My name is Milagros Mellenkamp, but due to matters of pronunciation, everyone calls me Millie. I am currently a second year student pursuing degrees in Anthropology and Global Development Studies with a concentration in Public Health. I am originally from Maryland, but my parents are both from Latin countries and decided to raise my siblings and I in a purely Latin household. This has allowed me to have an incredibly colorful childhood, full of experiences from both Latin and American cultures. My background has fostered in me a desire to explore and experience an array of different cultures. Aside from traveling for pleasure, I have gone on many trips to developing Latin countries to work in health clinics in rural, impoverished areas. These experiences, above all the rest, have truly opened my eyes to the inequities of health systems around the world. My goal after graduating from UVA is to work in the public health field, specifically with health policy and development projects involving primary health care in Central and South America.

Outside of academics, I am the Program Director for Student Interpreters Service Initiative, a group of Spanish-speaking students who act as liaisons between UVA hospital doctors and Hispanic patients who cannot speak English. This has allowed me to stay in touch with Latin culture while I am away from home and provides me with a way to give back to the Charlottesville Hispanic community.  I am also the Vice President of Foundation for my sorority and am in charge of organizing fundraising events for our national philanthropy, Service for Sight. UVA has given me many opportunities to develop my interests both inside and outside of the classroom.