My name is Natalia Rueda and I am currently a senior double majoring in Psychology and Education at Wesleyan University. Despite my identity as a second generation latina, growing up in a Colombian and Ecuadorian household was particularly challenging for me at times, as I was never taught Spanish. Similarly, though now understanding and embracing my queerness as a lesbian, many spaces I occupied growing up did not acknowledge or validate LGBTQ+ individuals.

Identity Exploration at Wesleyan

Coming to Wesleyan, however, allowed me to further explore these parts of myself, whether that meant taking advanced Spanish classes, joining the SPECTRUM club, or attending events uplifting these voices and cultures (ex: a lunch table reserved for speaking Spanish called “La Mesa,” Latin & Ballroom dance workshops, and queer receptions for first-year students and the broader student population). These opportunities empowered me to become fluent in Spanish and immerse myself in the LGBTQ+ community both socially and academically (conducting queer research over a variety of disciplines, such as politics, education, psychology, and sociology). 

Education and Psychology Aspirations

With regards to my passion for education and psychology, I strive to mentor and guide students who may, too, be struggling to embrace certain facets of their identity. Within my time at Wesleyan so far, I have had the privilege to teach elementary students Spanish and will be tutoring English to learners of other languages for my final semester. Upon graduating, I hope to continue fostering safe spaces and amplifying narratives of students in marginalized communities (ex: hispanic and queer groups) in an attempt to acknowledge and embrace who they are as humans and thus, students.

Other Campus Involvement

Though the two aforementioned elements of my identity are of particular value to me, I have also had the privilege to explore vast interests on campus, including but not limited to bass, drumming, mindfulness, photography, and skateboarding.