Melissa Cruz – Fulbright Semi-Finalist

Melissa Cruz is a recent graduate in English and Spanish with cum laude honors. Prior to transferring to UCI as a Regent’s Scholar, Melissa earned an Associate’s Degree in English at Golden West College, where she participated in the swim team and was named a Student Athlete Academic All Star. She has interned in a bilingual classroom through UCI’s Global Connect secondary school enrichment program and is currently earning her single-subject teaching credential at California State University, Long Beach. Melissa plans to draw upon her bilingual background and awareness of global cultures to enhance support for English language learners in Latinx communities in Southern California.