Meet Nataly Morales Villa, ‘19
Nataly Morales Villa, a proud member of ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿’s Class of 2019, has achieved remarkable success since completing her BS in Political Science in 2019. Recently, she was honored with the inaugural Gilman Alumni Changemaker Award, one of only seven recipients selected from over 41,000 Gilman alumni worldwide. This prestigious recognition from the U.S. Department of State highlights her dedication to empowering communities, particularly through real estate education and the development of bilingual resources.
Born in Mexico and raised in Gainesville, GA, Nataly’s journey has been shaped by her experiences as a first-generation college student. At ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿, she majored in political science with a minor in Spanish translation, which became instrumental to her career. Her education not only equipped her with the tools to advocate for her community but also opened doors to numerous opportunities, such as a prestigious internship with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) in Washington, D.C.
After graduating from ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿, Nataly continued her academic path by earning a Master’s degree in Education from Harvard University, where she focused on higher education administration. Throughout her early career, she remained deeply connected to her community, using her platform to create social change. Her Gilman Changemaker Award project centers around real estate education, where she collaborates with local organizations in Hall County and the Metro Atlanta area to provide crucial home-buying seminars in Spanish. This initiative aims to bridge the language gap and help Hispanic families navigate the often-overwhelming real estate process.
In addition to her real estate work, Nataly is the founder of Un Pedacito de México, a business that connects students in the U.S. to their cultural heritage through Mexican-manufactured graduation stoles. A portion of the proceeds supports education in her hometown in Mexico.
Looking ahead, Nataly plans to continue mentoring and inspiring the next generation of students while also expanding her impact in both real estate and cultural entrepreneurship. Through her journey from a first-generation college student to an award-winning community leader, Nataly’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of education, resilience, and giving back.
“Believe in yourself, apply for opportunities, and remember that the journey may not always be linear, but it will all fall into place.”