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Meet the Scholar: Daniela Fernandez, Class of 2017

Georgetown University Class of 2017

Growing up in a single-parent household on Chicago’s West Side, Daniela encountered many challenges in her journey to college. As a first-generation student, she lacked a support system to guide her through the college application process and transition successfully to campus. So as a high school junior, she applied to and was accepted into the Chicago Scholars program.  Daniela says:

“Chicago Scholars was my support system through the most difficult times of my life. The staff became my family; they advised me through the college application process, provided me with an internship when I took a gap year, and exposed me to the endless possibilities that life had to offer. It is thanks to Chicago Scholars that I now attend Georgetown University and more importantly, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, if it weren’t for all of my Chicago Scholars mentors.”

“I WOULDN’T BE THE PERSON I AM TODAY IF IT WEREN’T FOR ALL OF MY CHICAGO SCHOLARS MENTORS” 

Daniela’s Vision for the Future  

“My short term goals are to attend business school and to pursue a career in finance. My long term goals are to revolutionize the impact investing market and redirect capital to help improve the lives of others. My vision for the City of Chicago is to improve the living conditions of low-income communities and make sure that every child is able to live up to their fullest potential. In the future, I will give back to Chicago Scholars and other organizations that are revitalizing the city of Chicago. I also plan to be a role model and mentor any students that need my support.”

About Daniela

Daniela, a government and economics major now in her Junior Year at Georgetown University, is the founder and President of the Georgetown ‘Sustainable Oceans Alliance’ (SOA), a student-led organization that empowers Millennials to become leaders in preserving the health and sustainability of our oceans. Recognized for her work by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, Daniela has spoken at U.S. Capitol Hill Ocean Week and the World Affairs Council Conference. In 2015, she was named Student Leader of the Year by the Georgetown McDonough School of Business Global Social Enterprise Initiative. In April 2016, Daniela was named one of Glamour Magazine’s College Women of the Year