12 Notable alumni of Central American University
Updated: May 21, 2026 EliteDegrees
Central American University is ranked #8,386 in the world and #4 in Nicaragua by aggregated alumni prominence. Below is the list of 12 notable alumni from Central American University sorted by their wiki pages popularity. The directory includes famous graduates and former students along with research and academic staff. Many individuals affiliated with Central American University won Nobel Prizes for Peace, in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Economics.
1. Karly Gaitán Morales
1980-. (aged 46)
journalist
writer
Karly Gaitán Morales is a Nicaraguan writer, journalist, and film historian.
2. María Teresa Blandón
1961-. (aged 65)
women's rights activist
sociologist
María Teresa Blandón Gadea is a Nicaraguan sociologist, feminist, and former revolutionary guerilla.
3. Edmundo Jarquín
1946-. (aged 80)
diplomat
politician
Edmundo Jarquín is a Nicaraguan politician. He was the vice presidential running-mate of Herty Lewites, who was the presidential candidate for the Sandinista Renovation Movement (MRS) in the 2006 elections until his death on 2 July 2006. Jarquín then became the presidential candidate for the MRS. He chose Carlos Mejía Godoy to be his running mate. Jarquin finished in fourth...
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4. Lottie Cunningham Wren
1959-. (aged 67)
lawyer
environmentalist
Lottie Cunningham Wren is a Miskito Nicaraguan lawyer, environmentalist, and Indigenous rights activist from Nicaragua.
5. Arturo McFields
1975-. (aged 51)
diplomat
journalist
Arturo McFields Yescas is a former ambassador to the OAS and former member of the Norwegian Peace Corps (FK). Former Alumni of the National Defense University's Security Seminar and the Harvard and HarvardX Leadership course.
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6. Vidaluz Meneses
1944-2016 (aged 72)
university teacher
dean
writer
librarian
poet
Vidaluz Meneses Robleto was a Nicaraguan librarian, poet, dean, and social activist.
7. Martha Cecilia Ruiz
1972-. (aged 54)
writer
poet
social activist
journalist
Martha Cecilia Ruíz is a Nicaraguan poet, writer, journalist, and Social activist. She directs the El País Azul radio talk show, sits on the board of directors of Nicaraguan Association of Writers (ANIDE) as a member (2015–2018), is a consultant in Communication and Human Rights, and has founded both Three Times Three (Three Women, Three Poets, Three Journalists) and the...
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8. Sheynnis Palacios
2000-. (aged 26)
beauty pageant contestant
model
journalist
Sheynnis Alondra Palacios Cornejo is a Nicaraguan model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Universe 2023. Having previously won Miss Nicaragua 2023, she is the first Nicaraguan to win Miss Universe.
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9. Zoilamérica Ortega Murillo
1967-. (aged 59)
politician
LGBTQ rights activist
Zoilamérica Ortega Murillo is a consultant for Comunidad Casabierta, an LGBTI rights organisation in Costa Rica. She is also a former member of the National Assembly of Nicaragua.
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10. Nora Astorga
1944-1988 (aged 44)
diplomat
judge
politician
Nora Josefina Astorga Gadea de Jenkins was a Nicaraguan guerrilla fighter in the Nicaraguan Revolution, a lawyer, politician, judge, Vice Minister of Justice, and ambassador to the United Nations from 1986 to 1988.
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11. Joaquín Cuadra
1951-. (aged 75)
politician
Joaquín Cuadra Lacayo a scion of Nicaragua's elite, joined the rebel Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) in late 1972. After their victory in 1979, he became army chief of staff.
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12. Reyna Rueda
1970-. (aged 56)
politician
mayor
Reyna Rueda Alvarado is a Nicaraguan politician. A member of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), she has served as mayor of Managua since 2018.
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