Para Ustedes, El Futuro
A message from our Internal + External CoordinatorsInternal Coordinator
Hola, mi gente latina!
I’m Aleen Hernandez (she/her/ella), and I’m the Internal Coordinator this year. I grew up in a small town in Northern California called Willits. (fun fact: it’s a solid ten-hour drive from UCLA!) My parents are both Mexican; my dad's from Guanajuato and my mom's from Michoacán. I'm a fourth-year, first-gen student majoring in Physiological Science.
I joined LCCM during my sophomore year and instantly fell in love with the community of diverse, like-minded individuals. My experience and involvement in LCCM have been very rewarding. I've been part of the board for two years now. In my sophomore year, I was the Financial Director for DoTOrg, and last year, I was the Risk and Research Director for LSHP. Throughout these two years, the most rewarding aspect of LCCM was building connections with Latinx pre-health students and healthcare professionals.
My fondest memory with LCCM was our board retreat during my sophomore year. We spent the weekend at a cabin in Pine Mountain Club, where I truly connected with everyone. It was then that I realized I had found my home away from home.
I can’t wait to create new memories this year, and I’d love for you to join our familia!
Aleen Hernandez
Andrea Angelina Pérez García
External Coordinator
¡Holis! I’m Andrea Angelina Pérez García (she/her/ella) and I’m delighted to be this year's External Coordinator for LCCM. Born in San Francisco and raised in Richmond, CA (East Bay 510 <3), my roots are in the Bay and in Tlaxcala, México where both my parents are from. (fun fact: they grew up two streets from one another!) I’m a fourth-year student majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Public Health and this is my second year on the LCCM Board, and I’m so excited to make it count!
I first discovered LCCM during my second year at UCLA, thanks to a close friend (last year’s external) who knew I was searching for a community that shared my passion for healthcare, social justice, and most importantly, connection. As a first-generation daughter of immigrants, like many of my peers, I spent my first years feeling a bit lost. LCCM has been the space that has grounded and inspired me, and I can’t wait to share it with you all!
In Winter 2024, I attended the UCI Pre-Health Conference with LCCM, and it was a shaping experience. I felt surrounded by people who were there to truly support and cheer each other on. One of the most impactful moments for me was hearing Dr. Lorenzo Antonio Gonzalez say, "Disease is a Manifestation of Oppression." That statement resonated deeply, reinforcing the importance of LCCM’s existence and why it is crucial for a group like ours to occupy space at UCLA. So whether you’re exploring UCLA’s STEM environment or simply looking for a support system, LCCM has a place for you.
I hope to see you join us!