24 Jun Greetings from Indiana!

Hello, I’m Jessica Coronel, originally from Pico Rivera, California. I grew up in a humble household alongside two older brothers and hardworking Mexican immigrant parents, with an interest of exploring the great outdoors. Currently I am a student at the University of California, Merced majoring in Spanish and minoring in Chicano/a Studies. To go along with my academics, I was able to intern for the Alliance to Save Energy’s: PowerSave Campus Program, which focused on sustainability and energy conservation. Along with that internship, I also served as a UC Merced tour guide on campus, working with admissions and the general populations of prospective students. Which gave me a head start in learning both about nature conservation and awareness, and the ability to communicate with different visitors from all around. I was fortunate enough to participate in the Yosemite Leadership Program Summer Internship 2014 in which I learned to create interpretive ranger programs/talks that involved history, ecology and conservation. After finishing up my degree I hope to go to graduate school and pursue a Masters in Public Administration and ultimately hold public office one day in Washington D.C.