A commitment to service: Andrea Vallejo ’20

Andrea Vallejo '20 is the daughter of Mexican immigrants, a background that inspired her to major in political science and public policy at AU and co-found the HOPE student organization, which continues to serve students to this day.

"Giving back and helping others has always been at the core of what I've done with my life," said Vallejo, whose parents are now U.S. residents.

Today Vallejo is senior special projects officer for business and economic development in the Office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a position she's held for the past year and a half. It's a job that allows her to build on the spirit of service and community impact AU helped instill.

Vallejo first joined the governor's office in 2020 as a fellow in external affairs and worked her way up to deputy director of public engagement. That role included supporting the governor's response to the Highland Park parade shooting on July 4, 2022, and working with his policy team and municipalities as he mobilized to pass legislation banning the sale and distribution of assault weapons within a year of the shooting.

"In external affairs, I learned how to deliver bad news and how to work with people who see things differently from you, and those are skills that continue to be essential in my role now," she said. "I enjoy problem-solving and strategy, and I always do everything I can to make sure community members' voices are heard."

In spring 2025, Vallejo helped lead Governor Pritzker's trade mission to Mexico City. Public and private sector leaders from across Illinois met with Mexican CEOs to deepen economic ties and foster greater cooperation between Illinois and Mexico. Delegation members and their Mexican counterparts discussed collaboration in agriculture and food processing, finance, and manufacturing.

Meanwhile, Vallejo credits her AU mentors with much of her success. "They always had my best interests at heart - recommending me for opportunities, cheering me on through challenges, and investing their time and wisdom into my growth," she explained. "I'll never forget the people who lifted me up when I needed it most."

Now she mentors others who reach out for advice about working in government, from undergraduate students to high schoolers. "Because of the many who poured into me, I'm inspired to do the same for others and be that source of guidance and support when I have mentees of my own," she added. "I'm always happy to give back."

This story is an excerpt from the spring/summer 2026 issue of Aurora University Magazine. Read the full story online about five alumni who are turning purpose into action and creating a meaningful impact in their communities and in their personal and professional lives.