We are excited to introduce the 2023 KIPP Federal Policy Fellows!
The KIPP Federal Policy Fellowship is a selective leadership development program for alums with career aspirations in policy, advocacy, and public service. Fellows receive one-on-one mentoring and professional development support to secure summer internships in Washington, DC with members of Congress or at policy and advocacy non-profit organizations. Their summer experience in DC is sponsored by KIPP Foundation, including round-trip airfare, furnished housing, a new professional wardrobe, and a biweekly stipend. At KIPP, we know that our students and alums have the power to build a more just world. The Federal Policy Fellowship aims to ensure that careers in public service are accessible to all future changemakers.
We can’t wait to see the 2023 KIPP Federal Policy Fellows soar this summer and beyond. Get to know these 20 remarkable young people by reading their bios below:
Amani Dobson
Amani Dobson is a Senior at Franklin and Marshall College where she is majoring in English with a focus in Journalism and Environmental Studies. She currently serves as Communications Director of the Senior Class Cabinet. In addition to her involvement in student government, she has been the editor and contributing writer for a student-led publication on campus. Previously, she interned at the United Nations International School where she conducted research on public health disparities, and at the Bronx Community Board 6 where she supported local parks and small businesses. Amani is pursuing a career in journalism and hopes to build awareness of human rights and public health disparities, and to inspire those in her community to be a part of the change they want to see.
Andres Marquez
Andres Marquez is a part of the 2025 class of the University of California, Berkeley, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He is passionate about both the law and education. Andres currently serves as a researcher at National Elections Across Democracy and Autocracy (NELDA) in Berkeley, California. Outside of the classroom, he is a college counselor at the East Bay Consortium in Oakland, California, an organization whose goal is to increase the number of students finishing high school and enrolling in postsecondary institutions. In the future, Andres aspires to use his skills in policy and advocacy to be a liaison between indigenous communities and policymakers.
Angel Nunez
Angel Nunez is a first-generation, third-year college student studying Economics at the University of Colorado Boulder. Angel is an active member of the United Mexican American Students y MECHA group at CU Boulder, which is dedicated to encouraging respect, dignity, justice, and equality for the Chicana/Chicano. Alongside this group, Angel has been a member of TRIO for six years, which is a program that provides resources to low-income students with disadvantaged backgrounds to aid in their academic success. Through this program, Angel hopes to enhance his leadership skills by becoming a peer mentor for students who have similar identities to him. Following graduation, Angel aspires to obtain his Juris Doctor degree, to work for an immigration law practice, and eventually establish his own firm to advocate for marginalized communities.
Angela Lopez-Albarran
Angela Lopez-Albarran is a KIPP Amplify Scholar and a junior at the University of Texas at Austin studying Human Development and Family Sciences. She is passionate about improving the health of underserved communities and expanding the opportunities available to immigrant families. In the future, her career goals are to become a policy analyst with a focus on healthcare and immigration.
Briaunna Picart
Briaunna Picart is a second–year student at UCLA studying Psychology. Growing up in Westmont in South Central L.A. and understanding the issues her community faces has shaped her passion for public service. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as a tutor for children in her community to remind them of the possibilities that lie ahead. As an advocate and leader in her community, she aims to highlight disparities in access to healthy food across the city. She continues to be engaged in both tutoring and gardening. Through her career, she hopes to help reduce the public health crises within BIPOC and low-income communities by increasing the accessibility and affordability of quality healthcare.
Destin Fernandes
Destin Fernandes is in his third year at Stanford University, majoring in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity with a focus in health and wellness. He hopes to enter the education or health equity space as he believes in the profound influence one’s health and education play in one’s life. He has interned for the Sheryl Sandberg and Dave Goldberg Family Foundation as an operations intern and the KIPP Foundation as a policy and advocacy intern. Destin is considering becoming a health educator or a college counselor as his passion is advancing equity for marginalized peoples.
