Stella del Carmen

Stella is a master’s student at American University’s School of International Service, in the Politics, Governance, and Economics Department specializing in Global Governance, Politics, and Security. She is the President of the Graduate Leadership Council and President of the Association of Latino Career Enhancement at American University. An immigrant from Mexico, she holds dual B.A. degrees in International Politics and Linguistics from Penn State, where she focused on legal linguistics and international relations.

With a strong foundation in policy research and global security, Stella has explored issues of governance, diplomacy, and legal interpretation, particularly in how language influences political and legal systems. Her research in the Washington D.C. Latinx Language Identity Project focuses on Spanish and English in daily life examines language as a tool for access, inclusion, and policy development within Latino communities in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. She is particularly interested in how governance structures can better serve multilingual populations and enhance public policy through effective communication.

Beyond academia, Stella has been deeply engaged in leadership and public service. They have served as Treasurer and Merchandise Chair for Penn State’s Empowering Women in Law chapter, held multiple leadership positions within Penn State Archery, she currently is serving as Director of Operations in the Association of Latino Career Enhancement, and participated in legal and political advocacy initiatives, including the Model International Criminal Court and the Pennsylvania YMCA Youth and Government program. Her work has been driven by a passion for civic engagement, international cooperation, and equitable policymaking. In her free time, she participates in several book clubs across the country. This year her reading goal is 100 books, 25 more than last year. She enjoys cooking and baking for others, practicing archery, playing video games, and visiting different libraries and museums in the DC area.