Walk Ambitiously with Me
By Xitlaly Mendoza, ’26
As I reflect back on my summer, something I will carry forward with me into this final year at UW and beyond is my NextGen Summer Policy Academy experience. I am a senior at the University of Washington double-majoring in Sociology and Law, Societies & Justice, and double-minoring in Leadership and Spanish. I am also a first-generation Chicana student, the proud daughter of migrant farmworkers, and come from a Mexican, Mixtec-Indigenous family. My family’s values, sacrifices, and unwavering resilience instilled in me a profound commitment to cultural exchange and public service, and taught me the transformative power of education.
At the University of Washington, I have served in the College Assistance Migrant Program, the Multicultural Outreach & Recruitment office, the grassroots organization La Resistencia, and of course, the NextGen Civic Leader Corps. Having developed a passion for expanding access to education and other resources for underrepresented communities, I decided to apply for the NextGen Summer Policy Academy to gain a deeper understanding of public policy, learn about public service through the lens of leaders, and network with like-minded peers.
The NextGen Summer Policy Academy provides undergraduate students like me from across disciplines with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in public policy. We began with a week in Washington D.C. where we attended professional development workshops, networked with government leaders and inspirational change-makers, and visited federal departments and agencies. Afterward, we headed to Seattle for two weeks at the Evans School to gain exposure to nonprofits and government agencies working on creating and implementing social policies.
One of the most memorable experiences was going on a night tour of the U.S. Capitol with Congressman Baird—an evening that was not only unforgettable but deeply moving in these challenging times. 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, fear into courage, and division into collective strength, where resilience is stronger because it is shared.
This experience has given me so much: I met extraordinary people from diverse backgrounds who have now become lifelong friends and mentors, enriching the village that continues to support and inspire me. From Congressman Baird to public leader Johanna Gusman to our very own Dean Jodi Sandford, and even U.S. Capital Tour Guide Mr. Ronn Jackson, with his memorable phrase of “walk ambitiously with me”—each left a powerful mark on my journey.
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. Carrying the identity I hold, I never imagined that at just 21 years old I would have the transformative experience of visiting our nation’s capital.
It is programs like the NextGen Summer Policy Academy and Civic Leader Corps that give students like me the opportunity to learn from the leaders of yesterday while shaping the leaders of our future. 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 towards a more just, equitable, and inclusive world.
