Aiko Dabu - Econ Justice Break Leader
Majors and Minors: Political Science and Public Policy
Aiko Dabu is a first-generation college student majoring in Political Science with a minor in Public Policy. Raised in a low-income BIPOC community in the San Francisco Bay Area, she learned early on about the region’s deepening housing crisis and its disproportionate impact on immigrant and working-class communities. This sparked her passion and commitment to advocating for tenant rights, housing security, and economic justice.Aiko is actively involved in several campus and community initiatives, including NAVCAL; the Partnership for Pre-Professional Pilipinxs, where she supports Filipinx and broader AAPI communities; and the UC Labor Center, where she contributes to advocacy and research initiatives focused on tenant protections and fair labor standards. Through these roles, she aims to uplift underrepresented communities and pursue policy solutions that promote long-term social and economic equity.
Crystal Yuner Ding - Econ Justice Break Leader
Majors and Minors: English
Hi there! I’m Crystal, a 2nd-year English major with a second major still to be decided. On the pre-law track, I’m passionate about public interest and exploring different areas of service. This year, I’m co-guiding with Aiko to help interested classmates learn about the often-overlooked and simplified history of housing dynamics in the Bay Area. Last year, I took part in the SF Econ Justice trip and highly recommend applying if you’re interested in hands-on service and community engagement.
I’ve gained experience in canvassing, campaign advertising, grant writing, and lobbying, all as ways to take part in advocacy and legislative change. Currently, I’m involved with Asian Law Alliance’s on-site clinics and working on a side project encouraging bridal industry exchange between Ukraine and North America.
In my free time, I like finding new piano sheet covers, trying out Mandopop, and cleaning my room (surprisingly therapeutic). If you use Duolingo, would love to connect with you @crystaldin16. :)
Ash Beristain - Enviornmental & Food Justice Break Leader
Majors and Minors: Sociology
My name is Ash Beristain (she/her/ella), and I’m a 4th-year transfer student from San Jose, CA. I transferred from De Anza College and am now studying sociology with the goal of pursuing a master’s in Social Welfare. I’m passionate about supporting marginalized communities and have dedicated myself to that work through programs like EOP, NAVCAL, and the Public Service Center. Outside of school and community work, I love watching films, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family.
Myroslava Fisun - Enviornmental & Food Justice Break Leader
Majors and Minors: Society and Environment, Slavic Language and Literature, and Public Policy
Myroslava is an undergraduate student studying Society and Environment and Slavic Language and Literature with a minor in Public Policy. Following graduation, she hopes to attend law school focusing on environmental law, and eventually work in the public sector protecting our natural spaces. She has been involved in climate work for around six years now, working with organizations such as the Sunrise Movement and EarthEcho International. On campus, she has served as a Peer Advisor for the Rausser College of Natural Resources, volunteers at the Basic Needs Center, is involved with the SDG Undergraduate Research Group, and co-facilitates the Climate Change in Media DeCal. She is particularly interested in the intersectionality of environmentalism and how the climate movement relates to social issues. Myroslava is looking forward to serving as an Alternative Breaks Leader and hopes to use this position to engage and inspire other students to get involved with environmentalism and to understand the historical and economic context of their local communities.
Brizeida Cruz Hernandez - Farmworker Rights Break Leader
Majors and Minors: Sociology and Legal Studies
Hii! My name is Brizeida :) I'm a senior transfer student double majoring in Sociology & Legal Studies. I'm a proud first-generation student. I'm from a small agricultural town in the Salinas Valley called Greenfield — yess I'm literally surrounded by beautiful green fields! I come from a hardworking immigrant farmworking family, which has deeply shaped who I am today. I aspire to become a labor attorney and advocate for workers’ rights. When I’m not studying, I love running, listening to Spanish music, meeting new people, conducting research, and exploring new places.
Jailyn Jaimes Villegas - Farmworker Rights Break Leader
Majors and Minors: Political Science abd Public Policy
Hi, I'm Jailyn! I'm a senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Public Policy, and I'm originally from Hollister, Ca. Im pre-law and passionate about giving back to the community, whether that's through volunteering at my local food bank, guiding students through college applications, or helping Ukrainian students learn English. On campus, I serve on the Peer Review Board and now Alternative Breaks! Outside of school and service, I enjoy sewing, shopping, and binging TV shows with my two cats keeping me company. I am excited to see what this upcoming school year has to offer!
Prathana Adhikari - Public Health Break Leader
Majors and Minors: Public Health
Hi! My name is Prathana, and I'm a 4th-year Public Health major passionate about advancing health equity in marginalized communities. I'm especially interested in the intersection of environmental justice and public health. In the future, I hope to work in the environmental health sector, where I can help mitigate anthropogenic health hazards through community-based research. I'm excited to be part of Alternative Breaks this year and to connect with others who care deeply about social change and community empowerment!
Teresa Yu Kuang - Public Health Break Leader
Majors and Minors: Data Science
Hi! My name is Teresa Yu Kuang, and I’m a senior at UC Berkeley majoring in Data Science with a minor in Computer Science. I am excited to be part of the program to learn more about the local community and explore new ways to promote public health justice in areas that lack resources and support. In addition to my interest in public health, I also enjoy drawing, eating, and crocheting during my free time.
Emma Konecna - Sustainability Break Leader
Majors and Minors: Earth & Planetary Science and Chemistry
I am a second year undergrad studying Earth and Planetary Science with a minor in Chemistry. I was born and raised in San Jose but am originally Czech. I am deeply interested in the interface between social and environmental justice, with a special focus on creating more resilient, sustainable communities through better urban and landscape design. I love plants and getting outside every chance I get, whether that's to run, hike, bike, swim, or just wander around and bask in the sun!
Lynda Otero - Sustainability Break Leader
Majors and Minors: Political Science
Lynda is from Santa Cruz and a third-year student at UC Berkeley. She is majoring in Political Science and plans to attend law school after her time at Cal. She’s apart of many communities on campus: the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), the Latine Pre-Law Society, NAVCAL, and the Public Service Center. Though these organizations differ from each other, they all share the same objectives of building community, professional development, and giving back to the Bay Area. Her lived experience as a first-generation college student from a family of Salvadoran immigrants has shaped her future goals and fueled a passion for equity in education and pathways to citizenship. As a Alternative Breaks participate, she served on the San Diego Immigrant Rights trip in collaboration with Border Angels. In her free time she enjoys hiking, crocheting, and experimenting with film photography.
Vanessa Colin - Immigration Rights Break Leader
Majors and Minors: Legal Studies and Chicanx/Latinx Studies
Hello! I’m a fourth-year student here at Cal double majoring in Chicanx/Latinx Studies and Legal Studies. I have been with Alternative Breaks as a participant, director, and now break leader. I was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County, California, and I come from a family of Mexican immigrants. I am proud to be a first-generation university student! I plan to go to law school to study immigration and civil rights law. Outside of academics, I am also involved with the Chicanx/Latinx Student Development Office here on campus and in my free time, I love to crochet, read, and re-watch Grey’s Anatomy.
Merilyn Navarro Sanchez - Immigration Rights Break Leader
Majors and Minors: Sociology and Ethnic Studies
Hi everyone! My name is Merilyn Navarro Sanchez, and I am a 5th-year undergrad from San Diego. I am double-majoring in Sociology/Ethnic Studies, and I am excited to be a co-leader for the second year in a row :) Coming from an immigrant background and being born and raised in San Diego, this work is very meaningful to me, and I hope future leaders come out of Alternative Breaks to continue on the legacy and service work
