Interview is edited for length and clarity.
What drew you to studying politics?
I was always interested in history, and it was a passion of mine. What I learned in high school didn't reflect who I am as a Latina. I wanted to know more about world history and diverse history.
For political science, I wanted a deeper understanding of the system that I navigate through, for practicality, and to comprehend the theory behind it. I was curious about being able to analyze our institutions critically and learn more about their impact on diverse people.
How did you create a work-life balance?
At first, I didn't really have a good work-life balance. When I got into campus after the pandemic, I was working a full-time job while being a student. I had the privilege of being able to prioritize school, but I wasn't able to accomplish as much or reach my full potential, given how much I worked.
As I matured, I decided to prioritize school and my classes. If I had free time in between, before, or after classes, I would use that time efficiently. I think it's all about allocating time to do your work and making clear priorities. Since then, I've found that it takes time to learn, but it's definitely worth the effort. It is very much a skill. Time management is a skill, too, and it's hard when you come from high school and suddenly in college you have much more freedom; it's definitely a learning process.
Did you have a course that stood out to you at Simmons?
I learned so much during my time in undergrad, especially within my discipline, because you get to learn much more about people's experiences. Simmons was uniquely open-minded and fostered critical thinking and interdisciplinary perspectives.
In my first semester at Simmons, I took a learning community class taught by two professors, combining perspectives on politics, the education system, and economics. Taught by Professor Daren Graves and Professor Masato Aoki, the course was divided into sections on the economics of education inequality and the era of colorblind racism. Together, the class combined those interdisciplinary studies to talk about the myth of meritocracy. Throughout that course, I learned so much about how people of color have been disadvantaged since the very founding of the United States.
That class was tough because it was my first semester in college, but the professors were so supportive, and even though it was online, I felt it went well.
How did you stay involved in the Simmons community?
I wanted to take the initiative and put myself out there, so I found roles that best fit my interests. I ran for my class’s senate seat while we were online, which connected me to other like-minded activists and leaders on campus. I got to talk to like-minded individuals and be part of a community. I also reached out to the Sunrise Simmons president, and she was more than happy to have me on her divestment task force, which led the way for me to be Vice President of Sunrise Simmons.
What is your current role?
I'm a social studies teacher at James Hill House High School in New Haven, Connecticut. I teach ninth graders, and I'm in my second year as a corps member as a part of Teach For America, a program that sends college graduates and professionals to under-resourced school districts.
I teach modern world history and incorporate a diverse curriculum. I help students gain an understanding of the content and develop competency in areas such as essay writing, verbal skills, speech, defending, explaining, and creating. I also aid in their development of social-emotional skills, like being able to communicate healthy boundaries and articulate their feelings. I'm also working with other teachers daily to identify students who need a little more support.
Currently, we're talking about the Rwandan genocide, which is directly connected to the research I did in college. I participated in the New England Political Science Conference (NEPSA) and spoke about the Rwandan genocide and the effect it had on the surviving women.
Being able to present my students with that information and show them I'm from a similar community felt powerful. I want to show them that it is still possible to be academically successful and explore diverse histories, and that these diverse histories do exist, even though they're not discussed in mainstream political history.
What advice would you give someone interested in political science?
Live in the moment and take advantage of the four years you have. They really do go by quickly. Don't worry about what you think will look good to law schools or graduate schools; concern yourself with pursuing what interests you.
It won't even feel like work. I mainly focused on my passions, which were history and political science, but I encourage everyone to take classes across multiple disciplines to find out if something is a passion.