Paula Velazquez

Paula Velazquez is a psychology and sociology major in the College of Liberal Arts. She is an AnBryce Scholar and a member of the Building Bridges Mentoring
Program. Paula hopes her psychology and sociology major will allow her to understand the human brain and the effects that structure and development may
have on human behavior. Her ultimate goal is to make it into the FBI or law school, but before she applies, she wants to understand both the criminal and legal sides
of law enforcement. For this reason, she has interned at the Potter County District Attorney’s office and participated in the Potter County Citizens Academy. Not only
did she witness prosecutors break down a case and argue it in a courtroom, but she was also able to see things from the perspective of an officer, as she talked to
firefighters, detectives, and forensic analysts to understand how all divisions worked together.

In an attempt to further discern her career interests, Paula chose to spend her summer at the Los Angeles Catholic Worker. Paula considered this to be a very
eye-opening experience, for she witnessed firsthand the sorts of issues contributing to the rise of homelessness in our nation. Volunteering at the Hippy Kitchen, she
connected with various skid row community members who discussed how issues such as a lack of affordable housing, transportation, and proper documentation
forced many of them to remain homeless despite their desires for a better life. Oblivious of how many policies and obstacles kept homeless people on the streets,
this experience has caused Paula to become more inquisitive about the sorts of changes individuals and their communities can make to reduce the inequalities
inflicted on the poor and marginalized across our society.

Awards

• Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award
• NAACP Scholarship Recipient
• Amarillo Area Foundation Scholarship Recipient

Research

• Faculty Diversity Project with Professor Steven Alvarado
• Chicago Congregation Project with Peter Ryan

Activities

• Social Commissioner/Member, Walsh Hall
• Dancer, Notre Dame’s Ballet Folklorico Azul Y Oro
• Psychology Club

Internships/ Summer Experiences

• Los Angeles Catholic Worker
  
• Potter County District Attorney’s Office
• McCarn & Wier, PC