Cayla Vient

Cayla Vient is from Mazatlán, Mexico and moved to the United States to pursue her education and develop a career dedicated to serving diverse communities. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Public Administration at Arizona State University. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Political Science and a minor in Law, Rights and Justice from Northern Arizona University. As a GIFFORDS Courage Fellow she advocated for gun safety policies across Arizona. Cayla conducted independent research examining political bias in AI systems and authored The Never Belonging Nomad, a book exploring bicultural identity and the ways it shapes individuals' experiences and perspectives in society. She also hosted a podcast under The Never Belonging Nomad, using conversations and storytelling to further explore biculturalism, identity, culture, and belonging. Drawing from her own experience navigating life between Mexican and American cultures, her work reflects a broader commitment to understanding how cultural literacy can strengthen communication, leadership, and public institutions. Upon graduation Cayla was awarded the Golden Axe Award recognizing her leadership, scholarship and service. Her bicultural background and cultural literacy has allowed her to grow a passion for working in diverse communities and bring a new global perspective to public service.