Laura Garzón Salinas

A Bit About Me

Laura M. Garzón Salinas is a Colombian woman, multidisciplinary student leader, artist, and community advocate whose work focuses on cultural preservation, equitable access to education, and community engagement through the arts. A first-generation Latina scholar, she graduated with honors from Ocean County College with an Associate Degree in Humanities and is an alumna of The Transfer Scholars Initiative (TSI) at Princeton University, 2025 cohort. She has been recognized as one of the Class of 2025: 30 Under 40 Top Latino Leaders of South Jersey, highlighting her commitment to leadership and service.

As a founding member and second President of Community Ambassadors (2024–25), Laura led initiatives that strengthened connections between students, immigrant families, and campus resources. During her presidency, she secured the MLK Grant for the 2025 Coat Drive, launched Salsa Community Classes, and co-created OCC’s inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month events, including the Opening Ceremony and other cultural programming. She also spearheaded Lives on Canvas, a community arts program that provided students with a platform to explore identity and culture, culminating in the Latino/Immigrant Arts Expo and OCC’s first Translational Research Symposium on cultural preservation through art.

Beyond these initiatives, Laura has consistently worked to empower her community through education and outreach. She has supported ESL classes through Community Ambassadors, coordinated Immigrant Heritage Day, and taught arts and crafts to children through Manitos Creativas. She also served as Vice President of the International Club, fostering cross-cultural exchange and supporting international students.

Laura’s leadership extends to public speaking and mentorship. She co-created and led the Latino Youth Leadership Conference, providing workshops on college applications, academic planning, financial aid, and transfer navigation. She was also invited as a speaker for the Inspiring Voices Panel, as well as for OCC’s Hispanic Heritage Month Opening Ceremony.

Her academic and artistic accomplishments reflect her dedication to research, creativity, and community impact. As part of TSI at Princeton University, she conducted interdisciplinary research, including work on Humanistic Pedagogy in the Era of Globalized English. Her visual art has been recognized through publications such as her piece Honor to Home, featured in both Lifelines Art & Literary Magazine and Ocean Breeze Magazine.

After completing her presidency, Laura transitioned into a Mentor role, supporting students as they navigate their transition to college. She continues to combine service, creativity, and advocacy as Digital Media Director for Community Ambassadors, using design and storytelling to amplify immigrant voices, foster community engagement, and inspire emerging leaders.

Rooted in gratitude, service, and creativity, Laura continues to build bridges between communities, empower young leaders, and amplify immigrant voices through art, education, and public engagement.