JSI Scholar: Diego Reynoso-Ramirez

I grew up in Salinas, California, known as the Salad Bowl of the world, where my immigrant parents raised me and my siblings after moving to the United States to build a better future for us. I stand as a proud son of immigrant parents, my heart woven with the rich threads of my Mexican American heritage. I embrace my queer identity with pride. Above all, I am profoundly committed to public service, driven by a deep-seated passion to make a meaningful difference in the world.

In high school, my heart was set on becoming a doctor, dreaming of serving my community through the healing arts. But my journey took a profound turn after I began volunteering at my local homeless shelter. There, conversations with those I hoped to serve opened my eyes to the stark realities of our healthcare system. I saw a system that often overlooks the undocumented, one that has historically misrepresented people of color, and one where treatment can be more about your insurance coverage than your actual health needs. Facing these truths, I could not pursue a career as a medical doctor in good conscience, knowing the injustices embedded within the very system I once aspired to uphold.

That was the moment I shifted my focus towards law and public policy. My great-grandmother was a beacon of compassion and empathy, always extending a hand to those less fortunate. Her spirit, along with the values instilled in me by my parents and community, nurtured my commitment to public service, planting its seeds deep within my soul.
To this day, I see so much of my great-grandmother in myself. She was a fierce advocate for justice, always guided by the compass of her heart. I hope that as I step into positions of influence, I can honor her legacy of compassion and empathy, striving for equality and justice, and fostering unity in a divided world. I am immensely proud of my journey and the person I have become into, yet none of this would have been possible without the love, support, and belief of my family, friends, and community. To them, I dedicate every milestone, every success—they are the ones who saw promise in me and wished for a brighter tomorrow on my behalf.

To this day, I see so much of my great-grandmother in myself. She was a fierce advocate for justice, always guided by the compass of her heart. I hope that as I step into positions of influence, I can honor her legacy of compassion and empathy, striving for equality and justice, and fostering unity in a divided world. I am immensely proud of my journey and the person I have become into, yet none of this would have been possible without the love, support, and belief of my family, friends, and community. To them, I dedicate every milestone, every success—they are the ones who saw promise in me and wished for a brighter tomorrow on my behalf.

When I first entered college, I was deeply engrossed in the intricate tapestry of public health and the interdisciplinary nature of the field. As my journey has progressed, however, my interests have broadened to encompass the wider realm of public policy and law. Now, I am eager to explore and make a meaningful impact across various sectors of public policy, hoping to learn from and influence each one.