Nayra Halajian (she/they) is currently seeking a Master of Social Welfare at UCLA, where she is focused on expanding access to culturally responsive mental health care and advancing racial and social equity in Los Angeles. A second-generation Armenian-American from the San Fernando Valley, Nayra brings a background in community advocacy, therapy, and public policy informed by her lived experience and professional path. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Politics & Government from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA. Prior to graduate school, Nayra worked in the music industry, where she supported diverse artists and advocated for representation across platforms. During her first-year MSW practicum, Nayra was a clinical intern with WOC Therapy, an organization dedicated to providing affirming mental health care to BIPOC communities. Her interdisciplinary experience spans direct clinical work, policy analysis, and civic engagement, including a past role with the City of Tacoma’s Office of Arts and Cultural Vitality. As a Luskin Graduate Policy Fellow with the Office of Race and Equity, Nayra is eager to support initiatives that address systemic inequities through participatory governance and community-led research. She looks forward to contributing to the city’s racial equity goals by applying her skills in clinical practice, program evaluation, and public communication, driven by a deep commitment to healing justice and collective well-being in her hometown.