Amazing Student: Camila Varela

August 26, 2025 | Anika Chaturvedi | Permalink | Amazing Students, Students and Faculty

Camila Varela (B.S.Ed. ’25) is passionate about community involvement. An aspiring history teacher, she supports students both on campus and in the Athens community through her involvement in the College’s Student Ambassador program, the Hispanic Student Association, and more.

Hometown: Lawrenceville, Georgia
Degree objective and graduation date: B.S.Ed. in social studies education with a minor in history, spring 2026

What made you choose to attend UGA and to major in social studies education?

In high school, UGA was never on my radar. I wanted to move out of state and study history as a pre-law candidate. After I faced rejection from a few other institutions, I realized that I was more interested in the history part rather than becoming a lawyer, and all my favorite involvements in school had to do with tutoring and mentoring other secondary students.

All roads led to becoming a social studies teacher, and UGA has one of the best programs in the nation for that. I believe history education is one of the most undervalued and important resources we have as a society, and it’s what forms the next generation of changemakers.

Some of your leadership positions on campus include student ambassador for the College and orientation leader (OL) for UGA this past summer. How did you get involved in these programs?

As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, I’ve always been extremely grateful for every opportunity and resource I have, especially at an institution as prestigious as UGA. As a student at the best college at UGA (of course), I wanted to give back and spread the word throughout campus about what we do and the importance of career fields that are often overlooked, such as kinesiology, education, and allied health.

As for OL, I knew I wanted to wear the polo when I went to orientation back in 2023. Having a Latina OL on stage changed the game for me, as coming to a predominantly white institution from a place as diverse as Gwinnett County was so daunting. I wanted to instill that confidence and pride in our school and state, not just in other Latino students, but in all incoming UGA students. I took the leap and applied, and my life has never been the same (in the best way).

At UGA, you are also involved in the Hispanic Student Association (HSA), Casa de Amistad, and Latinos Invested in the Students of Tomorrow (LISTo). Why are you passionate about your work in these organizations?

Latinos are the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the U.S., yet our college numbers are still faltering. Having thriving student groups like HSA and LISTo tells prospective students that they also have a place here.

Before doing anything else at UGA, I had my heart and mind set on joining Latino organizations. HSA is where I met my family and support system, and it will always be the place I come home to, regardless of where else on campus I get involved. I think it is extremely important to not just take up space, but truly immerse yourself and be a member of the community you are a part of. That is why it was important to me to get involved in English education in the Athens community through Casa and to mentor incoming Latino students through LISTo, who may be anxious about attending a school as massive as the University of Georgia.

What are your plans following graduation?

I hope to complete my M.Ed. in social studies education through Double Dawgs while teaching either high school U.S. history or middle school Georgia history in my home county of Gwinnett! My goal is to eventually get a doctorate in educational leadership and be a district superintendent.