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Giovanni Falcon is currently a junior undergraduate at Loyola Marymount University from Hawthorne, California and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Communication Studies. Giovanni joined CSLA in the summer of 2012 after participating in various center projects, such as the 2010 gubernatorial election exit poll, the 20th Anniversary of the LA Riots survey, and the Sacramento Seminar course. As a result from his experience with working on these projects, he has become immersed in California and Los Angeles politics.

In addition to working at CSLA, Giovanni is involved in various organizations at Loyola Marymount. He works for Admissions/First Year Experience as an Orientation Leader. He is a member of Magis Service Organization, where he actively immerses himself with homeless community at a local food bank called Blessed Sacrament Church. He is also a member of Beta Theta Pit Fraternity where he focuses on the philanthropic foundations and service opportunities his brotherhood has to offer around Los Angeles. He is also a member of the Latino Student Union which is an umbrella organization opened to people of all ethnicities. Lastly, Giovanni is also part of the LMU Men’s Club Soccer team. After finishing his degree, Giovanni plans to go to law school and plans to specialize in civil or immigration law. His eventual plans include becoming involved in city politics.

Nancy Flores-Grajeda is currently a junior and is a Political Science and Spanish double major, and Jewish Studies minor at Loyola Marymount University. Nancy joined the Center for the Study of Los Angeles at the beginning of 2012.

Nancy is from Santa Monica, California. Currently she is involved in various organizations at LMU such as Marians Service Org, El Espejo mentoring program, President of the Political Science Association, and Spanish Club. Among her many interests, Nancy is very passionate about women’s rights and raising awareness about many issues that pertain to women and children. Nancy is a tutor for the Academic Resource Center, a Research Assistant for the Center for the Study of Los Angeles, and recently became a MAAA Scholar. After LMU she is looking into post-graduate service that involves teaching. In the future she hopes to go into law or graduate school.

Kate Henley is currently a sophomore Political Science major with plans of adding a French minor at Loyola Marymount University. In January 2012, Kate began working at the Center for the Study of Los Angeles and pursued the opportunity because of her deep interest in the social issues of Los Angeles as well as her drive to be more involved and knowledgeable about the city. She is from Colorado Springs, Colorado and is excited to learn about and be immersed in the diverse and huge city. Her passion is learning about international relations as well as human rights, and she hopes that the research she does at the Leavey Center will help perfect her research skills and push her to reach her goals.

At Loyola Marymount University, Kate has been involved in several clubs and organizations. She is a member of a new club on campus called Global Exchange, which is combiningg with the Rotaract Club that focuses on international peace and knowledge. She is involved with Campus Ministry and enjoys her role as a member and leader of Christian Life Community holding weekly meetings with her group, as well as being a leader for the First Year Retreat at LMU. Kate is also a member of the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity on campus and advocates for the foundations philanthropic focus, literacy, by helping with events and attending service opportunities. This year she is working on starting a Model United Nations at Loyola Marymount University and hopes to begin attending conferences by the end of the semester. Kate enjoys doing service and learning about the many social issues shaping the nation and the world.

Brendan Hughes is a junior undergraduate at Loyola Marymount University pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with minors in Philosophy and History. His became interested in working as a student research assistant at the Center as a result of his participation in research of the 20th Anniversary of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots Survey conducted by CSLA. Brendan’s involvement with the Center and LMU has deepened through his participation in the 2012 Undergraduate Research Symposium, the 2012 Sacramento Seminar, and closed roundtable discussions on student loans and interactive software relating to the California budget chaired by Congressman Becerra and former U.S. Representative Jane Harman, respectively. Upon completing his undergraduate education, Brendan plans to attend law school in hopes of entering public service or private practice with possible specialization in real estate.

Upon transferring to LMU in the fall of 2011, Brendan immediately connected with Dr. Fernando Guerra’s teachings in Racial and Ethnic Politics, motivating him to enroll in other LMU courses studying minority inclusion and race relations in the urban political landscape. In addition to his research with the Center, Brendan is the Rains Research Assistant for Dr. Jodi Finkel of LMU’s political science department and this summer he is researching the impact of selected ingrained cultural beliefs and societal and political practices on women in rural Mexico.

