Scene Spotlight
By Compiled by Nicole Rodriguez
Raquel Hackley
? Associate director of student activities
? Associate director for Center of Student Leadership and project director for Center of Multicultural Learning
Many students around campus recognize Raquel Hackley from when they had her as a leadership professor freshman year, but not everyone realizes how deeply involved in the Santa Clara community she is.
Having earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from San Diego State University and her master's in cultural psychology, Hackley never had any doubt about which area she would like to pursue a career in.
"Multiculturalism and diversity have always been important to me, being who I am: a woman, black and a non-traditional student when I went back to school as a single mom, she said."
As for promoting this in a college environment, Hackley feels she first experienced this while attending college in southern California.
"While I was in school, I started working at San Diego State in student affairs and student development. I love working with students, I love learning about their different experiences. I've been in it now for about nine years."
However, soon Hackley became tired of working in a larger campus environment.
"I was educated at a state institution, and I worked at one for the beginning of my career, and they're wonderful but they're big," explains Hackley. "I didn't get to know the students at all. So I came up here and as soon as I stepped on the campus, I felt like I was coming home. I love working with the students here because I really get to know them."
However, as much as she adores the Santa Clara community, Hackley has to admit that it is not her first concern in life.
"My daughter is wonderful, she's going to be eight this year. She's my priority; I keep her first in everything that I do. At times my careers take me into late hours at night or on the weekends, but she's usually here with me. Most of the students know her because she comes and hangs out, and I think that this is a great environment for her to be in."
Kristina Salcido
? Class of '04
? Spanish/communication
"A friend of mine was raped last year and the school didn't really help her out," reveals junior Kristina Salcido. "Then she found out there was a club on campus that deals with that and will help you to educate others."
The club is the Rape Education Prevention Program (REPP), of which Salcido is one of 13 members.
This year, she is also taking on the responsibility of helping to organize the March 6 Take Back the Night rally, which will include a march across campus and various speakers.
"It's a physical way to recognize the consequences of rape that occurs on college campuses and to show that it can happen here at school," explains Salcido. "We try to bring awareness of it to the students and make them know that it's an issue that they need to know about and it happens."
In addition to her support of REPP, Salcido has found numerous ways to become involved in the Santa Clara community. She serves as a resident assistant last year, has worked in the Alumni Relations office, and is currently a member of the Delta Gamma sorority.
In the future, she hopes to combine her two loves of communications and performing arts, possibly in broadcasting or advertising.