April 25, 2025
Sabrina Rawson, Interdisciplinary Humanities
Breaking Barriers and Defying Expectations: Sabrina Rawson's Journey at UC Merced
From the bustling streets of San Francisco to the halls of UC Merced, Sabrina Rawson's academic journey is a testament to perseverance and the power of breaking generational barriers. As a biracial woman from the Bay Area, Rawson's path to graduate studies challenges traditional expectations and illuminates the importance of representation in higher education.
Growing up in a strict biracial household, academic excellence was deeply ingrained in Rawson's identity. "Being an 'A' student came easy, and I loved to learn," she reflected. However, the path to graduate school wasn't always clear. "I was raised with the subconscious mentality that graduate school belonged to 'them' and was not for a biracial woman," Rawson shared. "I was to work and be a wife and mother, and that was who I was raised to be."
Breaking this mold, Rawson became a pioneer in her family — the only person in her mother's entire familial line and the second person on her father's side to pursue graduate education. Her decision to attend college later in life and subsequently enter graduate school marks a significant departure from familial expectations.
At UC Merced, Rawson found a crucial mentor in Professor Christina Baker, who has become more than just an advisor. "She has been a listener, advocate, researcher and friend," Rawson explained. "Along my academic journey, she has been my cheerleader and often walked beside me." This mentorship has proven invaluable to her development as both a student and researcher.
Rawson's research focuses on critical issues in education, particularly examining the California Ethnic Studies Curriculum and its potential limitations in creating sustainable change for high school students. Her work investigates the devaluation of Black and Latino faculty and students in educational settings and its relationship to the culture of whiteness in classrooms — research that could have significant implications for educational equity and social justice.
Despite facing unexpected health challenges that tested her resolve, Rawson's determination has never wavered. "I am most proud that I have stuck with my decision to persevere in obtaining my degree," she said. Her journey serves as an inspiration for others who might see themselves as outsiders in academia, proving that with persistence and support, traditional barriers can be overcome.
Rawson's story exemplifies how personal determination, combined with meaningful mentorship and institutional support, can help break down long-standing educational barriers and create new possibilities for future generations.
