Valeria Mercado Medina

Sexual Scripts and Double Standards in Three Varieties (2018-2019)

• The purpose of this study was to understand how social media use and digital communication are affecting our perceptions of norms related to relationships and sexuality. Participants (312) completed an anonymous, online questionnaire about sexual communication and hypothetical scenarios.
• Conducted a literature review on related topics and synthesized the background information.
• Designed the research experiment, questions, and hypothetical scenarios.
• Analyzed the raw data for trends in open-ended responses and graphs for quantitative variables.
• Wrote the abstract, literature review, introduction, experimental design, conclusion, limitations, future research sections, and APA citations.
• Accepted and presented a poster for the following conferences: The Pennsylvania State University Psi Chi Annual Conference (April 2019) The Pennsylvania State University Undergraduate Research Conference (April 2019) Eastern Psychological Association (June 2020) International Association for Relationship Research (August 2021)

Teacher Ally for the City College of New York course: Capital vs. Human (2021)

• Selected 6 interested high school students that demonstrated the qualities necessary for a college-level course.
• Supported research, writing, and organizing assigned projects on either marketing a skincare line for melanin-rich individuals or utilizing hydrogen fuel to power trains.
• Provided editing revisions and feedback.
• Collaborated with other teacher allies to develop support strategies for students.

UASLE Engagement (2019-2024)

• Trained in Restorative Justice Circles, Tier 1-3
• Tenth Grade Team Leader (2023-2024)
• Student Council Advisor (2021-2024)
• Women for Women Book Club (2019-2024)
• Library Committee (2022-2023)
• Debate Club Advisor (2022-2023)
• Hiring Committee (Summer 2022)
• Black History Month Planning Committee (February 2021)
• NX Committee (Spring 2021)
• Women's History Month Planning Committee (March 2020)

Puerto Rican Student Association, President (Aug 2017 – May 2019)

• Led a 9 member e-Board
• Tasks included: assigning roles, making sure responsibilities were completed in a timely manner, responding to the interests of the organization, and managing communication efforts with the students and administrative offices.
• Organized cultural, social, and educational events to promote Puerto Rican culture across campus.
• Collaborated with other Latinx organizations to raise funds and expand awareness of our identity.
• Reinstated the participation of the PRSA at THON, a student-run philanthropy that raises funds for pediatric cancer and hosts an annual 46-hour no sitting, dance marathon.
• Affiliated and represented the organization with the National Puerto Rican Student Coalition (2018-2019).
• In response to the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, raised $7,000 for ‘Para la Naturaleza', a non-profit dedicated to conserving lands of high ecological value in Puerto Rico, with the support of the Sierra Club at State College.
• Joined the coalition of ‘Students with Puerto Rico' to promote fundraising efforts for infrastructure on the island post-hurricane, raising over $200,000 along 50+ universities across the nation.

Latino Caucus, Presidential Delegate (Aug 2017 – May 2019)

• Attended weekly meetings with all Latinx presidential delegates to discuss initiatives, organize events, and voice pressing issues that impacted the experience of Latinx students on campus.
• Recruited members for the PRSA through the Involvement Fair.