Liberal Studies Students Advocate for Educational Equity Through SQE Internship

Students for Quality Education (SQE) recently selected two liberal studies majors, Jackie Barrett and Kat Ramirez, to participate in an internship program that focuses on advocating for equitable educational opportunities within the California State University (CSU) system.

SQE, which is supported by the California Faculty Association (CFA), was formed in 2007 to create a student movement for educational rights in the CSU. The group began to organize around issues such as tuition hikes, following the announcement of state budget cuts. Some of the activities of SQE include organizing marches, rallies and lobbying state legislators. Their efforts have resulted in preserving the CSU's Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which would have been cut in previous budget years.  

According to Barrett and Ramirez, Liberal Studies Assistant Professor Maya Stovall introduced them to the SQE Internship. Over the past two years, Stovall has served as a faculty mentor to Barrett and Ramirez in the Research through Inclusive Opportunities (RIO) program, Kellogg Honors College (KHC), the Liberal Studies GenArt PolyX CodeAThon event, and CFA Pomona, serving as chair of the Council for Racial and Social Justice and the Social Justice and Action Committee (SJAC) in the College of Education and Integrative Studies, which she co-chairs.

“It is a joy to connect our students with opportunities that support their intellectual, professional and personal trajectories,” said Stovall. “Kat and Jackie are also KHC students, which offers tremendous academic resources and opportunities to our students. This spring, Jackie was also the student co-lead for our Liberal Studies GenArt PolyX CodeAThon, together with liberal studies student Cristal Ramirez. For this project, Jackie worked closely with my GenArt students to create this exciting equity-minded STEAM, student-led event.”

As a new intern with SQE, Barrett has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be more involved in student engagement activities on campus.

“I first heard about the SQE Internship from my professor, Maya Stovall of the Department of Liberal Studies,” said Barrett. “I have had her for a class every semester since I transferred in fall of 2021. She has been a great professor and mentor and has taught me a lot. Since I transferred during the pandemic, I haven’t been able to be on campus or involved as much as I have wanted to. I joined SJAC in 2022 as a student leader and now SQE, which I am very excited about.”  

In a similar statement, Ramirez said the internship opportunity has shown her how much change can occur when students get involved in organizing. For Ramirez, the internship also relates to her involvement in the RIO program, in which, she garnered Research Distinction for her poster on Senate Bill (SB) 8, also known as the Texas abortion ban law.

“During my time with SQE, I have been involved with supporting the passage of SB 11 (CSU Mental Health Counseling) and Assembly Bill (AB) 644 (Justice for Josiah Lawson Act) at the State Capitol in Sacramento,” said Ramirez. “I have had the opportunity to collaborate with other CSUs to address issues directly impacting student well-being. Recently, I was involved with delivering the CFA’s Workload Resolution, which included uniting students to speak at the Academic Senate meeting in an effort to improve student education.”

In their view, both Barrett and Ramirez believe the education they’re receiving in the liberal studies program ties directly into the SQE Internship opportunity, namely the focus on inclusive and equitable education as they train to become future teachers.  

“I love the liberal studies program because it has taught me so much across a wide variety of subjects,” said Barrett. “One of the most important learning outcomes that my major has provided is a different way of looking at the world. I think by having a diverse education, it allows us to have a different perspective than some other people might have and that is so important. As future teachers, we need to have an open mind to be able to teach our students to the best of our ability.”

Similarly, Ramirez stated that her liberal studies education has trained her for a future role in educational advocacy. 

“The liberal studies program has prepared me for life after Cal Poly Pomona,” said Ramirez. “My professors have been integral to my growth and confidence. I am forever grateful for their kindness, compassion and leadership. After graduation, I plan to continue to use my voice to advocate for an accessible and quality education for all students, while I pursue my career in higher education.”   

Currently, Barrett and Ramirez are on track to graduate in the near future and continue their education while remaining active in supporting educational opportunities for students at CPP and beyond.  

“I have had the opportunity to mentor, advise and learn from Jackie and Kat on a number of important projects supportive of their undergraduate research, academic and professional goals,” said Stovall. “I couldn’t be more thrilled for Jackie and Kat’s brilliant trajectory in the liberal studies department as scholars, student leaders and future educators. They are truly making a transformative impact across campus and beyond with their incredible work.”   

To learn more about SQE and its initiatives, visit
www.csusqe.org. For more information about liberal studies, visit www.cpp.edu/ceis/liberal-studies.  

Connect with SQE on Instagram: @calpolypomonasqe