New Sensation: Elizabeth Calixtro, City of Independence

We’re back with the new “New Sensation” feature. We’ve updated the questions based on your feedback. You’ll now learn about the best YouTube videos on the web, read about gift ideas for the holiday season, and learn about the career accomplishments of our new members. As a reminder, we developed this feature to introduce you to new ELGL members and as a way on connecting ELGL members with similar interests.

Vitals

Elizabeth Calixtro

Work Experience: Community Liaison, City of Independence, Congressional Intern, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, President, Associated Students of Willamette University

Education: Willamette University, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Politics & American Ethnic Studies

Honors: Mark O. Hatfield Department of Politics Annual Award, Willamette University, Fred Van Natta Scholar, Fred Van Natta Public Policy Internship Fund, and Gates Millennium Scholar, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Connect: LinkedIn

Background Check

Elizabeth Calixtro was born in Oregon and raised in Morelos, Mexico. As a first generation college student – and her own family’s migration – Elizabeth acquired a passion for immigration policy, education policy, and human rights advocacy.

Elizabeth is a Gates Millennium Scholar and a senior at Willamette University, where she serves as the first Latina student body president. She studied constitutional law, fundamental rights and politics for a semester at the University of Murcia in Spain and completed a junior summer institute program at the University of California Berkeley as a Public Policy and International Affairs Fellow. Elizabeth has also conducted independent research and fieldwork on immigration policy, domestic violence, and indigenous territorial rights through different research grants at Willamette University. She plans to continue this work by pursuing both a law degree and masters in public policy. Elizabeth has interned for various offices and organizations including the Oregon State Legislature, the Oregon Secretary of State, CAUSA Oregon, and PCUN Farmworkers Union.

Elizabeth is excited to participate in the CHCI Congressional Internship Program and learn about the ways in which Latino interests are addressed at the national level. She is particularly grateful for the opportunity to meet, work, and learn from other young leaders who share a passion for Latino advocacy.

Lightning Round

Tell us about three of your biggest accomplishments.

Becoming a Gates Millennium Scholar was definitely one of my biggest accomplishments because this scholarship was a doorway to many opportunities I never thought I could have. It afforded me full tuition to an undergraduate education, a wonderful study abroad experience, and a phenomenal network of students and professionals from similar backgrounds.

I was selected as a Law, Public Policy and International Affairs Fellow at the University of California Berkeley three years later and that was an opportunity of a lifetime. We took graduate level coursework in Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, and Law and had the opportunity to hear from renowned professionals in the public policy arena.

This fall I completed a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Internship Program in Washington D.C. working for a congressional member and assisting with legislative processes. I learned a lot about myself and about national politics. I am now back in Oregon, applying for graduate public policy programs and working as a Community Liaison in city government. I am exploring careers in public policy and like to take advantage of every opportunity I have to learn about the trajectories of leaders in this field at all levels of government.

Top three holiday gifts that you’ve received. Given?

Received: Pajamas, fun socks, and earings

Given: Toys, coffee mugs, and food

(Complete this sentence) I feel old when I….

see floppy disks used as coasters!

Tell us about two mistakes that you’ve made that we can learn from.

When I was in high school I did not apply to the school of my dreams because I was afraid of getting denied. I still think about that to this day and I am glad I got a second chance in special admissions. Sometimes the feeling of not knowing what the outcome could have been is worse than taking a risk and finding out how far you can reach.

I used to be insecure about my accent when I was learning English and it silenced me because I saw it as a communication barrier. I am now completely fluent in English and I still have an accent. The difference is that I now embrace it as a part of who I am and I like to think that it makes me unique because it reflects a history that I am proud of. Being articulate is not dependent on loosing a part of one’s self. Instead, I believe authenticity and self-awareness has provided me with the confidence I need to communicate effectively.

How did you hear about ELGL?

I heard about ELGL through a current member who works in city government. She knew that I was exploring careers in local government and recommended this as a great opportunity to connect with young professionals in similar fields.

Give us a few of your favorite YouTube videos.

I love kids for all kinds of reasons… one of them is that they are the most honest people you will ever encounter!

Our annual conference will be held in October 2014. Name three topics or speakers that we should consider.

Guidance for female professionals on negotiating job contracts.

A comprehensive overview of different career options in local government.

Most needed skills and educational backgrounds in local government. How do we prepare?

Best thing about the 90’s was…… getting a baby brother!

Best thing about the 00’s was….. getting involved in the immigrant rights movement.

Best thing about last year was….. traveling around Europe and riding a camel in Morocco

Name three of your mentors and describe them in five words.

Megan Ybarra: caring, dedicated, fun, smart, so smart!

Julia Vera: honest, sweet, motherly, (sometimes) scary, wise

Desiree Bell Kiesel: best coach, loving teacher, most-organized-&-detail-oriented-person-ever!

First concert you ever saw? Last concert you saw?

When I was about 6 I watched Ana Barbara at a family rodeo. This year I watched Tigres del Norte at an Immigrant Rights Rally in Washington D.C. it was awesome… and free!

Fast forward one year, what will factor into your decision on whether to renew your ELGL membership?

I think one of the most important factor will be if I find that there were enough opportunities to connect with other members at events, etc. I think connecting with people in person is a great opportunity to build long lasting relationships and l look forward to learning about different career options in local government.

What questions should we have asked?