Merlyn Calderon Schultz

National Vice President and California Political Director, United Farm Workers of America

Global Studies (2001)

The youngest of six children and the daughter of farm worker parents, she was the first in her family to attend college.
Honored with the Outstanding Senior Award while completing her degree for her record of community service, which included Natividad Medical Center and the Monterey County AIDS project, among others.
While attending CSU Monterey Bay, she helped found a community empowerment organization called "Mothers of Chualar." The group ultimately helped secure a source of safe drinking water for the Salinas Valley farming community.
In 2008, she was elected a national vice president for United Farm Workers. Her father did not live to see that moment, but her mother, who worked in agriculture for more than 20 years, was present.
Currently, she is a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. Department of State and has served in Mexico, Cameroon, Costa Rica, the State Department Operations Center and was selected for the Marine Corps Command and Staff College where she is completing a Master’s in Military Studies.

Notable CSU Alumni in nonprofit