Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia

Bio: Kellsey received a B.A. in Linguistics from the University of Virginia as an Echols Scholar, a distinction recognizing academic initiative and intellectual risk-taking. She has 11 years of professional experience in advocacy, education, and administration, and she earned her Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate from Georgetown University in 2023. She is an M.A. candidate in Latin American Studies and expects to graduate in 2027. Her engagement with Latin American studies began through undergraduate volunteer work with Latino and Migrant Aid, where she supported immigrant families and later served as a Migrant Advocate across central Virginia in educational, community, and legal contexts. This work and other experiences deepened her interest in U.S.–Central American relations and underscored the broader historical inequalities shaping the region. Her research focuses on the structural drivers of migration from Central America and the intersection of economic policy, community development, and education in fostering stability and opportunity. Her post-graduate goal is to contribute to cross-border initiatives that expand security, equity, and long-term prospects for the region."

Research Area – Geographic: Northern Triangle, Mexico