Sarah Palacios is a currently a junior undergraduate at Loyola Marymount University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Sparking her interest in working as a member of the Center’s team was her participation in the 2010 California Gubernatorial Election as an Exit Poll distributor for Dr. Guerra’s Racial and Ethnic Politics class. As a direct result of the class and first hand experience, she was given the opportunity to better explain the political environment that racial and ethnic groups face specifically in Los Angeles.

Upon her arrival at LMU Sarah immediately pursued her interests by becoming a member of organizations on campus such as Belles Service Organization and being actively involved in the Latino community by holding leadership positions such as the VP of Finance for the Latino Business Student Association and the VP of Administration for the Latino Student Union, an umbrella organization for all Latino organizations at LMU. Aside from working at the Center, she is also an employee for Lions for Learning, tutoring elementary school children in the Westchester community. Upon the completion of her undergraduate degree Sarah plans on obtaining her Masters on way to pursing a career in public service.

Andrew Smith is currently a sophomore Political Science major at Loyola Marymount University, and has plans to acquire a Business Administration minor as well. Andrew joined the Center for the Study of Los Angeles student research team in August 2011. Sparking his interest in joining the Center’s team was his increased involvement in social issues in the Los Angeles area through both his political science classes and involvement with service in the community. Born in Washington D.C. Andrew believes that politics is in his blood and looks forward to enhancing both his political knowledge and understanding through the Center.

Upon entering Loyola Marymount University, Andrew immediately began to pursue his widespread interests. Andrew is involved with the Christian Life Community on campus and is also an avid surfer and active member of the Loyola Marymount Surf Club. In addition, Andrew is also a member of the Crimson Circle Service Organization. As a member of the oldest organization on campus, Andrew has enjoyed taking part in the Urban Compass afterschool mentoring program amongst others, and looks forward to becoming even more involved with the organization in the years to come. Upon graduation from Loyola Marymount University, Andrew would like to continue pursuing his passion for service through a post-graduate service organization and would then like to attend law school to pursue a career in public service.

Genesis Tenorio is a junior Sociology major at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). This is her first year joining the Center for the Study of Los Angeles student researcher team. Being born and raised in the city of Los Angeles, Genesis is interested in learning about different ways she can contribute to this wonderful city. As a student researcher, she would like to expand her research on sociology and get involved with the implementation of social justice. Genesis’ main goal is to graduate from LMU and pursue a law career at Loyola Law School. For the past year, Genesis has researched organizations that fight against human trafficking. She has a deep desire in learning more about this issue and figuring out ways that she can be more involved.

Genesis enjoys being involved in her community. She was involved in youth leadership at her church and organized events to reach out to the youth in the community. She has gained many great experiences throughout her high school and community college careers, and she is looking forward to expanding her knowledge as a LMU student and being a part of the Center team.

Bianca Villaseñor is currently a sophomore undergraduate student at Loyola Marymount University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish, looking into double majoring in Sociology and is beginning her second year with the LCSLA student researcher team.

Bianca is from San Diego, California and is a Resident Advisor in Desmond Hall for first-year residents. She is currently a Leadership Scholar on a Loyola Marymount University Leadership Award Scholarship and is actively involved on-campus. She is part of the Leadership Institute, a fairly new initiative run by Student Leadership and Development in which members participate in a leadership course, attend multiple conferences and events as well as write an annual capstone paper. She is also part of the Christian Life Community, Latino Student Union and is currently in charge of the Freshmen Service Project for Desmond Hall. The Freshman Service Site for her hall is the Downtown Women’s Center located on Skid Rowe, specializing in feeding, housing, and enriching the lives of homeless women. Bianca has presented at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, speaking of her group’s “Analysis of the Voting Habits of Demographic Groups in Los Angeles”. Bianca is also the center’s photographer, attending Urban Lecture Series and other LCSLA events. She hopes to incorporate photography into her work with the Center and continue her studies in local, national and international politics.