Ericka Vara
Ericka Vara is a Junior at the Texas A&M University-San Antonio. She is studying Political Science and Business Administration as her minor in hopes of becoming a Corporate Defense Attorney. She has made the Dean’s List and President’s list throughout her undergraduate years. Ericka is Publicity Chair for the National Society of Leadership and Success, Texas A&M University Chapter, which strives to ensure students receive the necessary skills to become our future leaders. She is also the Director of Publicity and Digital Marketing for Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International-TAMUSA. Ericka hopes to continue her education after university and attend law school in order to pursue her passion for helping others receive the justice they deserve.
Fatuma Abdikadir
Fatuma Abdikadir is first–generation college student at Berea College where she is majoring in peace and social justice with a minor in political science. Coming from a low-income, immigrant background, she is no stranger to the overwhelming racism, xenophobia, and discrimination that plagues society. Fatuma aspires to transform her trauma and use it as a resource to bring about positive change in unrepresented communities. She has used spoken word poetry to spread awareness and provoke uncomfortable but essential conversations. On campus, she is currently organizing a campaign in service of improving quality of life for student workers. Fatuma hopes to continue taking all opportunities to keep learning and being a conduit of positive change. In the future, she plans to become an immigration lawyer to amplify the voices of communities that are too often ignored.
Gabrielle Barreau
Gabrielle Barreau is a second year Criminal Justice and Criminology major at Hampton University. She is a Merit Scholar and has been on Dean’s list for the duration of her time at Hampton. In addition to her academic commitments, she is an active member of several on-campus organizations and leadership groups. She is heavily involved with community service in her home of New Jersey as well as where she attends school in Hampton, VA, and is especially passionate about working to aid the homeless in her communities. After earning her bachelor’s degree, Gabrielle plans on pursuing a master’s as well as her PhD in Criminal Justice or Criminology. Gabrielle plans to become a Forensic Psychologist, continuing her advocacy for the mental health rights of people of color.
Gianmarco Godoy
Gianmarco Godoy is a member of the class of 2024 at Duke University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and a certificate in Secondary Education. He is passionate about addressing education inequity. After graduating, Gianmarco would like to return to the community in which he grew up to teach at the same high school he attended, to serve as a role model for his community. Long-term, he hopes to lead a non-profit organization that specializes in addressing education inequity. On campus, Gianmarco is the president of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, Fraternity Inc. a Latinx fraternity that has been charted on Duke’s campus since 1995. Additionally, Gianmarco is a general body member of Mi Gente, the largest Latinx organization on campus.
Isabella Lora
Isabella Lora is a first-generation college student and a sophomore at Boston College, where she majors in Secondary Education and English with a special concentration in Special Education. At Boston College, Isabella serves on the executive board of Sisters Let’s Talk, where she advocates for women of color on campus. Isabella is also a research assistant focused on how gun violence impacts Black youth. She aspires to earn a master’s degree in Public Policy. Her goal is to enact change in her community and critically analyze policies that perpetuate Black suffering and inequity for marginalized groups. After graduating, she hopes to begin teaching and eventually gain further professional experience in public policy and human rights advocacy.
Jordan Tims
Jordan Tims is a rising senior at Saint Xavier University. He is pursuing a major in Political Science with a minor in African American Studies. He is actively involved with many on-campus organizations and programs such as Student Government, UN Student Council, Black Student Union, and Students for Justice in Palestine, and was previously a member of Saint Xavier’s football team. Jordan previously interned for U.S. Congressman Danny Davis and served as a campaign volunteer with Kina Collins for Congress. In the future, he aspires to run for political office and positively represent his community.
Karime Romo Morales
Karime Romo Morales was born in Mexico and grew up in San Antonio, TX. She is a rising senior at the University of Texas at Austin studying Philosophy and pursuing a minor in Business as well as a Computer Science certificate. Karime plans to go to law school and is passionate about providing resources to the undocumented community related to getting an education, accessing healthcare, and starting a business. At UT, she is part of the University Leadership Network and Minority Women Pursuing Law. Karime is also part of ROOTED, an initiative to create a center for undocumented students on the UT campus. She enjoys being a volunteer for Austin Sunshine Camps, which provides children from underrepresented communities a summer camp experience free of charge. In her free time, she enjoys paddleboarding, reading, and scrapbooking.
