Biography

Sonya Brooks, MPH, MS, (she / her / hers)  is from the Oakland Bay Area and is a Ph.D. candidate in Education Policy at UCLA, where she is scheduled to graduate in 2026. A proud triple Bruin and first-generation student, she also holds a graduate degree in education policy from Brown University. Her research sits at the intersections of education, policy, public health, and intergenerational narratives. She currently serves as the Student Regent for the University of California Board of Regents, becoming the first Black woman to hold the position in its 51-year history. Through her scholarship and leadership, she is dedicated to advancing equity, belonging, and well-being, with particular attention to food and medical access in underresourced communities. Outside of work and school, she enjoys writing, spending time with her children, and uplifting the voices of those too often unheard.