Lucy Baquero Oja ’09

About Me

She/her/hers

I was born in Minnesota and spent much of my childhood moving between Minnesota and Florida to stay connected with family both there and in Colombia. After graduating from Carleton, I settled in the Twin Cities while earning my master’s degree in clinical counseling, along with a certificate in marriage and family therapy.

In 2014, I spent eight months in South America visiting family in Colombia and Wwoofing in Argentina and Chile. During that time, I worked on various organic farms—including tomato, plum, grape, goat, and mango farms.

After returning to Minneapolis, I worked at CLUES and Kente Circle, providing support to individuals and families in South Minneapolis.

Driven by a desire to live sustainably off the land, my partner and I eventually moved to a hobby farm just south of Northfield. I’ve worked in the Northfield community for the past 9 years and currently live with my partner, our two children, a border collie, a rambunctious farm cat, a few dozen hens, and a thriving hoop house garden.

I’m passionate about the intersection of personal values and the systems we navigate—how our individual and family values shape the way we move through school, work, and community. At Carleton, there’s so much to balance. The academic rigor and social dynamics can be overwhelming on their own, and when you add the complexities of the other systems you’re part of, it can sometimes feel isolating. I find meaning in supporting students as they build confidence in their identities. No matter where you are in your journey, SHAC staff are here to support you.

Education & Professional History