Serina Cabrera, a first-generation student, woman of color, and senior STEM major was honored to represent Sonoma State University in receiving the 2022 California State University Trustee’s Award. 

An email from CSU’s strategic communications and public affairs explains the award. “The CSU Trustees’ Award is the university’s highest recognition of student achievement. Each award provides a donor-funded scholarship to students who demonstrate superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and inspirational goals for the future. The awardees have demonstrated a deep commitment to making a positive impact on their generation, as well as those who come after them,” the email said.  

Cabrera is currently a senior at Sonoma State majoring in Statistics with a double minor in Biology and Chemistry. She is the President of her sorority, Lambda Theta Nu, Vice President of Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Secretary of Pi Mu Epsilon club and Math/Statistics club, McNair Scholar, Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Honors Member, works in the Mathematical Epidemiology Research Group, is a Learning and Academic Resource Center (LARC) Statistics Tutor, and is an SSU cheerleader, 

During an interview with the Interim Director of Communications, Delfin Vigil, Cabrera recounted her reaction to discovering she’d won the award. “I felt so happy and thankful my story was able to get this award, and how Sonoma State thought that I was the embodiment of this award,” Cabrera said.  

Cabrera was initially supposed to graduate in May 2022, but a car accident put her out of school for a month. After re-evaluating graduate program timelines, Cabrera decided it would be best for her to graduate in May 2023. 

Omayra Ortega, an SSU Mathematics professor, encouraged Cabrera to apply for the CSU Trustees Award, even if she doubted her likelihood of getting chosen. Thinking Ortega was right, Cabrera applied for the award. Writing her personal statement for the award was one of the hardest parts of the process. In the statement, Cabrera expressed her truth and deepest darkest secrets, crying during the whole process. “I felt it was time for others to know my story and what made me the person I am today.” 

With the money she received from the award, Cabrera plans to put some of it away for graduate school and use the remaining portion to pay her brother back for the support he’s provided over the years.

Cabrera’s childhood was difficult, but school was always her biggest motivation. She recalls financial struggle and her father’s addiction being prevalent during her younger years. As a result of her upbringing, Cabrera was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. 

“My upbringing has shaped me to be the person I am today. I have super high expectations for myself to do everything I can due to that fact of being put down my whole life which is why I’ve managed to be involved in so many things and create and receive so many opportunities that I’m truly grateful for,” Cabrera said.

Cabrera started classes at SSU when she was just 17. The nature on campus and location is what first attracted Cabrera to the University. At the time, her parents were going through a divorce and her father was recently sober, so she didn’t want to attend a school that was too far away from home. Currently, her relationship with her parents is better than ever and she talks to them everyday.

During her first semester at SSU, Cabrera struggled with the transition and was on academic probation. Being a first-gen student, she struggled a lot because she didn’t have a good learning foundation established from high school. Luckily, the community of Sonoma State supported and helped Cabrera navigate her way through it all. 

Cabrera has grown so much at SSU and especially wanted to thank her family,  MESA for guiding her through the STEM world since she was a first year, LARC for employing her and helping her grow as an individual and McNair for being uplifting and providing resources to her such as applying to grad school. “Little Serina would be so proud of how we’re still here against all odds and how we’ve overcome the most hardest times in our lives,” Cabrera said. 

Cabrera acknowledges she couldn’t have accomplished this alone.  It takes a village to raise someone and guide them through their journey.  Obstacles like the ones Cabrera has faced are difficult to traverse alone, but she’s stronger because of it. 

Something she wants fellow POC to remember is to always believe in yourself, especially when others do not. “There will always be challenges and times where you don’t know if you’re going to make it or continue pushing yourself but you have to keep reminding yourself of your goals. It is okay to not be okay all of the time even when you feel you have to be strong otherwise you’re considered weak. Be patient and loving with yourself. You weren’t meant to be your biggest critic, but your biggest fan,” Cabrera said. “As a POC woman, you will be treated differently, you will have different expectations compared to others. This comes with so much pressure and responsibility, there will be moments when it seems no one is in your corner but if you’re in your corner then no one can stop you.”