
Student Assistant
As an English transfer student from Southwestern College, Steven was able to find his home away from home at the URC. There, his work in supporting the Undocumented community has pushed him toward his goal of pursuing a career as a college counselor. When he is not on campus, Steven enjoys taking photos, writing poetry, and buying more books than he can finish. Come swing by the URC and say hi!
Between attending open mics or taking photos wherever, you will always find me doing
something art related. It is through this creative outlet that I can be the needed
representation of individuals like myself; while also supporting and standing in solidarity
to the causes of others as an ally should. Feel free to stop by the Undocumented Resource
Center, me and my colleagues are here to greet you with open arms. Sending you all
the love and happiness you deserve- S.S.
Vy Quach
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/Ella
Student Assistant
Edgar R. Adame
Pronouns: He/Him/His/El
Student Assistant
Victor Heredia
Pronouns: He/Him/His/El
Student Assistant
Rafael Loo
Student Assistant
Julissa Garcia Venegas
Student Assistant
Maria Jaimes
Student Assistant
Maria is a proud first-generation college student. She was born in Michoacan, Mexico, and was brought to the United States at the age of 2. Although she has lived in San Diego for the majority of her life, she believes it is vital to never forget where one comes from as this makes up a portion of who we are as an individual.A few notable things about her is that she finds a lot of joy in the small things. She enjoys walks along the beach, sitting under a tree, exploring new places, and grounding herself.
She recently graduated from Grossmont College with two associate degrees: Administration of Justice and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Apart from that, she also earned a certificate in University Studies. Maria transferred to SDSU to obtain a B.S. in Criminal Justice. Attending college was not always a possibility for Maria. Envisioning herself walking across the stage was only a distant dream. Her overall relationship with learning and school fluctuated a lot. She struggled a lot both academically and mentally which affected her ability to perform in the way she now knows she can. Maria hopes to pursue a career as a juvenile probation officer to help troubled youth redirect their life. Above all, she hopes to become a support system for youth who have been labeled and shoved into a box, like she previously was. As she has experienced firsthand the long-term effects of labling. Issues surrounding Social Justice have been a passion of hers that she picked up during her sophomore year of high school at Hoover High School's Social Justice Academy. Maria has learned to use her setbacks as her fuel to strive for better, not just for herself, but for those who came before her and those who will come after her. With that being said, she also wants to pursue a social work minor to further expand her knowledge and passion for social justice.