Mariah Najera ('25)

Mariah Najera (She/Her) is a senior in Pierson, studying Psychology and Education Studies on the intensive track. Originally from Providence, Rhode Island, Mariah joined the YES community after taking The Politics of Public Education with Professor Jennifer Berkshire her sophomore fall. The class led her to realize how different her own experiences were from the majority of her peers. Amazed by the community built over the course of the semester and the interdisciplinary nature of the program, Mariah applied and was eventually admitted into the intensive cohort. 

Now she is a senior working on her final capstone, which takes a look at the experiences of Yale students who identify both as First Generation, Low Income (FGLI) and Queer. Through interviews, she examines how these students talk about their relationships—whether platonic, romantic, or casual—on campus, and how they approach and find meaning in these connections. Specifically, Mariah is interested in the experience of being a double minority at a place like Yale, and how the institution shapes and influences that experience in return.

The motivation behind Mariah’s pursuit of the project was her understanding of the crucial role relationships play in the college experience and how they significantly impact the success of marginalized students. Ultimately, she hopes her project will memorialize the experiences of the students she interviews, giving them a platform to share their stories and reflect on how these relationships shape their lives.

Currently in the midst of conducting interviews, Mariah is grateful for the support she’s received throughout the project, not just from faculty and staff—who have always made her feel cared for—but also from her peers. She notes that “Everyone really cares about producing something important and meaningful between the education studies program and that is very, very special. We are all deeply invested in each other’s pieces, and the feedback is just so genuine and kind. Not only has that helped me in producing this capstone but it also definitely has taught me alot about what it means to be a meaningful writing partner.”

As for how her perspective on education has evolved throughout the program, Mariah says it has become more expansive. Even just within her cohort, people are passionate about a wide range of educational topics. “I really enjoy thinking about the different scales of education,” she shares. “It’s still education, whether we’re discussing the nuclear teacher-student relationship or exploring broader topics on education policy, pedagogy, or alternative programs. All of it is part of the field.” One thing that hasn’t changed for Mariah, however, is her belief that education, when approached with thoughtfulness, can change lives, especially for marginalized students. 

After graduation, Mariah plans to pursue a career in education policy and research, focusing on the structural and systemic aspects of education. In the future, she hopes to attend law school with an interest in education law.