Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the Bronx, New York, Nicole Sanchez (SFS’24) brought her heritage and a steadfast spirit of advocacy to SFS, where she majored in international politics with a concentration in international security.
Upon transferring to Georgetown as a sophomore in 2019 from LaGuardia Community College, Sanchez immersed herself in the various opportunities SFS has to offer. “Coming here I had all these ideas on what life at Georgetown would be like,” Sanchez says. “I let go of what I thought my experience should be.”
Sanchez’s curiosity was particularly sparked in courses like Sustainable Development in Latin America and Afro-Caribbean Theologies, which she notes as some of her favorite classes. These courses not only deepened her understanding of her cultural roots but also strengthened her resolve to contribute meaningfully to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Campus Leadership and Advocacy
Sanchez’s impact on campus was profound. As vice president of the Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA), she championed significant reforms, including the restructuring of financial aid and the creation of GUSA grants. “I was able to achieve so many amazing things for the school during my tenure as VP,” Sanchez recalls. She was a founder of Georgetown’s Coalition for Workers’ Rights and headed the Latinx Leadership Forum, where she was a dynamic force in advocating for diverse communities.
Her cultural leadership was also evident in her presidency of GU Riqueza Dominicana, through which she organized protests advocating for just governance in the Dominican Republic. This role allowed her to blend her passion for her culture with her knack for mobilization and public speaking.
A Profound Experience
Reflecting on her most cherished memory from Georgetown, Sanchez recalls her participation in a Centennial Lab class focused on refugee and migrant children, led by Professor Elizabeth Ferris and Professor Katharine Donato. This course culminated in a transformative trip to El Paso, Texas, which deeply impacted her perspective on international policies and their direct human consequences. “This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, exposing me in real-time to the impacts of policy on real people’s lives,” she says.
Visiting the U.S.-Mexico border, engaging with asylum seekers, and observing the legal and social frameworks in action provided her with unparalleled insights. The first-hand exposure to the complexities of migration and policy solidified her commitment to pursuing a career centered around international security and human rights. The trip left her inspired to deepen her studies and continue pursuing advocacy work. “[It] reminded me of why I chose to transfer to Georgetown,” she says.
Mentorship and Community
“Coming from a background like mine, places like Georgetown can be scary, intimidating, and at times unwelcoming,” Sanchez says. As an immigrant and first-generation, low-income college student, Sanchez found the transition to a prestigious university environment, with its own set of expectations and norms, to feel daunting at times. However, she found her footing through a supportive community and network of mentors.
Sanchez attributes much of her success to the unwavering support of her mentors, including her advising dean Samuel Aronson and Missy Foy from the Georgetown Scholars Program. “They were part of my foundation here, and my advocates when I could not be one for myself,” she says. The sense of community at SFS, described by her as “village-like,” played an important role in her ability to navigate the challenges of university life.
