Claire Maria Avalos 

Congressional Intern, Presented by Gilbert and Jacki Cisneros Foundation 

Hometown: Goodyear, Arizona 

School: George Washington University 

Major: Political Science 

Placement: Sen. Ruben Gallego 

Claire Avalos was born and raised in Surprise, Arizona, a small suburb just outside Phoenix. As a second-generation Mexican American, Claire draws on the resilience and work ethic passed down by her immigrant grandparents to fuel her passion for social justice and advocacy for the broader Latino community. 

Claire is a student at The George Washington University, studying Political Science with a minor in Law and Society. She is also a recipient of the highly prestigious Cisneros Scholar Award through the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute. At her university, she is actively involved in student life, serving as a Senator in her school’s Student Government Association and as Secretary for the Organization of Latin American Students. Through these roles, Claire has strengthened her connection to both her university’s community and her identity as a Latina. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, Claire aspires to obtain her J.D. and work in civil rights and impact litigation, striving to make a difference in underrepresented communities and advocate for systemic progress. 

As a CHCI Intern, Claire aims to enrich and enhance her advocacy skills. Claire looks forward to learning how to craft effective policies that bring forth meaningful change in communities across the United States.