Isela Gaona Resendiz

Case Manager at an Immigration Law Firm with a Bachelor of Arts in Chicano and Latino Studies and a Minor in Spanish. Actively involved in nonprofit organizations supporting underserved communities, with a strong interest in social justice and immigrant advocacy. Combines professional experience with volunteer service to build a well-rounded foundation for a future in law. Known for strong organizational, communication, and analytical skills. Currently preparing to pursue law school with the goal of advancing equity and access within the legal system.

President, Pre-Law Society Club

• Conduct a group of students who are interested in pursuing a career in law by encouraging outside involvement from legal corporations within Sonoma County. Produce bi-weekly meetings with the club treasurer and collaborate with students and faculty by promoting and assisting LSAT workshops.

Research Assistant, Koret Research Team

• Learned how to: participate in rigorous research experiences; and prepare students to effectively find and solve meaningful problems. Code and analyze qualitative data from in-depth interviews. Organize all the interviews into packages, which will facilitate the analysis of the data. Consider ethical questions raised by conducting in-depth interviews. Write up from qualitative interview research. Conduct extensive review of the literature on the topic of social networks and social capital and its value among Latino students in higher education.

Create a conference poster to be delivered at a National Conference (Western Psychological Association 2024 Annual Convention to be held in San Francisco, CA on April 24-28, 2024).

Volunteer, My American Dream Foundation Non Profit Organization

• Through my volunteer work with nonprofit organizations serving immigrant communities, I have developed strong cultural competency, allowing me to engage respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This experience has also strengthened my communication skills, particularly in navigating language and cultural barriers to ensure accurate, empathetic, and clear exchanges. Additionally, I have gained valuable experience in client advocacy, helping individuals access critical resources and services while promoting their rights and well-being in often complex and challenging systems.

School of Arts and Humanities Dean's List: Fall
2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024,
• Academic achievement by combining scholarly focus and hard work.

Cum Laude, with Distinction