A Passion for Policy
Celeste Acevedo ’21 is rooted in her commitment to public service and giving back to her community. Growing up in El Paso, Texas, shaped her worldview and values.
“Everything goes back to where I'm from and who I am,” she said.
Through staying true to herself, Acevedo has found her own path in law that combines her passions for policymaking and paying it forward for others.
An early interest in advocacy
Spending her childhood so close to the U.S. – Mexico border, Acevedo saw the complexities of immigration law and citizenship status. It made her want to be an advocate for people navigating the system.
“I went to law school because I wanted to serve a community like mine,” she said.
Acevedo’s interest in law grew in 2015, during the presidential primary elections. Inspired by Hillary Clinton's historic run as the first female presidential nominee from a major political party, she reflected on her own role in politics.
“I think it’s so important for women to be at the table, and so I started asking myself, what can I do to be at the table?” Acevedo said.
“I started participating in local politics, got involved with offices in El Paso, and decided to run for student government at my college.”
When looking at law schools, Acevedo wanted a place with a strong Washington D.C. program. After working in the city as an intern during college, she knew that was where she wanted to work full time someday. Acevedo found that, in addition to having a great reputation, Ohio State had good connections in DC. The choice became obvious.
Finding her voice
As a student, Acevedo had opportunities to develop as a legal professional both in and outside the classroom. She did a fellowship with the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, spent time at the Ohio Legislature, served as a law clerk to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, and interned with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Acevedo cites her involvement with the National Lawyers Guild as one of the most impactful experiences of her time at Moritz. In the wake of the protests surrounding George Floyd’s murder in 2020, she found an opportunity to get involved with the Columbus community.
“Volunteering in the community and helping in any way that I could was eye-opening for me,” she said. “It showed me like the impact that laws and policies have on people in this country.”
Serving roles in the Student Bar Association also gave Acevedo a seat at the table in ways she had been seeking. As a member of the Appointments Committee, she helped give recommendations about hiring decisions.
“I really like meeting folks of all different backgrounds that were interested in coming to Moritz,” she said.
“It was a time where I got to use my voice the way that I wanted to use and was reminded of the value of my perspective.”
As she began her job search, Acevedo sought opportunities where she could continue using her voice for good and impacting policy. She found a posting for her current position in Representative Joaquin Castro's office, and it felt like an ideal match.
“He’s a strong advocate for Latinos, and San Antonio is very similar to El Paso,” she shared. “And I thought, this is a perfect fit - I'll be able to work for a community like mine.”
Sharing wisdom
Acevedo continues to give back outside of her job. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Congressional Hispanic Staff Association and is involved with the DC chapter of the Hispanic Bar Association. Meeting other women who are thinking about law school or seeking professional advice is impactful for Acevedo.
“Every 30-minute coffee I have means so much to me,” she said. “It’s such a small thing, but I’m always so glad to share about my experiences.”
She shares that even in a city like DC, where networking can feel transactional, she has been able to find meaningful connections.
“Stay really honest with yourself,” she advises. “Because I've been so honest about myself and who I am, I feel like I've been able to make really authentic connections.”
Another important lesson she shares is about comparison. Her favorite quote from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor speaks to this well: “I do know one thing about me: I don't measure myself by others' expectations or let others define my worth.” With this in mind, Acevedo can confidently follow her passions and continue to make a difference.