LEAF Spotlight: Karina Solano Rodriguez - Championing Change in Education and Housing
In East San José, a community rich in resilience but often marked by hardship, Karina Solano Rodriguez grew up witnessing the tough realities of housing instability and educational inequality. Raised by a single mother who worked at the local flea market, Karina saw firsthand the sacrifices her mother made to create a better future for her family. These early experiences ignited a passion for advocacy that has fueled Karina’s journey through college and into her emerging career.
As a first-generation college graduate from UCLA, Karina has navigated both personal and systemic challenges with grace and determination. She entered UCLA during the pandemic—a daunting prospect in itself—and found herself grappling with imposter syndrome in an unfamiliar academic landscape. “My journey in higher education has been entirely about learning,” she reflects. “My first year at UCLA was about experiencing the unknown. Not only did I enter my first year during the pandemic, but also into higher education—a system no one in my family had familiarity with. I doubted myself. I did not think I belonged.”
But Karina soon found her community, both on campus and among friends back home, who helped anchor her sense of belonging. From this foundation of support, she began advocating for herself and for others facing similar obstacles. Her journey into student advocacy started by joining student government and leadership programs, where she found that many students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, shared her struggles with housing insecurity and financial barriers. “Like myself, many students were facing housing precarity and financial barriers to complete their education. I wanted to lessen the educational disparities that many students face through my advocacy.”
Each year at UCLA brought new growth. By her second year, Karina had solidified her community connections and deepened her commitment to advocacy. Her third year brought her an even clearer sense of direction when she discovered her passion for public policy. She took a bold step by applying to programs outside her comfort zone and was thrilled to be selected for a prestigious policy fellowship that took her to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. There, she honed her skills, broadened her network, and met inspiring mentors. “I got to meet some of the best people there,” she recalls. “I also became a mentor through LEAF to continue paving the way for others.”
In her final year, Karina looked back with gratitude on how far she had come. She co-led Bruin Hope, a volunteer community at UCLA dedicated to promoting equitable education and wellness resources for orphanages in Tijuana, and secured a fellowship with the Capitol Latino Caucus Association Foundation at NextGen Policy, an organization fighting for progressive, justice-centered policies. These experiences, combined with her time as a UCLA Latino Public & Politics Institute Fellow, deepened her skills in data analysis and policy advocacy, preparing her to tackle pressing issues affecting her community.
For Karina, these achievements are not just career milestones but the building blocks of a vision to create real change. Recently awarded the 2024 Chancellor’s Service Award, the Charles E. Young Humanitarian Award, and several prestigious fellowships, including the Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) fellowship, she’s determined to keep her focus on education and housing reform. Her work is rooted in the values she grew up with—values of resilience, perseverance, and community that have guided her from East San José to UCLA and beyond.
Reflecting on her journey, Karina shares, “Growing up in East San Jose, I have seen the disparities my community faces in housing and education. My first-hand experience with housing precarity and educational inequality has fueled my passion to address these disparities. As someone who was raised working at the flea market as a small child, I became aware of the sacrifices my mom took to provide me with a better future.” After a serious health complication her mother faced, Karina’s family experienced housing instabilities that taught her the importance of resilience and perseverance.
Today, Karina stands as a beacon of hope and possibility, both for her community in East San José and for the many students she mentors through LEAF. She is now preparing for a career in public policy, focused on dismantling the barriers that hinder educational and economic opportunities for communities like hers. Her drive to make a difference comes from a place of deep humility and gratitude for those who paved the way before her and for those who now walk alongside her.
Through her achievements, she’s a living example of the power of education and advocacy to transform lives and communities. Karina’s story is a testament to what is possible when determination meets opportunity, and we are honored to celebrate her impact and resilience as part of the LEAF family. Thank you, Karina, for inspiring us all to champion change where it matters most.
