2022-23 President's Scholars

Serena Manjur

Roberts Family President’s Scholar

Major: Special Education

College of Education and Integrative Studies

University Programs: Disability Resource Center, Pride Center 

Serena Manjur’s education coursework and 10-year career with the Los Angeles County of Education helped them realize their passion for student advocacy. Applying their knowledge to their position as an instructional support specialist at International Polytechnic High School, Serena created the Collaborative Student Success program to address the academic and socio-emotional performance gaps between general and special education students that were heightened during remote learning. The program, which uses peer-mediated instruction in workshops, tutoring and community engagement, led iPoly to a collaboration with Los Angeles County to organize and host its inaugural Disability Awareness Week. Serena credits their own experiences in school as a catalyst to support diverse learners, saying “I believe that the pressure to compensate for my own ongoing struggles with executive functioning nurtures my deep-rooted understanding and patience with me for people at all ability levels.” Serena is grateful for the Disability Resource Center which provided tools to proactively master self-advocacy in their classes. They plan to earn a dual Mild/Moderate and Extensive Support Needs Education Specialist Credential and a master’s degree in Special Education.