My name is Amber. I was born and raised in the greater Seattle area to Vietnamese immigrants. As a first-generation student, I am a rising senior at the University of Washington- Bothell, studying public policy. Seattle has faced many social challenges throughout the years, and it has allowed me to create perspectives on various issues. Issues ranging from housing accessibility to the environmental injustice the citizens of Seattle face each day. Post-graduation, I hope to strive for change in my community. And continue to further my education in public policy.

I am Andrea, and I am a student at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina (SC). I am majoring in economics and international studies, and minoring in political science and Spanish. I grew up inspired by public servants in my hometown of Columbia, SC, who created lasting community-led structures in pursuit of impactful change. I plan to continue the work of centering communities by contributing to health policy design and implementation, with an emphasis on equitable access. I hope to eventually work in the intersection of equity and technology, using innovation to improve health outcomes for marginalized communities.

My name is Ayodele, and I am a Haitian and African American woman from Portland, Oregon. I am a rising senior honors student currently attending Xavier University of Louisiana, a Historically Black University in New Orleans. My goals are to become an educator, and to one day become a national educational policymaker. I currently serve on two board committees of a public charter school in New Orleans. My work as a teacher's assistant in second grade classrooms, and my passion for my first-generation college student mentees, are the driving motivators behind my dreams of creating equitable educational policy in the United States. After graduating Xavier, I hope to attend graduate school to attain a dual degree in educational policy and sociology or law.

I am Breana, and I am a student at the University of South Dakota studying sustainability with minors in political science and economics. On campus, I lead the UNA-USA Chapter, participate in Environmental Club, and am part of the Arts and Sciences Student Ambassador Program. I have also been a policy intern for South Dakota Medicaid and spent a summer volunteering with Green Iowa AmeriCorps, among other activities. Following my undergraduate education, I intend to pursue a Master's in Public Policy and work as a policy analyst for a state government agency or a nonprofit think tank.

My name is Caren, and I am a dual business marketing and international business major with a focus on economics, and a double minor in global entrepreneurship and Brookings Public Policy, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Recognized as an AAPI Trailblazer by the Asian Community Development Council for serving my recently concluded term as the first Filipina student body president of the most diverse university in the nation, I currently intern at New American Leaders, empowering first-generation Americans to run for office and work at the Nevada State Legislature.

My name is Cleo and I’m a genderqueer economics major from Reed College in Portland, Oregon. During high school I became very involved in the music scene, but the dominant drug culture and my struggles with mental health culminated in a drawn-out battle with substance abuse. I have since developed an acute interest in health policy and would like to reorient our current medical system to emphasize harm reduction. My primary focus is on monetary and fiscal policy, however, and how we can use them to challenge socioeconomic inequality and foster long-run economic and ecological sustainability. Before starting my Master's in Public Policy, I plan to live as a Buddhist monk in Tibet in order to develop higher levels of compassion and lovingkindness, which I believe are necessary in informing constructive policy. One of my current career interests is to work for the Federal Reserve since they have recently discussed expanding their dual mandate to include environmental and social outcomes, which may provide the opportunity for someone like me to inform monetary policy in a way that is sociological and non-technocratic. In my free time I love to write and record music, go hiking, practice yoga, cook curries, and play shows in the Pacific Northwest with my band.

Hi! I am Delaney, and I am a rising senior at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. I'm double majoring in political science and peace, justice, and conflict studies with a minor in African studies. Currently, I am studying post-genocide restoration and peace building in Rwanda. In the future, I would like to attend graduate school and pursue a career in international relations/foreign policy.

Hau mitákuyepi! Čhaŋté waštéya napé čhiyúzapi. Dylan Young emaciyapelo. MaLakhota. Sičháŋǧu Oyate emátaŋhaŋ. Parmelee othúŋwe ed imáčhaǧe. Mnísota Morris Wóuŋspe Waŋkántuya ed wayáwa. Political science laEnglish la Native American studies uŋspémič’ičhiye.

