Alejandro Nina Durán 

Congressional Intern, Presented by Synchrony Financial 

Hometown: Lynn, Massachusetts 

School: Duke University 

Major: Political Science 

Placement: U.S. House Democratic Caucus 

Alejandro Nina Durán spent his childhood in the pueblo of San Cristóbal before immigrating to Lynn, Massachusetts, at the age of five. His Dominican mother’s conviction in education propelled his academic career and ignited a deep curiosity for his surroundings.   

Alejandro’s intersecting identities as Black and Latino made him acutely aware of the societal barriers impeding his community’s educational opportunities. His unbridled curiosity led him to establish KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate’s first K-8 Tutoring Program, addressing educational inequities within the STEM departments among disadvantaged children. His academic journey culminated in becoming Valedictorian of his high school and earning a full-ride scholarship to Duke University. Among his many achievements, he is also a QuestBridge Finalist and a Dave Goldberg scholar.  

At Duke University, Alejandro’s passion for uncovering the socioeconomic intersections underpinning institutions led him to pursue a degree in Political Science with a minor in Economics. He is actively involved with Duke’s POLIS Student Committee, which fosters on-campus civil discourse. His journalistic fervor is evident in his work with Duke’s Undergraduate Law Review, the Lemur Magazine, and the Duke Chronicle. Through his research with Duke’s Economics Analytics Laboratory, he broadens his economic perspective by examining the relationship between race and media bias.  

While in Washington, DC as a CHCI Intern, Alejandro hopes to continue dissecting the sociopolitical forces behind federal policymaking. He intends to use this experience to amplify underrepresented voices, drawing on his leadership skills and commitment to justice. Alejandro aspires to create future policies that provide lasting opportunities for those who need them most.