Apolonia Calderon

Apolonia Calderon is an Assistant Professor and Senior Fellow at the University of Maryland's Institute for Public Leadership (IPL), affiliated with the Do Good Institute. Her work focuses on the intersections of immigration policy, philanthropy, and public administration, particularly addressing systemic barriers faced by minority communities. Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, she holds a Bachelors (2013) and Ph.D. (2018) in Political Science from Texas A&M University.

Her research explores how nonprofits, philanthropy, and public policies impact immigrant communities, with a focus on race and ethnic politics. Notable themes include nonprofit advocacy in immigration enforcement contexts, philanthropic funding influence, and language congruence in bureaucratic representation. She has examined ICE cooperation dynamics, legal aid effectiveness, and policy advocacy strategies.

Calderon emphasizes practical solutions for marginalized communities through her scholarship. Her professional journey includes roles as an undergraduate research assistant with the Project for Equity, Representation and Governance and an internship with the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. She actively supports first-generation students, reflecting her own background as a first-generation college graduate.