2022-23 President's Scholars

Anais Hernandez

Arthur M. Berman President’s Scholar

Major: Communication, emphasis in Journalism

College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences

University Programs: President of Library Club, Staff Writer for The Poly Post; Womxns Resource Center; EOP/RAMP; National Society of Leadership and Success; Editor-in-Chief: “La Voz de Pomona” 

As an undergraduate research scholar in Cal Poly Pomona’s Research through Inclusive Opportunity program, Anais Hernandez examined the influence of TikTok videos in framing political discourse in the 2020 presidential election. Working with Professor Jason Turcotte, she designed a qualitative analysis on algorithms that informed subsequent video content in the app’s signature “For You” page by collecting politically related videos for both parties. This project is one of the many university communication-focused experiences that motivates Anais to pursue journalism. As a first-generation student, Anais wants to be the role model for those who have made her journey possible, including her father, who passed away in the semester that she conducted her research study, and her mother, who provides the family support to help Anais and her younger sister prioritize education. Anais’ career goal is to become a news reporter for a Spanish news network, saying “One of my biggest passions is to inform and perform visual storytelling. I want to provide a voice for the voiceless and use a platform to uplift the Latinx community.”