Mike Guerrero

CHCI Public Policy Fellow Presented by Wells Fargo
Hometown: Pedricktown, New Jersey
School: New York University
Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Placement: Office of Senator Cory Booker

Michael Guerrero is a first-generation Mexican American from Salem County, New Jersey, where he grew up in the rural community of Oldmans Township. Raised by a single mother from Veracruz, Mexico, he began his education through Head Start, a federal program supporting children from low-income families. His experiences fostered an early appreciation for academic opportunity and public service. These values continue to shape his commitment to advancing social and economic mobility for communities facing systemic barriers.

Michael is a graduate of New York University, earning a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Spanish. At NYU, he served as a senator representing first-generation and Latino students in the Student Government Assembly and co-chaired Proud to Be First, a mentorship program for first-generation college students. While completing his degree, Michael joined MDRC as a research intern, where he examined Common Core implementation for dual language learners and met with policy consultants at the U.S. Department of Education to discuss post- pandemic education initiatives. He later served as a Programs Evaluation Fellow with the New York City Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity, contributing to research on training out-of-work youth to provide mental health support in low- income communities.

Following graduation, Michael joined Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP as a litigation paralegal, working at the intersection of law, regulation, and governance. In this role, he supported legal teams on white-collar investigations and prepared materials for presentations to the U.S. Department of Justice. He also completed a secondment with JPMorgan Chase’s Swap Dealer Compliance team, working with business stakeholders on regulatory compliance matters. Alongside his professional work, Michael has continued his commitment to public service through pro bono work, including volunteering with immigration clinics and contributing to litigation advancing LGBTQ+ rights. In 2024, he assisted with an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Skrmetti, interviewing medical providers specializing in gender-affirming care across the country.

As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Michael will serve in the office of U.S. Senator Cory Booker, where he looks forward to strengthening his legislative research, policy analysis, and constituent engagement skills while contributing to initiatives that expand educational opportunity, improve access to mental health services, and promote economic mobility. He aspires to advance opportunities for Latino communities and historically underserved populations through a career in public service.