Danny Muñoz

About

Danny grew up a youth at-risk. As someone who is formerly incarcerated, Danny understands the barriers those individuals face in academic and professional spheres. After being shot five times in 2016, a new found passion brought him back to school so that he can create change and opportunity for youth who are growing up under similar circumstances. Danny graduated with Highest Honors with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Public Policy; University of California at Berkeley, class of 2023. As an undergraduate, Danny was been the recipient of many scholarships and fellowships and is also a Cal Alumni Association Alum. Over the last three years, he has conducted original, independent research on the faculty-student relationship in middle schools and how interactions affect adolescents’ trajectories. Together with field work within the juvenile justice system, Danny has uncovered many discrepancies related to the disproportionate disciplinary response imposed on children of color and lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Danny is also the author of Misunderstood: Why We Need Credible Messengers Teaching and Counseling in Secondary Schools (Kids With Trauma Need Support Sooner), an opinion piece found as part of Impact Justice, as well as The Prison Journalism Project publications. Danny aspires to not only become a leader for the youth in his community, but to advocate and introduce policy that creates better opportunities for them. Such policies would redefine practices within schools for marginalized students as they pertain to school staff, curriculum, and resources.

Policy Interests

• Children, Youth and Families
• Criminal Justice
• Education
• Poverty & Inequality
• Mass Incarceration