As a first-generation student from a migrant farmworking background and Mixtec-Indigenous roots, I recognize the transformative value of education and the importance of educational opportunities. When I found out about the NextGen Summer Policy Academy (SPA), I immediately saw it as a perfect opportunity to learn, grow, and expand my network.
During my time in Washington, D.C., I learned more about professional development through multiple workshops. For example, one workshop focused on the work that is done in the House of Representatives, something I was somewhat familiar with but had never actually taken a deeper look at. In another workshop, we heard from a professional panel, featuring government leaders and inspirational change-makers, including Volcker Alliance President Sara Mogulescu; Harris County Precinct One
Commissioner Rodney Ellis; and President and CEO of the Public Welfare Foundation, Candice Jones. Hearing them speak about their higher education journey and how they achieved their careers helped me realize that one does not need to follow a traditional path to make a positive impact in our communities.
Engaging with leaders like Congressman Brian Baird and international lawyer and scholar Johanna Gusman reinforced my belief that identity can be a source of strength by using one’s diverse background to challenge narrow ideas of belonging and representation. More than ever, I realized that public service is about values and not titles, placing people and principles above personal ambition.
At the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance in Seattle, I learned from public policy faculty, engaged in community-based projects, and gained insight into nonprofit and government work. These experiences demonstrated how policy analysis, program management, and advocacy can be used to design human-centered solutions to systemic challenges. During this time, I also gained a deeper understanding of human-centered design and began to question how it can be applied across my own communities to solve issues that limit access to essential services. Moreover, these experiences clarified public service career pathways, such as program manager or policy analyst, that aligned with my values and professional goals.
With the help of the SPA, my journey at the University of Washington has continuously shaped my identity and solidified my purpose: to use my experiences to advocate for underrepresented communities and achieve social justice.
Hearing our governmental and public leaders speak about the current state of our nation reminded me that true leadership goes beyond a position or title: it means turning uncertainty into opportunity, not threat, fear into courage, not cowardice, and division into collective strength, where resilience is stronger because it is shared.
Moving forward, this program has reignited my passion for pursuing a master’s in public administration while deepening my commitment to serving underrepresented communities and working across borders. I am determined to build strong, lasting relationships with individuals who share my vision for equity, inclusion, and justice. Through my learning and growth, I will continue to seek opportunities like these to improve my life and also leave a legacy of change that impacts my community, creates opportunities, and uplifts those who are often marginalized. Ultimately, I hope to be an inspiration for creating a more inclusive society, where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential and succeed.
Programs like this one provide students like me the chance to learn from the leaders of yesterday while shaping the Next Generation of Leaders. And in times like these, they do even more: they give us the courage to keep moving forward together, to protect the spark that keeps hope alive, and to fuel the movement toward a more just, equitable, and inclusive world.