As one of the youngest recipient of this prestigious award, Pagan has used her energies to create potential for political change that impacts education and economic development.
After graduating from Western Michigan University, Pagan went to receive a Master of Arts in Political Management from George Washington University. While in the Capital, she worked as a legislative aid in education policy for Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, and was elected as Chair of DC’s largest networking organization for women, WIN. She also served as a national grassroots organizer for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children.
In 2014, Pagan was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives for the 21st house district. She has been appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, and also is serving on the Department of Community Health Appropriations Subcommittee, and is the ranking Democrat on the Department of Education Appropriations Committee.
While at WMU, Pagan was an outreach worker at Prevention Works, a media and publicity intern for a state representative’s election campaign, the director of “Swords into Plowshares Peace Center,” and a coordinator for the Sexual Peer Health Education Program. She also was involved in a number of organizations at WMU: Co-Founder of Youth Empowerment Organization, President of Western’s Organization for Women, President of Voices for Planned Parenthood, President of Progressive Student Alliance, Vice President of Eta Sigma Gamma-Gamma Mu, Western Student Association Senator, and Voices Against Violence Co-Chair.
Pagan serves on numerous organizations in a number of capacities including the Canton Community Foundation (board of directors); Youth Leadership Canton (advisory team); Young Democrats of Canton (co-founder); MI Progressive Job (business owner); the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Academy (volunteer); and Alternatives for Girls, Detroit (volunteer).
Pagan has recently served as a trustee in Canton and Plymouth, Chair of the Outreach Committee for the 11th Congressional District, and the Vice-Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Youth Caucus. In 2012, she earned the distinction of serving as a delegate at the Democratic National Convention.
Pagan double majored in Women's Studies and has a minor in political science.