Baruch College student Adriana Maria Lopez-Tavares (’25) is set to fulfill her dream of advancing human rights by joining the United Nations Secretariat, Office for Disarmament in the spring.
Lopez-Tavares won a coveted United Nations Association-USA Fellowship (UNA-USA) which provides financial assistance to those from underrepresented communities who receive internships with the United Nations. This Fellowship, a “first-of-its-kind” scholarship, comes with numerous benefits such as stipends of up to $13,000, mentorships, networking opportunities, and access to expert-led conferences and meetings on international peace and security.

“This experience will broaden my horizons, helping me see what the world has to offer and encouraging me to think bigger for my career,” said Lopez-Tavares, who is majoring in business administration with Honors in Economics and a minor in Latin America and Caribbean Studies.
Lopez-Tavares won a coveted United Nations Association-USA Fellowship (UNA-USA) which provides financial assistance to those from underrepresented communities who receive internships with the United Nations. This Fellowship, a “first-of-its-kind” scholarship, comes with numerous benefits such as stipends of up to $13,000, mentorships, networking opportunities, and access to expert-led conferences and meetings on international peace and security.

She added, “As a first-generation low-income student, unpaid internships can present financial challenges, but this fellowship has provided the necessary support to overcome them. This internship will be instrumental in shaping my understanding of global security issues and human rights efforts.”
“This experience will broaden my horizons, helping me see what the world has to offer and encouraging me to think bigger for my career,” said Lopez-Tavares, who is majoring in business administration with Honors in Economics and a minor in Latin America and Caribbean Studies.
She added, “As a first-generation low-income student, unpaid internships can present financial challenges, but this fellowship has provided the necessary support to overcome them. This internship will be instrumental in shaping my understanding of global security issues and human rights efforts.”
“This experience will broaden my horizons, helping me see what the world has to offer and encouraging me to think bigger for my career,” said Lopez-Tavares, who is majoring in business administration with Honors in Economics and a minor in Latin America and Caribbean Studies.
“This experience will broaden my horizons, helping me see what the world has to offer and encouraging me to think bigger for my career,” said Lopez-Tavares, who is majoring in business administration with Honors in Economics and a minor in Latin America and Caribbean Studies.
Lopez-Tavares won a coveted United Nations Association-USA Fellowship (UNA-USA) which provides financial assistance to those from underrepresented communities who receive internships with the United Nations. This Fellowship, a “first-of-its-kind” scholarship, comes with numerous benefits such as stipends of up to $13,000, mentorships, networking opportunities, and access to expert-led conferences and meetings on international peace and security.

She added, “As a first-generation low-income student, unpaid internships can present financial challenges, but this fellowship has provided the necessary support to overcome them. This internship will be instrumental in shaping my understanding of global security issues and human rights efforts.”
“This experience will broaden my horizons, helping me see what the world has to offer and encouraging me to think bigger for my career,” said Lopez-Tavares, who is majoring in business administration with Honors in Economics and a minor in Latin America and Caribbean Studies.
She added, “As a first-generation low-income student, unpaid internships can present financial challenges, but this fellowship has provided the necessary support to overcome them. This internship will be instrumental in shaping my understanding of global security issues and human rights efforts.”
“This experience will broaden my horizons, helping me see what the world has to offer and encouraging me to think bigger for my career,” said Lopez-Tavares, who is majoring in business administration with Honors in Economics and a minor in Latin America and Caribbean Studies.
Career Focus on Human Rights
For Lopez-Tavares, the mission of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs—which provides support to disarmament issues, preventive measures, and regional disarmament efforts—align with her deep interest in human rights.
“Disarmament is a critical aspect of human rights that helps end violence and allows communities to grow and thrive,” Lopez-Tavares explained. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to explore this field through the initiatives my office pursues.”
“The field of human rights attracts me because I want to serve others and contribute to community development.”
Lopez-Tavares credits her background for inspiring her to pursue solutions to economic disparities and supporting marginalized communities.
“My family is from a small village in the Dominican Republic, and we immigrated to Brooklyn, New York when I was a child,” she stated. “My background has fueled my interest in addressing poverty, empowering low-income communities, and advancing human rights through international economic development.”
“The field of human rights attracts me because I want to serve others and contribute to community development.”

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