Estefania Avalos Chavez

I graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Chicano and Latino Studies. After graduating, I started working with Spanish-speaking residents, which introduced me to the world of interpretation and translation. I always knew that I was passionate about working one-on-one with the community and helping individuals advocate for their needs. However, Linguistica gave me the opportunity to become a better language access leader by providing the hands on experience and exposure needed.

Growing up, I was always the interpreter/translator for my parents and grandparents. This meant showing up to important meetings or translating documents that I never understood. I now know how much more impactful language access can be once bilingual advocates have the proper knowledge and training needed to best serve the community. Being part of an organization that puts community first is very important to my mission.

Outside of work, I am always trying new things, from knitting and designing my nails to making earrings or doing random arts and crafts. I enjoy turning boredom into an opportunity to try new things! A fun fact about me is that I was a DJ and photographer during my teenage years!