Jocelyn Leon was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and her academic journey has been driven by a passion for bridging science and advocacy. She recently graduated with a degree in Health and Human Sciences and a minor in Public Health from the University of Southern California (USC) on the pre-medical track. She is a USC Latino Alumni Association Scholar, a UCI PRIME Academy Scholar, and a multi-semester Dean’s List honoree. Jocelyn has worked alongside oncologists at the Houston Methodist Research Institute on the development of monoclonal antibodies for breast cancer treatment and, at USC, served as a Community Health Organizer advancing trauma-informed care practices within student health services. Beyond academics, she has held leadership roles within USC Latino Students in Medicine, including Advocacy Chair, Networking Chair, and Vice President, where she organized programs to support BIPOC students pursuing healthcare and built partnerships with community clinics. These experiences reflect her deep commitment to advancing equitable healthcare and empowering others who, like her, come from first-generation and underserved backgrounds.

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Her teaching and mentorship experiences span from tutoring elementary school students in ESL literacy and math to guiding high school students through science, writing, and the college admissions process. At USC, she mentored first-generation college students as they transitioned into higher education, served as a Resident Assistant for over 500 students, and participated as a USC Fisher Fellow, where she combined leadership, mentorship, and service to build inclusive, supportive communities. Jocelyn’s philosophy remains consistent across every role: students thrive when they feel seen, supported, and encouraged to embrace curiosity. She strives to be the mentor she once needed, by being someone who instills confidence and belonging.

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Outside of teaching and mentorship, Jocelyn enjoys running, hiking, exploring new cafés, and spending time with family and friends. She is also part of the 2025–26 Stanford COMET Fellowship, where she is developing her clinical skills in preparation for medical school. Her long-term aspiration is to become a physician while continuing to mentor the next generation of students.

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