Crafton Alumnus Turns Student Advocacy into a Career in Policy Reform

Publish Date: April 22, 2025

When Aaron Burgess Jr. enrolled at Crafton Hills College, he was searching for a fresh start.

“I had just come out of a rough high school experience where I didn’t always feel seen or understood,” he said. “I needed a place to figure out who I was and where I was going. Crafton was close to home, affordable, and it felt like somewhere I could grow without being boxed in.”

That decision turned out to be the beginning of a much bigger journey. Today, Aaron is the Policy Manager for the City of San Diego’s Commission on Police Practices, where he reviews procedures like police pursuits and traffic stops and works with legal teams, law enforcement, and the public to recommend changes that support accountability.

“Every day is different,” he said. “But at the heart of it, my job is about making sure community voices are heard, especially when it comes to how they’re policed.”

Aaron says his interest in advocacy began at Crafton, where he threw himself into student government, campus jobs, and leadership programs. One of his earliest mentors, Crafton Associate Dean of Student Support Dr. Ericka Paddock, helped him step into those roles and supported his growth every step of the way.

“She gave me room to lead, to make mistakes, and to grow from them,” Aaron said. “Eventually, I became student body president, and that experience still shapes how I work today, how I bring people together, listen and advocate for change.”

One class, Honors English, with Crafton’s English Professor Cynthia Hamlett[1] , helped him connect his personal story to a larger purpose.

“She let us write without filtering ourselves, and she wanted us to really dig into what we believed,” he said. “When I wrote a paper about Malcolm X, it hit something deep for me. I started thinking about how I’d spent so much time trying to fit into places where I didn’t feel valued, and I realized those experiences were actually part of my strength.”

That moment, he said, sparked his passion for policy and social change.

“From that point forward, I knew I wanted to do work that made a difference.”

Aaron went on to transfer to the University of California, San Diego, and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He says Crafton prepared him both academically and personally.

“The Honors Institute gave me a strong foundation,” he said. “But even more important, Crafton gave me confidence. It taught me how to speak up, how to communicate professionally, and how to believe I belonged in rooms where people didn’t always look like me.”

During his time at Crafton, Aaron also worked on an initiative to support Black male students through mentorship. He was involved with the national organization Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) and hoped to bring a chapter to campus to build community and create space for students to grow together. While the program didn’t move forward, the process left a lasting impression on him.

“It didn’t happen the way I envisioned, but it taught me something important,” he said. “Sometimes, even good ideas take time. Even when things don’t work out, you keep showing up, keep advocating, and stay committed to creating space for others.”

That mindset carried with him into his policy work today.

“I don’t see policy as just paperwork. It’s about shaping how people experience the world, especially people who’ve been left out of the conversation,” he said. “What I do now started back at Crafton, when I first learned how to listen, how to lead, and how to work with others to get things done.”

To current Crafton students who feel uncertain about their future, Aaron offers this advice: “Don’t wait until you have everything figured out. Just start. Take risks, ask for help, and focus on who you’re becoming. And don’t underestimate how much the people around you can matter, the right relationships can change your whole direction.”

To the mentors and faculty who supported him along the way, Aaron is full of gratitude.

“Thank you. You didn’t just teach, you saw me. You challenged me, encouraged me, and helped me realize my voice mattered. That belief still fuels my work today.”

When asked to sum up what Crafton means to him, Aaron didn’t hesitate.

“Crafton was the launchpad — the place where I found my voice, figured out my purpose, and started building the life I always hoped was possible.”