Maria Elena Lugo and Sofia C Diaz in front of the UN in Switzerland
Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute scholars Maria Elena Lugo and Sofia Carolina Diaz have embarked on their joint five-year
BS/MA programs at the prestigious Geneva Graduate Institute (L’Institut de hautes
études internationales et du développement) in Switzerland. Both senior scholars are
pursuing a Master of Arts in international and development studies, specializing in
fields that reflect their unique academic achievements and passions.
Lugo, a Diplomacy and International Relations major with minors in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, is specializing in human
rights and humanitarianism at the graduate institute. She hopes to focus her work
on advocating for vulnerable populations. Last spring, she conducted research examining
how AI and surveillance technology impact human rights in the Middle East. During
this past summer, she interned for the U.S. State Department, gaining hands-on experience
in diplomacy and international affairs.
Beyond academics, Lugo has demonstrated exceptional leadership. As former co-president
of the Undergraduate Diplomacy Student Association, she actively worked to enhance
the experience of the student body. As a four-year student worker for the Joseph A.
Unanue Latino Institute, she founded the Latin Caucus, an alliance of Seton Hall University’s
Latinx-based student organizations, serving as its inaugural chair last spring. Her
efforts aimed to strengthen the Latinx community on campus and foster a more connected,
safe space.
Diaz is a double major in diplomacy and modern languages, with concentrations in French
and Spanish. Her undergraduate research explores the long-term impact of French imperialism
on modern migration trends, aligning with her master’s specialization in mobilities,
migrations and boundaries. Diaz aspires to support migrant and refugee communities
through diplomacy, language services, resettlement programs or health care initiatives.
Her commitment to humanitarian efforts is evident in her professional experience.
Diaz currently interns at the Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the United Nations in
New York City, with a focus on multilateral diplomacy. She also has interned for the
International Rescue Committee, assisting refugee families with support services and
conducting volunteer English tutoring for multilingual migrant families at the International
Rescue Committee in New York.
Additionally, she has spent the past two years working part time as an EMT, a Spanish
and French tutor and a migrant ESL instructor. “I have experience and a deep passion
for serving communities in need,” Diaz shared. She is also an active member of the
Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute and played a role in the Latin Caucus while serving
as president of Unidos Bailamos, Seton Hall University’s Latin dance club.
Through this prestigious exchange program, Lugo and Diaz are propelling their academic
journeys forward. Their unwavering dedication to diplomacy and cross-cultural engagement
exemplifies their commitment to global progress, making them inspiring ambassadors
for both Seton Hall University and the Latinx community. The Joseph A. Unanue Latino
Institute is incredibly proud of their achievements and confident in their ability
to make a meaningful impact abroad.
Categories:
Nation and World