Student Spotlight: Ana Gabriela Cerón-Oviedo

Ana Gabriela Cerón-Oviedo, MPA-PNP 2025

Can you share a bit about yourself and what motivated you to attend a school of public service? 

I was born and raised in Colombia and moved to New York City to pursue my Master of Public Administration at NYU Wagner. I have worked in social impact across the public, private, and non-profit sectors, specifically in the design and management of International Cooperation projects and capacity building for grassroots organizations working to improve the quality of life in their communities. In my previous role as Senior Program Officer at Fundación Bolívar Davivienda, I witnessed the power of social innovation, but also the lack of effective management and leadership practices in organizations with transformative ideas. I decided to come to NYU Wagner to acquire the tools that will enable me, in the future, to lead organizations with a social mission sustainably and effectively.

Reflecting on your experience that has led you to pursue a degree at Wagner, what skills or lessons have you gained that might help you navigate your grad school journey?

Acquiring professional experience before pursuing my master’s degree has made me more critical about certain issues and more strategic in allocating my time and resources to get the most out of this experience. For example, I know that while some things work well in theory, they don’t always translate as effectively in practice, especially when working with communities. Social interventions, even when driven by good intentions, often have both positive and negative consequences that need to be carefully weighed to make the right decisions. The classes I have taken so far have provided me with practical tools and methods to evaluate these consequences. In addition, the journey in graduate school can be overwhelming at first, with so many interesting events, topics, and classmates. My previous experience has allowed me to better identify opportunities that align with my interests and focus on building meaningful, high-quality relationships with those who will play a key role in my professional growth.

You have recently been appointed a board member of the Association of Latinx Students and Allies in Public Service (ALAS). What are your motivations for getting involved with these organizations?

I learned about ALAS before coming to pursue my master’s degree, as I was seeking a sense of community in the city. I thought that meeting other students who share my culture, language, or background would help me navigate both the city and graduate school. And I wasn’t wrong! ALAS has been a safe space for building meaningful friendships, creating a support network, and learning about the dynamics of working in a country different from the one I grew up in. Additionally, I believe it serves as a platform to showcase the rich cultural and social potential of Latin America and the Caribbean. 

What events or initiatives are being organized by ALAS and how might they help amplify the voices of Wagner’s Latinx students and others from the Latinx community?

We are very excited about what’s to come this semester! The values that define ALAS are family, culture, and social justice, and our events primarily center around these. To celebrate Latinx Heritage Month, we will be hosting a salsa night, which has already become an ALAS tradition, and we encourage you to join us. In November, we will also have a fun activity to create a Día de los Muertos Altar. Additionally, we are partnering with other student groups to promote voting and discuss the role of the Latino vote in the upcoming elections. We will close the year with a workshop focused on mapping our roles as change agents in the social ecosystem, where we aim to promote reflective practice, intentionality, well-being, and resilience within Wagner's Latinx community. Stay tuned to our Social Media and newsletter for more details!