Hometown: Chicago, IL

Major: Social Work

Future Plans: Become social worker in the immigration field

Graciela Popoca knew she made the right choice to attend the University of Illinois Springfield shortly after arriving on campus. “In my first year, I was able to be a part of many organization and quickly felt loved by my community,” she said. On campus, she is now the president of the Organization of Latin American Students and vice president of Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc. and Students Helping Detention Centers. During Fall Semester 2020, she interned with Mil Mujeres Legal Services where she was a native-Spanish speaker translating documents from low-income individuals in the Latinx community who were seeking immigration legal services. Following graduation from UIS, she plans to earn a master’s degree in social work and become a social worker in the immigration field.

Leadership is lived at UIS. Every day.