Anthonella Mendoza, a senior at Columbia College, is dual-majoring in English & Comparative Literature and Latin American & Caribbean Studies. Her passion lies in enhancing language translation access, particularly in underserved rural communities and the field of criminal justice, where a critical gap in translation support remains. Anthonella's commitment to social impact stems from her early experiences as a language broker for her parents in rural South Carolina, where resources for immigrants were scarce. She is interested in uplifting the skills of other immigrant and linguistically diverse communities while emphasizing the role that youth can play in ensuring equitable access to linguistic resources.

Anthonella applied for the Social Impact Fellowship to develop new leadership and advocacy capabilities and translate her academic studies into a meaningful interdisciplinary career path. She is enthusiastic about collaborating with social impact leaders, her Fellowship mentor, and other Fellows to address societal injustices through Columbia World Projects.