Turlock Student Advocates for Underserved Communities

Simone Samra blends public health and community work to support immigrant families and the unhoused.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:37am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a graduation cap, medical stethoscope, and advocacy megaphone repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing a student's dedication to education, healthcare, and community empowerment.A vibrant visual representation of a student activist blending public health, education, and community advocacy to support underserved populations.Turlock Today

Simone Samra, a student at UC Merced, has dedicated herself to education and community advocacy work influenced by her mother's experience immigrating from India. Samra has embraced opportunities at UC Merced, including epidemiology research, community organizing, and founding a nonprofit to provide essential items to unhoused individuals. After graduating, she plans to pursue law school to focus on health policy and LGBTQ+ rights.

Why it matters

Samra's story highlights the challenges immigrant families face in transferring education and degrees, as well as the power of community-driven initiatives to support underserved populations. Her work demonstrates how students can leverage their education to drive meaningful change.

The details

Simone Samra, a recent graduate of UC Merced, has been deeply influenced by her mother's experience immigrating from India and the barriers her mother faced in transferring her nursing license. Samra has embraced opportunities at UC Merced, including an internship at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, epidemiology research on environmental health issues in Fresno, and founding a nonprofit called EmpowerHER that provides essential clothing and hygiene items to unhoused individuals. Samra also helps run a community medical clinic in Modesto that serves up to 300 people monthly.

  • Samra graduated from John H. Pitman High School in Turlock.
  • Samra spent the fall semester of 2025 interning at the University of California Washington Center.
  • Samra plans to study for the LSAT and start law school in the fall of 2027.

The players

Simone Samra

A recent graduate of UC Merced who has dedicated herself to education and community advocacy work, influenced by her mother's experience immigrating from India.

Samra's Mother

A registered nurse who had a nursing license in Punjab but faced difficulties transferring her education when she immigrated to the United States.

UC Merced

The university Samra attended, known for its small class sizes and interdisciplinary approach to public health.

Vituity Cares

A community medical clinic for substance use and unhoused people in Modesto that Samra and her sister Nikita help run.

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

The organization Samra interned with during her semester at the University of California Washington Center, which further ignited her passion for health policy and LGBTQ+ rights.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If you don't get the opportunity to use your education in America, it can be very discouraging.”

— Simone Samra, UC Merced Student

“She had a nursing license in Punjab, but when she came here, it was difficult for her to transfer her education. If she hadn't been able to, I don't know where my family would be.”

— Simone Samra, UC Merced Student

What’s next

After graduating in May, Samra plans to study for the LSAT with the goal of starting law school in the fall of 2027, where she hopes to focus on health policy and LGBTQ+ rights.

The takeaway

Simone Samra's story demonstrates the power of community-driven initiatives and the impact students can have when they leverage their education to advocate for underserved populations. Her work highlights the importance of supporting immigrant families and dismantling systemic barriers to health equity.