Estéfani Marín, fifth-year sociology Ph.D. candidate and first-generation college students, was recognized as the School of Social Sciences Graduate Student Excellence Award recipient at the fifth annual Latino Excellence and Achievement Dinner (LEAD) banquet March 31.

Her research focuses on how Latino/a/x and Asian American families generate and transmit educational resources. She amplifies how siblings - who are often overlooked in research but are present in day-to-day life - provide support in the transition to young adulthood. Her work has been funded by UC MEXUS and the Social Science Research Council.

The daughter of Mexican immigrants and eldest of nine siblings, Marín’s experiences inform her both her research agenda and service through mentorship. From 2018-20, she was a mentor for UCI’s Educational Community and Doctoral Experience Program (DECADE) where she helped demystify graduate school “hidden curriculum” for diverse new students. From 2019-21, she mentored 30 low-income and first-gen UCI students through DECADE's undergraduate student program. She worked with students weekly to enhance their time management, studying, and networking skills. She is also currently serving as a mentor for UCI’s Chicano Latino Staff Association Mentorship Program.

Through her research and service, Marín seeks to support the educational trajectories of historically marginalized students. 

View her acceptance speech online and learn more about other award winners here. Congratulations to all recognized!