Celebrating our 2025 Minors

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!  You began your studies during the early stages of a global pandemic and you courageously stepped into the unknown. Over the next four years, you experienced many other challenges that also required courage, adaptability, and open-mindedness.  These traits, more than anything, will serve you well in our rapidly changing society.  Never lose hope or heart.

We are honored to have been part of your educational journey.  Wherever your interests and goals take you, we wish you well. 

Maria Cristina Garcia, Director
Marti Dense, Program Administrator
Zucy Ortega, Events Coordinator/Program Assistant
Simon Velasquez, LSSO Advisor/Assistant Dean

Karina Beras

Major, Minors: Ph.D. Anthropology. Minor in Latina/o Studies.

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans:  

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? The relationships I formed, my learning and growth as a scholar, and the beauties of Ithaca.

Bianca Marie Estrada

Major, Minors: History. Minors in American Studies and Latina/o Studies.

Honors and Acknowledgments: Deans list- Fall 2024.

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans:  I am going to grad school to get my masters in Education! I will then become a high school U.S. history teacher.

What has the LSP minor meant to you? The LSP minor has meant so much to me. Having classes where I can learn more about my background and other backgrounds as well has been so amazing. I’ve found a safe community that reminds me of home.

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? What I’ll remember best are all the great discussions in class and fun times. around campus!!
 

Saleen De La Cruz

Major, Minors: Psychology. Minors in Latina/o Studies and Anthropology.

Honors and Acknowledgments: Served as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on Cornell’s Panhellenic Executive Board.

Short- and Long-Term Post-graduation/Career plans:  I plan to pursue graduate studies in psychology and earn my PhD.

What has the LSP minor meant to you? The LSP minor gave me an opportunity to connect more deeply with my culture in ways I never had access to before. It was the first time I was able to learn about issues like Latinx education, identity, and systemic inequality in an academic setting. Beyond just learning, I was able to actively engage in meaningful conversations and reflect on the experiences of my own community—something that’s often missing from traditional coursework. The minor pushed me to think critically about topics that matter to me personally and gave me a space where my identity and background felt seen and valued.

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? What I think I’ll remember most from my time at Cornell is the openness I found in certain spaces. I was able to expressive, to reflect on my identity, and to work on projects I cared about. One memory that stands out is when my best friend and I stayed up late making these huge letters that spelled “L-A-T-I-N-I-D-A-D” for a project we were passionate about. We covered the letters with photos from our hometowns showing how Latinidad continues to live on in our communities, even in the face of gentrification. That project now sits at the entrance of the LSP offices in Rockefeller Hall, which still means a lot to me. It captured everything I hoped to take away from Cornell: connection, creativity, and pride in where I come from.

Samira Fernandez

Major, Minors: Italian. Minor in Latina/o Studies.

Honors and Acknowledgments: Study Abroad in Bologna, Italy.

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans: Before my next chapter, I would like to take a moment to be still and reflect on all my hard work. I plan to go back home and relax for a while. I need to catch up on the sleep I missed these past 4 years.

What has the LSP minor meant to you? For me, choosing to pursue LSP was not just an academic decision, but one rooted in cultural reconnection. It allowed me to learn about hidden histories that shaped my identity. Being able to learn about those who came before me was such a privilege. It brings me immense pride to call myself a Latina. 

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? Cornell has been both a friend and an adversary throughout my time here. There were many moments of exhaustion and doubt, but also many filled with growth. This university has molded me into a better person, helping me uncover parts of myself I had forgotten. It was here that I was able to reconnect with who I am. I will forever be grateful to Cornell for that.

Aaron Flores

Major, Minors: Psychology. Minors in Anthropology and Latina/o Studies.

Honors and Acknowledgments: Kessler Presidential Scholars Program.

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans: Working full-time as a Human Resource Analyst.

