Jessica Pedroza

Jessica Pedroza is the Fellowship Programs Manager at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Her main role is to lead the fellows through their personal development, leadership, and professional journeys. 

Jess grew up in Phoenix, AZ and was raised by Mexican immigrant parents who didn’t have the opportunity to finish their education. She’s proud to be a first-generation college graduate in Political Science (B.A.) from the University of Notre Dame. Inspired by the dedication of one teacher, Jess joined Teach for America after college and taught 5th grade Science & Social Studies in Chicago, while pursuing her Masters in Teaching from Relay’s Graduate School of Education. Jess is also an alum of the 2020-2021 CHCI Graduate Fellowship, during which she completed a placement with UnidosUS and the Office of Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez of New Mexico. Afterwards, she joined Rep. Gallego’s staff as Legislative Assistant and worked on a portfolio including education, labor, civil rights, and judiciary, and was the liaison to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Toward the end of her time on Capitol Hill, she graduated from CHCI’s inaugural Latino Hill Staff Academy. With CHCI, she hopes to support emerging Latino leaders so that they’re equipped with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to make transformational change for our communities.