Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies Program welcomes Antuaneth Sosa Mejia as our new Undergraduate Liaison!

Antu Sosa Mejia is a third-year Stanford transfer student from the College of San Mateo majoring in Psychology and minoring in Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies. Antu and her family are originally from Lima, Peru. 

We are so thrilled to be working with Antu as this year’s Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies Program Liaison! Our Associate Director of Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies, Dr. Magie Ramírez, interviewed Antu about her life experiences, academic interests, ambitions, and more.

How have your background and personal experiences influenced your academic pursuits?

My passion for pursuing Psychology and Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies comes from my identity and experience as a Latina in a predominately white environment, as well as my interest in becoming a mental health therapist for the Latinx community, especially for those who are English learners. Throughout my life, I have noticed how mental health was and still is a stigma in our Latinx community where we are not allowed to talk about our struggles, or it is not normalized yet which suppresses our emotions and experience that we face.

How do you hope [or think] your research or studies can benefit your community and other communities? 

Through my research and studies, I aim to break the stigma surrounding mental health in the Latinx community by fostering an environment where open dialogue is encouraged and accessible resources are available. My focus on psychology and Latinx studies equips me to address the unique challenges faced by English learners, first-generation students, immigrants, etc., providing culturally competent support that acknowledges our collective experiences. By prioritizing understanding and advocacy, I hope to facilitate a shift toward mental health normalization, empowering Latinx individuals and families to embrace their emotional and psychological well-being.

Are there any mentors, peers, or experiences in the program that have been particularly influential or transformative for you? 

I have not had the chance to connect with too many people in this program yet as I am new to this position. However, I had the amazing opportunity to be in Dr. Ramírez’s Introduction to Latinx course and this has been such a nice experience because Professor Ramírez does a great job at introducing the new material to the class in a way we can understand and also reflect on our own experiences. This makes the class a supportive environment that fosters open dialogue. This class is not only providing me with knowledge but also inspiring me to think critically about how I can use my education to serve my community.

If you could offer advice to future students of this program or to younger community members, what would it be?

To those starting this journey or coming into the program: don’t be afraid to embrace your full identity and all that you bring to the table. There is strength in your background and experiences, even if they differ from those around you. Seek out spaces and people that support your growth, and remember that self-care and mental health are just as crucial as academic success. You are not alone, and your journey can help pave the way for others. SÍ SE PUEDE!

Thank you, Antu, for sharing your story, experiences, and insight with the CCSRE undergraduate community. We look forward to working alongside you to strengthen the Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies program and its community.