Sofia Mingote

CHCI Public Policy Fellow Presented by BP
Hometown: Bradenton, Florida
School: University of Florida
Degree: B.S. in Telecommunication; B.A. in Political Science
Placement: The Office of Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez

Sofia (she/her), the proud daughter of two Argentinian immigrants, possesses a distinct perspective as a first-generation American raised in a bilingual household. Her upbringing, which included drinking mate and visits to her parents’ hometowns, instilled a deep love for family, a strong sense of cultural identity, and a resolute dedication to learning and hard work. 

Sofia graduated with honors from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Telecommunication, a B.A. in Political Science, and a minor in Sociology. During her undergraduate studies, Sofia dedicated her time to amplifying the voices of marginalized community members. She became a radio and television reporter, working for WUFT-FM, an NPR affiliate member station, and WUFT-TV, a PBS member station. She has written countless stories about local politics, affordable housing, and criminal justice reform. Her talent and dedication earned her recognition, including awards from the Hearst Journalism Awards Program and the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists. 

Expanding her work into state politics, Sofia served as a legislative intern under House Minority Leader Bobby DuBose in the Florida House of Representatives. She conducted policy research and engaged with advocacy groups to help successfully pass a bill to protect students with disabilities and promote positive behavior intervention. Beyond journalism and politics, Sofia empowered first-year college students by serving as a student ambassador at UF, leading campus tours, and engaging with Spanish-speaking guests. Sofia’s commitment to making a difference extends beyond her local community. She has taught English virtually to collegiate and primary-aged students in Colombia through Children Beyond our Borders and traveled to the country to provide educational and medical resources to underserved communities. Following her graduation in May 2022, Sofia became the Public Policy and Advocacy Fellow for the Hispanic Services Council. In this role, she educated the agency’s community health workers about the state’s Medicaid redetermination process, established relationships with state and congressional policymakers, and investigated immigrant-focused policy issues. 

As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Sofia seeks to deepen her institutional knowledge, connect with Latino mentors, and explore career opportunities in federal immigration law. Her future plans include pursuing a law degree and continuing her commitment to bettering her community through advocacy work and legislative action.