Yesenia Montes, originally from Arizona, is a second-year student at American University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a certificate in Advanced Leadership Studies in the School of Public Affairs Leadership Program; she intends to attend law school after her graduation in 2022.
Yesenia’s passion for politics and leadership began in high school as she became socially aware of the inequalities facing her own community. Raised in a predominately Hispanic community of immigrants, and herself being a daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college student, Yesenia has experienced and witnessed the limitations public education, economic inequality, and current immigration laws have on people’s lives and their ability to succeed.
Through the School of Public Affairs Leadership Program, Yesenia has developed and implemented projects that address issues of economic inequality and hopes to further develop the skills necessary to effect positive change in her community and those alike.