Student Profiles

Karly Suley Mendoza-Díaz is an M.A. candidate in the Political Science – United Nations and Global Policy Studies Program at Rutgers University–New Brunswick,with a concentration in human rights, gender equality, and international law. A proud first-generation college student, Karly earned her B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Rutgers in 2023, graduating magna cum laude and as an SAS Honors Scholar. Her academic and professional journey has focused on protecting the rights of migrant children and advocating for the dignity and safety of displaced communities, with particular attention to the Central American diaspora and Latin America more broadly. During her time in the UNMA program, Karly has concentrated her research and policy work on strengthening international protections for migrants and refugees, crafting proposals that promote accountability, uphold international law, and defend democratic values. Karly’s passion for human rights and migrant justice has also shaped her hands-on experiences with legal and social service organizations, where she deepened her understanding of how policies are implemented on the ground. Her bilingual fluency in English and Spanish has been essential to her work supporting underserved communities, particularly within Latinx and migrant populations. Karly is driven by a deep personal commitment to advocacy and human rights, and she envisions a career centered on advancing meaningful policy change. She aims to work on both national and international levels to help shape just and humane migration policies, especially those that protect vulnerable populations such as children and displaced families. Grounded in the belief that human rights are universal, she is dedicated to ensuring that dignity and protection are never constrained by borders.