CHCI-Walmart Intern
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
School: University of California, Berkeley
Major: American Studies
Placement: The Office of Rep. Linda Sanchez
Óscar Alvarez Mejía was born in Puebla, Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of two. His mother’s hard work and selflessness has instilled in him perseverance and the value of giving back to others.
Óscar is completing his bachelor’s degree in American Studies with a concentration in public policy and access to higher education at the University of California, Berkeley. Growing up in South Central, Los Angeles, he saw how educational disparities led many of his peers to fall into the drop-out statistics that shadow communities of color. His experience has influenced his desire to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy in order to challenge inequitable policies affecting communities like his own.
As a CHCI Intern, Óscar hopes to strengthen his leadership and advocacy skills, as well as develop a deeper understanding of federal policy. Ultimately, he will use his experience to continue bridging other first-generation, low-income, immigrant individuals like himself to similar opportunities.