Student Profile: Ana Licona

What were you doing before you came to GSPP?

Before GSPP, I was doing a variety of community organizing, and state and federal government work. In 2016, I joined the Obama White House Office of Presidential Personnel where I led leadership and professional development programs for former President Obama's 3,000 political appointees. My work in the Nation’s Capital ignited me to return to my home state of Arizona and lead grassroot movements around civic engagement and youth empowerment through organizations like Mi Familia Vota and March For Our Lives. Most recently, I worked in the Arizona State Legislature where my passion and commitment to social justice and public service fueled me to ensure all Arizona voices were heard and valued in state government.

What made you decide to pursue an MPP? 

Growing up in an anti-immigrant state (Arizona) as the daughter of two immigrant parents (from Narayit, Mexico) exposed me to the power of policy and how policy can shape a person’s lived experience. Hence, I always knew that I wanted to pursue an MPP in order for me to positively address complex policy issues in my state and country. In addition, my experience as a Public Policy and International Affairs Fellow (PPIA) gave me a foundation on statistics, microeconomics, and policy analysis — all skills I wanted to improve in graduate school. I am also pursuing an MPP because I wanted to be challenged to think beyond qualitative methods and thus consider other approaches to policy analysis and advocacy.

Why Goldman? What are you most excited about over the coming two years?

Goldman provides the quantitative, economic, and data skills I need in order to further analyze policy. Being at Goldman will also develop my multidisciplinary thinking and enhance my knowledge of creating multi-layered policy solutions to complex problems. Over the next two years, I am excited to take advantage of the myriad resources outside the classroom that Berkeley offers. I am also excited to contribute to SCiPP (Students of Color in Public Policy) by bringing issues important to communities of color in policy design and implementation. I strive to highlight and enhance the pipeline of diverse voices and experiences to our policy world and I am dedicated to celebrating student diversity within Goldman. 

What are your plans for after you graduate?

After I receive my MPP, I intend to pivot to a career as a domestic policy advisor in my home state of Arizona. I am committed to public service and I will be an effective policy maker by ensuring that community members have a seat at political and decision-making tables. Within all my leadership capabilities, I plan to uphold and fight for racial equity, social justice, and human rights for all.

What keeps you busy outside of GSPP?
Outside of GSPP, I mentor Berkeley undergraduate students of color through the “From Day One Program” organized by the Chicanx Latinx Student Development Center on campus. I am excited to live in a diverse location where I can engage and connect with Latinx communities and contribute to 2020 census efforts. As someone new to the Bay Area, I am also taking advantage of living near so many trees!  Although I am a true desert girl at heart, I am exploring new hiking trails, the beach, and SF city.