Greetings my relatives, I shake your hand with a good heart. My name is Dylan Young. I am Lakota and from the Rosebud Indian Reservation. I grew up in Parmelee, South Dakota, and currently attend the University of Minnesota, Morris, where I study political science, English and Native American studies. At Morris, I serve as the president of the Morris Campus Student Association. I would like to obtain a master’s in public policy. I’m unsure where that might take me, but I would like to use my master’s degree to serve tribal communities like my own.

I am Emily Morgan. I hail from Maryville, Tennessee and am a junior attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. My self-design major is entitled Appalachian Community Wealth Development, with minors in honors leadership studies, social entrepreneurship, and geography. I also work as a server at a local restaurant and as an intern for the City of Knoxville Community and Economic Development office. I also serve on the Dean of Students Advisory Committee, as a Government Affairs liaison, and as director of membership for the Student Basic Needs Coalition. I hope to one day work in community development and mobilization policy and practice.

Hello! I'm Emily Peraza from Santa Ana, California, currently studying global studies at UC Berkeley. I'm passionate about global issues, human rights, and foreign policy. My identities are all very important to me and relevant to the work I do and the education I seek. Being a first-generation Latina student from a community that has taught me to be resilient is extremely intentional in all of my goals and ambitions. From my mixed roots stemming from Mexico and El Salvador, I strive to greatly represent my community wherever I go, carrying it in my heart and voice. I am very honored to join the JSI class of 2022 at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs.

My name is Gabriela, and I am currently a junior at Augsburg University. My major is political science focusing on public policy, with a minor in psychology. My hometown is Minneapolis, Minnesota. I love to read books and spend time by myself. However, this does not mean I don't enjoy other people's company, as I love to be around others and get to know folks and their passions. One of my future plans is to get a dual master's in public policy and a law degree in immigration, and travel around the world.

My name is Isaac Fifelski, and I am a rising senior at American University's School of International Service. I have an interest in community service and a passion for cities, which led me to work for the US Census Bureau, knocking on doors and counting residents for the 2020 Census. I worked as an elections intern for my local town in Michigan during the 2020 elections, and have conducted research on the influence of private and public actors on suburbanization during prewar Detroit. I am excited to come to PPIA to learn about how to create actionable and equitable policy, and hope to apply it as an urban planner in the future.

I am Isabel López and am rising senior at Rhodes College majoring in economics and international studies. I emigrated from Venezuela to the US in 2017. I am passionate about human rights, peace-building, and cultural heritage preservation. On campus, I serve as a student senator for DEI, president of Amnesty International, and am an active member of the Latinx Student Association. Previously, I interned for Planned Parenthood and was an editor for Memphis Cartonera, a cooperative publishing house that seeks to democratize literature. I participated in the 2020 Public Policy Leadership Conference at the Harvard Kennedy School and was named a Phi Beta Kappa Key into Public Service Scholar. In my free time, I like to write, meet new people, and dance to anything with a good rhythm!

Hi everyone! My name is Jawayria Rehman and I'm a junior majoring in public health science at the University of Maryland. I hope to work in a nonprofit in the future, addressing problems such as food insecurity, water sanitation, and gender-based violence. On campus, I'm the founding president of the Theta Chapter of Mu Delta Alpha Sorority Incorporated, a professional and social sorority for Muslim women. I also tutor biology and Arabic. In my free time, I enjoy reading, thrifting and hiking. I'm looking forward to meeting you all!

I am Kaleb and am a rising senior at Arkansas State University. I am an undergraduate with a double major in political science and world languages and cultures with an emphasis in global studies, and a minor in Spanish. As a first-generation college student, I have been heavily involved in the city and campus community. I was the president of Student Philanthropy Council for the 2021-2022 school year, and also an executive co-chair for the A-State Campus food pantry. In the future, I plan to earn a master's degree in human rights or global policy studies to work with refugees, asylum seekers, and other victims of political chaos. In my free time, I love to read, volunteer, and listen to true crime podcasts!

