Liberation Learners cohort at UC Berkeley School of Education
Liberation Learners is an honors early college program pairing rigorous UC/CSU-transferable coursework with community leadership, archival research, and arts-based advocacy.
Students earn real, transferable college credits through our partnership with Peralta Colleges (Laney), studying Ethnic Studies with UC Berkeley faculty.
An introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Ethnic Studies, examining race, identity, and social movements through a critical lens.
Examines the intersections of race, class, and educational systems, exploring historical and contemporary movements for justice in education.
Students concurrently earn Honors English credit through additional hours of coursework and instruction beyond the three units required by dual enrollment courses.
Students develop the reading, writing, research, and presentation skills they'll need to thrive in college — practicing them on meaningful, community-rooted projects.
Archival research at the Ethnic Studies Library · Banned Books workshop at UC Berkeley
Reading and analytical writing for college-level coursework
Archival research in the Ethnic Studies Library and Multicultural Student Center
Oral histories: conducting and documenting family interviews
Presenting research and program work to community stakeholders
Navigating and analyzing complex college-level texts
Each year students curate two major public events — bringing their research and art to families, faculty, and the broader community.
Students curate an evening for families, UC Berkeley faculty, students, and staff — teaching the community about historical movements for justice in education.
In partnership with Eastside Arts Center, students explore art as resistance, research contemporary movements for educational justice, and curate a public gallery for the Teach Truth Expo.
Students host a workshop at the Teachers for Social Justice conference
Students participate in hands-on workshops, panels, and campus activities designed to make UC Berkeley feel familiar and navigable.
Liberation Learners students present at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference
UC Berkeley faculty workshops: Language & Literacy, Native American Literature, Raciolinguistics, CA Literacy Project on book bans
Undergraduate student panel — hear directly from current UC Berkeley students
Undergraduate mentorship — paired support from a college student mentor
Choices Scavenger Hunt — practice decision-making like an undergraduate student
Navigating a college campus scavenger hunt
Library scavenger hunts — explore research libraries across campus
Liberation Learners is made possible through deep partnerships with universities, community organizations, and arts institutions.
Dr. Chela Delgado, Dr. Jonathan Desmond, Dr. Cati de los Rios, Dr. Beth Piatote, and 3 undergraduate interns
Dual enrollment partner providing UC/CSU-transferable Ethnic Studies coursework
Spring expo partner for the Teach Truth Expo — supporting student art, resistance, and community engagement
OUSD community partner supporting college and career pathway development
Liberation Learners is open to 11th grade students ready to take on college-level work and lead in their communities.