Sage Cerda

As of fall 2025, Sage Cerda serves as a Research and Policy Fellow at the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Office in Washington, D.C., where she has already made a meaningful impact in a short time. A San Diego County native and senior at the University of California, Irvine—double majoring in Criminology, Law and Society and Social Ecology—she has focused her work on expanding opportunity for communities impacted by the criminal legal system and systemic economic exclusion. She has previously led educational workshops on life skills, financial literacy, and mindfulness for currently and formerly incarcerated youth, including students in juvenile hall. In her brief time with LULAC, she has taken on national-level policy and education work, developing a virtual course to expand Latino access in emerging financial markets, with a focus on cryptocurrency awareness and consumer protection to prevent financial exploitation in underserved communities. She continues to champion education, policy reform, and civic engagement as tools to strengthen civil rights and bridge the gap between justice, technology, and economic opportunity. After graduating in December 2025, Sage plans to attend law school to become a public defender specializing in juvenile defense—on a path to one day serve as a judge who believes in fairness, rehabilitation, and second chances.