Meet Our Scholars

Jose grew up in Catia La Mar, a small coastal town in Venezuela, where he spent most of his youth. He studied political sciences at Universidad Central de Venezuela and served as a Youth Outreach Coordinator for then Venezuelan congressman Juan Guaido and as an activist for the LGBTQ+ Movement Pro-Inclusion. Unfortunately, because of this activism, Jose had to leave Venezuela due to political persecution and targeted harassment. After leaving Venezuela, Jose found a new home in the United States as a refugee. He has been living in the Central Florida area for the past five years, where he continues to work to achieve his dreams. Jose is transferring from Seminole State College to the University of Central Florida, where he will pursue a bachelor’s in International and Global studies. He is very active in his community as an alumnus of the Orlando New Leaders Council and an activist for the Venezuelan community in the U.S.

Jose has worked for ActBlue since February of 2021 as a Democratic Politics and Elections associate, helping democratize political fundraising through online tools and helping candidates and committees up and down the ballot.