​​At thirteen, Bryan O. Rojas-Arauz, an immigrant of Panamanian and Costa Rican descent, immigrated to the United States to relieve financial pressures on his family. He is the first in his family to attend college, and he was an undocumented student, or "Dreamer," until last summer.

Although his goals at times seemed unattainable, Bryan persevered, earning a bachelor's in psychology and child development from San José State University in 2010. While an undergraduate, he worked as a peer advisor, founded a mentoring program for low-income children, and became his younger brother's guardian.

​In 2012, Bryan was granted residency and began graduate studies. His passion for helping others has led him to pursue a master's in Marriage, Family and Child Therapy and College Counseling at San Francisco State University. He is interning as a community college counselor, continues his work with at-risk youth, and maintains a 3.8 GPA. He intends to earn a Ph.D., with a focus on immigration psychology, and to become a clinician to improve the lives of underrepresented, inner city, and undocumented youth.​