BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Victoria Ballesteros-Gonzalez '25 was selected as Illinois Wesleyan’s 2024 Student Laureate by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.
The Lincoln Academy of Illinois selects one student from each four-year university in Illinois to receive the award, in honor of their role of leadership and curricular and extracurricular activities that echo Abraham Lincoln’s morals of “excellence, service and honor.”
“It is completely unexpected but a tremendous honor and a humbling experience to be recognized as the Lincoln Laureate,” said Ballesteros-Gonzalez. “This recognition motivates me to continue striving for positive change, particularly in areas related to sustainability and social responsibility. This award embodies IWU’s mission to ‘Do good, do well,’ reminding me that true success is measured by the positive impact we make on others and the world around us.”
Ballesteros-Gonzalez, from Adeje in the Canary Islands of Spain, is pursuing a double major in political science and environmental studies.
She currently serves as a co-director of the IWU MakerGirl Academy, is a residential community advisor and is involved in the IWU Women in Politics Club as co-founder and vice president. She also serves as treasurer of the Bloomington-Normal Collegiate Rotaract Club and she is a past sustainability commissioner for Student Senate.
In 2023, Ballesteros-Gonzalez was awarded the Dacil Martín Rotary Club Tenerife Sur Distinction for her public social action advocacy and was also inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the Political Science Honor Society. In 2022, she spoke on a United Nations panel about global disparities in water economics.
Looking forward, Ballesteros-Gonzalez is committed to carrying the legacy of Lincoln into her future career, guided by the principles of equity, justice and service to the greater good. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in consulting, government affairs or a role focused on corporate social responsibility.
“My goal is to use my background in political science, environmental studies and strategic communication to address global challenges,” said Ballesteros-Gonzalez. “I am also considering applying to graduate programs in the future to further deepen my expertise.”
Ballesteros-Gonzalez will travel to the University of Illinois in Springfield on Oct. 26 to attend an award ceremony hosted by The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. She was recognized on campus in August by President Sheahon Zenger and Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Karla Carney-Hall.