Nancy E. Calderón grew up an only child in a low-income, single-parent, Spanish-speaking, migrant household in the Imperial Valley. During her lifetime, she has endured serious financial and academic hardships, but continues to demonstrate outstanding academic performance and dedication to community.

The first in her family to attend college, Nancy is majoring in psychology and political science with a Spanish minor at San Diego State. Highly involved in student organizations, Nancy has helped facilitate several events hosted by the Educational Opportunity Program, has served as the president of the SDSU chapter of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, and has conducted research as a McNair Scholar and a Minority Access to Research Careers Scholar. Her main research interests are in developmental psychopathology.

Upon graduation, Nancy will pursue a PhD in clinical psychology to become a university professor researching the etiology of child mental health disorders and the implementation and effectiveness of preventive intervention programs for 'at-risk' children and youth.