Mary Padilla

Mary Padilla graduated from the University of California Davis in March 2023 with a BA in International Relations, a BA in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, and a minor in Human Rights Studies. She considers herself to be a lifelong learner and advocate, passionate about uplifting communities that have been systematically marginalized and underserved through intersectional feminist practices of advocacy and care. Furthermore, she hopes to serve her communities, in particular the LGBTQIA+ and immigrant communities, at the intersection of social justice and legal justice work.

As a strong believer in higher education being the key to increasing socioeconomic mobility, Mary is passionate about increasing access and retention in higher education institutions for those historically underrepresented in them. With this, she is so excited to work towards creating more intersectional and equitable futures and serve with Upward Scholars and Stanford University as an AmeriCorps VISTA.