Ingrid Dayanara Romero, a second-year political science major from Aurora, Colo., knew she had chosen the right major because of the passion she felt when taking dual enrollment classes at the Community College of Aurora (CCA).
At CCA, Romero took every single government and politics class she could. Part of her enthusiasm came from her professor, Stephanie Walsh, whom she learned from and went to New York with for a National Model United Nations conference. Alongside her passion for politics, Romero declared a minor in sustainability.
“[It’s a] perfect mix of sociology and understanding human dynamics that are in place and how they go hand in hand with a lot of the environmental issues we see today,” said Romero.
“Whether it be the colonial roots that stunt development in certain parts of the world, food security and hidden hunger all over the world, but especially how it shows up in the U.S, and its effects are closely related to gender, race/ethnicity and economic status. The way our society, the economy, and the environment interact and are intertwined is something I love learning about,” said Romero.
Romero’s interests in politics and sustainability found her in different spaces on and off campus. Romero serves as the marketing director of PODER Latine and is the president of the Rotaract Club, which she revived after two years of dormancy. She is also a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Society, Inc., where she serves as the cultural awareness co-chair and the morals and ethics chair. She joined this sorority after finding a community with similar values. Romero states that their pillars of community service, cultural awareness and academics resonated with her and are values she associates with her identity.
“The organizations I am a part of aim to directly and individually support people with similar experiences. Whether it is PODER uplifting young adults and all individuals in understanding how to be civically engaged or Rotaract supporting a variety of causes, non-profits, and communities,” she said.
Romero recognizes that she cannot change institutions and systems set up before her time, but understands that she can work with others within her community in the Denver Metro area, along with the organizations she affiliates with.
She feels that it’s important to provide others with resources and opportunities, in attainable ways, to be politically engaged and educated.
“I understand not everyone is fascinated by politics and the functioning of our government systems, but politics is something that affects all of us,” Romero stated.
Romero finds pride in her cultural identity and credits it for making her into the person she is today. She is the eldest daughter and a first-generation college student on track to graduate early. She stated that her parents had nothing, but gave her everything which motivates her. Romero embraces her identity through art and fashion, particularly through nail art that reflect her personality, interests and beliefs.
“Art is and always will be political, fashion is one of the many outlets I portray that to the world,” she said.
To keep up with Romero and her work, students can follow the Instagrams of the communities she is involved in.
