CESAR FRANCIA

College of Arts and Science

Bachelor of Arts, May 2010

Major: International Politics

Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service

Master of Public Administration, May 2011

Dual Degree

Bio and Resume (.pdf)

Cesar Francia is majoring in International Politics with a minor in Italian. In the fall of 2009 he will begin working on his Master's in Public Administration. His interests in foreign affairs and policy go hand in hand with his passion for service and volunteerism.

Growing up in Caracas, Venezuela, Cesar was challenged to rationalize the cruel paradox of an impoverished populace in a country blessed with rich oil reserves. Both of his parents were born into humble households, yet succeeded against all odds, giving Cesar the opportunity to move to the United States at age fourteen to pursue his educational goals. It was through community service in the U.S. that he found his niche, realizing that his life mission was to give back and become an advocate for the underserved and disenfranchised.

Cesar has focused his work primarily on the welfare of children. He has worked and volunteered for various organizations that operate with this mission, such as the Miami Children's Museum, Miami Beach Parks and Recreation, Big Brother's Big Sisters and Stand-Up for Kids. Through his involvement in these organizations and the Miami Community Church, Cesar launched the "Social Interaction Bringing Lasting Influence and Nurturing Growth" (S.I.B.L.I.N.G.) project, a comprehensive service initiative that leveraged the enthusiasm of his peers to provide better educational and recreational opportunities for underserved children in the local community. Growing up in a large family, Cesar values the mentorship of his elders -- especially his siblings -- which inspired the project's name. S.I.B.L.I.N.G. has given children young mentors to look up to, renovated public spaces into vibrant after-school recreational areas, and initiated a variety of development and social activities. The organization has been awarded a grant through the NYU Reynolds/Youth Venture "Be A Changemaker Challenge."

Traveling for international education and volunteer work has been the key to Cesar's global perspective. He has learned a great deal during his travels between Venezuela and the United States and spent his first year at NYU in Florence, Italy, where he volunteered for the Center for Peace and Human Rights. He taught Spanish and English to local elementary and middle school students and focused on issues around tolerance, diversity and globalization. In the summer of 2007, he attended a summer program sponsored by the Global Institute for Leadership and Civic Development in the Czech Republic, an organization dedicated to developing leaders capable of realizing ground-breaking innovation. Here, he honed his leadership skills before being offered the tremendous opportunity to return as their Student Coordinator the following summer.

Since his arrival in New York City, Cesar has interned with the largest human rights organization in the United States, Human Rights Watch. At HRW, Cesar became familiar with the day-to-day activities of a nonprofit organization and participated in major fundraising events.

Cesar has also become invested in community development on campus and throughout the city. He volunteers in the Friends Shelter and helps provide hospitality for 12 homeless men and women referred by the Neighborhood Coalition for the Homeless, staying overnight with the guests in a safe, warm, and clean environment once each month. Cesar has received various accolades in his short career at NYU, including two President's Service Awards and the NIA Award for Community Activism.

Cesar is currently a field intern in Rwanda for Miracle Corners of the World, where he is helping to plan the opening of a community center in the Bugesera District. He is also mentoring a group of young entrepreneurs, facilitating leadership trainings, building an Advisory board, and representing the organization before the government and other organizations. In the fall of 2009 Cesar will begin his studies at the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service. He also looks forward to serving as a Senator-at-Large on the Student Senate Council and the University Committee on Student life.