Meet Our Scholars

Valentín Quiroz Sierra is an Indigenous social worker dedicating to promoting the holistic wellbeing of Native and Indigenous young people. Valentín was a Point Scholar from 2013 - 2017 will attending the University of California, Davis. Valentín graduated with highest honors earning a B.A. in Native American Studies and was involved as a campus organizer and activist. Valentín’s advocacy work promoted the visibility of Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ Native identities. Additionally, Valentín helped coordinate the UC Davis Powwow, Native American Culture Days, and the opening of the Native American Academic Student Success Center. Valentín is currently a doctoral student at the University of California, Berkeley School of Social Welfare, where they also earned a Master of Social Welfare degree. Valentín’s clinical and research agendas focus on eliminating mental health disparities, particularly suicide and depression, for urban Native young people through culturally grounded practices and interventions. Valentín is an Associate Clinical Social Worker and an active member of the California Yaqui (Yoeme) Indian community.