Student Committee
Cecilia de la Vega
Freedom University Student Committee Member
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Cecilia de la Vega* is originally from Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico and arrived in the United States when she was nine years old. She attended Cross Keys High School and participated in the National Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Council, and Spanish Club, where she served as president for two consecutive years. She has been a student leader at Freedom University since Fall 2017 and serves as Communications Coordinator. Cecilia’s favorite classes include Legal Studies and Human Rights. Cecilia is committed to the Freedom University community because it symbolizes hope for her, and a place where her dreams are no longer shattered, but restored into their full possibility. Cecilia hopes to study political science and attend law school.
*Indicates pseudonym at the request of student
Nuria Gonzalez Boj
Freedom University Student Committee Member
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Nuria Gonzalez Boj is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. She graduated from Wheeler High School in 2016 and began her studies at Freedom University in Fall 2016. Nuria excels in numerous fields of study at Freedom University, including Gender in Latin America, Legal Studies, and Border Studies. As secretary of the Student Committee, Nuria helps plan weekly meetings and ensures that students have a strong voice in the organization. Nuria is an experienced human rights activist and has participated in numerous direct actions at Freedom University, and is committed to raising consciousness about the international human rights framework in youth activism. Nuria received a full scholarship to Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont and looks forward to studying a wide variety of subjects in the social sciences.
Rafael Aragón
Freedom University Student Committee Member
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Rafael Aragón is originally from Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico. He attended Dunwoody High School and graduated in 2015. Since joining Freedom University in January 2017, Rafael has been an active student leader, participating in numerous direct actions and speaking on various college tours and panels across the country. Rafael shines in many of his courses at Freedom University, and especially enjoys Creative Writing, Drawing and Painting, and Spanish Literature. He loves Freedom University because it instills hope in students who might feel like there is no opportunity for academic growth available to them due to their immigration status. Rafael received a full scholarship to Eastern Connecticut State University and plans on studying cognitive behavioral psychology.
Sofia Rivera
Freedom University Student Committee Member
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Sofia Rivera is originally from Costa Rica and arrived in the United States when she was five years old. Sofia graduated from Berkmar High School in 2015 and joined Freedom University in Summer 2017. Sofia excels in her Freedom University courses, and enjoys her courses in Biology and Creative Writing. On the student committee, Sofia serves as a student and classroom coordinator and takes pride in her role as official copilot on Freedom University road trips! Sofia hopes to study biology in college and become a neonatal physician’s assistant.
Jorge Centellas
Freedom University Student Committee Member
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Jorge Centellas is originally from Yacuíba, Bolivia. Jorge graduated from Apalachee High School in 2016 and joined Freedom University in Fall 2017. Jorge enjoys his classes at Freedom University and excels in Spanish Literature and Legal Studies. In his role as public engagement coordinator on the Student Committee, Jorge is committed to ensuring students know that they can achieve their human right to education, even amidst profound uncertainty in their lives. Jorge received a full scholarship to Eastern Connecticut State University and hopes to study political science and attend law school.
Irene Isabel Salazar
Freedom University Student Committee Member
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Irene Isabel Salazar is originally from Gonzalez, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Irene attended Marietta High School and graduated in 2015. She began her studies at Freedom University in Fall 2016, and has excelled in Spanish Literature and Latin Dance. She loves Freedom University because it has allowed her to bond with her fellow students and feel like she is a part of a family with others who are going through the same experience as herself. Because of her participation at Freedom University, Irene has learned that she is not alone. She is honored to serve on the Student Committee to amplify the voices of undocumented youth. Irene received a full scholarship to Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC, and hopes to study Education and Psychology.