What has the LSP minor meant to you? Pursuing the LSP minor has been an opportunity to engage with my Latino identity in an academic context and deepen my understanding of the culture, history, and lived experiences of other Latinx communities.

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience?   I'll remember Cornell's beautiful scenery but also spending time with friends and navigating this new environment together.

Maria Lima Valdez

Major, Minors, and Concentrations: Government and Africana Studies. Minors in Latina/o Studies and Law & Society.

Honors and Acknowledgments: Cornell Tradition Fellowship, Honor Thesis.

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans: I plan to attend Law school after college and going into politics in the future and hopefully run for Congress one day!

What has the LSP minor meant to you? The LSP minor has been not only an academic space where I got to learn about topics that pushed to grow academically. It was also a space that show me a caring community and provided me support when I needed it.

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? I hope to remember all the lessons I learned from both academia and personal connections, and I most definitely hope to carry on the amazing experiences that I lived in the LSP lounge.

Natalie Miller

Major, Minors: English and Spanish. Concentration in Renaissance Literature and Shakespeare. Minor in Latina/o Studies.

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans: I will take a gap year before returning to continue my studies in Library Science and Information Science.

What has the LSP minor meant to you? It has allowed me to explore a topic adjacent to my studies in a well-rounded way. I have gotten the opportunity to learn about a wide variety of experiences and communities in the US. 

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? The time I spent dancing salsa and being with friends. 
 

Carolina Montejo

Major, Minors: Environment and Sustainability. Minor in Latina/o Studies.

Honors and Acknowledgments: I was involved with the Big Red Marching and Pep Band all four years. I served different positions on E-Board for both bands and was part of the drumline as Cymbal Subsection Leader. I helped expand Mariachi Regional en Cornell University by serving as their PR Chair and Treasurer. I supported them at performances and helped manage their annual concert La Fiesta Del Mariachi. 

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans: Work in California and eventually get my master's in education.

What has the LSP minor meant to you?  It has allowed me to learn about different cultures and Latino communities. I was able to connect with Professors and explore a field that was outside of my major. 

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? I will remember and appreciate all the friends and faculty that supported me throughout my undergraduate journey. 
 

Jeremy Peschard

Major, Minors: Ph.D. in History. Minor in Latina/o Studies.

Honors and Acknowledgments: 

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans:  Both my short and long term plans are to continue working in education.

What has the LSP minor meant to you? The Latina/o Studies Minor gave me the opportunity to connect with world-class scholars, take coursework directly related to my research, and meet like-minded peers. I have so much gratitude for LSP at Cornell.

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? I will best remember the time I spent with friends at Cornell. I was extremely fortunate to make friendships at Cornell that will last the rest of my life.

Isabella Riano

Major, Minors, and Concentrations: American Studies and Government. Concentrations: Race, Law, & Policy.  Minors in Migration Studies, Latina/o Studies, Law & Society.

Honors and Acknowledgments: President of Salsa Pa’lante; Vice President of Cornell Latinx Association of Pre Laws; Resident Advisor of Latino Living Center; Cornell Tradition Fellow; P3 Scholar; Dean’s List.

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans: I plan to work as a paralegal at a private law firm in New York City, focusing on cases involving the criminal legal system. Next fall, I intend to apply to law school to specialize in criminal, human rights, immigration, or civil rights law.

What has the LSP minor meant to you? The Latina/o Studies faculty has profoundly shaped the kind of leader I strive to become, teaching me the value of being challenged and the importance of critical reading. Their mentorship has equipped me with key research, writing, and analytical skills that have strengthened both my preparation for law school and my commitment to becoming an immigration attorney. Through the LSP minor, I have gained a deeper understanding of my Colombian heritage, the significance of diverse perspectives, and what it means to navigate the world as a Latina.

