Rita is a second-year student at the University of California, Riverside pursuing a major in Philosophy and a minor in Asian Studies. She is part of the university’s upper division honors program. With the help of faculty advisors, she is preparing a thesis that discusses Herman Melville and the Chinese philosophy of Chuang-tzu.

Girls For A Change helped Rita develop her leadership skills and increased her desire to be involved in her community, no matter where she was. She is currently a programming coordinator for the UCR residence halls and a student coordinator for the Asian Pacific Student Program’s Peer Mentors on campus. In addition, she volunteers as a conversational partner for foreign exchange students.

Since her time with GFC, she has always been looking for new ways to become involved in community service. She soon hopes to both work as an instructor for children movement classes and volunteer at the local animal shelter.

Rita has recently adopted a Rottweiler-mix puppy and is starting basic obedience training with her. When her puppy is one-year-old, they will both do community service together! With her dog, she will participate in pet-assisted therapy programs. She believes that GFC taught her to have confidence in herself, as well as how to instill confidence and self-appreciation in others.