Director of Programming, Maritza Dominguez

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Maritza Dominguez (She/Her) serves as the Director of Programming for NextGen Scholars for Change (NGSC). A recent graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with degrees in Political Science and Spanish, Maritza is passionate about empowering marginalized communities through advocacy and public service. Currently a Staff Assistant in Congressman Mike Quigley’s district office, Maritza has cultivated extensive experience in legislative policy and advocacy. During her time in Washington, D.C., she deepened her commitment to serving marginalized communities through impactful policy work and rigorous research. As an Executive Intern for Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Maritza contributed to advancing farmworker labor rights by conducting policy analysis, supporting stakeholder meetings, and drafting memos on pressing legislative issues. In her role with U.S. Senator Richard Durbin, she expanded her expertise in health and poverty policy, conducting detailed research on nursing shortages, behavioral health initiatives, and Medicare/Medicaid reforms, while also attending hearings and briefing sessions to inform legislative strategies. On campus, Maritza championed diversity and immigration reform as an executive member of the Illinois Coalition Assisting Undocumented Students’ Education (I-CAUSE), where she organized immigrant ally trainings and led rallies to amplify the voices of undocumented students. Her commitment extended to roles as a Legal Services Intern with the New American Welcome Center and as a Legal Intern with Caritas in Asturias, Spain, where she supported victims of human trafficking, asylum seekers, and immigrants through legal advocacy and outreach. Maritza is dedicated to fostering a community at NGSC that inspires underserved youth to pursue public service and leadership, helping first-generation students and people of color break barriers and achieve representation in positions of power.