Laura Schroeder

Laura Schroeder, an International Policy and Development student, is slightly fearful of squirrels due to an unfortunate event involving an aerobics ball, a broken tree branch, and a falling rodent. Teaching, learning, writing, distance running, and speaking Spanish are central to her identity. As a lifelong vegetarian and seven-time failed vegan, it is perhaps unsurprising that she hails from Wisconsin, America’s Dairyland. She has lived in Portland, Oregon, Washington, DC, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. Laura has been to 48 of 50 US states due to a family project of summiting the highest mountain in each, and hopes to continue exploring other corners of this fascinating world. She is particularly passionate about human and labor rights and transnational activism. Being part of Allies at MIIS means constantly pushing herself to practice empathy and engaging in challenging conversations and events that implicate the entire campus and community in reflection and action. She hopes to develop the tools to address race-related conflicts and to examine her own privilege and agency.