By Shalom DeJardin
Before Degrees of Change ever asks students to lead, we make sure students know they belong.
For many first-generation and underserved students, the path to college isn’t just academic—it’s emotional, cultural, and often invisible to others. When you show up in spaces that weren’t built for you, it’s easy to wonder if you’re supposed to be there at all.
That’s why we design every part of our programming, from scholarships to internships to educator training, around something deeper than opportunity. It’s about space. Space to become. To question. To show up fully, without needing to prove anything first.
“Degrees of Change gives people who don’t have a place on campus, a place among their own people,” said Alexis Nicholson, Senior Director of Programs and Act Six alum.
Preparing for the Workplace: Seed Internships
Seed Internships bridges the often-overlooked and sometimes difficult transition from college to career. It does more than help students land jobs. It helps them figure out who they are in the workplace and how to show up with confidence, not just credentials.
No one knows this better than Melissa, who applied as a student when Seed Internships first launched in 2018, was not selected at that time, but now directs the entire program. “One of the things I always remind our interns is that you need to experience [the challenges] yourself in order to grow…it’s not a one size fits all,” said Melissa.
For example, Melissa shared the story of a former Seed intern who was studying computer science because her sibling had. But through an internship and continued mentorship, she discovered her creative side and shifted toward a double major in computer science and communications with a minor in human design.
“I shared with her the same advice that I was told when I was in college—do something you’re really great at, but also do something that you love,” said Melissa.
Tara Yi, Director of Seed Teachers, at a winter holiday party for DoC students. (Photo by Sharon Ho Chang)
Becoming an Educator: Seed Teachers
For students training to be teachers, the question isn’t just what they teach, it’s how they lead. Seed Teachers prepares future educators to enter classrooms not just as teachers, but as culturally fluent leaders.
“It’s not just about race or language, it’s about understanding your students’ stories,” said Tara Yi, Director of Seed Teachers and Act Six alum.
Degrees of Change believes effective teaching starts with connection. That’s why so many Seed Teachers will one day return to communities they know and to students whose challenges they recognize as their own.
“They know what their students need, because they were those students,” said Tara.
Redefining Leadership: Act Six
At Degrees of Change, leadership is about showing up, standing with others, and making choices that reflect who you are, even when it’s hard.
“Leadership doesn’t have to come with a capital L,” said Alexis. Degrees of Change makes space for leadership that’s defined by showing up for your people, your values, and your voice.
Alexis shared the story of a scholar who nearly withdrew from the Act Six scholarship application because her family was facing a deportation hearing and needed her to translate. In that moment, the scholar’s family was her only priority.
“Maybe others would see that as somebody who’s quitting and there’s no leadership skills in that. But to me, I could identify, no, this is a student that is an advocate, this is someone who wants to be a voice,” said Alexis.
Alexis Nicholson, Senior Director of Programs, speaking at the 2024 Act Six Celebration. (Photo by Sharon Ho Chang)
Led by Those Who’ve Lived It
One of the most powerful aspects of Degrees of Change is who’s doing the work. Many program leads were once participants themselves and now they’re here to make the path clearer for someone else.
Both Alexis and Tara are alumni of the Act Six program. Tara was part of the very first Act Six cadre and is now a teacher at Tacoma Public Schools as well as director of Seed Teachers.
“My mom didn’t finish her degree because of circumstances… when I was in school and getting my degree, she actually got hers. So what’s important to me because of all these things, because of my mom, because of these stories—has always been access,” said Alexis who is senior director of all Degrees of Change programs.
It’s what makes Alexis’s, Tara’s, and Melissa’s student support real, because they’ve been there themselves. Their personal journeys shape how they lead, not just with structure, but with empathy.
What Students Leave With
More than skills. More than jobs. Degrees of Change wants every student to walk away with trust: in themselves, in their stories, and in their right to take up space.
Earning a degree is a beginning, not an ending. Degrees of Change helps students carry what they’ve learned, and who they are, into whatever comes next.
“You are enough. You belong in every space you walk into,” said Melissa. “Not because you’ve proven it to yourself, but because you are valuable.”
Shalom DeJardin is a communications and digital media student at IE University. She recently collaborated as a volunteer for Degrees of Change to help shed light on how the organization supports students from underserved communities. Shalom is passionate about using media and storytelling to spotlight equity-driven initiatives and amplify underrepresented voices.
Featured image: Melissa Atienza, Director of Seed Internships, speaking at the 2024 Seed Internships Celebration. (Photo by Sharon Ho Chang)
Sign up for our eNews to learn more about our students, alumni, and programs.
Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook for weekly photos and videos!