Kalin Daniel challenged herself when she came to College of DuPage.

“I wanted to prove that dedication and hard work could open doors to opportunities that might otherwise seem out of reach,” she said, “Through rigorous coursework and genuine curiosity, I strived for excellence in every class, knowing that each lesson was building toward something larger.”

Excelling in college was a major milestone for Daniel following years of hard work and frustration. After high school, she initially wanted to pursue a degree in music to build a career as a touring musician. However, personal struggles forced her to abandon this idea.

Standing in the halls of NATO and engaging with peers from diverse cultures reinforced my passion for political science.

Kalin Daniel

“For several years, I moved across the country working various jobs in the music and hospitality industries. From Hyatt hotels to Medieval Times to releasing my own album as a signed artist, I gained a window into an industry I loved,” she said. “While on the road, I witnessed workers in various venues being denied fair treatment, from managers stealing tips to retaliation against those attempting to unionize. These experiences opened my eyes to labor rights violations in ways I had never expected and solidified my passion to fight for workers’ rights.”

Set on becoming a lawyer, Daniel had to navigate several health obstacles before pursuing college, including overcoming bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, Tourette’s syndrome and generalized anxiety disorder. Her diagnoses made academic work seem impossible, but instead she thrived at COD.

As president of Alpha Mu Gamma, Daniel led the club through various ideas and events, which taught her how to balance multiple perspectives while keeping the club focused on goals. She also was a member of Model UN, which led to a trip to Belgium for EuroMUN (European Model United Nations), her first time traveling outside the U.S.  

“Joined by fellow students and two political science professors, I visited NATO headquarters in Brussels, where I glimpsed the inner workings of global security decision-making,” she said. “The highlight was EuroMUN, a four-day simulation where I represented Mexico on the Human Rights Committee. It challenged me to negotiate, draft resolutions and collaborate with delegates from around the world. Preparing for the conference forced me to deepen my research skills and public speaking confidence, while the trip broadened my worldview beyond what any classroom could offer. Standing in the halls of NATO and engaging with peers from diverse cultures reinforced my passion for political science.”

In graduating with her Associate in Arts, Daniel was recognized for academic excellence in languages, became an Honors Scholar candidate and was named one of the outstanding graduate finalists. She is transferring to the University of Illinois Chicago and then plans to attend law school, with Yale as her dream destination. Then she would like to become a labor and employment attorney to fight for workers' and civil rights. She also wants to advocate for people with mental health issues.

Her determination to succeed helped Daniel take advantage of everything COD offered. That same determination, combined with her growing self-confidence, is helping her dream big.

“One day, I hope to run for Congress so I can directly impact the policies that affect everyday people. My guiding principle will always be to be a voice for the working class and to champion causes that promote fairness and opportunity for all.”

Learn more about the Political Science program at College of DuPage.