REGINA VAZQUEZ

Hometown: Downey, California
School: University of California, Berkeley
Major: Environmental Studies

Regina Vazquez was born and raised in South Los Angeles by her Mexican and Nicaraguan family. Growing up in an unincorporated area, she learned of the ways systemic racial inequities manifested in her community. Regina strives to work in environmental policy to work towards environmental justice for communities like hers.

Regina attended East Los Angeles College after high school, where she studied Political Science. She supported community building as Vice President for the John Delloro Social Justice Transfer Program and as a fellow for the American Federation of Teachers Union by organizing campus events centered around student issues. With the support of community and family, Regina transferred to UC Berkeley where she is now a senior majoring in Society and Environment.

During her first year, Regina served as a Latinx Caucus facilitator, in moderating discussions on issues affecting the Latinx student community. In summer 2019, Regina was a fellow for the Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute at the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy. As a fellow, she completed Public Policy graduate-level courses that taught her the tools necessary to prepare for a career immersed in championing progressive policy. Regina continues her commitment to her community as a current board member of the Central Americans for Empowerment Collective.

As a CHCI Intern, Regina hopes to learn the tools necessary in navigating policy spaces as a woman of color belonging to different communities in addition to learning the process of implementing community informed policy.