Laura Silliman, Vanderbilt University

Laura Silliman, a junior at Vanderbilt University, is a student leader who is deeply involved in human rights advocacy for Latin American populations. For the past two years she has immersed herself in these issues through both service and research. Laura has led an Alternative Spring Break trip to the Mexican-American border to aid detained Latino youths and after interning with the International Justice Mission in Washington, D.C., formed a student organization to raise campus awareness of human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children in Latin American countries. Laura continues to utilize her academic preparation and hands-on service experiences to inform her work and is a true believer in the power of community-created change. Her commitment to advocating on behalf of the voiceless is unparalleled, and her dedication to human rights is inspirational.