Ana Maria Valencia 

Congressional Intern, Presented by Visa 

Hometown: Marietta, Georgia 

School: University of Georgia 

Majors: Political Science, International Affairs 

Placement: The Office of Rep. Joaquin Castro 

Ana was born in Colombia, but immigrated to the United States when she was nine years old. She was raised in Marietta, Georgia in a single-parent household. Her immigrant experiences have taught Ana that education is the key to achieving success and providing a better future for her family. 

Ana is a first-generation student attending the University of Georgia (UGA) majoring in Political Science and International Affairs, with a minor in Human Rights & International Security. She is also pursuing a Public Affairs Professional Certificate in Applied Politics. This past spring, she had the privilege to study at the University of Oxford taking courses in International Law and Political Economy.  

Outside of the classroom, Ana is committed to promoting cultural diversity and educational equality for Latino students studying at UGA. She is involved in the Hispanic Student Association and Latinos Invested in the Students of Tomorrow (LISTo), where she serves as a mentor, helping new students navigate the challenges of college life in a PWI, while fostering a sense of community among Latino students. She is also a Coca-Cola First Generation Scholar and a Department of State Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar. Looking to the future, Ana plans to continue her advocacy work by pursuing a career in law or public policy, focusing on immigration and human rights.  

With CHCI, Ana hopes to learn more about the legislative and administrative work of offices within Congress. She hopes to advocate for the Latino community of Georgia through her work on the Hill.