National Association of Realtors Housing Graduate Fellow
Hometown: East Los Angeles, CA
School: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Major: Master’s, City and Regional Planning
Placement 1: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Placement 2: Office of International and Foundation Innovation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Ulises Gonzalez was born in Colima, Mexico and raised in East Los Angeles. He recently graduated with his Masters in City and Regional Planning from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. In 2006, Gonzalez graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a double major in Chicana/o Studies, Geography, and a minor in Geological Sciences.
Gonzalez conducted a thesis study about how Latinos appropriate space physically, socially, and economically. He also won the Graduate Student of the Year for his fraternity Nu Alpha Kappa, Inc.
Ulises worked as a research assistant studying rural parks, a planning intern with the City of San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles, and a Park Guide with the US Department of the Interior. He also helped developed affordable housing projects with People’s Self-Help Housing (a non-profit developer).
As an undergrad, Gonzalez was president of the Society of Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science and was involved with student government. He was also a tutor and mentor for high students, providing college counseling and classroom assistance.
Ulises’ interests include understanding the federal legislative process and learning how policy is created and implemented at the federal, state, and local levels. Affordable housing, the current home loan crisis, and community/economic development are areas of focus during his fellowship.
During his free time, Ulises enjoys traveling, learning about culture, and the natural sciences. He studied abroad in Mexico and traveled to Europe, Central America, and Thailand. His hobbies include: swimming, exploring new places, hiking, and relaxing with the good company of friends and family.