Student Spotlight: Angilmarie Rivera Sanchez

Angilmarie Rivera Sanchez is a senior double majoring in history and political science through Florida State University’s Department of History in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy, respectively. Rivera Sanchez plans to graduate in Spring 2023, and she serves as president of the Puerto Rican Student Association, programming coordinator for the Hispanic/Latinx Student Union, and Dance Marathon’s HLSU delegate. She studied security and cooperation in southeastern Europe through FSU’s International Programs, conducted international research in Germany through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, and attended the 2022 Intelligence & National Security Summit. Rivera Sanchez also earned the U.S. Department of Education’s Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages certificate and a certificate in U.S. intelligence studies from FSU’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program.

Tell us about your background and what brought you to FSU.

I was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and moved to Florida in 2013. My family and I experienced many obstacles and discrimination, and all we had to our name were blankets on the floor of our small apartment and a truck that fit two people. Coming from an island where governmental corruption directly affected my loved ones and forced us to leave, I knew I wanted to someday change the status quo. By high school, I decided to eventually become an international human rights lawyer and work in politics. I researched universities to best prepare me for law school and was immediately drawn to FSU. I knew its location in the Florida Capitol would benefit my involvement in politics, and I was impressed by the acclaimed political science and history departments, but ultimately the research opportunities became the most important factor in my decision. On a tour, I fell in love with the brick buildings, the history within its walls, and the positive environment created by the student body.

What inspired you to pursue a double major?

I wanted to learn more about public administration while learning political theories. I tend to ask, “but why?” when given new information, and my majors allow me to answer that. I believe that understanding history prevents us from repeating mistakes. My love for research stems from my interest in history and led to my honors in the major thesis, which I successfully defended last semester and will be presenting at conferences this semester.

What inspired you to attend FSU’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program and pursue a certification in U.S. intelligence studies?

I wanted to understand how different parts of government worked and how the country is kept safe through interactions with other countries. Pursuing the certificate with honors meant learning about these things while accessing valuable networking opportunities. My peers were incredibly impressive and knowledgeable on a diverse range of topics, and being around those individuals inspired me to work even harder.

Tell us about your experience attending the 2022 Intelligence & National Security Summit.

The summit was life-changing; it helped me understand how I want to grow as a young professional. I learned about the intelligence field from private and public sector perspectives while strengthening my professional network. As I go on to work in politics, I’ll have a better understanding of intelligence’s role in our everyday lives.

Tell us about your experience as president of the Puerto Rican Student Association and programming coordinator for the Hispanic/ Latinx Student Union.

I joined PRSA before my sophomore year, eventually becoming more broadly involved in HLSU. Leaving Puerto Rico was extremely hard, and HLSU helped me reconnect with and learn more about my cultural heritage. It’s changed my life, and many others’, for the better. PRSA and HLSU are my home away from home.

Tell us about your research topics and your involvement in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program.

My research at FSU connected me with Dorothy and Jonathan Rintels Professor of Holocaust Studies Nathan Stoltzfus, who would become my mentor and eventually my honors in the major thesis director. His research on German resistance during the WWII era caught my interest — I learned about the White Rose, a student-led group that protested Nazis by writing anonymous leaflets. The founder, Hans Scholl, was initially the face of the resistance; however, commemoration eventually focused on his sister, Sophie Scholl. I wanted to determine why that happened and how it affected the way people remember the White Rose.

Using funds from an IDEA Grant from the Tyler Scholar Foundation, I traveled to Germany to research and speak with professionals who helped guide my study, which emphasizes the importance of commemorating history as accurately as possible. Loved ones and descendants of the White Rose members who were not members of the Scholl family continue to be affected by inaccurate portrayals of the movement. It also raises the question of whether the White Rose is a proper representation of German resistance, as it’s often made out to be.

I want to inspire researchers who feel that research is only for STEM fields. There’s so much research to be done, especially in history when new documents are made available each day.

What faculty or staff have helped or inspired you?

I can’t thank my thesis director, Dr. Stoltzfus, enough for inspiring me to undertake my thesis and apply for funding. My supervisory committee has also been incredibly supportive: James P. Jones Associate Professor of History Katherine Mooney, Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor David Kirby and retired Army Col. Robert Duggleby. Finally, associate director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement David Montez’s guidance in securing funds allowing me to travel was invaluable.

What on-campus resources have helped you achieve success?

I took advantage of the Honors Program’s many resources. FSU also offers many on-campus job opportunities; I currently work in the Office of Admissions, which helps me pay my bills while not having to stress about making it to class on time!

Though you might miss FSU, what are you looking forward post-graduation?

After graduation, I’ll attend law school and become more involved in politics. I’m looking forward to having a break after graduation; I feel like I’ve been running non-stop since I chose to attend FSU. There’s just so much to do!