Archer Fellow Alumni Profile Nancy Palencia
I've had the opportunity to meet fantastic, motivating people thanks to the Archer Fellowship. My cohort has helped me develop important work skills, provided me with vital pep talks, and become some of my closest friends.
Q & A with Nancy
Please tell us more about your current position.
Prior to graduate school, I worked as an elementary school English teacher.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
I interned at Justice at Stake, a non-governmental organization dedicated to protecting fair and impartial courts. As an intern, I was able to write a piece on historical women in the American legal system and got to attend the hearing for the U.S. Supreme Court case Citizens United v. FEC.
What has been your general career path?
I have worked in both government NGOs and in elementary schools.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
I've had the opportunity to meet fantastic, motivating people thanks to the Archer Fellowship. My cohort has helped me develop important work skills, provided me with vital pep talks, and become some of my closest friends.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
I loved being a part of Dr. Swerdlow's writers' bootcamp. His honest and straightforward email help me fall in love with writing. I credit this experience with helping me write successful applications for both King's College London and Harvard
What do you value the most about being an alumnae?
Working with the AFAA Scholarship Committee taught me so much. I was able to stay in touch with former coworkers and collaborate with motivational leaders like former AFAA President Casey Sublett Menchaca and Archer Center Executive Director Katie Romano. They both took the time to teach me useful office skills and functioned as a source of advice for me over the years.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
During the snowpocalypse of 2010, we were sent home. While it was fun for the first few days, by day five our cabin fever reached a breaking point. All the shops around us were closed and we were running out of food. Archer Fellow Anna Markowitz and I heard a rumor that Lincoln's Waffle Shop was open. The shop is normally a 30-minute walk from the house but the walk turned into a three-hour epic journey. When we finally arrived, we enjoyed the best pancakes I have ever had.