PAU Undergrad Francesca Pedraza Will Advocate for Students Statewide

The AICCU Independent California Colleges Advocate Program is a competitive, six-month program attended by a cohort of diverse students from AICCU member institutions. Francesca Pedraza, a senior in the Psychology and Social Action Program, will represent Palo Alto University in this prestigious program in 2021.   Pedraza is a single mother interested in advocacy and leadership. “I am eager to walk the path of leadership with ICCAP and to learn skills that will allow me to grow into the leader and advocate I aspire to be and be the voice representing those that do not have one,” she said.   The Advocates will develop their leadership, communication, and advocacy skills as well as deepen their knowledge of how policymaking affects their education. According to AICCU, in 2020, “ICCAP students advocated on behalf of AICCU Cal Grant students, successfully engaged federal representatives in Congress on federal stimulus relief for COIVD-19, wrote letters to legislative leaders, participated in legislative and CSAC hearings, and joined the CSAC statewide campaign #CAStudentSpeaks aiming to amplify the voices of students across California and showcases students' COVID-19 experience as well as the role of financial aid in their college education.”   Pedraza commented, “It is in my vision, as a future licensed therapist, to inspire those around me, to serve and help as much as I can, and to create change. I believe in the greater good of people and change does not happen if we just sit and wait. Therefore, if I want change I have to play a part in effecting change.”