Valeria Aristizabal is a graduate student at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, where she is pursuing a Master of International Public Policy. She graduated with distinction from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2025, earning an Honours Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Political Science. As part of her undergraduate studies, Valeria completed an academic exchange at the Theresian Military Academy in Austria, where she gained first-hand exposure to international relations nurturing her interest in learning from diverse perspectives.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Valeria has cultivated meaningful professional experience as an Intern with the Centre for International and Defense Policy, as a researcher and assistant to the Kingston Consortium on International Security. She further distinguished herself as a principal French-language interviewer for the Resilience Plus podcast and as a senior member of the Athena Program at the Royal Military College of Canada, a leadership initiative dedicated to advancing the empowerment of women and fostering engagement with senior members of the Canadian Armed Forces. In addition to professional commitments, Valeria is an endurance athlete and outdoor enthusiast. She enjoys sailing and is a Pilates instructor, activities that reflect her dedication to discipline and personal well-being.
Valeria’s scholarly and professional interests converge on the complex social, political, and institutional challenges encountered by migrants and refugees throughout the resettlement process. She is particularly committed to examining how collective action and advocacy shape public discourse and advance inclusive policy frameworks. Her research is situated at the intersection of national and human security, with a focus on how these dynamics influence migrants’ rights, access to protection, and public perceptions of national defense.
Upon completion of the Master of International Public Policy program, Valeria will assume the role of Intelligence Officer within the Canadian Armed Forces. She aspires to use leverage her knowledge and expertise to safeguard security, particularly for those in precarious situations where human dignity is most at risk.