My name is Lorren Gutierrez and I’m currently a legal studies major with a minor in public policy at UC Berkeley. I grew up in Inglewood, California, where the majority of my community is underserved and under-resourced. Being a product of low-funded public schools, I understand the challenges that students face when applying to higher education. In the future, I hope to give back to my community by implementing policies that allocate school funding to provide more and accessible resources. I want community members to be more active in policy making so that their needs are prioritized and respected.

I am Osvaldo, and I study public affairs with a double minor in journalism and communications. My determination to create more sustainable cities stems from my experience with environmental injustice in New York City. I co-authored two publications, one examining the psychological effects of climate change on students and another studying the over-surveillance and data privacy of marginalized youth populations. I helped develop a Black and Latino studies major at my college and am currently creating a comprehensive climate curriculum. Additionally, I worked as an environmental policy intern for Penn Environment, where I pushed for climate action bills to Pennsylvania representatives. Currently, I am a fellow for the Youth Action Institute, where I am researching the effects of the foster system on LGBTQ+ youth.

I am Raquel, and I am from San Diego County, California. My experiences living on the border and passion for social justice have inspired me to study history and Ethnicity, Migration, Rights at Harvard University. I work as a peer tutor at the College Writing Center and am also involved with the Harvard Ethnic Studies Coalition, Latinas Unidas, RAZA, and the Undergraduate Knitting Circle. I have previously worked as a diversity peer educator at Harvard and a campaign fellow and intern with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Nora Vargas for San Diego County Board of Supervisors, and now-California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber.

I am Sean Nguyen, and I am a public policy and Asian American studies undergraduate at the University of California, Riverside. I am originally from Sacramento, California. As an undergraduate, I have had extensive involvement with the Associated Students of UC Riverside (ASUCR), UCR School of Public Policy, and the University of California Advocacy Network. As an Asian-American, I have become very interested in Asian American political representation and the Asian American condition. These interests have inspired me to pursue graduate education in public olicy. This inclination of pursuing graduate education is to aid me in creating meaningful solutions to various societal issues.

My name is Shaniyla Johnson, and I am a rising senior studying urban studies at Rutgers University-Camden. I am from Camden, New Jersey. I'm interested in youth and young adult civic identity development, urban education, and how spaces are used and occupied. In the near future, I would like to obtain a dual master's in urban planning and public policy. In my free time, I like to dance, do karaoke, identify song samples with my mom, and hang out with friends.

I am Sofia Dean, and I am a first-generation college student at American University majoring in sociology and political science. I am originally from Baltimore County, Maryland, and have passions surrounding criminal justice, reproductive justice, and urban planning. I have worked for an organization that supports and advocates for DC folks who are currently and formerly incarcerated through creative writing, and co-created a digital project called What We Water that advocates for reproductive justice and wellness for Black and brown women. I hope to pursue a career in urban planning where I can contribute to empowering community voices, or in advocacy with those who are currently and formerly incarcerated.

I am Vanessa, born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. I am a Romanian-American policy researcher, community volunteer, and advocate. I am currently a rising junior at the UNLV Honors College, studying for my BA in political science with a double minor in Brookings: Public Policy and journalism. I currently work as a communications intern for the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Office, am a Harry S. Truman Scholarship Finalist, serve as the managing editor for the Scarlet & Gray Free Press, and am a student policy researcher for Brookings Mountain West and the Lincy Institute. As a researcher for Brookings, I have contributed critical policy solutions to the Mountain West region through my research and fact sheet publications in the Brookings Data Hub. In my free time, you can find me either working in my OUR Fellowship position, mentoring Clark County high school students interested in research, or volunteering for the homelessness intervention program called Hero School. After graduation, I hope to pursue a joint degree consisting of a Master of Public Policy (MPP) and a Juris Doctor (JD) to pursue my passions of working on both policy and law within the executive department of the U.S. federal government.