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Evans School of Public Policy & Governance

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Reducing Child Marriage Through Community Intervention

An empty classroom with wooden desks and a blackboard

Evans faculty Isabelle Cohen co-authored an article in the journal Nature that looks at how a northern Nigerian program is helping to dramatically reduce child marriage rates. “Pathways to Choice” is a woman and Nigerian-led program run by the Centre for Girls Education that uses a range of community approaches to support girls schooling. By working with engaged community and religious leaders, the Pathways program provides girls with safe-space groups, remedial education, and help reenrolling in school or vocation training.

Isabelle brought her background as an economist with nearly fifteen years’ experience working in developing countries to figure out how best to conduct quality research and evaluate the program’s impact. The research team surveyed 1,181 unmarried girls between 12 and 17 years-old across 18 communities before half of communities were randomized into the program in 2018, then surveyed the same girls again after the program had ended in 2020. They found that 79% of girls in communities that participated in the program remained unmarried, compared with only 13.8% in communities who did not.

Isabelle and her colleagues concluded that the Pathways program increased the perceived value of girls’ education and reduced the stigma of delaying marriage. With more than 12 million girls marrying before the age of 18 every year, leading to less schooling and autonomy and greater health risks around childbirth, the results from the Pathways program offer promising solutions.

Currently, variations of Pathways are being tested in 40 communities in Kaduna State in Nigeria to further inform cost-efficient scale. The Centre for Girls Education is partnering with CARE to adapt the program in neighboring Niger. Both projects are funded by the Gates Foundation.

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Summer Policy Academy 2026

Two NextGen SPA students stand next to a screen with their presenation

Launch Pad for the Next Generation of Leaders

We are proud to welcome cohort for the 2026 Summer Policy Academy—a dynamic group of emerging change makers, aspiring public service practitioners, and future leaders committed to shaping thoughtful, impactful public service and policy fields.

After a highly competitive selection process, these individuals stood out not only for their academic excellence, but for their curiosity, leadership, and dedication to addressing complex societal challenges. Their diverse perspectives and experiences will enrich this year’s Academy as we explore pressing policy issues, engage with leading experts, and develop innovative solutions for the public good.

The Summer Policy Academy continues to serve as a launchpad for the next generation of public service leaders, equipping participants with the tools, networks, and insights needed to drive meaningful change.

To our 2026 cohort: congratulations on this well-deserved achievement. We look forward to the ideas you will spark, the conversations you will lead, and the impact you will make.

Let the journey begin!

2026 NextGen Summer Policy Academy Students

Aaron Tolberd

Abigail Wells

Alejandro Schmidt

Alexander Aviña

Anh Thu Nguyen

Araceli Lopez Ayala Vanover

Brian Kum

Brianna Jackson

Chantel Chestnutt

David Nguyen

Deissy Mendez

Dwight Brown II

Gabriel Axon

Graciela Lora

Hannia Hernandez-Mendoza

Jocelyn Trinidad

Joseph Bashore

Madison Rainwater

Maya Moultrie

Sammy Randle III

Sanay Tufekci

Sara Castiblanco

Sebastian Vera Cuevas

Tamika Gomez-Rojas

Zania Jean-Bart

Learn about the Summer Policy Academy

NextGen SPA Profile: Nahje McDowell

Nahje McDowell
  • Pronouns: She/Her
  • Hometown: Queens, New York
  • College/University: Baruch College
  • Major: Finance

Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Nahje and I am a junior at Baruch College. I am majoring in Finance with a minor in Law and an Interdisciplinary Minor with Honors in New York Studies. I enjoy crocheting, cooking, and watching movies in my free time.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

My dream job is to be a Lawyer and Arbitrator/Mediator. I hope to inspire those around me by showing them that you can do whatever you put your mind to if you just try.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

My favorite group of public servants would be teachers. The ones I have had made sure that my peers and I excelled academically and in life.

NextGen SPA Profile: Xitlaly Mendoza

Xitlaly Mendoza
  • Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
  • Hometown: Mesa, WA
  • College/University: University of Washington, Seattle
  • Major: Sociology and Law, Societies, and Justice

Tell us a little about yourself?

Proudly rooted in my Oaxacan-Mixteco Indigenous heritage and shaped by my migrant-agricultural upbringing, I am a first-generation college student at the University of Washington, Seattle. Double-majoring in Sociology and Law, Societies, and Justice, with minors in Leadership and Spanish, I aim to empower underrepresented communities through education, law, and policy. Passionate about advocacy and equity, I strive to create systemic change for marginalized families and migrant communities.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

I aspire to work with non-profit organizations and government agencies to increase access to essential resources, both in the U.S. and abroad as well. I also dream of writing a book and establishing a scholarship in honor of my migrant parents and to inspire and empower future first-generation students. Personally, I hope to settle down while embracing opportunities to travel the world and learn more about my Mixteco indigenous heritage. I want to share my experiences and knowledge wherever I go, while also learning from others and gaining new perspectives. Ultimately, my vision is to create lasting change by broadening access to resources and shedding light on the struggles faced by marginalized communities, empowering individuals to reach their full potential, and contributing to a more equitable and inclusive world.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

I would love to have dinner with current Mexico president, Claudia Sheinbaum so I can pick her brain about the current political climate of Mexico, the indigenous community, migrants, her vision for Mexico even after she is no longer president, ask her for advice as a women in a men’s world/country, and maybe even karaoke with her….

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

Dolores Huerta—she fought tirelessly for farm workers’ rights, co-founded UFW, and inspires change through activism and her “Si, se puede” spirit.

NextGen SPA Profile: Zion Romero

Zion Romero
  • Pronouns: She/Her
  • Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • College/University: University of New Mexico
  • Major: Languages and Linguistics

Tell us a little about yourself?

