Erik Esqueda Sanchez (any pronouns) is the Assistant Director at the Latinx Resource Center at San Diego State University and a proud Oxnard, CA native. They hold a Master’s in Education in College Student Affairs from Rutgers University–New Brunswick, a Bachelor’s in Organizational Communication from CSU Channel Islands, and an Associate’s in Communication Studies from Santiago Canyon College. A former TRiO Upward Bound and Student Support Services participant, Erik brings lived and professional experience in college access, student activism, and social justice–based campus work, including leadership in M.E.Ch.A. and Queer Student Alliance. Their work centers community care, leadership development, and cross-cultural collaboration, with a strong commitment to advancing resources and advocacy for undocumented and historically marginalized students. Erik believes activism begins with community, sustainability, and collective care—ensuring students not only persist in college, but thrive and lead beyond it.