Valentina Belen Toledano, UCI political science and language science double major with an anthropology minor, is the recipient of a Social Sciences Education Enhancement Scholarship. The funding will support her travel to and participation in the 2024 Museum Educators of Southern California Annual Institute Symposium being held in June. Below, the fifth-year undergrad from Santa Ana expands on her work and plans post-UCI.

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

I applied to UC Irvine because my high school counselor suggested applying to an institution where I could expand my educational knowledge beyond the classroom. UC Irvine has a plethora of extracurricular opportunities that I was eager to apply. Furthermore, the existing mentorship for first-generation students is significant because pursuing higher education is unknown territory. Receiving a message from my mentor before officially setting foot on campus made me feel assured that I would receive guidance during my undergraduate experience.  

I decided to major in political science because I am passionate about learning the connections of social justice movements and government. During my first year, I was interested in taking the pre-law route but my career interests changed. In the winter quarter of my first year, I took an introductory linguistics course and was determined to take more classes to declare a second major. Then, at the end of my second year, I watched educational videos about anthropology and I realized that I wanted to minor in anthropology. With a double major and minor, I am an interdisciplinary social science scholar where if I am studying political movements, sociocultural anthropology, or language acquisition they all compose contemporary society. 

What would you consider your biggest accomplishment at UCI?

My biggest accomplishment would be writing an independent research paper. I tend to get writer’s block so I push myself to research a topic I am passionate about. I am in the final stages of writing my honors paper and I believe my first-year self would be proud of growing in my writing capabilities.

I am conducting an ethnographic study about a community-based art gallery. My research draws upon the historical violence of the origins of US museums to the current community care model and uplifts marginalized communities. My findings indicate the importance of local art galleries' importance in cultivating culturally centered programming, thoughtful community engagement, and staff and artist collaboration.

What awards and scholarships have you received while in pursuit of your degree, and what activities outside of the classroom have you been involved in?

I have received the Duttenhaver Scholarship, the UCEAP Global Scholarship, the Friends of Study Abroad Award, the Inclusive Excellence Award, the Sun Family Foundation Scholarship, and a UROP fellowship. 

I have been involved in multiple opportunities on campus. I have two on-campus at the University Art Gallery and OC&SEAA Center as a C-CAP Scholar. I worked at the Student Outreach and Retention Center as a pathfinder peer educator and pathfinder program coordinator specifically in addressing undergraduate students needs from marginalized backgrounds through program development and peer consultations. I participated in the Summer Academic Enrichment Program as a qualitative fellow and reader. I previously worked at the Division of Continuing Education as a conversation partner and as an academic intern at Global Connect. I studied abroad at Universidad Complutense de Madrid during the 2022-2023 academic year. I was a board member of the Anteater Civil Liberties Union and volunteered at the Prison Education Project. Lastly, I received mentorship from the Gateway Scholars Program and the SAGE Scholars Program.     

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

Cecilia Leyva Melgoza and Neda Moayedi from the SAGE Scholars Program have been the biggest supporters in my undergraduate experience. They supported me in numerous on-campus job applications and applying for scholarships to fund my study abroad program. The winter and spring courses regarding professional development and career exploration have prepared me for my post-graduation steps. Their genuine care towards my academic success and overall wellness was significant in having a support network. Thank you, Neda and Cecy!!

Are there any unique circumstances or life experiences that have played a major role in where and who you are today?

Being a first-generation college student meant that I was crafting my educational and career path, but I encountered financial barriers when I was in my UCEAP program for Madrid. I realized that there were additional costs that exceeded my budget. I reached out to my SAGE and Gateway Scholar mentors for advice and they suggested I apply for the UCEAP Scholarships so that I would not have to worry about finances. I secured a full-ride scholarship for a year-long term. Reaching out to a mentor is very important especially during an uncertain time because they may have been in your shoes and can guide you to fulfill your dreams.

Where can you most often be found on campus?

You can find me at University Art Gallery located at Claire Trevor School of Arts. I will most likely be working on exhibition installation with associate director Sasha Ussef, MFA students, and the rest of the Gallery Attendants.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to take a gap where I will expand on my curatorial expertise at my current part-time job at an art gallery in Santa Ana. Additionally, I will be narrowing down my graduate school search. I am passionate about the intersections of Latinx art and disability culture in museums and archives. I am considering getting a Ph.D. in anthropology and research on inclusive museum practices where I can apply my knowledge to lead museum professionals in Orange County.

What’s your best memory from your time as an Anteater at UCI?

My best memory is working at C-CAP at the OC&SEAA Center. My research advisor, professor Christofer Rodelo from the Department of Chicano/Latino Studies, recommended the position due to my research containing an archival component. I never thought that I would love working in special collections and activities! From working on creating a bilingual web tutorial about how to conduct oral histories to curating a wall display case about a local bookstore, my C-CAP experience has been very rewarding. Thank you, Professor Rodelo, Audra Eagle Yun, and Krystal Tribbett!