Wendy Ruiz Xicale  

Congressional Intern, Presented by Coca-Cola Foundation  

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona  

School: Arizona State University  

Major: Business Management  

Placement: Office of Rep. Raúl Grijalva 

Wendy was raised in West Phoenix, Arizona. As a first-generation Mexican American coming from a mixed status family, her parents always emphasized the importance of pursuing an education. From a young age, Wendy was exposed to Arizona’s numerous anti-immigration legislations affecting her community, prompting her to get involved in politics. Wendy became passionate about advocacy, and at the age of 14 years old, she started canvassing for Arizona initiatives as a volunteer. She spent her time educating the Latino community about policies, voting, and how to become civically engaged.  

Wendy graduated from Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University (ASU). Throughout her undergraduate years, she worked as a Community Engagement Specialist at ASU’s Design Studio for Community Solutions. In this role, she collaborated with local stakeholders to address community issues. For her efforts on community initiatives, she was awarded the President’s Medal for Social Embeddedness. Wendy was also a Research Assistant at ASU’s Thriving Relationships Lab, leading a youth participatory action research project focused on Latinx youth and social action, which inspired her honors thesis. Her other roles include working as an Arizona State Senate Page, in the Election Division at the Arizona Secretary of State, as a College Leadership Scholar for Hispanas Organized for Political Equity (HOPE), and with Aliento, a nonprofit supporting undocumented, DACA, and mixed-status families. 

As a CHCI Intern, Wendy aims to deepen her understanding of the legislative process and policy to better serve marginalized communities.