“As Mexican-American, people often assume the hyphen translates to fully belonging to both backgrounds, but in reality you don’t fully belong to either. It’s a common misconception I learned from an early age through spending half my childhood in the Bay Area and the other in Guadalajara. Growing up abroad helped me understand my hybrid identify and objectively observe social and economic shortcomings in the U.S. It made me curious about the forces that shape our world. As part of an immigrant family, I witnessed the forces that disconnected government from my community. I questioned why those who needed government the most had to work the hardest to navigate the system. I realized that policies – especially flawed policies – often have the greatest impact on the most vulnerable. In today’s pandemic, people of all backgrounds are witnessing that good governing and good policymaking matter. Before coming to @Princeton, I studied international studies at @americanuniversity and then worked for @Chemonics implementing international development programs for @usaid. I looked at policy schools because I was interested in development policy and how parameters limit what we can accomplish. I chose @princetonspia because of its commitment to public service – backed by generous financial support. For first-gen students, gaining resources for a policy degree is a huge barrier. It was important for me to join a program that recognized this challenge by putting its money where its mouth is. Being here I often remind myself not to be intimated by others’ credentials or privileged backgrounds. For BIPOC, women of color, first-gen students, LGBTQI, immigrants, people with disabilities, or people of any marginalized backgrounds, it’s natural to feel out of place at these institutions. But we are more than worthy. Our stories and experiences give us power. They are more valuable than any credential. As future policymakers, we must bring those stories to the table. It’s our time to take the lead and do so unapologetically.” - Rolando Cuevas MPA ’22. @rcuevas510 #PolicyProfile is an @Instagram series featuring our community. Want to be featured? Comment/DM us.