Skidmore College

Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology, Minor in American Studies

Originally from Brooklyn, New York Marcos Luna has passionately pursued his interests in public service and community justice. Marcos is currently serving in the FEMA Corps conducting disaster preparedness outreach to faith-based and community-based organizations in California’s Los Angeles County.

Prior to his current public service work, Marcos attended Skidmore College, graduating in August of 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Minor in American Studies. During his time in College, Marcos became interested in the roots of privilege and upward mobility in America and how he could play a role in expanding opportunity to underserved neighborhoods. Marcos also studied how social class influences tastes and food preferences for various immigrant groups—specifically in Hispanic and Latino communities. Marcos found that even the most surface and seemingly unimportant aspects of our lives are heavily influenced by and truly revealing of the social justice issues of all people.

As a COIN scholar, Marcos complemented his education with a strong community- based placement at the New York City Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD). This experience allowed him to feel valued in his local community, take a role as a local change agent, and contribute to his academic progress and success. One particular project that exemplifies his work was the development of flyer designs and informational and promotional material for DYCD’s outreach to hundreds of public school representatives throughout New York City. Marcos’s designs were used in the Fatherhood Initiative’s Dad’s Take Your Child to School Day and distributed widely across NYC to promote a strong commitment to education.

In reflecting on his experience in the program, Marcos states that,

“COIN has allowed me to become a valued leader in my community and to have a better understanding of how I can implement policies as a public servant that promote community renewal and equality.”

Marcos now serves as a mentor and advisor to new COIN scholars entering the program across the US.