Tatiana Mena Ramos
M.A. Arts Politics Class of 2020
B.A., Audiovisual Communications, University of Puerto Rico- Río Piedras
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Tatiana was raised a conscientious agent of change with a keen eye for obscure realities. Through her education in the University of Puerto Rico, her involvement in non-profit organizations, and her participation in the political protests carried out on the Island she realized that the crucial stimulus for revolutions is empathy ignited through indignation— a reaction easily provoked through art. During her time as an undergraduate, she explored the topic of gentrification through the production of a documentary which later inspired a call-to-action project supported by the Smart Citizen’s Foundation School of Advocacy. After graduating with a B.A. in Audiovisual Communications, she went on to devote her time to organizations like Mentes Puertorriqueñas en Acción and Puerto Rico Rise Up where she used photography, videography and graphic design to document and highlight their advocacy and community engagement efforts. Additionally, she spends her summers working with the National Hispanic Institute as an Educational Director to empower high-school students in their transition to adulthood and college life.
What drew you to the M.A. in Arts Politics?
As a Latina woman committed to challenging a narrative that disempowers us, I strive to become an asset to my community as well as a symbol of resiliency and artistic revolution. Since my calling is to discover, capture and amplify darkling realities in order to incite change, I know the program will foster spaces and opportunities that will allow me to take this work a step further. Through the interdisciplinary approach, innovative curriculum, and diverse cohort I know I’ll be able to make the most out of my artistic methods of storytelling to spark dialogues and change. During a time where sociopolitical and economic turmoil is stunting Puerto Rico’s progress, my island needs changemakers and innovative leaders now more than ever and I know that the Arts Politics M.A. will give me the tools I need to become exactly that.