- Pronouns:
- She/Her
Natalia Ixmukane Brondo Peña is an English major with a strong interest in literature, education access, and student advocacy. She is most proud of being selected for the WSP program and independently applying to U.S. universities. As the first student from her high school to pursue higher education abroad, Natalia has since shared her experience publicly in hopes of encouraging other Mexican students to explore similar opportunities.
Her academic interests are reflected in her favorite books, including Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, and Liliana’s Invincible Summer by Cristina Rivera Garza, each of which she values for their personal and social insights. She is guided by Eduardo Galeano’s quote: “We are what we do, especially what we do to change what we are,” and emphasizes compassion as a central personal value—believing that care for others is essential to social change.
Natalia’s “happy place” is watching movies with her mother and sister or spending time in her school’s garden with friends between classes. These quiet, everyday moments serve as a grounding reminder of what matters most to her: connection and the comfort of being with loved ones.
Natalia will hold the Alice Adelle Freese Scholarship.