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Evans School of Public Policy & Governance

Tag: JSI Profile

JSI Scholar: Ryann Brazil

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

Tell us about your story

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.

What path did you take when you first started college?

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.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

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.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

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.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

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.

JSI Scholar: Zahid Yusuf

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

Tell us about your story

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.

What path did you take when you first started college?

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.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

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.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

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.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

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.

JSI Scholar: Amisa Ramadhani

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

Tell us about your story

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.

What path did you take when you first started college?

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.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

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.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

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.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I am excited about learning and meeting new people.

JSI Scholar: Maya La Croix

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

Tell us about your story

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.

What path did you take when you first started college?

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.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

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.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

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.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

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.

JSI Scholar: Noah Kaloeaholokai Lum

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

Tell us about your story

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.

What path did you take when you first started college?

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.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

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.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

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.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

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.

JSI Scholar: Amina Hussein

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

Tell us about your story

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.

What path did you take when you first started college?

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.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

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.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

My Mentors from AVID, YDP, and MAP programs.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

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

JSI Scholar: Gabrielle Ardila

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
  • College/University: University of Washington
  • Major: Political Science
  • Track: Regional

Tell us about your story

I am a third year student at the University of Washington with double major in Political Science and Global Regional Studies. Additionally, I am minoring in Law, Societies, and Justice. My focus is advocacy and education to youth. In addition to my studies, I work with the Best Buddies foundation which educates and empowers people with and without intellectual developmental disabilities. In 2021, I was nominated for Campion of the Year with Best Buddies, being recognized for my dedication, fortitude, and passion. I also have volunteered with Heart of America, a non-profit organization focused on brining modern education spaces to underprivileged communities. I am particularly interested in reforming the education system in America and addressing inequities.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

This past fall I had the opportunity to intern for city councilman Andrew Lewis. During this internship I had the opportunity to see first hand the amount of work that goes in to maintaining a relationship with the citizens of ones district while simultaneously passing legislation that benefits those same citizens. What I learned is that being on city council requires the ability of being able to multitask while prioritizing issues in a timely manner. I aided in Andrew Lewis’s campaign for reelection where I was able to learn how important it is to have a strong team.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

My English teacher in high school, Mrs. Ferian.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I am so excited to meet new people and get real world experience.

JSI Scholar: Ny Ha

  • Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
  • Hometown: Seattle, Washington
  • College/University: University of Washington
  • Major: Public Health-Global Health
  • Track: Regional

Tell us about your story

I am a first-generation Asian-American born in Burien, Washington. As diverse as Burien is, it has always been laden with inequities which is what has led me to want to work for marginalized communities. Access to healthcare is a basic human right and everyone should have the opportunity to have their healthcare needs addressed, regardless of their background.

What path did you take when you first started college?

I began college knowing I wanted to pursue public health. After taking more classes in my major, I recognized the need for policy implementation in order for public health interventions to take action. Once I realized how closely linked these two disciplines are, I realized I wanted to pursue a health policy path.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

Classes within the Public Health-Global Health major at UW made me recognize how public health aims to support the needs of marginalized communities, but policymakers who aid public health action need to properly represent the communities being targeted as well. As a person of color, I feel a sense of responsibility to represent my community while also uplifting the voices of other diverse populations through public service.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

My family of immigrants whose lives depend on the decisions of policymakers.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I am most excited about the opportunity to get to know other students interested in public service!

