​​Amalia Castañeda has​ faced unique challenges as a first-generation college student, but a research program geared toward students like her helped ease the transition.

Amalia graduated cum laude from UCLA and is currently earning a master’s degree in history at California State University, Los Angeles. She also works in the department of archives and special collections at Cal State LA, where she helps preserve the rich history of the university and the city. Amalia recently interned with The Museum of Social Justice and helped co-curate the exhibition, “African American Civil Rights in LA” in 2015.

Amalia plans to also earn a master’s degree in library and information science to further pursue her dream job of becoming a Los Angeles public historian. There, Amalia hopes to employ her background to develop culturally relevant programs for diverse audiences.