Graciela C. Escamilla  

Congressional Intern, Presented by Walmart  

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada  

School: Mount Saint Mary’s University   

Major: Political Science  

Placement: Office of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto  

Graciela was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Guanajuato, Mexico, and always emphasized the importance of education. She graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s University with a B.A. in Political Science, and double minors in Pre-law and Spanish Studies. 

In 2021, Graciela was awarded the Le Puy Founders’ Scholarship, a full-tuition scholarship from Mount Saint Mary’s University. She was involved in various extracurricular activities at her university, serving as Executive Vice President of the Student Government Association and Chair of the Inner Club Council. Additionally, she was a proud member of the Institute for Student Academic Enrichment (ISAE), the Gender and Sexualities Alliance Club, and the Pangkat Pilipino (Filipino Culture) Club. During her sophomore and junior years, she worked as a research assistant on the Women Along the Los Angeles-Tijuana (WALAT) border project, focusing on the needs of migrant women. 

Gabriela aims to empower the Latine and immigrant community to vocalize their concerns and advocate for themselves. She hopes to continue her education by attending law school with an emphasis on constitutional law. As an intern with CHCI, Graciela is eager to expand her knowledge and skill set, which are essential for civic leadership. She aspires to use this experience to benefit her Latine community back home and serve as a role model.