SOFIA M. PEREZ

Hometown: Oak Lawn, Illinois
School: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Major: Communications
Placement: U.S. House Committee on Appropriations

Sofia Perez was born in Chicago, Illinois to parents born in Mexico, and Guatemala. The daughter and granddaughter of proud immigrants, her family instilled in her to always pursue her passions and to help others.

Sofia is currently a rising senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign majoring in Communication with a minor in Latino/Latina Studies. Upon graduation, Sofia plans on going to law school to obtain her J.D. and pursue a legal career.

Heavily influenced by the values instilled in her and through experiences, Sofia has always been interested in the disparities for communities of color and empowerment of others. This led her to discover her passion for advocacy and serve as a student representative on the Student Fee Advisory Committee at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. As a member of the committee, she participated in the review of multimillion-dollar budgets for funded college service units and became a voice for the student body, making sure that the budgeting decisions were equitable and benefited all students. These experiences have given Sofia the opportunity to build a strong sense of community and solidify her passion for advocacy.

As a CHCI Intern, Sofia hopes to engage and increase her knowledge of the legislative process. She hopes that this experience will allow her to grow as a leader and build a strong network of motivated individuals striving to make a positive impact in this country and within our communities.