Laura Lopez

Laura Lopez, age 20, is a Mexican native who was raised and educated in Los Angeles County before she was accepted at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. She will be the first generation college graduate in her family. She is currently a Wellesley sophomore pursuing a 2016 BA degree in Political Science. She recently was elected to the office of secretary of MEZCLA, the largest Latina cultural organization at Wellesley. In February 2014, she was chosen to represent the first generation college student population of Wellesley at an Ivy League/Seven Sisters wide summit on the subject.

Laura’s ambition is to continue her studies at graduate school for international relations in a joint program with a business degree and to work overseas in a government career. She is seeking to make the best use of her Latina heritage as well as her proficiency in Spanish and study of different cultures and societies.

From 2011 to 2013, Lopez attended California State University - Long Beach where she received President’s Honors for academic excellence during all her semesters there. In 2011, she graduated with Principal’s Honors from Animo Leadership Charter High School in Los Angeles. That same year, Laura was a recipient of the California State Senate Scholastic Achievement Award for her academic work and volunteer efforts.

Laura has been active in her L.A. community, serving as a tutor and teacher’s aide for the Learning Enrichment After-school Program (LEAP) at Hudnall Elementary School during her senior year of high school. The LEAP program is dedicated to creating an engaging environment for students of under-served communities. Lopez also volunteered at Saint John Chrysostom Church, helping to organize annual community events as well as assisting religious education teachers. While living and studying in Mexico during 2010, she served as a library aide in the municipal library of El Arenal, Jalisco, and coordinated a variety of programs including basic computer skills workshops, educational tutoring sessions, and community outreach programs aimed at increasing literacy.

Laura received business experience from 2011-2013 as a paid employee in customer service, billing and accounts management for RJ’S Demolition & Disposal in Los Angeles, California. She held this job whole also attending college. Laura also has worked as a business publication’s freelance editor of insurance claims and reports.