Major - Political Science

Minors - Sociology

Were you active with any student orgs? - The Alpha Epsilon Chapter of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc., LSA, FAM

What I am doing now - Started my full time job as a Legal Operations & Multimedia Associate for a court reporting and transcription company based in DC. Been Active in our DMV Regional Alumni Chapter, the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc., and our Solidaridad Action Committee. And adulting :P

How does your background in LAXC show up - I use the knowledge I gained through the research I did as a LAXC minor to navigate, understand, and explain current events, especially between the Latin America and the US. I actively try to spread awareness and educate other in my community on politics through the lenses gained as a LAXC minor. Additionally, I’ve been able to have meaningful conversations with new friends and acquaintances to dispel common misconceptions about the Latin American & Caribbean communities and culture, as well as the Latinx diaspora.

Any advice for potential minors? - Take advantage of the course catalog and chose courses that speak to your passions and skills that you personally want to improve. I loved and really took advantage of the interdisciplinary nature of the minor to find the most interesting courses to fill requirements I otherwise may have dreaded! It’s also so helpful when you can begin to draw connections between courses and contextual more material!

Major - SMAD

Minors - Medical Spanish

Were you active with any student orgs? - Student Leadership & Involvement Mentors and the Latinx Student Alliance

What I am doing now - I’ve been working a small part time but I’ve also been revamping my personal website hopefully going to launch this summer!

How does your background in LAXC show up - I see it all the time with everything I do! I always tell people what I graduated with and they say how great of a resume or career choice I made. I’m proud I can tell people about everything I’ve learned. 

Any advice for potential minors? - some Advice would be def meet your professors within the minor! I’ve met some of the most amazing people that I could’ve been going through the worse moments but they knew exactly how to help me and what I needed! It’s not easy but I def recommend to start with the interns too! We’re here to help!

Major - SCOM

What I am doing now - Work at NOVA CC as a Student Success Guide

How does your background in LAXC show up - I work with students of all backgrounds, so i get to use my experience as a transfer student to inform current students on different possibilities for classes and majors. Also learning about LAXC history has helped me to connect to my roots in various ways and has allowed me to make connections with students of other cultures as well. I love telling people about my major and minor because of all of the fun and interesting classes I took. Also, the LAXC internship allowed to have the experience to apply to my current job, so i am always grateful to LAXC!

Any advice for potential minors? - Put yourself out there and surround yourself with people who believe in you/ uplift you. Find your community, ask for help when you need it, and believe that everything will work out for you one way or another. Good luck and remember to uplift others and put your best foot forward!

Major - Sociology

Minors - Political Science

Were you active with any student orgs? - Latinx Student Alliance, Student Government Association, Scholars Latino inItiative Mentors.

What I am doing now - Since graduating from JMU, I went on to pursue my Master’s in Public Administration at Virginia Tech, where I graduated in May 2025. After completing my degree, I joined Abigail Spanberger’s gubernatorial campaign as the Operations Lead for Latinos for Spanberger. In that role, I organized and coordinated events aimed at mobilizing Latino voters for the gubernatorial election and engaged with Latino communities across the Commonwealth to increase civic participation and voter turnout.

Following the campaign, I served as an AmeriCorps member with Edu-Futuro, where I led workshops for workforce development programs across Fairfax and Arlington counties. I also mentored high school students on college access, leadership development, and post-secondary preparation, helping them navigate the path to higher education.

During this time, I also interned with my state senator, Stella Pekarsky, where I gained firsthand experience with the state legislative process. I tracked legislation, monitored committee activity, and wrote policy memos to keep the senator informed on the day-to-day developments of the Virginia General Assembly.

Most recently, I was appointed Executive Assistant to Secretary of Education, Dr. Jeffery O. Smith in the Office of the Governor of Virginia. In this role, I support the Secretary’s office by coordinating daily schedules, preparing briefing materials, and helping ensure meetings and policy engagements run smoothly so the office can effectively advance the Governor’s education priorities across the Commonwealth.

Advice for potential minors? - Everything happens for a reason. What is meant to be is meant to be. 

Major - International Affairs with a concentration in Latin America

Minors - Latin American & Caribbean studies and Spanish

International Experience - I worked as a bilingual teacher in schools in rural Honduras for two years. First solely as a teacher and then as the Director of English Programming. In that position I organized school events, made class schedules, was the liaison between international teaching staff and Honduran administration, and taught in secondary.

What I am doing now - Currently I am getting my master's from the University of Pennsylvania in International Educational Development. My focus is on bilingual and multilingual education in Latin America. 

The Future - I will be going abroad to work as intern this summer as the last part of my coursework and then I will graduate. Once I graduate I hope to find a full time position in Latin America working to develop curriculum for dual immersion programs or working with an NGO to improve bilingual programs.

What I loved about JMU - Looking back now, I really appreciate the flexibility of my major which allowed me to take LACS courses. I was able to study abroad in Argentina with Dr. McCleary and Dr. Blake which is one of my fondest memories from my university years.

Majors - History and Spanish

Minor - Latin American and Caribbean Studies

International Experience - I was lucky enough to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina through JMU’s study abroad program the summer of 2011 with Dr. McCleary and Dr. Blake.  I learned a lot about Argentinean culture and language, and this trip is what inspired me to begin the path that I am on today.  After this study abroad trip I traveled to Peru where my friend and I backpacked the Inca Trail up to Machu Picchu and took a road trip to Lake Titicaca.  The travel bug continued to consume me up to my senior year when I traveled to Chacraseca, Nicaragua for an Alternative Spring Break trip with the INGO FriendsNE International.  On this trip we fostered community relationships in Chacraseca and helped to construct sustainable housing for those in need. 

What I’m doing now - I loved JMU so much that I decided to come back to pursue my master’s degree!  I am currently studying Public Administration with a concentration in International Stabilization and Recovery Operations.  I will graduate in May of 2015. 

Future Plans - I have recently accepted the Frasure-Kruzel-Drew Memorial Fellowship for Humanitarian Demining in the U.S. Department of State beginning the Summer/Fall of 2015.  In this position I will oversee a number of different international programs that are removing landmines and rehabilitating individuals in post-conflict areas.  The Center for International Stabilization and Recovery here at JMU created this 2-year position within the Department of State, and I am so excited to get started!

What I love about JMU- This school has provided me with countless opportunities as far as flexibility of study and a unique cultural education.  I took classes with Dr. McCleary that encouraged the holistic study of a nation’s culture and its history in ways that you could really apply to everyday life.  These classes also encouraged me to join the Latino Student Alliance at JMU and continue to learn about other countries’ customs as well as make lifelong friends!