​​A first-generation, ESL, undocumented student, Fernando Sánchez López has faced academic hurdles while navigating the educational system in the United States. With resilience, Fernando was able to pivot and find a route to higher education through the community college system. 

Fernando is a computer engineering major at San José State. As a member of the UndocuScholar Network for Inclusive and Transformative Education, he advocates for equitable opportunities and to create an all-encompassing and supportive environment for UndocuSpartans. He is also an active member of the Society of Latino Engineers and Scientists and the Chicanx/Latinx Student Success Center, where he participates in their programming and works with high school and middle school students to motivate them to pursue higher education and a career in STEM. 

​Fernando hopes to leverage his experiences to advance social justice and equity within STEM and middle school students to motivate them to pursue higher education and a career in STEM by participating in initiatives such as the Conference for Engineering. ​​