CHCI- HEP CAMP Intern
Hometown: Manzanola, Colorado
School: Adams State University
Major: Cellular and Molecular Biology
Placement: The Office of Rep. Raul Grijalva
Originally from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Marlene Garcia Araiza and her family moved to Manzanola, Colorado in 2004. She is a first-year student at Adams State University, majoring in cellular and molecular biology and minoring in chemistry and Spanish. She aspires to become a medical doctor with an emphasis on family medicine and return to her underserved community in southeast Colorado. She is passionate to provide bilingual healthcare services, especially for the migrant population, as she experienced first-hand the struggles of being a child interpreter lacking medical terminology. As a first-generation college student and STEM major, Marlene will face several challenges throughout her academic career, but through her drive and persistence, she will prevail.
As a CHCI and CAMP intern, Marlene hopes to gain experience and develop the skills she needs to become a political leader in her rural community. Marlene’s goals include interacting with political and community leaders that will give her a better understanding of how she can become an advocate herself.