Scholar Profile

Alejandro Quiroz-Novela

Public Policy

Biography

Alejandro Quiroz-Novela is a Senior at Claremont McKenna College pursuing a dual B.A. in Government and Public Policy with a Minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. His academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of social policy, human rights, and reproductive justice, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion, comprehensive sex education, and equity in public systems.

Alejandro recently completed a research fellowship through Claremont McKenna’s Summer Research Program, where he conducted an independent study examining how variation in state-level sex education policy shapes public health outcomes for queer youth. Building on that foundation, his senior thesis shifts to a focused California case study. His thesis investigates the implementation gap between California’s inclusive sex education mandates - particularly the California Healthy Youth Act - and on-the-ground district compliance. Through policy analysis and public health data, he examines how decentralization, limited oversight, and political contestation shape whether inclusive mandates translate into meaningful access for LGBTQ+ students.

He has previously interned with Connecticut Against Gun Violence, where he analyzed local death data and legislative trends to support community education and policy reform. He also worked with Black Women for Wellness, where he helped lead youth-centered outreach around sexual health and reproductive justice in South Los Angeles. Through these roles, he has developed strong skills in community outreach and empowerment, legislative research, and equity advocacy.

At CMC, Alejandro is deeply engaged in equity and inclusion work. He served as a Diversity and Inclusion Fellow at the CARE Center, where he leads campus programming focused on highlighting intersectional experiences, social issues, and issues of student support. He is also the former Vice President of ¡Mi Gente!, CMC’s Latinx/e affinity group, and served as Recruitment Director for CMC Advocates for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, where he supported survivors through trauma-informed guidance and resource navigation.

Across his experiences, Alejandro remains grounded in the belief that public policy can be a powerful tool for equity when informed by lived experience, grassroots advocacy, and structural analysis. He hopes to continue working at the intersection of policy, education, and community empowerment--whether through graduate study, public service, or nonprofit advocacy.

High school:  Alliance Gertz-Ressler High School

Degrees