For Victoria Lu, education has never been a passive pursuit — it is an active, vital tool for change. A triple major in Sociology, Political Science, and International Studies, with a minor in Human Rights, Victoria has spent her time at the Colin Powell School building a bridge between theoretical inquiry and movement-building. As she graduates this spring, she leaves behind a legacy of activism that spans from the streets of Queens to the corporate boardrooms of Spain.
Education as a “Politicizing Project”
Born and raised in Queens, Victoria’s passion for labor organizing and activism defines her academic journey. For the past two and a half years, she served as the Chinese Member Organizer for the Street Vendor Project, where she helped organize over 200 Chinese street vendors to pass a landmark legislative reform package.
For Victoria, this work is deeply connected to her studies. “My passion has always been to mitigate the immense suffering that capitalism and imperialism have inflicted across the world,” she explains. “I hold a deep belief that education is a politicizing project; the more I learn, the more I question, and the more equipped I become to grow as a person, an activist, and a committed member of my community.”
Global Perspectives, Local Impact
As a 2024 Jeannette K. Watson Fellow, Victoria has had the rare opportunity to engage in movement-building work across the globe. Her journey has taken her to a legal clinic for youth in New Zealand, the Mondragon Corporation in Spain to research worker cooperatives, and an upcoming summer in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with Whose Knowledge, a feminist collective focused on archival and digital tech advocacy.
These experiences, combined with her fellowships at the Colin Powell School — including the Social Change, Research Mentorship, and Moynihan Fellowships — have transformed how she views her future.
“These experiences have not only expanded my network but also pushed me to reimagine the possibilities for my future and the impact I hope to make,” Victoria says.
She also notes the invaluable support she received from the faculty. “The departments in which I have had the privilege to study have been transformative. I have also benefited from exceptional mentorship, with many professors across all departments who have gone out of their way to support me both academically and professionally.”
The Responsibility of Success
This spring, Victoria adds another distinction to her resume: an Advanced Certificate in Labor Studies from CUNY’s School of Labor and Urban Studies, completed during her time as a Union Semester student, which included an internship with the Writers Guild of America East.
As she moves into her next chapter — joining the NYC Urban Fellows program in September — Victoria remains grounded in the idea that success is a collective endeavor. When asked what advice she has for current students, she emphasizes the importance of community and generosity:
“Make a conscious and intentional effort to build and sustain relationships throughout your personal and professional life… Be generous with your energy and mentorship; ultimately, life is a shared, relational endeavor. The sooner we recognize the importance of community, the better equipped we will be to support one another in meaningful and enduring ways.”
