Lauren Rangel is currently a sophomore at Columbia College. At the college, Lauren is studying Political Science-Economics and Human Rights. Laurens broad array of interests include civic engagement, inequality and poverty alleviation, the exaltation of human rights and upward social mobility. In her Mellon Mays research Lauren hopes to analyze the roots of inequality and poverty in the United States and the “American Dream”, to evaluate historical efforts of the welfare state to lessen this inequality, and evaluate the inequities in education, civic engagement and social cohesion which are tied to the swelling minority populations’ stagnation in socio-economic outcomes. She hopes to utilize this research to form critical evaluations of current legislation meant to decrease inequality of opportunity. In addition to her research Lauren is currently working on a project to inform minority youth of the importance of civic engagement so as to further empower what she feels is a currently stifled yet important voice in America.