Vianny Rodriguez is an MPP candidate at the Heller School concentrating in Economic and Racial Equity. She is interested in finding ways to build community empowerment, as well as improving civic engagement and social capital in marginalized communities. At Heller, Vianny is a Graduate Research Assistant with the Heller Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity, working with team members to create and improve EID programs and initiatives. Before coming to Heller, she served as a Learning Program Coordinator with the U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines from 2018-2020. During this time, she volunteered at a local integrated school, co-created environmental programs, facilitated multiple leadership camps, served as warden with the Safety and Security team, and served on the EID committee.  Vianny graduated with a dual degree in Marketing and Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2017. She was born and raised in Framingham, Massachusetts. In her free time, she enjoys reading, travelling, being outdoors, watching cooking shows, and learning something new. Vianny is excited to better understand the tools that can be built to foster civic engagement to tackle community issues for improved life outcomes and sustainable development.