CHCI-Toyota Intern
Hometown: Detroit, MI
School: University of Michigan
Major: Public Policy
Placement: The Office of Rep. Brenda L. Lawrence
Yvonne Navarrete was born in Juarez, Chihuahua Mexico and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Growing up as a low-income immigrant and DACA recipient, Yvonne has experienced many of the obstacles that Latinx and undocumented communities face as a result of inequitable educational and immigration policies, which have evoked her interest in policy and public service.
Yvonne is also a first-generation college student at the University of Michigan where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, with a focus in inner-city public school reform. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in educational policy and eventually enter a career in public service.
On campus, she has been deeply involved in community organizing on policy issues regarding the Latinx community and is currently the undergraduate advisor and co-founder of La Casa, a central Latinx student organization at UM. As a DACA recipient and advocate for immigrant rights, she continues to empower and center the voices of those often placed in the margins on campus and at large.
As a CHCI intern, Yvonne hopes to gain experience in federal government processes, expand her professional network, and further her insight on policy issues that affect marginalized communities.