Student Profiles
Argenia Torres
MPIA '13
Career Track: International Development and Nonprofit Management
Regional Focus: Latin America
Languages: Spanish, Portuguese
Dean's Fellow, 2012-2013
Argenia Torres is focusing her studies on International Development and Nonprofit Management because she is passionate about improving the socioeconomic conditions of underserved and underrepresented communities. Growing up in San Diego and Tijuana, she was exposed to disparity at an early age and became concerned with the implications of social injustice. In line with these interests, Argenia graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Human Biology focusing on International Health & Global Inequalities and a minor in Latin American Studies.
While at Stanford, Argenia had the opportunity to study abroad in Chile and conduct independent research on the educational obstacles faced by children living in the streets of urban Ecuador. After graduating she spent 3 years working as a Community Development Specialist in San Diego where she served as the liaison between local nonprofits and various public agencies on many grant-funded programs and projects. During this time, Argenia developed an interest in public policy and its potential effectiveness to help underprivileged communities when combined with public participation.
At IR/PS Argenia is involved with the Development Club as the Marketing and Outreach Coordinator, and plays on UC San Diego’s Field Hockey Club team. Off-campus, Argenia coaches a local high school field hockey team as well.
