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Alumni Spotlight: Selina Pagán '14

Through speaking engagements, networking events, and leadership development, Hispanic Heritage Month has been a busy time for Class of 2014 alumna, Selina Pagán. As the first full-time Executive Director of the Young Latino Network, Selina is empowering the LatinX community by providing the necessary tools and support for individuals to embrace their Latin roots while participating in our country’s democratic system. Now approaching the organization’s 20th year, Selina is building a sustainable long-term strategy for the Young Latino Network to continue its work not only in Northeast Ohio but also statewide over the next 10 years.

Reflecting back on her journey, Selina credits her experience at Saint Martin for getting her to where she is today. She recalls the phenomenal staff and faculty who created a safe space to learn and develop as a young person as well as her participation in athletics and community service activities.

Most importantly, Selina credits her Corporate Work Study experience at International Partners in Mission (IPM) as the foundational piece of her professional journey. Through communicating with international partners, helping plan events, and coordinating office work, she gained valuable professional experience serving project partners around the world. “My Corporate Work Study job made me want to join the nonprofit sector. Through the professional development and soft skills training I gained through that experience, I was able to land my first internship that got my foot in the door to propel my career right out of high school.” She was even able to travel to El Salvador through IPM with fellow Saint Martin students which she recalls was a transformational part of her teenage years.

After graduating from Saint Martin in 2014, Selina attended Cleveland State University to pursue a double major in urban studies, public management and economic development. She began an internship at Hispanic Alliance and the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center of Economic Development where she then joined their part-time staff and was hired on full time. Upon graduating from Cleveland State University with her bachelor's degree in 2017, Selina headed back to her CWSP job at International Partners in Mission where she served as a contractor and even traveled to El Salvador for a 2nd time. Selina moved on to support small businesses at the Metro West Community Development Organization and recently resigned to serve at the Young Latino Network.

“I can’t thank Saint Martin enough for instilling values of social justice into my everyday life. It is something that was important to me then and is still important to me now. My Saint Martin experience and CWSP job at International Partners in Mission truly grounded me in my passions and led me to where I am today.”

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Selina recently spoke at Cleveland Leadership Center's The Way Forward Leader Lunch Break: Empowering the Latino community. Check out the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BObhT_z-NQs