Alexis Young, a senior double majoring in political science and criminology, law, and society, is one of five inaugural recipients of the UCI Social Sciences Moore Scholarship for Community and Social Change. The $2,000 award supports students who demonstrate the most academic promise and potential to enact change and improve the community. Below, the aspiring criminal prosecutor from Gilroy shares her favorite Anteater experience and why UCI offered the perfect major for her future plans.

What made you decide to pursue your current field of study, and specifically at UCI? What interests you most about your work?

My future career goal is to become a criminal prosecutor. Because of this, I decided to major in political science. Once I got to UCI I added the second major of criminology, law, & society because I believed it would be beneficial to my career goals. I chose UCI since it was one of the few schools that offered criminology as a major. What interests me the most about my work is its ever-changing nature and the new developments in this field that occur each and every day.

When do you plan to finish your degree and what are your plans thereafter?

I plan to finish my degree in the spring of 2024. Afterwards I plan to attend law school.

What activities have you been involved in at UCI?

I have been a part of the UCI Swing Dance club since the beginning of the spring quarter. I am starting an internship this fall with the Parole Board Project.

Who has played an important mentorship role in your life thus far and why? Specifically at UCI?

Professor Yousefi has been very helpful in my law journey. She was one of the first teachers I encountered at UCI. I’m very thankful for her help and advice concerning law school and the career of a lawyer. An important mentor in my life is my high school FFA advisor Chelsi Soares. Even after I graduated, she continued to play the role of an advisor. I can always count on her for advice or even a quick chat to catch up.

What challenges or hurdles have you faced in getting to where you are today?

The Covid-19 pandemic was definitely a unique circumstance that played a major role in where I am today. Before the pandemic, I had planned to attend a completely different college in a not so exciting town. With the shutdown, plans changed. The one thing I can thank the pandemic for is giving me the time to sit down and really think about my future plans, including discovering UCI. Now, I attend UCI, study two majors I love, and live in quite the exciting city.

What’s your best memory thus far from your undergraduate experience at UCI?

My best memory thus far from my undergraduate experience was meeting one of my favorite celebrities, Kirsten Vangsness, at the UCI Barclay Theater with my friend who equally loves this actress. We got to watch her perform live and talk with her after the show. She was the sweetest person ever!