The Lincoln Diaz-Balart Public Service Fellowship was created in 2024 by CHLI Alumni Association President Keith Fernandez as part of his participation of the Presidential Leadership Scholars program. The fellowship offers a college graduate the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to establish their career in public service.
CHLI Lincoln Diaz-Balart Public Service Fellowship
HOW IT WORKS
CHLI will provide each fellow with a placement in a Congressional office, monthly stipend, housing and transportation allowance, as well as resources through the CHLI’s Board of Directors and Advisory Council, and the CHLI Alumni Association.
PROGRAM DATES
Monday, January 13, 2025 – Friday, May 9, 2025:
For more information, please contact Senior Internships Manager, Nicole Marin at nmarin@chli.org.
Meet our Fellow
Lydia Nunez De La Torre
Heritage: Peruvian American
School: Florida International University
Major(s): Psychology & Statistics
Hometown: North Miami Beach, FL
Placement: Office of Representative Mario Diaz-Balart
Lydia Nunez De La Torre is from North Miami Beach, Florida, and one of six daughters of Peruvian immigrant parents. She graduated in August 2024 from Florida International University, where she earned her degree in Psychology and Statistics. Lydia’s upbringing in a multicultural, working-class family and community has primarily shaped her professional interests, particularly in the realms of public policy, digital communications, and advancing the Hispanic and Latino communities.
In her undergraduate studies, her research centered on transit-oriented development in the Miami metropolitan area, a subject that resonated with her personal experiences growing up reliant on public transportation in a city that faces significant public transit challenges. Lydia’s passion for the intersection of urban planning, transportation, and mental health led her to Washington, D.C., in 2024 for the first time as part of the CHLI Global Leaders Program. Lydia was one of seven students selected for this program, which placed her in the offices of Congressman David Valadao and The Home Depot’s Government Relations team. In the fall of 2024, Lydia furthered her work experience by interning for Senator Marco Rubio, where she supported his initiatives in foreign policy and international relations, particularly through his work on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, all while serving the people of Florida.
In addition to her dedication to public policy, Lydia has nurtured an interest in the motion picture and video industries. She taught herself video editing at age 15, a skill she continues to use in her professional and creative pursuits. In 2024, Lydia starred in a television commercial for EOS Lip Balm, which spotlighted Hispanic representation in media. She is currently collaborating with Latinometrics, a digital newsletter providing insights into Latin America’s growth, where she creates short-form video content to promote the platform’s key updates.
As the Lincoln Diaz-Balart fellow, Lydia seeks to deepen her understanding of policymaking and communication strategies, with a focus on further advancing the Hispanic community through thoughtful, innovative approaches.