What were your majors/minors?

RC Social Science (RC Honors), Latin American and Caribbean Studies


What activities were you involved in while a student, both within the RC and elsewhere on campus?

I was a resident Advisor in the Residential College (2nd Prescott) and a Mentor at Transfer Connections. I also participated in Michigan in Washington and was in the first class of Semester in Detroit. I was active in the Migrants and Immigrants Rights Awareness (MIRA) student group.  

What are some highlights of your career - or side projects - that you’re most proud of?

The highlight of my career was being a political appointee in the Obama Administration. Most recently, I was recognized among 40 LGBTQIA+ national security and foreign policy leaders by Out in National Security and New America and listed among the top 40 latino experts in this field.

 

What are you doing lately that you’re passionate about?  

I serve as Senior Advisor on Western Hemisphere Affairs at the Department of Labor's International Labor Affairs Bureau, in the Office of International Relations and Economic Research. In this capacity, I provide expertise and advice, and conduct research and analysis on labor issues and regional labor trends. I also manage bilateral relations with countries in the Western Hemisphere, including coordinating technical exchanges between DOL and foreign ministries.

 
What about it makes you so passionate? What is the underlying reason or cause you’re doing what you’re doing?   
I always dreamt of a career that would allow me to help people, to be intellectually engaged and challenged, and to travel and work internationally.  Being a public servant is an honor and privilege. I am very proud of what I do.
 
How does something you did in the RC relate to this?
In the RC I designed my own major focusing on International Relations and Human Rights and that's precisely the intersection at which I work. 
 
If you could have dinner with anyone, fictional or real, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A famous person would be Viktor Frankl. He lost his family in the holocaust and served time in a concentration camp, and it was in that most horrific situation that he found hope by helping others. But if I could choose a non famous person to dine with it would be my grandfather. He passed away when I was 17 and I would love to know what he would think of me today. I hope he is proud. 
 
What’s your favorite food to make, and why?  

I love cooking anything! But making pasta from scratch reminds me of my grandma, who makes the best spaghetti in the world. It evokes comfort and happiness and everything I loved about my childhood.