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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

“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!”

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.

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.

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.

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.

As the King County Outreach Director and a dedicated public servant, Megan has spent over eight years working in U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s office. She began her career as an intern in Congressman Adam Smith’s office and gradually advanced to work in Senator Murray’s office in Washington, D.C. Currently, she continues her work for Murray’s office in Washington state as the King County Outreach Director. She demonstrates dedication, resilience, and a deep commitment to public service throughout her career.

Megan, born and raised in the islands of Palau and Guam, brings a wealth of professional experience and a strong sense of identity and purpose. She completed the Evans School’s Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) program in March 2025, balancing full-time work and studies with grace, humor, and grit. She has effectively applied what she learned in the program, gaining new insights and a broader perspective to support her daily work.

Over the past 18 months, Megan’s cohort has become very close. Together, they supported each other through grief, newborn babies, and just through life. They continue to embrace their collective experiences. “They’ve become like family,” she says. She feels honored that her Cohort chose her to deliver the message, and she feels a great responsibility not only to represent herself but also to honor her colleagues, making it essential for her to convey the feelings and essence of their cohort in her speech.

What stood out most during Megan’s journey through the program was learning to lead in public service with empathy and kindness. She expressed, “The program taught me the importance of work-life balance and how crucial it is to give others grace because we are all going through something. That’s life.” At times, she could introduce real issues to the class and seek advice from the Cohort. Megan credits the Evans curriculum and faculty members, like Dean Jodi Sandford and Ben Brunjes, for helping her apply course content directly to her work. This experience has enriched her view on leadership, allowing her to appreciate its depth and complexity.

In her speech, Megan focuses on joy and the importance of continuing in public service. She states, “I want to be genuine and give people hope, even though things are really hard right now. Our work is important at every system level, and even though change may be slow, it is still happening.” She aims to help people recognize that, no matter their situation, they should not lose hope.

As Megan reflects on her journey at Evans and thinks about the future, she feels honored to speak on behalf of her cohort. “We have accomplished something challenging together, and I hope we all carry forward the lessons of compassion, courage, and community.” Looking ahead, Megan aims to continue supporting her peers and the broader Evans network.

Born and raised on a horse farm in rural Michigan, Josie’s earliest lessons in public service came from watching her family and neighbors show up for one another. Whether through agriculture or her early involvement in community organizations like 4H, Josie learned early on that real change starts close to home.

After earning her legal studies and political science degrees with a minor in African American studies at Grand Valley State University, she spent two years working at a legal advocacy nonprofit in Grand Rapids. Her work brought her into direct contact with communities facing systemic barriers, eventually leading her to the DC to advocate for student debt relief.

That drive to make a difference led Josie to Seattle and the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance. The transition wasn’t easy. “I moved here with my best friend, but Seattle was a culture shock,” she says. “It was bigger, different, and I didn’t expect how much it would stretch me.”

Yet, Josie found herself not just adapting, but leading. Over the past two years, she served as Vice President of Students for the Evans Student Organization (ESO), placing her at the center of student advocacy. “My job was to be present, listen, and speak up,” she says. “If there was a student concern, I took it seriously. That work connected me deeply with our Evans community.”

This spring, Josie was selected to serve as the 2025 MPA student commencement speaker, a moment that she expressed still feels surreal. “I wasn’t expecting to be chosen. There is pressure, of course. You want to be encouraging but also real in the speech. We are stepping into policy work in a challenging world, and you can’t ignore that.”

She will shape her speech around two guiding ideas: pride and gratitude. “I want my classmates to feel proud of themselves and everything they’ve pushed through to get here. I want to thank the people who supported us, who helped us not lose ourselves when the world feels heavy.”

Josie credits two mentors, King County Council Member Sarah Perry and State Senator Victoria Hunt, for their steady guidance. She also highlights the hard work and dedication of Evans faculty and staff, such as Becky Corriell, Kate Sykes, and Crystal Hall, who she says “consistently show up for students.”

A passionate advocate for racial equity, Josie says one of the main reasons she chose the Evans School was their clear commitment to anti-racist work. “It wasn’t just talk. Evans named it, and that matters, especially coming from the Midwest, where those conversations aren’t always vocalized.” She hopes to carry that energy forward in her career, working to empower diverse communities and push policy beyond performative Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work and toward meaningful, systemic change.

She also sees a bright future for the Evans School. “I’m really excited for the incoming ESO leadership. They are dedicated and ready to keep pushing for progress. The school is in good hands.”

Looking ahead, Josie is attracted to environments where values and actions align, where policies are not only theoretical but also genuinely transformative. Evans reminded her of why she started this work, and she hopes to continue making a meaningful impact.