My name is Wendy Ramos. I am a 3rd-year undergraduate student where I am in the process of double majoring in Anthropology and Sociology. My interest in Anthropology was sparked through my fascination with the interworking relationship between language and culture; however, my true passion will always lie with Sociology. I have always been curious about people and have often caught myself burning holes right through them. I'm fascinated with the way a person walks, the subtle emotions caught on a person's face, the types of interactions people have, and even more so when a person shifts from society’s norms.

Growing up in low-income neighborhoods meant the lives of the people I was surrounded by has always been politicized and considered deviant. I have heard politicians, teachers, and school administrators label my community and its members as hopeless yet, to me, these were my friends, family, and my home. Sociology allows me to see the world in grey or, as I like to think of it, as seeing the structures in society impact both the individual and the society as a whole.

I am specifically interested in learning the dynamics between crime, deviance, sex work, and their relationship with gender-based violence. Due to the stigmatization of sex work, there isn’t a lot of research done on the lives of sex workers. I want to shed light on the systemic violence that affects their everyday life.

Although I am interested in learning more about how individuals navigate our society, I will always be rooted in my community. My community members have inspired me to take space in environments not created for us. Not only do they transcend these spaces but they also criticize and bring inclusivity. The activism and knowledge our community partners bring inspire me to create an environment where other students may flourish.

I wish to follow their steps by becoming a professor in higher education. Students of color have fewer chances of succeeding, and their success rate is often related to feeling like they belong. Apart from my research, I hope to become a professor that students of color and other marginalized groups can relate to, gain a sense of belonging, and especially feel comfortable asking for help. I want to support and fuel young minds because the catalysts for change starts with students.

I have already begun to work with students through my position here at the Center for Social Innovation. At CSI, I am a student assistant where I am involved with UCR Counts and social media outreach. I assist with Census outreach efforts by creating content for UCR students to grasp the importance of the decennial Census. I have had the privilege of assisting in the launch of various Census webinars such as Census Champion Training Sessions and our newly created Civic Hour.  I am excited to join more projects in the future and bring a helpful insight to the team at the Center for Social Innovation.