Photo by: Ryan Lumpkin
What sophomore has time to be a student senator, a diversity committee and diversity summit chair, a second-year Social Justice Living Learning Community student, as well as a Daniel’s Fund Scholar, all while attending classes and finding time to sleep?
18-year-old Katrina Yoshida is not simply an involved student; she is an incredibly involved student with a passion for serving and a caring heart.
An International Studies major, Yoshida belongs to several organizations, both on and off campus. She focuses on building a sense of community while empowering individuals to reach their greatest potential.
“She is an extremely self-sacrificial leader,” said Josh Brewer, her RA from last year.
“I’m definitely involved in a lot of things,” said Yoshida. In addition, Yoshida is involved with Nourish Peace, a small student organization whose goals vary by year. Last year they focused on encouraging children to stay in school through letters and various other connections. Yoshida is an inner-club chair for DU’s Asian Student Alliance and part of the Excelling Leader Institute.
As part of last year’s Social Justice Living Learning Community, this year she is following up as a part of the new second-year Social Justice program, dubbed “Social Justice Elders.” And last, but not least, Yoshida is involved in the Daniel’s Fund Scholar mentorship program, mentoring a freshman, Lina Chhay.
“It’s awesome that I get to see her grow and be part of that process and help her feel welcome within the school,” said Yoshida.
According to Yoshida, many Daniel’s Fund Scholars have a difficult time fitting in at DU, because of their lower economic backgrounds.
From Lakewood, Colorado, Yoshida said she feels that tension herself; she’s had to change her mindset and remind herself that she does belong at DU and deserves to be here, despite her socio-economic status. This feeling of belonging and empowerment ties directly into Yoshida’s passion for identity and community building.
“More than anything else in life, her goal is to help people,” Ryan Lumpkin, Yoshida’s friend and high-school classmate, said.
Growing up in a single-parent household spurred Yoshida’s passion for helping people discover themselves. Her own struggle and road of self-discovery have strengthened her desire to help others.
“I want people to have the opportunity to be the person they were meant to be,” Yoshida said.
In order to further her dream, Yoshida interned at the Enlighten Foundation this past summer, a Christian non-profit organization in Littleton, Colorado, that focuses on empowering women and children.
“I have always been interested in social justice and children, especially children because they have so much potential, so much passion and life,” Yoshida said.
She loved working with the Enlighten Foundation, primarily researching child marriage and human trafficking. Her work aligned with her passion for working with underprivileged individuals and helping everyone find their voice and identity.
