Liberal Arts Major: Political Science
Liberal Arts Minor: Women’s Studies
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Current Location: Philadelphia, PA
What enrichment activities did you participate in as a student?
As a student, I served as the Women’s Affairs Director for Student Government, interned at the Feminist Majority Foundation, and was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award from Penn State's Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity (CORED) in May 2003.
What was your first job after graduating from Penn State?
After graduation, I accepted a position as a bilingual victim advocate/Latino outreach coordinator for the D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence in Washington, D.C.
What was your favorite class and who was your favorite faculty member?
I loved all my women's studies classes—they were what I needed at the time. They provided me with the community, conversation, and identity development conversations I needed. That has influenced me since. Brian Jara was my professor in many of those classes
How did your liberal arts education and skills prepare you for life after graduation?
A liberal arts degree allowed me to explore beyond my initial interest in political science and help me build a more robust education.
What role have mentors played in your career progression?
Mentors not only come in traditional mentoring relationships: for some BIPOC, we find that we don't have many people we can reach out to in our fields. Yet, we do have others that are your support and ear when you need them. Those mentors are also key in your personal and professional progression.