UCI scholar gains professional experience through Libraries year-long paid fellowship.

Having originally associated UCI Libraries with only books and welcoming spaces, second-year psychology student Jazmin Garcia-Arevalo’s understanding of the Libraries expanded significantly during her time as a DREAM Fellow. DREAM Fellowships, coordinated through the UCI DREAM Center, provide students with experiential learning, professional development, and networking opportunities, regardless of their immigration status.

UCI Libraries appealed to Garcia-Arevalo as a placement site for her DREAM Project Fellowship (DPF) because she felt that she could contribute to the Libraries’ goal of connecting to students like her.

“I was interested in exploring ways the Libraries could improve outreach and services for underrepresented students,” said Garcia-Arevalo.

Over the course of her fellowship, Garcia-Arevalo, who hopes to become a counselor or therapist after she graduates, acquired research and other skills related to her career goals.

“My experience at UCI Libraries was valuable,” shared Garcia-Arevalo. “It helped me better manage my time, allowed me to practice interviewing students, and taught me how to navigate research databases.”

DREAM Project Fellowship Program

Possibly ineligible for employment and paid internships in the United States, DREAM Fellows may also not be able to receive federal aid or scholarships. Through the DPF program, the fellows gain invaluable professional and educational experience as well as financial support. Each DREAM Fellow is assigned to a UCI project site and mentor and, in 2022-2023, was supported by a $4,500 scholarship.

Recognizing a connection between its mission and the DPF objectives, UCI Libraries applied to be a DPF placement site for the first time this year, funding Garcia-Arevalo’s scholarship through the University Librarian’s UCI Libraries Innovation Grant.

“We believe that the DPF program fits well with UCI Libraries’ Strategic Plan, particularly in supporting diverse student populations, encouraging engagement, and fostering inclusive excellence,” explained Stacy Brinkman, head of Education and Outreach.

Reaching Underrepresented Students

Research Librarian for Student Success and Humanities Nicole Arnold served as Garcia-Arevalo’s mentor throughout

her year-long fellowship. Jointly, the two came up with a concentration and scope for Garcia-Arevalo’s project: determine gaps in library services by leading focus groups with Student Success Initiatives (SSI) students.

Through focus groups with SSI students, who include foster youth, first-generation students, low-income students, and student parents, they hoped to learn more about these students’ needs.

Garcia-Arevalo created flyers to recruit focus group members and drafted the focus group questionnaires. The goal is now to use the collected data to explore ways that the Libraries might better engage and serve underrepresented students, especially post-COVID.

At the conclusion of her fellowship, Garcia-Arevalo shared her findings via a poster presentation at the DREAM Center’s annual Rising Together, Thriving Together Conference.

“Jazmin’s project and the data yielded from the project gives the Libraries direction in how we can plan or select certain initiatives and programs down the line,” said Arnold. “To my knowledge, the Libraries had not previously held focus groups with SSI students. It is important for us to incorporate these student opinions into what we hope to accomplish in the future.”

A Memorable Experience

An aspiring therapist and counselor, Garcia-Arevalo particularly appreciated the opportunity that her fellowship gave her to talk with her peers.

“If I want to be a therapist, I have to interact with people,” said Garcia-Arevalo. “So, I found communicating with other students really helpful.”

As part of her participation in the fellowship, Garcia-Arevalo obtained a five-year Institutional Review Board (IRB) certification. Because an IRB certification is necessary to conduct all research involving human subjects, receiving it will help Garcia-Arevalo with future research endeavors and graduate school.

Reflecting on the experience as a whole, Garcia-Arevalo conveyed a deep gratitude for Arnold’s mentorship.

“My experience working with Nicole has been nothing but great,” said Garcia-Arevalo. “She has always checked up on me and made me feel like what I have to say matters and is important. She also never made me feel stressed about the work I was doing but instead excited about it.”

Top photo shows Jazmin Garcia-Arevalo, 2022–2023 DREAM Fellow.