Kaylin Hernández
Kaylin Hernández is a junior at Duke University studying Public Policy and Political Science. She is a Dave Goldberg Scholar and lives to serve others, especially through her involvement in various organizations. Her favorite endeavors include Citizenship Lab, where she works with a local refugee family, and PAWS, a club that promotes animal welfare through volunteering opportunities. She is also a member of a Latinx sorority on campus and is passionate about fostering a welcoming environment and advocating for the Latinx community in the Research Triangle of North Carolina. As a proud San Antonio native, she aspires to work in K-12 public education policy, serving vulnerable populations and cultivating equity in communities like her own.
Mia Jones
Mia Jones is a junior at Agnes Scott College where she majors in International Relations with a minor in Human Rights and a concentration in Global Learning. She takes pride in being a Gilman Scholar for the U.S. Department of State and a member of Alpha Alpha Alpha, a national Honor Society for first-generation college students. Her policy areas of interest include civil rights and liberties, commerce, education, environmental protection, immigration, and international affairs. Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, Mia has had a life-changing experience studying abroad in Brussels, Belgium that solidified her interest in pursuing a career with the U.S. Department of State or the United Nations. After graduation, Mia wants to pursue a master’s degree in International Relations with a concentration in Foreign Policy. She dreams of leaving the world in a better condition than where she found it.
Mickiyah Pope
Mickiyah Pope is a senior at Mount Holyoke College and a 2019 KIPP Alum. She is pursuing a Politics major, an Africana Studies minor, and a concentration in Educational Policy. Previously, Mickiyah has completed internships surrounding politics, such as working for the office of the Governor of New Jersey and aiding with digital communications. Currently, Mickiyah teaches first and fourth graders math and reading once a week, and she is highly interested in diving deeper into education and all it offers.
Osvaldo Soto
Osvaldo Soto is a KIPP Amplify Scholar and junior at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is majoring in Economics and pursuing a certificate in Applied Statistical Modeling. Osvaldo previously worked as a contact tracer for KIPP Texas Public Schools to decrease the spread of COVID-19. He also interned for the KIPP Foundation, an experience in which he focused his time on increasing awareness of professional development programs offered by KIPP. After graduating, Osvaldo hopes to give back to the Latinx community through acts of social service.
Savoy Adams
Savoy Adams Jr. is a first-generation college student and a current senior at Loyola University Maryland, majoring in Sociology with minors in Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship. At Loyola, he has established himself as a persistent agitator to the administration, challenging them on racial and social justice issues at every turn. Savoy was recently honored as a member of Loyola’s Green and Grey Society, a recognition bestowed upon graduating seniors who demonstrate academic excellence and committed service to the Loyola community. He co-founded an organization on campus called “Addressing the System” with a mission to spark necessary conversations on racial injustice and issues that oppress underserved communities. Savoy is particularly interested in public policy and public health issues such as mass incarceration, juvenile delinquency, and education. Savoy’s ultimate goal is to be a part of the conversation to establish new policies that reform and address these issues.
Sharon Nwadiozor
Sharon Nwadiozor is a junior at Rutgers University majoring in Criminal Justice with a double minor in education and sociology. During the summer of 2021-2022, Sharon served as a Gem Project Fellow, where she facilitated and led workshops focused on social injustices. She also interned with KIPP New Jersey’s Special Education department where she supported students and teachers. Sharon aspires to become a civil rights lawyer, and later in her career, a university professor.
Yusra Sultan
Yusra Sultan is a third-year student at California State University, East Bay majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Psychology. In the future, she plans on becoming a licensed Speech Language Pathologist and working at a non-profit organization before eventually expanding into her own equitable franchise. She volunteers at middle schools in Oakland and Hayward as a member of Elevate Tutoring and College Corps to help promote an inclusive education through free tutoring. Additionally, Yusra serves as a Students Rising Above (SRA) SOAR Peer Mentor in which she supports low-income, first-generation college students in understanding educational commitments, financial aid responsibilities, and building meaningful social relationships.
Learn more about the KIPP Federal Policy Fellowship here.
