Author: walw

• Pronouns: He/Him
• Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
• College/University: University of Puerto Rico
• Major: Political Science
• Track: Residential

I was born on May 24, 2002, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during my 12 years where I became part of a very tight-knit community. However, growing up in Puerto Rico during a time where our government was on the brink of a recession, everywhere I looked I saw news outlets warning Puerto Ricans of our economic crisis, which was simply on the verge of collapsing, an issue that we are still battling with today. Given the current state of the island, the economic hardship made my family move to different places where we had to learn how to cope with different scenarios. Therefore, when I think about public policy and policy making, I realize that I can play an important role in how we can fix issues, that are involved with the well-being of all Puerto Ricans, but also the impact that policy decisions had on common people which they need to take into consideration the people who are most affected by those decisions. Being in public service will give me the opportunity to impact my community by changing the way we make policy in Puerto Rico, but also a way of being grateful to my family and community who have contributed to my personal development.

I started college in the political science program. At first, my only goal was to enter law school once I finished my bachelors degree. However, when I took my first courses in political science and economics, I realized that this topic was more complex and interesting than I anticipated, which fueled my interest in public policy and policy-making. Later, in the 2020 elections, I started working with various Puerto Rican candidates where I had the opportunity to have a closer look at how, exactly, politics and decision-making affects our communities. During this period, I decided that political science, government and policy-making was my main interest.

During the 2020 elections, I had the opportunity to work in political campaigns for Puerto Rican candidates across the island. This  gave me a closer look at how, exactly, politics and decision-making affected the island. Whether that’d be Covid-19 restrictions, or what our government’s plan was to tackle new adversities. It was through volunteer work and community outreach that I realized public service and public policy was where I felt I could contribute the most to my Island and community.

My community and family have been very important in my development as a human being. They inspire me to think about public service because they served me first through a good quality education and enhancing my tools to be successful in my college path.

I am very excited to meet new people who have different cultures. But also, explore Seattle in the summer and learn how government formulates public policy in other parts of the world.

• Pronouns: She/Her
• Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
• College/University: Boston University
• Major: Political Science
• Track: Residential

My name is Nathalie Saladrigas and I am the daughter of Nora and Jose. Both of my parents are immigrants; my mother is from Colombia while my father was from Cuba. They fled from their countries in hopes to find opportunities they lacked in their home countries. I was born and raised in Miami, Florida, the same city in which my parents met. Throughout my years growing up in Miami, I learned about several injustices occurring such as the lack of rights many immigrants had, the inaccessibility to adequate resources for minority communities, and the impact of politics on the lives on marginalized people. After the deportation of my mother when I was six years old, I began to be exposed to the world of politics at a very young age. I was separated from my father and due to the psychological effects that come from separation, my mother decided to send me back to Miami after three years residing in Colombia. My father and I lived in borrowed homes in which he worked at renovating a house in exchange for a place to stay or he would sleep on an air mattress at my grandmothers house so I can sleep on the bed with her. We lived in a state of insecure housing for two years until the return of my mother. Our dinners consisted of frozen dinners and the occasional dining to his favorite restaurant, Latin America. My mother eventually arrived to the country which allowed us to reunite as a family. My father, however, passed away when four years ago due to a sudden heart attack. Through my experience as a child, I was motivated to help others who suffered like I did. I grew up low-income and attended schools that often lacked adequate resources which led me into the world of activism and community organizing. In high school, I engaged in efforts to fund therapists and defund police officers present in our campus. This work in organizing inspired me to work on other issues such as LGBTQ rights, climate justice, racial justice, and education justice. In college I created the first LGBTQ club on my campus in which I led efforts to organize phone banking and canvassing efforts as well as educate students on issues present in Florida politics. Moreover, I worked as a lead organizer with Florida Student Power Network in which I engaged students in politics through education and several political events. Community organizing is vital in making change; therefore, working within these organizations inspired me to do more for my city and the people who reside within it.

I attended a community college in Miami called Miami Dade College and transferred into Boston University after I graduated.

Due to my passion in community organizing and activism I found it fitting to ensure change is made in my community through politics and advocacy. In order to make a change, we must engage people and politics; therefore, it was important for me to immerse myself in public policy to ensure I can do everything to effectively enact change.

The people back home inspire me. I am inspired by the organizations I worked with and the students within them. I am also inspired from the resilience of my parents, family, and friends and their desire to live in a just society.

I am so excited to meet others who are passionate about public policy and learn more about this course of action in enacting real change in our communities. I want to learn how students like me can make a change and encourage others to do so as well!

• Pronouns: She/Her
• Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
• College/University: Pomona College
• Major: Public Policy Analysis; Sociology
• Track: Residential

When I was a little kid I never knew how to answer when I was constantly asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I just knew that whatever career I ended up in, I wanted to be able to make an impact on the world and help others. As I got older I knew I never wanted to be a politician but wanted to find a way to help solve societal problems. When I learned more about public policy as a field, I knew this was how I could accomplish everything I wanted.

I went into my first year of college knowing I wanted to major in public policy analysis with a concentration in sociology. At my college you declare a major at the end of sophomore year and I was ready to declare from day 1. I never deviated from that path and declared in April of 2023.

I was always interested in how different systems in society worked together and against each other and how that impacts the everyday lives of people. One day in high school it clicked that I wanted to investigate the laws and policies that dictate so much of how we all live.

It was instilled in me at a young age that we as people are nothing without community and one of the most important parts of community is supporting those around you. I am inspired by my parents who raised me to value community so deeply.

