Advocating for Yourself
As part of your journey to college, you might find yourself in the position of needing to be your own best advocate — to find ways of accomplishing your goals, even when they differ from what others might see for you.
Angel Ornelas, a history major in the Class of 2021 at Claremont McKenna College, shares his journey to the private liberal arts school, and how his advocacy has deepened and expanded through his college experience. Whether he’s speaking up for himself or broader communities, “Everyone deserves a high-quality education,” he says, “regardless of their income status, race, ethnicity, sexuality or gender identity.”
Tell us about your journey to college.
How has your advocacy continued in college?
What advice would you give to students who may be the first in their families to go to college or are from communities that are underrepresented in higher education?
What steps should students take to be successful in college?
What would you say to students who want to take those steps to advocate for themselves but are feeling overwhelmed or even scared?
Are you practicing self-advocacy in your journey to college? Take a moment to reflect on a time when you’ve had to speak up for yourself and what you’ve learned from those experiences.
