Isabel Gonzalez (English)

Isabel graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) with a B.S. in psychology in May 2011. That following

summer she began her masters in rehabilitation counseling at UTEP. During this time, Isabel was a graduate assistant for Dr. Erin Barnes and was given the opportunity to contribute to a research project that investigated the disproportionate rates of HIV and STDs present within the Mexican migrant population. This shifted her focus to the effects undocumented immigration has on human dignity. At the same time, Isabel was becoming more interested in the the role the government plays in its citizens’ personal and economic lives. Isabel decided to go back to school to study economics, and was accepted to George Mason University's (GMU) Ph.D. in economics program for Fall 2014. During her time at GMU she become increasingly interested in developmental economics, in particular the cause for ending world poverty.
Isabel learned about and was drawn to the Integral Economic Development Policy (IEDP) program at the Catholic University of America towards the end of her first year at GMU. Due to its focus on economic development and human dignity, the program appeared to perfectly fit her interests and passion for ending world poverty. In addition, IEDP stood out because of the opportunity given to students to conduct an applied research project––“utilize impact evaluation as a tool to understand and promote sustainable development.” Isabel applied and was accepted to the IEDP program and is a candidate for May 2017. Currently, she is in her first semester of the program and is further developing her knowledge on neuroeconomics, econometrics, ethics, and statistical analysis.