Teens Take Over UC Davis for César Chávez Youth Leadership Conference 2025

The University Credit Union Center pulsed with energy on May 10 as about 1,400 students from over 450 schools filled the arena for the 2025 César Chávez Youth Leadership Conference at UC Davis. Students filled rows of folding chairs, many seated alongside parents or teachers, listening attentively to welcome remarks by Chancellor Gary S. May and a keynote address by Raquel E. Aldana, Martin Luther King Jr. Professor of Law at UC Davis.

Outside, youth wearing maroon CCYLC drawstring backpacks made their way across campus to dozens of interactive workshops on everything from financial aid and scholarships to career paths in law, medicine, and the arts

Among them were Mia Tello and Ashley Perez, sophomores from Merrill F. West High School in Tracy. It was the first time either had visited UC Davis—and the first time they had attended the CCYLC conference. Tello, president of their Latinx Club, led the effort to bring about 20 students to the event.

“We wanted to learn about our culture and the history of César Chávez—what he did for our people, the migrant workers, and the marches he led,” she said. “Also, I wanted to come so people in the club could learn about UC Davis and the opportunities to go to college.”

To make the trip possible, the club organized a Mother’s Day fundraiser, selling flowers and cards to cover the cost of renting a bus. It was a big effort—but one that paid off.

Tello found inspiration in a session about becoming a lawyer, while Perez gravitated toward a workshop on nursing. 

“The campus felt very welcoming, and everyone was really nice,” Perez said. “The presentations were very interactive. They gave us a lot of time to ask questions.”

Tello said the day also gave her clarity about the college admissions process. 
“I had a lot of questions that got answered,” she said. “I also realized how much work I have to do to get in—but it’s helpful because I’m only a sophomore. Now I have time to work on it instead of waiting until I’m about to graduate.”

The conference, now in its 23rd year, was started by Rene Aguilera, a longtime advocate for educational equity. Aguilera said the 2025 event took about six months to plan.

“I started the event because I wanted to make sure that the legacy of César Chávez lives on with the next generation,” Aguilera explained.

A presenter at the event captured the day’s purpose succinctly: “These events are so important to help us explore our heritage and also provide everyone here with the opportunity to imagine themselves in these spaces—at UC Davis or any other college campus.”

This year’s conference also comes as UC Davis celebrates its recent eligibility as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), a designation for colleges and universities that enroll a high percentage of Latinx students. With more than 8,000 Latinx students currently enrolled, the university continues to expand access and create culturally responsive programs that support student success.

For Tello, Perez and hundreds of other young attendees, the conference delivered on that mission—connecting heritage with higher education.