Just a quick peek at her LinkedIn timeline — that’s what led Ariana Aparicio Aguilar to apply for the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators, or AHSIE, Seed to Tree Scholarship.

That peek paid off: Aguilar was one of six recipients presented with a $1,000 scholarship at the 17th Annual AHSIE Best Practices Conference in Chicago in early March.

This year’s conference theme, “Siempre Presente: Reclaiming the Power of Voice, Identity, y Cultura,” tracks hard with Aguilar’s ethos and background. As a first-generation, undocumented Latina who came to the U.S. from Mexico with her parents at a young age, she often felt “caught between two worlds, belonging fully to neither.”

“Winning this award was a moment of validation,” said Aguilar, a doctoral candidate in UCR’s School of Education. “Not just for my hard work and dedication to supporting undocumented students and advancing equity in higher education, but also for the community that has supported me throughout my journey. Scholarships like this are more than just financial assistance; they recognize the importance of my research and advocacy.”

Aguilar’s research focuses on how higher education practitioners and administrators interpret and implement the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in ways that impact undocumented students. She’s exploring the implications of these interpretations on undocumented students’ access to resources, privacy, and overall educational experiences. Aguilar’s advocacy aims to create systemic change within Hispanic-Serving Institutions, or HSIs, like UCR by ensuring they are accessible to and supportive of underrepresented communities.

Her efforts have roots in Washington, D.C. — in a 2022 trip accompanying Chancellor Wilcox to the White House for DACA’s 10th anniversary. Her goal with that trip and other advocacy efforts is to ensure institutions genuinely consider and support the needs of undocumented students with and without DACA. As a graduate teaching assistant, she’s also reaching students directly, encouraging them to believe in the value of their experiences.  

“Success isn’t just about resilience, it’s about finding compatible mentors, building quality relationships, and not being afraid to ask for help,” Aguilar tells the undergraduates she teaches. “Scholarships and networks exist to support you, but you have to take that first step in seeking them out and applying. Stay true to your purpose and remember that your journey has the power to inspire and open doors for others.”

Aguilar is expected to graduate with her doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration and Policy from UCR’s School of Education in spring 2025.