The good Cornellians can do: Ana Vasudeo ’04, MRP ’12

Ana Vasudeo '04, MRP ’12 moved to Berkeley, California in 2014, when her first child was born. She became an active member of the PTA at her son’s elementary school, and she led San Francisco’s Safe Routes to School program. When a fellow parent and board member encouraged her to join the school board, Ana agreed to stand for election.

“As a parent leader in Berkeley’s Latino community and a former English language learner who benefited from the support of public schools, I felt a deep responsibility to step forward,” she says. “Latinos are the largest minority group in Berkeley Unified and represent more than half of all students in California’s public schools. I believe it is important that our school board reflect the diversity, experiences, and aspirations of the families it serves.”

Since being elected to the board in 2020, Ana has worked to pass a Latinx Resolution. The resolution calls on the district to adopt and fund programs that address college and career readiness for Latino students. Ana then worked with the community to launch a Puente program for Berkeley middle and high school students. Partners in this effort include Latino families, organizations like Latinos Unidos de Berkeley, and UC Berkeley.

“Puente is a national program that has helped thousands of first-generation students to go to college,” Ana explains. “I'm proud to say that because of these efforts, Berkeley High School recently ranked #2 statewide on University of California admissions performance.”

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