School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Major: International Studies

Minor: Law and Chinese

Class: 2015

Positions: President 2014-2015, External VP 2013 (studied abroad in 2014), Secretary 2012-2013

About Me: I currently work as a Senior Organizer for AAPI and Faith-Based Outreach for Governor Murphy's re-election campaign. I previously served as Policy Director to First Lady Tammy Murphy where I helped craft the First Lady’s policy agenda regarding maternal and infant health, K-12 climate change education, and fostering women-owned businesses. I also served as the Director of Government Relations for the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce. In my spare time, I serve as the Executive Director of Professional Filipino American Youth (PFAY) and as a board member and active alumni of the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO).

Barkada’s Impact: Through Barkada, I was able to develop my leadership, networking and event-planning skills, which became invaluable as I entered the world of politics. I also discovered the value and power of community, so I try to build community wherever I go and whatever I do. Whether it's building a coalition of Filipino young professionals (PFAY), uniting the Filipino diaspora (FYLPRO) or even just creating a networking group of Asian women in Trenton politics - I've taken the lessons I've learned from Barkada everywhere in my career.

Advice To My Younger Self: Support your fellow Fil-Ams as much as possible - attend their events, hype them up on social media, donate to their orgs/campaigns, volunteer, etc. The more we uplift and amplify one another, the more we can succeed.

laurenlalicon@gmail.com

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Major: International Relations

Focus: Diplomacy

Class: 2020

Positions: Documentation Chair (2017)

About Me: After eddying around a bunch of short-term stints across American politics, I moved to London to study an MA Diplomacy and become a journalist, picking up a number of barista positions and freelance gigs to support myself along the way. From working under the former editor of the Guardian, to my current position at the Economist, I am now happy to say I really love what I do. I must say, though, it was in no way an easy path—nor a straightforward one.

Barkada’s Impact: I recall my uni (er, college) experience being somewhat unpleasant and disillusioning. While themes of identity and diaspora seem to be regularly explored today, I don’t think they had so much of a fluency during my experience at TCNJ. Barkada’s general-board meetings, however, emulated a sense of meaning and community that nourished me in ways I didn’t quite know I needed.

Advice To My Younger Self: Probably none. I saw a quote recently, by American comedian Rita Rudner: “I never panic when I get lost. I just change where it is I want to go.” Pretty accurate. I was stupid then, but it’s not like I’m any less stupid now. ACTUALLY, wait. Maybe I’d tell myself where to put some gold bars. Couldn’t hurt to be stupid and a bit less broke, right?

Please reach out to Barkada Eboard for my contact info!