About Leslie

Leslie Calderon is an Assistant Program Director with the Undocumented Student Program at the University of California, Los Angeles. In this role, Leslie supports undocumented and mixed- status students through holistic programming focused on academic success, post-graduation transitions, and economic stability. Her work includes program development, student staff supervision, cross-campus collaboration, and coordination with community-based partners.

Leslie brings her experience in higher education and community-engaged work centered on equity, access, and student belonging. Prior to their current role, she served as a Program Co-Director and National Youth Lead Facilitator and have held leadership positions with I Learn America, a national organization that empowers immigrant-origin youth through storytelling and civic engagement. Leslie supports curriculum design, facilitation, and partnerships across diverse communities.

Currently, Leslie is pursuing her Masters in Equity, Education, and Social Justice at Cal State Long Beach, with scholarly interests focused on undocumented students, institutional responsibility, and post-graduation pathways. Her work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing community-informed, culturally responsive approaches to student support.

Leslie is passionate about advancing the mission of Hispanic-Serving Institutions and emerging HSIs through collaborative leadership, practitioner-informed insight, and a commitment to justice-centered higher education. Her professional interests include student success, organizational change, and building sustainable systems that affirm the lived experiences of historically marginalized communities.