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? I will remember all the beautiful relationships I made with friends, faculty members, and communities. Salsa Pa’lante has been the most rewarding experience of my time at Cornell. Since joining my first semester and serving as President, I have seen the club grow from just 10 members to over 70. It has been a constant source of support for my mental health while simultaneously being a powerful anchor to my Latin roots. I am also grateful to have served as a Resident Advisor at the Latino Living Center, where I have been part of a warm and welcoming community of individuals with shared cultural backgrounds.
 

Daniela (Dani) Rojas 

Major, Minors, and Concentrations: Double major in American Studies (with a concentration in intersectional law and public history) and College Scholar. Minors in Latina/o Studies, Public Policy in Government, Law and Society, Information Science with a concentration in Law and Ethics.

Honors and Acknowledgments: Currently working on my honors thesis for college scholar, using web monitors to track changes in USCIS' website and asses the constitutionality of withholding/changing information without proper due process. So far I've made the dean's list twice. I don't have many 'honors', but I've always worked 2 jobs at a time while being a student. Worked for LSP since my freshman year as Communications Intern. Currently also works for Cornell Law school's clinical programs, farmworker clinic as a research assistant for Professor Beth Lyon. I've been a Resident Advisor for Risley/LLC, worked for PSSP as Activities Coordinator after being in it myself. I worked for Cornell Dining, was a freshman and student manager at Mann Cafe during my freshman year. I'm a former lifestyle/dining editor for the Cornell Daily Sun and former columnist. Took a health leave for a semester and worked full-time as a pharmacy tech-in-training for Walgreens before returning to Cornell. I've also raised Mirabel Arepa since my freshman year, my fluffy ragdoll cat.

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans: I will be continuing my work at Cornell Law this summer under Professor Beth Lyon. When I receive my degree for real in December, I plan to stay in Ithaca to apply for law school while continuing to work full time for Cornell Law or legal non-profit.

What has the LSP minor meant to you? I remember working the intern desk during my first year, and Marti slid me the application for the LSP minor. I figured, why not? I already work here. I have no regrets. The LSP minor was one of the few things I was sure about initially. It provided a foundation to understand my identity through many lenses, especially since many LSP courses were cross-listed with American Studies. LSP courses have been a breath of fresh air for my sanity and have helped me grow academically and as a person. I'm forever grateful to have been welcomed into la familia at LSP with open arms. 

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? Having the privilege to be part of something greater than myself, finding home away from home.

Sofia Stacchiola

Major, Minors, and Concentrations: American Studies and Spanish. Minor in Latina/o Studies.

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans: Pursue a M.A. in American Studies at George Washington University.

What has the LSP minor meant to you?  The LSP minor has helped me better understand the nuances of (my) Latinidad and Latine (hi)stories. It has also helped me better connect with the Latine community here at Cornell and the wider upstate New York area.

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? I expect to best remember the stories I've heard and the people I've connected with, both inside and outside the classroom. This includes the faculty and friends who inspired and encouraged me throughout the past four years.

Cristina Torres 

Major, Minors, and Concentrations: Biological Sciences. Concentrations: Genetics, Genomics, and Development. Minor in Latina/o Studies.

Honors and Acknowledgments: Wentcher Scholar, Ronald E. McNair Scholar, Honors Thesis Student.

Short and Long Term Post-graduation/Career plans: My next steps are to pursue a PhD in genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I hope to continue in academia, becoming the principal investigator of my own lab and teaching courses at the university level. 

What has the LSP minor meant to you? The LSP minor allowed me a space to learn about my identity as a Latina and what it means to be Latine in America. I was surrounded by other students who shared my experiences and who all wanted to learn more about their culture through history, literature, and art. 

What do you expect to remember best from your Cornell experience? I expect to remember the community of peers I have found at Cornell. I was exposed to so many new perspectives and was able to forge relationships with people from all over. Getting to pursue my goals while being surrounded by so many kind and intelligent people was such a privilege.

Mateo Valdillez 

Major, Minors, and Concentrations: Environment and Sustainability. Minor in Latina/o Studies.