MELISSA GUTIERREZ

Hometown: Mecca, California
School: California State University, Long Beach
Major: Sociology

Melissa Gutierrez was born in Indio, California to a mother who was born in Guanajuato, Mexico. She is currently a first-year student at California State University Long Beach with a declared major in sociology. She is the third in her family to attend a four-year university and serves as a role model for her younger siblings who are also seeking higher education. Because she has seen all the struggles that both her parents have faced she is set out to excel in what she sets herself to do. Melissa is a devoted individual who does not allow adversity to limit her dreams of becoming an attorney and uplifting the marginalized voices in her community.

As a CHCI and CAMP participant, Melissa aims to enrich her professional development in governmental and political processes, which will ultimately provide the experience needed to better advocate on behalf of her Latinx community and other disadvantaged communities.