Kathleen "Kat" Soto-Gomez is an Associate Professor in the Sociology Department at MiraCosta College. Over the years, she has been involved in various initiatives that have contributed to systemic changes in the way the college supports first-generation and disproportionately impacted students. The Roots of Justice pilot was launched Fall 2022 in collaboration with the Transitions Scholars Program, Sustainability Club, and Horticulture Department to provide opportunities for system-impacted and climate-conscious students to learn about regenerative agriculture. Kat is passionate about climate justice, especially as it relates to access to green spaces and nutrient-dense foods. She holds a master's degree in Sociology of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in Sociology and minor in Communication Studies from Loyola Marymount University. When she is not working, Kat enjoys deepening her relationship to plants in herbal school, cooking, practicing yoga and spending time with her friends and family, preferably outdoors (and especially at her local farmers markets).

Karen has been a student advocate as a Garden Mentor at Roots of Justice, Vice President of Horticulture Club, and Writing Consultant at MiraCosta College’s Writing Center. Her mission is to create safe spaces for others to learn and heal wherever she goes. She recently graduated with an Associate of Science Degree: Sustainable Agriculture and will be transferring to San Diego State University to major in Sustainability. Outside of serving the community, Karen loves pilates, yoga, and discovering new music. 

Gabriel T is a second year student at MiraCosta and is currently almost complete with his AA in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Math and Science. He plans to continue on and transfer Cal Poly SLO into their Plant Sciences BA program.  As a Garden Mentor with Roots of Justice, Gabriel has gained important gardening experience, enjoyed delicious food, and found a healing community. The garden is a safe, loving, and beautiful place. Besides his passion for sustainability, Gabriel enjoys drawing, sewing, woodworking, and going to the beach.

Bianca was born and raised in Oceanside, CA, and is currently studying Sustainable Agriculture at MiraCosta. Once she earns her associate's degree, she plans on transferring to a University with an agriculture business, communications, or economics program. She plans on pursuing a career in the politics of Agriculture and to continue being an advocate for small farms and farm laborer rights. Regenerative agriculture is important to her because she wants to make sure her son and other future children have the opportunity to grow up surrounded by clean air, fresh food, and an environment that is thriving not dying. 

     Manny Rodriguez is a man with a mission to make a positive impact in his community. Having spent over 15 years in federal prison, he has transformed his life through education and service. During his time in prison, Manny earned his GED and took whatever college classes were available to him and has since continued his educational journey by pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Sociology at California State University San Marcos. Manny is a proud member of Project Rebound, a program that supports formerly incarcerated individuals in their pursuit of higher education. He is also a garden mentor at the Roots of Justice Pilot, where he has the privilege of working with youth and finding healing through issues of food insecurity and justice. He understands firsthand the challenges that many people face in this area, having grown up in a family where his parents worked in agriculture, but still struggled to afford fresh produce. By sharing his lived experience and passion for gardening, Manny hopes to help create a more sustainable future for his community.

     Gabriel was born and raised in Brazil and moved to California when he was 18. He got into

Roots of Justice through his work with the Sustainability Club, initially as a volunteer and later hired as a Garden Mentor. Due to his family and culture, Gabriel grew up connected with nature and as he transitioned to the new country, he noticed a lot of people lack that connection. He saw in Roots ofJustice the opportunity to help create that environment and couldn’t be more excited to be part of the team.  Besides the passion for growing, Gabriel is a business major and will double major in Environmental studies once he transfers to a university. Later on, the goal is to pursue a master'sdegree in the Sustainability field and conduct research in his home country to find better ways tomanage human waste.

     Gabriel is passionate about the environment, in love with life, and looking for ways to expand

his horizons. He is always looking for challenges and ways to refine the “impossible”.

     Linda is a Criminal Justice major at Mira Costa College and an advocate for her community through an array of opportunities provided by the college. Linda is part of the Rugby Club and plays on the women’s team for Mira Costa Spartans. She is also the Vice President for the Transitions Club on campus that provides resources and support to previously incarcerated and system impacted students. Linda knows the importance of giving back to the community what was freely given to her, hope. It’s that same hope that has fueled her ambitions to trudge forward; even when the path was dark, and her trials were many. Linda wants to be the change she wants to see in her community. “I constantly fall short; I do that on the daily. However, I can only fail when I stop dusting myself from a fall, and barrel through my obstacles.” Linda found that life got a whole lot easier when she stopped viewing herself as a ‘victim’ and started to see herself as a ‘victor’. “I believe in my community, and I know we can be better when we start to look in the mirror and taking responsibility for ourselves and our actions.” Linda is part of Roots of Justice, a project that works closely with the non-profit Garden 31, providing mentorship opportunities to our local high schools. “Working with Chris has been an amazing, one I will carry with me forever. Thanks Chris!” Linda is passionate about putting in the work that will move her and her community impact forward.

     Edgar is a Sociology for transfer student at MiraCosta College who will be attending Cal State San Marcos in the Fall. He enjoys advocating for students who have a voice but don't know how to use it. Edgar is fulfilled by the mentorship he provides students through our partnership with the non-profit, Garden 31. He supports operations at our MiraCosta College garden sites (Barnard and Community Learning Center) and empowers students through gardening. He is the product of an underserved community and has been through many struggles with the education system that have impacted him in many ways. He enjoys this work so much because he gets to be a part of changing the educational system in a way that will benefit future generations to come.

     Raul Ragudo, Jr. is a Behavioral and Social Sciences major who is a student at University of Hawaii West O’ahu double majoring in Hawaiian & Indigenous Health & Healing and Public Administration. Working with Roots of Justice and Garden 31 has inspired him to advocate and learn how to develop solutions that address food insecurity that impact both his local community and the NHPI community. With Raul's experiences in drug abuse, gangs and incarceration, he has made himself available to students in need of such repair. His mission in life is to cultivate minds as well as the land, be of service to others. 

Ava Elmer (she/her/hers) is in her second year at MiraCosta and preparing to transfer next year to either Cal Poly Slo or UC Santa Cruz. Her major is currently Landscape Architecture and she dreams to become a designer that specializes in developing community spaces. She is also the new Sustainability Club President for Fall 2023 on campus and invites students to join them! She is super passionate about nature and incorporating it into her life as much as she can, sharing it with others and deeply Rooting it into our communities.