Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee is a fourth-year student at UC San Diego, double majoring in Urban Studies & Planning and Real Estate & Development. She aims to apply her interdisciplinary background in policy and economics to support the development and financing of affordable housing projects.

Growing up in a working-class Bay Area city, Samantha witnessed firsthand the struggle for better housing options. She is passionate about building a career that addresses the needs of communities like her own.

Valuing mentorship and collaboration, she appreciates the Merritt Scholars program’s personalized guidance and networking opportunities and looks forward to using these insights to shape her path in affordable housing.