My major is in linguistics and languages, with a minor in public service and I am studying Arabic and Spanish.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

My dream job is to be a foreign service officer, and to assist with diplomacy in the Middle East.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

It would be Noam Chomsky because then we could discuss his work in sociolinguistics and his criticism of global affairs

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

My favorite public servant is Antoinette Hurtado, because she encouraged me to pursue a career like her in diplomacy.

NextGen SPA Profile: Sarah Torres

Sarah Torres
  • Pronouns: She/Her
  • Hometown: The Bronx, NY
  • College/University: Syracuse University
  • Major: Political Science and Journalism

Tell us a little about yourself?

Sarah Torres, a proud Bronx native and junior at Syracuse U, is double majoring in Political Science and Journalism. She’s the VP of the Puerto Rican Student Association, a peer mentor, and a front desk helper. She has worked for all levels of government throughout her career, most recently as a Communications Coordinator at the New York City Council. From constituent services to legislative advocacy, Sarah’s focus is on uplifting underserved communities.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

My dream job is as a local elected official in the Bronx, my hometown. I would like to reduce the influence of money in local politics, reduce violence, increase union jobs, and encourage affordable housing.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

I would choose AOC because she embodies my values as well as my roots. I would love to pick her brain on how she got to be in such a powerful position and how her progressive values have helped her to move forward. I think the conversation would be extremely valuable in my own search for how I would like to help my community in the future.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

Sonia Sotomayor because of her dedication to her community and demonstration that hard work can get you anywhere, even to the SCOTUS.

NextGen SPA Profile: Faiza Adhuna

Faiza Adhuna
  • Pronouns: She/Her
  • Hometown: Queens, New York
  • College/University: CUNY Baruch College
  • Major: Public Affairs

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am a junior at Baruch College majoring in Public Affairs and minoring in Law & Government. Upon graduation, I plan on attending law school to study Immigration or International Law. I am a first generation Bengali and it is very important to me to make meaningful changes towards improving my community. I am the youngest of three siblings and I have a cat named Chunni.

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

Immigration or international lawyer. I want to help my community.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

Begum Rokeya as I want to know what inspired her to go against societal norms and fight.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

Begum Rokeya. She was a Bengali women who fought for girls’ education in Bangladesh.

NextGen SPA Profile: Sarai Ceceña

Sarai Ceceña
  • Pronouns: She/Her
  • Hometown: Indio, California
  • College/University: UCLA
  • Major: Political Science, Education (Minor)

Tell us a little about yourself?

“Academic Interests: I study political theory and education and enjoy learning how they intersect. I also have experience in policy research, some of which focused on race, education, or both.

Career Goals: I hope to attend law school and work as an attorney supporting immigrants, specifically migrant farm workers in California. I am interested in doing policy research and working to better understand and support these communities.

Hobbies: I love to make matcha and coffee!”

What is your dream job? What kind of impact do you hope to make?

I want to be an attorney, serving immigrants and the migrant farm worker community, similar to the work I did during my internship last summer.

If you could have dinner with anyone in the world (deceased or alive), who would it be and why?

Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As a woman hoping to be an attorney one day, I admire her story and journey as a woman, wife, and mother in the legal field. Even for very polarizing issues, RBG could speak with so much grace. She seemed very wise and personable, and I feel like we could have a great conversation about law and everyday topics.

Who is your favorite public servant and why?

Justice Sotomayor, as a Latina who wants to pursue law, I appreciate the work she has done and how she speaks so boldly and firmly.

Creating Sustainable Change: Isaac Sederbaum, Ph.D. ’25, MPA ’14

Isaac Sederbaum

2025 Evans School Ph.D. Convocation Speaker

When Isaac takes the stage at the Evans School’s 2025 commencement, he will carry with him more than a decade of lived experience across the University of Washington, public service, and academic research.

Isaac’s relationship with the Evans School began in 2012 and has deepened over the years. After earning his Master of Public Administration from the Evans School in 2014, he worked for five years in criminal justice at organizations such as the Vera Institute of Justice and the Center for Justice Innovation. However, his desire to explore deeper questions and pursue research, his true passion, ultimately led him back to the Evans School to pursue a PhD. After six years of study, he is graduating from the Ph.D. program. His next step is as a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health.

While his academic learning was foundational, Isaac says what shaped him most during his Ph.D. program was the community he found along the way. “Community matters so much, it’s what got me through. I feel very lucky to have been part of a supportive and resilient one.”

Being asked to speak on behalf of Ph.D. graduates at commencement is meaningful in more ways than one. “There aren’t many of us, but it’s a nice way to close a long chapter, six years in the Ph.D. program, and eleven in total with Evans. It’s a chance to look back and reflect on how far we’ve come.”

Isaac hopes that graduates leave with a sense of realism and hope. “Whether you stay in Washington state or go elsewhere, it’s important to take care of yourself and each other. Sustainable change occurs when we remain grounded and support one another.” He wanted to convey that most people come to Evans to make the world a better place. While it can feel discouraging given the current uncertainty and complexity, we don’t have to face it alone. We possess the skills, knowledge, and community to move forward together.

As he looks ahead, Isaac carries with him a spirit of curiosity and a belief that public service is broad and expansive. “It’s not just government or nonprofit work. There are so many ways to contribute to the public good. What matters most is finding the one that aligns with who you are and the kind of work you can sustain.”

From managing teaching assistants and classrooms to diving deep into policy research, Isaac has grown as a scholar and a leader. “Evans has given me the tools to lead thoughtfully and effectively.”

For Isaac, commencement marks an important milestone and a moment for reflection and gratitude. The Evans School and the community have played a significant role in his life, and he hopes to inspire others to remember their purpose and the various ways we can continue to serve.

Learn more about the Evans Ph.D. program