Victoria Cervantes

CHCI Public Policy Fellow Presented by Raytheon
Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma
School: University of Denver
Degree: B.S. in Business Administration
Placement: The Office of Congresswoman Norma Torres

Victoria (she/her) hails from Tulsa, Oklahoma and was raised in an immigrant Mexican household and community. Her upbringing exposed her to the numerous inequities and barriers that plagued her community, ranging from food insecurity, education inequity, and issues related to immigration status. As a result, her identity and community have shaped her grit and empathy in everything she does. Whether it was volunteering at a soup kitchen or organizing an art show fundraiser for aspiring low-income student artists, Victoria has been at the intersection of community and collective action. 

Victoria graduated from the University of Denver, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business and minors in Business Information and Analytics and Spanish. She remained active throughout her undergrad, participating in clubs such as Latine Student Alliance, Women in Business, and First-Generation Initiatives. Her most meaningful role was as a Marketing Coordinator at the University of Denver’s Cultural Center, where she planned and organized events dedicated to supporting and welcoming marginalized communities on campus. Additionally, she highlighted special dates, heritage months, and noteworthy figures in these communities through social media. This experience exposed her to areas of opportunities for creating diverse and equitable spaces for historically marginalized communities. 

As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Victoria hopes to gain a greater perspective and understanding of public policy issues affecting her community, including social programs and economic development. After this fellowship experience, she plans to transition into graduate school, where she can integrate her interests in economic development and advocacy.