Magaly Mejia

CHCI Public Policy Fellow Presented by Altria
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
School: California State University-Northridge
Degree: B.S. in Political Science, Law, & Society
Placement one: The Office of Congressman Jimmy Gomez
Placement two: The Office of Senator Butler

Magaly (she/her/ella) is of Nicaraguense and Salvadoran descent, born and raised in a small inner-city neighborhood called Echo Park in Los Angeles, CA. Growing up in the inner city brought challenges, but it taught Magaly the potential of education and how its power can be utilized to end the cycle of injustice, destitution, and violence. Her experience as a first-generation Latina rendered her first-hand knowledge of the factors impeding the educational opportunities for Latinos and influenced her desire to discover ways to improve them. To that end, she decided to attend California State University, Northridge to earn a BA in Political Science, Law, & Society and learn about public administration, criminal justice, international relations, public policy, and Latinx issues.

During her undergraduate studies, Magaly ran campaigns for Sheriff Villanueva’s reelection and the recall of Gavin Newsom. She has also mobilized with SEIU Local 2015, the LA County Board of Supervisors, and the World Against the Homeless Epidemic. Through these experiences, Magaly had the chance to learn what it takes to organize and adapt during acts of civic duty. Her devotion to the community grew stronger, leading her to become a teaching assistant and substitute for her former middle school in the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she worked with Central American English learners. Through her example, she showed her students glimpses of what it was like to be a college student and how they could also accomplish their educational endeavors regardless of their national origins. Her former students will now have the opportunity to see her off as a fellow with CHCI focusing on issues affecting Latinos that also affect them. 

As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Magaly aspires to improve her knowledge of legislative processes and useful abilities in policy formulation to help propose laws that protect minorities and advance Latinos and migrant families’ educational success and personal well-being. Magaly intends to continue advocating for Hispanics and Central Americans nationwide as a policy lawyer in the future. She is dedicated to strengthening Latinos’ rights to representation in the media, the government, and educational institutions.