Amy Reyes Santander 

Congressional Intern 

Hometown: Leesburg, Virginia 

School: College of William & Mary 

Major: Government 

Placement: Office of Rep. Gil Cisneros 

Amy Reyes Santander is a proud native of Leesburg, Virginia, and the eldest of three children of two hardworking immigrants from Hidalgo, Mexico. She is a student at the College of William & Mary, studying Government with a minor in Education Policy & Equity.  

A defining part of Amy’s development has been her work with Educando con Amor, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Latino children develop Spanish fluency. As a volunteer, she has helped students strengthen their language skills while fostering cultural pride. This experience deepened her passion for education and broadened her understanding of the challenges faced by first-generation students. Amy further explored her commitment to educational equity through her internship with the CHCI NextGen Latino Leadership Program, where she mentored students from diverse backgrounds. These experiences reinforced her belief in education as a powerful force for opportunity and inspired her to advocate for more inclusive and supportive learning environments.  

Amy hopes to expand her knowledge of policy and its role in addressing systemic inequities through her experience as a CHCI Intern. She is eager to explore how legislative action can improve access to quality education and uplift marginalized communities. Through this opportunity, she aims to sharpen her advocacy skills, gain hands-on insight into policymaking, and develop strategies to drive meaningful change. Amy looks forward to using this experience to further her mission of expanding opportunities for students and fostering a more equitable future.