Candidate for
Council Member; City of National City

Alejandra Refugio Sotelo-Solis is the Director of the University of San Diego's (UC San Diego) Community Law Project working with undergraduate students who are pursuing careers in Law and Public Policy. She oversees student recruitment, department budget, establishes and maintains relationships with community-based organizations and law schools across the Nation.

She was formerly the Community Relations Coordinator for the UC San Diego Chancellor's Office. She was the primary support for the Board of Overseers, which is an advisory group to the Chancellor and works on strengthening relationships with community groups, businesses, and other civic organizations. Previously, Alejandra served as District Director for San Diego Assembly Member Lori Saldaņa and a Field Representative for Monterey Park Assembly Member Judy Chu.

Following her graduation from UC San Diego with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, she was selected for a CORO Fellowship in Public Policy in Los Angeles. As one of only 60 CORO Fellows selected across the nation, Alejandra gained experience with local leaders in government, business, and labor. While a UCSD student, Alejandra was active in the Cross-Cultural Center, student organizations and was a resident advisor in Eleanor Roosevelt College. She was the community education coordinator of the annual Hate Free Campus Campaign in the Student Office for Human Relations, and was selected to receive a UC San Diego Oceanids Award.

She has been an active member the community. She is an active member of the San Diego Cesar E. Chavez Commemorative Committee and was Co-chair of the 2008 Parade Committee. She is active with San Diego MANA, a youth mentorship organization, South Bay Forum, a Political Action Committee, and was Chair for the American Diabetes Association- Health Fair/Feria de Salud. She is also past President of the UCSD Chicano Alumni Association.

Outside of her professional work, she is active at Saint Anthony's Catholic Church in National City, as a Liturgical Minister. She continues to stay engaged with social justice issues through the St. Anthony's Organizing Ministry.

A third generation National City resident and graduate of Sweetwater High School, Alejandra is married to her college sweetheart, Arturo Solis. They bought their first home in National City where they live with their dog Ozo.