Meet the SPRING 2019 Global Leaders
Tony Flores
Home: California
University: University of California, Davis
Major: Social Policy and Ethnic Studies
Graduation Year: Fall 2018
Tony Flores was born in San Diego, California, and was raised in the city of Anaheim. He attended UC Davis, where he studied Social Policy and Ethnic Studies. During his senior year, he had the opportunity to intern with the California State Senate, Senator Josh Newman. His journey and experiences have made him passionate about social justice. Through his Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute Fellowship, his goal is to gain skills and knowledge that he can bring back to help his community have more Latino representation and role models. Tony is the oldest of three and the first to attend and graduate college in his family. In the near future, Tony would like to attend a prestigious University, such as Stanford or Harvard, to earn his law and business degree. His long-term goal is to one day run for office.
Lianis Marrero Mendez
Home: Puerto Rico
University: University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
Major: Social Science with a Minor in International Relations
Graduation Year: Summer 2019
Lianis was born and raised in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. A dedicated student, she is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in social science with a minor in international relations at the University of Puerto Rico. As president of the Social Science Student Association of UPR, Lianis has advocated for criminal justice reform and mental health issues and has held many discussions with her peers on the topic of immigration reform. Lianis has also focused extensively on women's rights, serving as a legal advocate ina local nonprofit for victims of domestic violence and facilitating regional support groups to women survivors of violence and their children. She has also worked as a panelist for a Puerto Rican podcast station and analyzed policy decisions for the island at large. After Hurricane Maria, she was accepted at Cornell University as part of the Cornell-UPR Interuniversity Relief Program where she discovered her passion for public policy. In the near future she plans to obtain a dual degree in law and public policy with the ultimate goal of improving the social and political landscape for the men and women of Puerto Rico.
Alfredo Oballos Diaz
Home: Venezuela
University: Florida International University
Major: International Relations
Graduation Year: Summer 2019
Alfredo was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. He moved to Miami, Florida in 2014. He is a senior student at FIU, his studies are based on conflict resolution and local and public administration. Throughout his professional and academic career, he has worked for the non-profit sector interning as an International Trade Advisor for the Spain – US Chamber of Commerce and as a Corporate Research Intern at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. He is a strong advocate of democracy, regionalism, trade, and cooperation in Central and South America. Alfredo’s next steps are to obtain a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution and Government Affairs and eventually return to Venezuela and help rebuild his beloved country.
Olivia Padilla
Home: New Mexico
University: University of New Mexico
Major: English and International Studies
Graduation Year: Spring 2018
Olivia was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her undergraduate studies were focused in conflict, peace, and diplomacy and Latin America. She continues to devote herself to her alma mater where she is the president of the university’s League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) council. Olivia is passionate about writing, both professional and creative. She has written a proposal for the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center and is currently working on a manuscript. She is a strong advocate for women’s rights and immigration reform. Olivia’s long term goals are to attend law school, work for the State Department’s Foreign Service, and write the next great American novel.
Cesar Prieto
Home: Texas
University: The University of Texas, Austin
Major: Government
Graduation Year: Spring 2018
Born in the border region of El Paso, TX, Cesar has a noted history of working with cross-cultural neighborhoods to help them realize their full potential. Beginning his career in government as a policy analyst for a community development corporation, he worked closely with nonprofit leadership in Austin, TX to advocate for housing affordability in a rapidly-expanding area. He then served as community liaison for the Mayor of Austin and helped implement a $1M grant to revitalize a blighted area and address issues of chronic poverty and urban sustainability. Recently, he moved back to his hometown in El Paso where he worked with the County Commissioner’s office to develop economic policy recommendations to attract job-creating businesses into the region. Most recently, he served as a community development specialist the City of El Paso, and helped oversee the efficiency of the local Community Development Block Grant program. He graduated with a degree in Government and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and aims to obtain his Master’s degree in Public Administration to pursue a career in city management.
GLOBAL LEADERS INTERNSHIP & FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
THE PROGRAM
A 15 week internship program working in Congressional and corporate offices in Washington D.C.
Students will work on project-based programs that provide hands-on experience and also strengthen their understanding of public policy and will also earn academic credit hours from the George Washington University.
The program takes place in the spring and in the fall semester of each year.
HOW IT WORKS
WEEK 1
Orientation
WEEK 2-7
Congressional Office Placement
Weeks 7-15
Corporate Office Placement
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Congressional and corporate experience
Exposure to policy from many different lenses.
Fully-paid internship.
Covers housing, round trip airfare, and a living/travel stipend.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Currently enrolled Junior or Senior, or be within one calendar year of their undergrad graduation date.
Must be fully available for program dates and complete the entire semester.