My name is Vanessa Cruz and I am a Political Science major with a Spanish minor. I have been challenged as a leader and as a scholar both inside and outside of my classes. My involvement on campus has been very multifaceted, ranging from the STARS Program, Chicago Quarter, Ahora newspaper, DePaul Alliance Latino Empowerment, Asian Cultural Exchange, Phi Alpha Delta, Omega Delta Kappa Honors Society, the Honors Student Government, McNair Scholars Program, Living in Faith Together and the Student Government Association. The Vincentian Mission at DePaul University has taught me how to make the ideal situation of inclusiveness and humility a reality, particularly when representing marginalized populations. I look forward to applying the lessons I have learned in my future involvement on campus and in graduate school, where I intend to pursue a PhD in Political Science.