From the president
Katherine Gutierrez is a sophomore majoring in political science and human rights who aspires to a career as an immigration attorney. A first-generation college student, Katherine takes pride in her Mexican heritage and sees herself as an agent for change. She is passionate about immigration issues, having spent the past several years advocating for immigration reform and DACA recipients. At the University of Connecticut, Katherine has aggressively sought opportunities to deepen her knowledge of immigration issues while continuing to engage with the community in meaningful ways. She currently serves as an intern in the Washington, DC, office of U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT) through UConn’s Honors Congressional Internship Program. She has conducted research on how immigrant mothers talk to their children about immigration under the direction of Prof. Sarah Rendón García in UConn’s Department of Human Development and Family Sciences. And last year, she participated in an experiential learning program in Arizona focused on the border, immigration, and social justice. In every instance, Katherine has demonstrated a firm commitment to issues and policies she cares about. As a Newman Civic Fellow, Katherine seeks to strengthen her leadership skills by gaining critical civic engagement expertise and pursuing opportunities to advocate for better, more just immigration policies.
Personal Statement
My passion for immigration reform stems from my lived experiences. Growing up, I witnessed the adversities my parents faced and eventually realized other families were experiencing the same adversities – or worse. After becoming more aware of the vulnerabilities immigrants face, I decided to take action. I joined an organization in my community called Alcanzando el Mismo Sueño that advocated for immigrants and DACA recipients. They held protests and invited a lawyer to come to educate our community on their rights and make emergency plans. After watching the lawyer alleviate some of the tensions my community was experiencing, I was inspired to do the same. Since then, I’ve made it my mission to learn about the different ways I can help immigrants and other minorities who are underrepresented. At UConn, I’ve participated in an experiential learning program in Arizona where we learned about the current immigration system from firsthand experiences. This experience motivated me even more and affirmed my desire to pursue the field of immigration law and policy. Through UConn, I had the privilege to intern in the U.S House of Representatives. This experience enhanced my knowledge of the inner workings of Congress and reinforced my belief that meaningful reform must come through sustained, collective efforts. As a Newman Civic Fellow, I look forward to developing the leadership and policy skills needed to launch Alcanzando el Mismo Sueño at UConn and create the foundation that will allow me to contribute meaningfully to immigration reform.