Soyenixe Lopez, Google Public Policy Fellow
Hometown: Nogales, Arizona
School: Arizona State University
Degree: B.A. Journalism
Placement: Office of Representative Raul M. Grijalva
Soyenixe Lopez was born and raised in Nogales, Arizona, a border-town with the Mexican state of Sonora. She is the daughter of two Mexican immigrants, the eldest of four children and a first generation graduate. She received her B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication at Arizona State University (ASU).
While at ASU, Soyenixe was able to explore life as a reporter in our nation’s capital, where she wrote a myriad of stories and articles on an array of issues pertaining to her home state. She became highly emerged in the communication and political process allowing her to gain a unique perspective in reporting on issues that truly interest the public and allowed her to explore policies that would enhance the lives of American citizens.
A turning point in her college career, Soyenixe interned at the Arizona State Legislature as a broadcast intern. During her time there, she was able to experience first-hand the dedication and commitment invested in drafting and passing legislation. She also developed a strong interest in education and learned that there is a critical need to prioritize the needs of all students. Being raised in a predominantly Mexican-American community, with limited resources and scarce opportunities to obtain a higher education, Soyenixe hopes she can be a driving factor in enhancing the educational outreach for her community.
As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, Soyenixe hopes to further enhance her understanding of public policy and the legislative process to better understand policies that affect her and those who surround her. This fellowship will enable her to learn ways in which she can contribute to her community and become a voice for all Latinos living in the United States.