“With every person I meet, I can connect them back to the way I was raised and the community that instilled the values I carry with me today: resilience and taking care of everyone. I see that everywhere I go.”
As a first-generation American and a first-generation college student from southern Texas, Angela Olvera ’26 grew up surrounded by family members who had a vision for her and knew an education would revolutionize her future.
Now in her third year at Notre Dame, Angela’s involvement in high-level extracurriculars embodies the values of servant leadership. She has held internships with prominent political figures; has participated in the Notre Dame Student Government; co-led the Indiana Driving Record Card Project under the Student Policy Network; is a leader in The Women’s Network; and has interned with the National Immigrant Justice Center through the Latino Studies’ Cross Cultural Leadership Program.
She has done all of this while studying to become a political science major with minors in both Constitutional and Latino studies on the pre-law track. In pursuing these meaningful opportunities, Angela is already acting as a force for good for others.
Transforming through education
“My family prepared me for my eventual journey here at Notre Dame. They would not let me trade off my identity for anything—knowing that I didn't fit a mold and that was OK. They knew that what I could give myself, like my education, was the strongest thing I could carry. That even translates into my work now.”
Angela was raised in a family with driving ambition. Her hardworking loved ones inspired her to pursue opportunities that they and others in her small border town did not have the chance to explore themselves.
“Education was always something that I was super aware of—and I was aware that a lot of people in my community weren’t. My family always set forth that vision for me, while so many other people didn't really feel empowered to do so.”
Growing up, Angela’s family members prioritized education. Whether that was by giving her an autobiography of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to read at a young age, practicing math problems with her outside of school, or asking her to read books aloud to them every night, they kept learning at the forefront.
Knowing Angela’s immense talent and ambition, her godmother would fold any $20 bills she gave her so that each bill displayed the White House prominently. She’d tell Angela, “You’re going to be there someday.”
Once Angela arrived at Notre Dame, through her involvement with multiple different internships and programs in Washington, D.C., she would soon prove her godmother right.
Becoming a standout leader
At Notre Dame, Angela uses her background, talents, and drive to pursue a career at the intersection of law and policy. As she continues to plot what lies ahead, she has already held leadership roles in several campus-wide organizations. Angela is currently a team lead at the Student Policy Network, the vice president of events for The Women’s Network, and a member of the Notre Dame Student Government for her third year as a cabinet advisor.
As a sophomore, Angela sought out internships at both the National Immigration Justice Center in Chicago as well as with Congressman Joaquin Castro. In the summer of 2023, Angela interned for the Office of the Vice President of the United States in Washington, D.C., focusing on public engagement and intergovernmental affairs.
One of Angela’s standout experiences was in Notre Dame’s Washington Program, through which she and other students spent a semester in Washington, D.C., gaining invaluable experience and learning about the International Criminal Court (ICC). The program culminated in the students drafting an Article 15 complaint to the ICC, detailing potential human rights abuses in the Nagorno-Karabkh region in Azerbaijan and in Sudan.
In September 2024, Angela was honored to be named an Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholar, a program that supports students engaged in public service. This exclusive scholarship is awarded to just 100 scholars nationwide.
Advocating for meaningful policy change
Inspired by what she witnessed as an intern, Angela hopes to ensure government programs that affect everyday Americans reflect their actual day-to-day reality—a disconnect she witnessed in her hometown on the border. “Policy and advocacy can only be effective if we're making sure that we're hearing numerous voices and that people from backgrounds that haven't been represented up until recently are at the forefront of it,” she explained.
Though much of her experience so far has centered on immigration policy reform, Angela is ready to expand her scope. “I can bring all my experiences forward and not box myself in, but rather offer a new perspective that hasn't been brought in before,” she said.
Angela views her future through the unique lens of her upbringing. “Why would I not try to help communities and groups similar to mine? If I have lived it, why would I not try to use my experience for connection or advocacy?” she reflected. To this end, Angela is seeking a career that helps bring people from the margins to the center.
The power of generosity
Angela’s Notre Dame journey truly began when she received her financial aid offer after her letter of acceptance. She recalls the elation she felt when she first learned of her scholarships and shared the news with her family, who had already fallen in love with Notre Dame during a visit to campus. This generosity has impacted her life in every way since. With it, she works as a force For Good.
“Every cent in this journey is making a difference. Because of the generosity of donors like you, not only am I here, but I’ll graduate debt-free. I now have the privilege of going into the public service sector to continue to serve others,” Angela said. The aid Angela received not only made it possible for her to come to Notre Dame, but also set a pathway for her to pursue a career in service.
Thank you for your loyalty to For Good and the students of Notre Dame. Because of your generosity, alumni and students like Angela continue to shape Notre Dame and the world for good. To read, listen to, or watch more stories, visit givemonthly.nd.edu.