Meet Our New Intern: Kegen Wells
We are proud to introduce our new Make It Happen intern, Kegen Wells, a UC Davis Guardian Scholar and junior double majoring in psychology and linguistics.
Kegen’s passion for understanding people and advocating for foster care reform stems from her own life experiences. At 13 years old, Kegen and her brother were removed from their home and placed with their paternal grandparents for six months. Despite having a strong support system, she recalls feeling the weight of social stigma surrounding foster care and the pressure to hide her situation. Fortunately, when her family reunited, they embraced a healthier and more open dynamic.
Throughout high school, Kegen discovered her interest in psychology while babysitting for a local Alcoholics Anonymous chapter, where many of the children had experienced foster care. These early experiences fueled her desire to understand how people think, grow and heal.
With strong support from academic advisors, Kegen successfully navigated the college application process and chose UC Davis for its welcoming community and psychology program. Her resilience was further tested during her freshman year when her father passed away unexpectedly, just as she was beginning to undergo treatment for papillary thyroid cancer. Despite these hardships, Kegen persevered and found renewed strength in her family and her studies.
Through the UC Davis Guardian Scholars Program (GSP), Kegen found a community that recognized and validated her experiences. Initially uncertain about her eligibility, she soon learned that relative care was an important part of the foster care spectrum. As a GSP student, Kegen benefited from invaluable advocacy, mentorship and resources that helped her continue thriving academically and personally.
Now a junior, Kegen is pursuing her dual interests in psychology and linguistics while preparing for a future in foster care reform. When she learned about the Make It Happen internship, she immediately applied, eager to help others access the same kinds of support that made a difference in her own life.
“I want others to know there are more opportunities on the table,” Kegen said. “Because foster care is so stigmatized, a lot of us miss out on resources that can help us succeed. I want to change that.”
Since joining the team, Kegen has already made a strong impression. She describes her first board meeting as warm and welcoming – and even sweeter thanks to homemade cookies! One of her favorite parts of the internship has been visiting the Make It Happen storage units, where she was amazed by the abundance of furnishings and supplies available to college students in need.
Kegen looks forward to upcoming speaking engagements where she can share her story and advocate for foster youth.
“Davis is such a phenomenal area where people care to hear about these experiences,” she said. “I hope other communities across California and the country can become more like Davis where these stories are valued and foster care experiences are truly understood.”
We are thrilled to welcome Kegen to the Make It Happen team and are excited to see the positive impact she will continue to make through her compassion, insight and determination.
