Jacquelyn Zepeda currently attends the University of California, Berkeley and is a graduate of Making Waves Academy. She will begin her third year at UC Berkeley in the fall of 2025, and she joined the Richmond Promise Summer Associate program in the summer of 2025.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Is there anything in particular that motivates you as you go through college and prepare yourself for a career?

A: As a first-generation Hispanic student from immigrant parents a big motivator in my pursuit of education is to not only make my parents proud but to be a voice for my community.

Q: How has Richmond Promise played a role in your education?

A: Richmond Promise has made my pursuit of education more financially accessible, allowing me to focus on my studies without having to sacrifice other aspects of my life.

Q: Why did you choose to be a Richmond Promise Summer Associate, and what are you hoping to take from the experience?

A: I chose to be a Richmond Promise Summer Associate so that I could support my community by being a source of support in students’ transition journey to college. I hope to learn how to be a better leader and listener from this experience.

Q: What do you want to contribute to Richmond and/or the world?

A: I want to contribute to Richmond not just to support but hope that anyone from any background can succeed in their pursuit of higher education. This is something I would hope to convey to anyone in the world.

Q: How has your current college experience gone, and what has been the best part?

A: My current college experience has gone well as it has tested me in many ways that have allowed me to grow as a person, and the best part has been meeting new people.

Q: What advice would you give to a first-year Richmond Promise Scholar who is just heading off to a new college or CTE program?

A: My advice would be to never doubt how much you deserve to be there and to take this as an opportunity to
come out of your shell to try new things.

Q: What are you looking forward to doing after finishing school?

A: After finishing school I look forward to pursuing law school and continuing to support my community in any way that I can.