At Cornell University, students across disciplines are passionate about changing the world. Open to first- and second-year students, the Laidlaw Leadership and Research and Program provides generous support for student research, offers hands-on leadership development and reflection, and encourages students to reinvest their knowledge to help others succeed. Laidlaw Scholars are part of an international network of like-minded leaders.
Hello! My name is Victoria Dai, and I'm a second year at Cornell University, located in New York, majoring in Biology and Society on the pre-med track. I am passionate about working with local communities and people of all ages, from children in Head Start programs to elderly adults in hospice care.
For my Leadership-in-Action project during the summer of 2026, I partnered with makesense Americas to collaborate with Picacho Con Futuro, a local NGO in Comuna 6 of Medellín, Colombia. Founded in 1987, Picacho Con Futuro was initially founded in response to violence, displacement, and a lack of opportunities. Today, their primary focus is strengthening the community through culture, education, art, communication, and social participation.
Through my LiA, I, along with three other Liadlaw scholars, designed a proposal for a new cultural café for Picacho Con Futuro, designed to serve as a welcoming community space and support local social and economic development. This cultural café will be a huge milestone for Picacho Con Futuro, and hopefully Barrio Mío will be built and enjoyed by the local community within the next couple years.
Outside of Laidlaw and academics, I enjoy singing in an a cappella group, playing tennis and the piano, and spending time knitting. I love visiting new countries and trying different global foods!
I would love to meet more people so please don't hesitate to reach out!