JSI Scholar: Martu J. Kollie

Tell us about your story

My name is Martu J. Kollie, an aspiring International Human Rights Lawyer and Environmental Justice Advocate. I am a first-generation college Senior at Beloit College in Wisconsin, double majoring in International Relations & Environmental Justice with a minor in Spanish. I was born and raised in a suburban community in Liberia, West Africa, where locals resell raw materials and other goods. Many girls in my neighborhood were denied the right to equal educational opportunities. Most parents believed girls should stay at home and learn what was conceived as “women’s responsibilities” while the boys went to school. Despite the fact that my dreams seemed like fleeting fantasies suppressed by age-old societal dogma, I was one of the few girls in my community who defied the odds and acquired quality education. My childhood experiences have deeply informed my interest in social change. Experiencing moments of injustice, inequality, and marginalization has cultivated my sense of responsibility to contribute to positive transformation, such as women’s empowerment and early childhood development. Since my adolescent years, I have been immensely involved in advocacy on both social and environmental issues. I have volunteered with several non-profit organizations focused on empowering young women and promoting environmental sustainability. In 2021, I began volunteering as a lobbyist with the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a nonpartisan Quaker organization that lobbies Congress and the administration to advance peace, justice, and environmental stewardship.

What path did you take when you first started college?

When I enrolled at Beloit, I took classes that would deepen my understanding of complex global policy systems and how they affect ordinary people. I also took courses to help me develop analytical, critical reasoning, writing, and research skills. I knew that I needed these skills to fully understand how the world works in the context of cross-border politics and why some countries behave the way they do. Through my Beloit classes, I gained exposure to different trends in the global political sphere, career development lecture series, and policy-based research projects. I also secured volunteer opportunities on and off campus. I currently serve as a student volunteer at the American Red Cross of Wisconsin to educate the American public about the importance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). I am also a member of the UNHCR Young Champion Network. I create art and written pieces to advocate for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

I am passionate about addressing global challenges, fostering international cooperation, and promoting peace. I also want to help improve the administration of immigration policies and practices by governments and ensure a more workable immigration system globally. Tackling these complex global issues requires interdisciplinary skill sets, advanced knowledge of how they affect people, and the policies for addressing them. It requires exceptional research and policy analysis skills to address complex and discriminatory immigration policies, which I can only obtain through a career in public policy or international affairs.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

My communities are what inspire me to engage in public service. The Mexican American, immigrant family, and student communities have shaped my life and motivate me to serve them. I feel a duty to give back to them – and in a way, my family – by uplifting them through policy. As a representative of my communities, I hope to ensure that my community’s voices are heard and taken into account when creating and implementing policy.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I am excited about meeting new people, exploring the beautiful city of Seattle, and, most importantly, networking with experts in the public policy arena and learning from their experiences. I am also excited about learning how to evaluate policies using data. Policymaking involves a lot of data analysis and multi-disciplinary approaches to providing solutions to different types of policy issues. I need to learn more about using different strategies to develop solutions to global policy problems. I look forward to developing these skills through the JSI program.

JSI Scholar: Isabella Romo

Tell us about your story

I grew up in Gilroy, CA, a predominantly Latine immigrant community in the southern region of the Bay Area. This community allowed me to connect with my Latine roots and take advantage of educational and extracurricular opportunities. These experience are somewhat unique to the Bay Area and I am very grateful that my family has been able to support me in my ambitions. These experience have also, however, motivated me to make more opportunities like these accessible to more youth. I’ve dedicated my work to providing resources to the Latine community – locally and internationally – and to ensuring that all individuals’ human rights are protected at all levels of government.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

It took me 20 years to learn what public policy is and I was sold on a career in public policy the second I understood what that meant. I find immense value in public policy’s stake in people’s every day lives; yet, there are many flaws in how public policy Is both created and implemented. I want to enter public policy in order to foster equitable policies that ensure the public’s – especially minority groups’ – wellbeing.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

My communities are what inspire me to engage in public service. The Mexican American, immigrant family, and student communities have shaped my life and motivate me to serve them. I feel a duty to give back to them – and in a way, my family – by uplifting them through policy. As a representative of my communities, I hope to ensure that my community’s voices are heard and taken into account when creating and implementing policy.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I’m most excited for the mentorship- professionally and academically- that the JSI program offers. I hope to forge relationships with the professors, counselors, and public policy professionals we have the privilege of working with. I anticipate that this mentorship will allow me to succeed not just in graduate school applications but also in graduate school itself.