As a junior double majoring in applied statistics alongside global and international studies, Clara Pineda is a jack of all trades.
During her high school years, Pineda recognized that she enjoyed taking Advanced Placement courses in statistics. Growing up in Honduras, Pineda identified regional issues that plagued remote communities, pushing her to pursue an education dedicated to analyzing global issues. These experiences subsequently led her to combine her interests in global studies and the financial sector in college.
Originally from Central America, Pineda received the Bepko Scholarship, allowing her to move to the United States to pursue her undergraduate education.
During her freshman year, Pineda discovered the Honors College Student Council. As president of the council, Pineda has partnered with other honors organizations to increase student engagement. Pineda’s efforts with the Honors Student Council have led to positive results, with the organization winning an award for the Most Outstanding Registered Student Organization.
Pineda’s work on community building extends beyond her role as president of the Honors College Student Council.
As the vice president of the Undergraduate Student Government, Pineda has fostered individual growth by developing her communication and accountability skills.
“USG is the biggest organization on campus,” Pineda said. “It’s important to be transparent because you work with many university administrators.”
As an Honors College peer mentor, Pineda excels in partnering with different individuals. Through that role, Pineda has mentored other fellow international students as well.
“This is an individualized program,” she said. “You get to build connections and become friends.”
In spring 2023, Pineda took her campus involvement to the next level as a financial analyst intern with the Office of Finance. Part of her responsibilities included frequently handling payment processes, which furthered her interest in the financial sector.
Moreover, Pineda’s involvement on campus took a giant leap forward when she accepted an internship with the Indiana University Office of the President in spring 2024 as a strategic initiatives intern. Pineda’s work includes reviewing campus policies and assessing faculty performance for awards.
Pineda is pursuing her passion for data analytics and global international studies in hopes of working for an intergovernmental organization in the future. Pineda has already started laying the foundations through Desprendete, a nonprofit organization she founded that aims to provide food, hygienic, and educational resources for families and children in rural and urban areas in Honduras. The organization also works to raise awareness about social problems.
“Desprendete” translates to “detach yourself” in Spanish, which exemplifies the organization’s goal of helping individuals in Honduras to become independent and sustainable.
Desprendete’s most recent accomplishment, Misión Kupya, was a project created to offer educational support to children in rural areas. In partnership with six other nonprofit organizations, Desprendete delivered over 350 backpacks and school kits to Brus Laguna, Ibans, and Plátano in La Mosquitia, Honduras. These communities are some of the most remote areas in Honduras that grapple with scarce resources.
Pineda delivering kits to remote communities in Honduras
Pineda during her study abroad experience this summer in 2023
Her prospects for the future have pushed Pineda to explore beyond the nonprofit realm.
Pineda used the study abroad stipend provided by the Honors College to move closer toward her goal of working for an intergovernmental agency. She studied in London and the United Kingdom in the summer of 2023, where she learned about National and Homeland Security and the functions of the European Union and NATO. The experience gave Pineda adequate exposure to intergovernmental organizations’ operations.
Pineda continues to go above and beyond, as she was recently recognized as one of the Top 100 students at IUPUI, demonstrating her excellence in campus leadership, academic excellence, and community engagement.
Pineda pictured with the Chancellor of IUPUI at the Top 100 celebration
Pineda, who also won the Most Outstanding Senior Applied Statistics Award at the Indiana University School of Science Honors Convocation this year, has some words of advice.
“Whatever you do, do it with passion. You will be surprised of all the great things that will come your way if you are not constantly seeking recognition. Always give your best and your passion will find you,” Pineda said.
