Meet Our Summer Associates: Luis Magana

Luis Magana | Berkeley City College | Class of 2020

Luis Magana is currently a student at Berkeley City College pursuing a political science degree with a passion to make a difference in his community. His dream is to transfer to the University of California, Berkeley in the following year so he can finally help support his family economically as he comes from a low-income family. In June of 2019, he was able to start a sports bottle company that is growing and will soon have an apparel section. Another goal of his is to grow his company while attending a university in order to give a percentage of his profits to the students of his community to show America how Richmond can make a difference. Currently, in his community college, he is participating in multiple committees that are hosted by the college’s administration to better the lives of the students that are currently attending BCC. At the beginning of this year, he became a part of the Richmond Promise family by becoming an intern in their near-peer and summer associate programs which has helped him improve in his everyday life. 

Q: What do you want to contribute to Richmond?

A: “I am currently a student at Berkeley City College pursuing a political science degree with a passion to make a difference in my community. My dream is to transfer to the University of California, Berkeley in the following year so I can finally help support my family economically as I come from a low-income family. In June of 2019, I was able to start a sports company that is growing and will soon have an apparel section. Another goal of mine is to grow the company while still attending a University in order to give a percentage of my profits to the students of my community to show America how Richmond can make a difference. Currently, in his community college, he is participating in multiple committees that are hosted by the college’s administration to better the lives of the students that are currently attending BCC. At the beginning of this year, he became a part of the Richmond Promise family by becoming an intern in their near-peer and summer associate programs which has helped him improve in his everyday life.”

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

A: “The Richmond Promise has contributed a lot in my education because they are very understanding when it comes to school. What I mean by that is if I ever need a day or two to complete any of my essays or exams that were due. Having an opportunity to work at the Richmond Promise has helped my education because I was able to pay off any debt or pay to add more classes in my schedule.”

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

A: “Once I graduate from a four-year university, my goal is to come back to Richmond because I feel like this city has plenty of potential. Once my company grows and can become profitable, I will dedicate a percentage to nonprofit organizations in the area that is dedicated to empowering students. As a first in my family to attend college it will mean a lot to help other students like me who have dreams but need a boost in order to succeed in the future.”

Q: Can you tell us about your current college experience?

A: “My college experience is honestly one of the best experiences I have had especially when comparing my high school experience. The counselors at Berkeley City College have been extremely helpful when it comes to supporting my college decisions which have made my experience there wonderful. The moment I walked into this college I felt at home compared to Contra Costa College because everyone one there including the students were very welcoming.”

Q: What are you looking forward after receiving your bachelor’s/transferring?

Obtaining a bachelor’s degree has been a dream of mine ever since I was younger because it is a way to finally help my family succeed. My parents weren’t able to attend a university while they were younger because of family issues and were forced to work since the age of 16 which made it hard to attend. My ultimate goal in the future is to buy my parents their first home because by then I will be the one in charge of taking care of them financially.