I am excited to spend the summer in a cohort of likeminded scholars while we all get to take courses that are beyond the scope of what we are able to learn in undergrad.

• Pronouns: He/Him
• Hometown: Woodinville, Washington
• College/University: Fordham University
• Major: International Political Economy

I’m from the Seattle area and am currently a junior at Fordham University in New York studying International Political Economy, and hope to apply skills learned at school and in the JSI program this summer to a career in international politics in the future.

I was undecided on what to study for a long time but landed on a major focused on international politics after trying a variety of classes and finding that it fit my goals and strengths best.

I believe public policy at the international level to be an area of critical significance in modern politics, where positive progress and contributions are far reaching and more attainable than ever when it comes to improving peoples’ lives.

My mom is an inspiration to me, as I have grown up seeing her contribute to her community independently and through public service as well.

I am excited to get more hands on experience and more detailed knowledge of what careers in international affairs and public policy could look like.

• Pronouns: She/her
• Hometown: Rwanda
• College/University: Gonzaga University
• Major: Criminology
• Track: Residential

My name is Amisa, and I am a criminology student at Gonzaga University. After completing my undergraduate studies, I want to go to law school. I want to serve in a public career with the knowledge of laws, it is rich. I am excited about this opportunity to participate in JSI at Evans School. I look forward to learning from my fellow participants, growing together as a team, and improving our world.

I focused on managing my time and getting involved on campus. I went to my professor’s office hours for further discussion or to ask for advice on how to excel, and they were really helpful.

I want to contribute to the ongoing efforts of other agents of change who are already in the field, working to improve the well-being of people.

I can list them and not finish, but the fact remains that many people out there are doing their best to ensure we as a society and the world in general thrive. I get inspired when I see them or read about them, be it presidents, social workers, policy analysts, teachers, and so on. They are so great.

I am excited about learning and meeting new people.

• Pronouns: They/them
• Hometown: Silver Spring, Maryland
• College/University: DePauw University
• Major: Political Science
• Track: Residential

I am a New York Posse Scholar at DePauw University. I am a political science major and education studies minor. I have been interested in politics and history my whole life.

All colleges have required classes, DePauw prefers that you declare after you’ve finished your requirements and started your second year, so I waited to declare my major. I also waited to declare my minor until I had figured out my thesis topic. I am an Honor Scholar at my school which means I will be writing two thesis assignments, but I don’t know what I’ll be doing for that just yet.

I’ve always wanted to be in public service; both my mother and father have been and are public servants of some kind, and many of my family members are also public servants. My family emphasizes our connections to our community and strives to help make our communities and lives healthier, happier, and safer for everyone. My family is steeped in history; I am just keeping up tradition.

My community. I love my community, no matter where I am and I strive to make a difference in people’s lives when and where I can. I also try to encourage others in my community to engage in public service as a way to demonstrate that democracy does work, we just have to put effort into making it work for us.

Getting to learn more about how public policy is created, understanding more about the role communities can play in creating and improving public policy and experiencing the Pacific Northwest for the first time.

• Pronouns: They/them; He/him
• Hometown: Camas, Washington
• College/University: UW
• Major: Political Science; Global/Regional Studies
• Track: Regional

Aloha mai kākou! My name is Noah Kaloeaholokai Lum! I am a current student at the University of Washington double majoring in Political Science and Global/Regional Studies, with a minor in Oceania/Pacific Islander Studies. I am of Native Hawaiian decent and my hometown is Aiea, Hawaii. My academic focus is on international policy regarding climate change, rising sea levels, and an increasing number of Pacific Islander climate refugees.

When first starting college, my goal was to work towards a career in community service. However, it took me a little bit to figure out what that looked like and in what ways I could give back to my people.

My main desire to work in public policy and public service came from my desire to give back to my Pacific Islander and indigenous communities.

My main inspiration comes from both Native Hawaiian/indigenous leaders that came before me, and members of my family that work in public service. I have plenty of aunties, uncles, cousins, and friends who work in service of marginalized groups.

I am most excited for networking and getting to know the other people in my cohort. Their stories, their interests, the ways in which they give back to their communities.

• Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
• Hometown: Kenya, East Africa
• College/University: Washington State University
• Major: Political Science
• Track: Residential

I am a proud Kenyan who was raised in Everett, Washington. I come from a large family who heavily prioritize community. After becoming a frequent member of my neighborhood community center, I developed a keen interest in community service. Through community service, I became involved in student body government, becoming the First Black Woman ever to hold the position in my high school’s history. I am an alumnus of the AVID program, YMCAs My Achievers Program, and NAACP Youth Development Program. The programs have heavily shaped me and sparked my interest in Black History. I am now an activist who uses the knowledge my community granted me to teach others about authentic Black history.

When I started college, it became my mission to be involved in as many multicultural and Black Registered Organizations as possible. I have been engaged in WSU Multicultural community centers and have prioritized building a community within them. Four weeks after I arrived at Washington State University. I became an executive member of the African Diaspora Association and the Black Student Union cabinets. Currently (three semesters later), I became a founding member of the People of Color Pre-Law Coalition, President of the WSU African Diaspora Association, and Public Relations for the Black Student Union.

At the age of 10 I vowed to myself that I would dedicate my life to fixing the American Justice System and to eradicate the disproportionate impact it has on Black people in the US. I began learning of civil rights attorneys that provided legal services to those who are unable to obtain them on their own. Leading me to passionately pursue a job in the legal profession as a criminal justice attorney.

My Mentors from AVID, YDP, and MAP programs.

I am excited about the prospect of eye-opening conversations and debates!