Maria Gabriela Ibarra

Congressional Intern, Presented by Charter Communications
Hometown: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
School: Lander University
Majors: International Studies; Spanish; Political Science
Placement: Office of Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Maria Gabriela Ibarra was born in Caracas, Venezuela, and immigrated to Hilton Head Island in 2016 due to political persecution when her parents were fighting for a safer country. As an immigrant, she witnessed the sacrifices made by her parents and personally experienced difficulties that have taken over the Latino communities around her and throughout the nation, using these as fuel to become a tool towards the upbringing of Latino success in the U.S.

Maria is an Honors College International Studies, Spanish, and Political Science triple major with a minor in Pre-Law at Lander University in South Carolina. On campus, she has many leadership positions, such as the President of the only Hispanic organization at Lander, Vice President of the Student Body, a Peer Leader, and a Presidential Ambassador. She is also a part of Lander’s Women’s Rugby team. Maria uses her involvement to uplift and highlight the Hispanic/Latin communities around her, which grow more every year.

She has been selected for prestigious programs, such as the Rotary Academic Scholarship program, the HCLP 2026 cohort, and the 5th cohort of the UVA Roadmap Scholars Initiative. After graduating, she plans to pursue a Juris Doctorate and become an International/Immigration attorney, continuing to give back and advocate for others just like her.

As a CHCI Congressional Intern, Maria hopes to expand her knowledge in policymaking, meet influential Latino leaders, and become a role model for others just like her who come from underrepresented backgrounds, showing anything is possible.