24 January 2022
To Whom It May Concern:
I would like the following comments to be addressed to the members of the Chula Vista City Council. It is my understanding that today, January 24, the council will be addressing concerns raised about Devonna Almagro who wishes to join the Council. I am not sure the e-comment link will work, so I am emailing my comments as well.
Devonna was in my Ethnic Studies course in 2003. She was one of the brave and self-sacrificing students who worked on instituting the Ethnic Studies major at The University of San Diego. For her project in my class, she and another student wrote a history of the student struggle to obtain a major. I am holding this document in my hands right now: it is a precious interview project with student activists and others who sacrificed so much to create this much needed diversity curriculum at USD. Thanks to students like her, the major passed in 2002 and we were able to hire a director for a new program in 2003.
I am sorry to say that I had no idea that she did not finish her course work. Many of the most dedicated students were first generation and I know some put off graduation in order to be the first Ethnic Studies graduates. I also know that many students were very stressed over finances and the punishing loans they were obliged to incur. Since those years, I have seen Devonna devote herself to work in Sherman Heights and in other organizations grounded in community work. We have not really kept in touch, but we do run into each other at events.
It is very hard to see such a wonderful person go through this. I know that we would be happy to help her finish her degree. I am only sorry that this help comes so late. I have seen the brief note from USD confirming that she took courses there, but this does not indicate the impact she actually made on the university.
I hope this can all be resolved in a good way.
Sincerely, Dr. Gail Perez
Professor Emerita
The University of San Diego
Item 7.2 - Written Communications
Perez - Received 1/24/2023