CO-DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS

School: Princeton University

Areas of Interest: Civil Rights, Election Law, Human Rights

Bio: Aishwarya is a junior at Princeton University, studying Public and International Affairs with a minor in Diplomacy. She is passionate about advancing democracy and civic engagement through law and policy. At Princeton, Aishwarya serves as Student Body Vice President, organizes conferences through the Princeton Model UN Team, and has conducted research on the dynamics of international climate negotiations in South Africa. She currently works with the Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project on organizing voting initiatives across campus and has worked in the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Voting Division, and U.S. Department of State. After graduation, she plans to pursue a JD/MPP, focused on civil rights and human rights, with a focus on election law.

CO-DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS

School: The University of Mississippi

Area of Interest: Education Law & Civil Rights

Bio: Andy is an aspiring movement-builder at the nexus of politics and education, with interests of becoming a civil rights attorney and legal academic who challenges structural barriers to higher education, particularly in the Deep South. Born in Mississippi to Mexican and Afro-Panamanian parents, Andy received his B.A. in public policy leadership (PPL) and philosophy from the University of Mississippi, graduating first in his class. While currently at the Aspen Institute in Washington, DC, he previously supported the team of attorneys on SFFA v. UNC at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Harris Campaign’s voter protection team in North Carolina, and the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator for Political Economy & Regulation.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS

School: Dartmouth College, Harvard Law School

Areas of Interest: Human Rights, International Development, Immigration, Education

Bio: Originally from the Chicagoland area, Eric graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Government and Middle Eastern Studies. During college, he interned at the Council on American Islamic Relations (Chicago) and the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs at the American University of Beirut, deepening his passion for human rights and international affairs. After graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked at the former United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Education and Youth Office of the Bureau for Africa, contributing to programs advancing early-grade literacy. His time at USAID strengthened his commitment to pursuing a legal education focused on advocating for human rights and reshaping the international development landscape to be more equitable and inclusive. He is an incoming JD candidate at Harvard Law School and enjoys playing piano, reading fiction, and learning languages.

PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of Florida

Areas of Interest: Immigration, Criminal Justice Reform, Human Rights

Bio: Growing up in the South as a Colombian American, Brooke is committed to advancing immigrant rights and racial justice by linking direct client representation with impact litigation to drive systemic change. She currently works at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School’s Gittis Legal Clinics, supporting the Transnational Legal Clinic and the Advocacy for Racial and Civil (ARC) Justice Clinic. Her path includes internships with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law’s Criminal Justice Project and the Broward County Public Defender’s Office, as well as research on wrongful convictions and systemic bias. At the University of Florida, she led the school’s first large-scale DE&I student-led education initiative during statewide funding cuts and legislative attacks, reaching more than 2,500 students. She is a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Finalist, Phi Beta Kappa member, and Florida Academic Scholar, and is currently applying to law school to pursue a career at the heart of crimmigration and human rights law.

PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Washington University in St. Louis, UC Law San Francisco

Areas of Interest: Education equity policy and enforcement, civil rights, democracy and social safety net,

Bio: Lila is a 1L at UC Law San Francisco (formerly known as UC Hastings) where she is a Tony Patiño Fellow-Elect. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2021 with a degree in History, studying everything that has gone wrong in American history and how to fix it.  During her time at WashU, Lila focused her advocacy on urging the University Administration to leverage its wealth and influence to become a true engine of social mobility. She championed causes such as implementing need-blind admissions and establishing a food pantry to ensure that all students could thrive. After graduation, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked for Rep. Kamlager-Dove (CA-37). As a Legislative Correspondent and policy aide, she worked on legislative solutions to solve constituents’ problems. A proud Angeleno, Lila is happy to be back in California for law school. In her free time, Lila loves cooking and reading food journalism and is looking forward to playing soccer in Golden Gate Park with new friends. 

PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Duke University

Areas of Interest: Voting rights, civil rights, antitrust law

Bio: Ameya is an aspiring voting rights litigator and a proud North Carolina native. She graduated with a degree in Public Policy Studies and Computer Science from Duke University, where she was deeply engaged in voting rights legal research and published work on how provisional ballots disenfranchise young voters of color in North Carolina. Her experiences at Duke took her from Capitol Hill, as a legislative intern, to Greenpeace USA, where she served as a democracy fellow, and to Paraguay, where she worked on public transportation reform. Following graduation, she joined the Minnesota DFL Coordinated Campaign as a Data Technologist, supporting Harris for President and down-ballot Democrats. In her free time, Ameya can be found running, crocheting, or rooting for Duke Basketball.

PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Fordham University

Areas of Interest: Mass Incarceration, restorative justice, criminal law, pathways from prison

Bio: Originally from Bangladesh, Dipita is a first-generation immigrant committed to integrating her personal experiences with her interest in the criminal justice system to help make the practice of law more equitable for everyone it reaches. During her undergraduate experience, she worked to expand voter registration among formerly incarcerated populations and supported reintegration methods on a local level. Additionally, Dipita interned with the United States Attorney’s Office and currently serves as a paralegal at Milbank LLP, where she assists on a wide range of litigation matters, including discovery, filings, and trial preparation. During her free time, Dipita enjoys watching Marvel movies with her younger cousins, exploring the city with her friends, and traveling.

PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Samford University

Area of Interest: Criminal Justice Reform

Bio: TJ Riggs is an advocate and educator dedicated to advancing criminal justice reform, human rights, and public access to competetive debate. A recent graduate of Samford University, where he earned a B.A. in Law, Politics, & Society and Spanish, Riggs graduated summa cum laude and received the university’s highest senior honor, the John R. Mott Award.

For the last three years, Riggs has served as Alabama’s State Death Penalty Abolition Coordinator for Amnesty International USA, leading campaigns to secure clemency for individuals on death row and to reform state-level criminal justice policies. Riggs has led large-scale grassroots campaigns, most notably the successful clemency effort for Robin “Rocky” Myers, and has worked across sectors to coordinate policy advocacy at the state and federal level. His background spans direct action, legislative engagement, campaign planning, and education. Outside of his advocacy, Riggs is deeply involved in the competitve debate community, and has experience working as both a debate coach and youth program director supporting civic development in underserved schools.

With experience in grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and policy analysis, Riggs is committed to advancing equitable reforms that address systemic injustice and expand access to care for vulnerable communities.

PARTNERSHIPS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Occidental College

Area of Interest: Housing, Homelessness, Tenants' Rights, Human Rights, International Law

Bio: Francesca is a recent Diplomacy and World Affairs graduate (summa cum laude) from Occidental College. During her time at Oxy, Francesca was a fellow with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, and Michelson Philanthropies. Additionally, she worked as a Program Coordinator for the Student Leadership office and as President of the First-Gen and Low-Income Student Union. Francesca is currently a Yale Launchpad Scholar, hopes to spend her gap year in the non-profit/public interest space, and plans on pursuing a JD with the goal of increasing affordable housing for local communities. In her free time she enjoys crocheting, gaming, baking, and hiking.

DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP

School: Washington University in St. Louis

Areas of Interest: Human rights law and civil rights advocacy, with a focus on homelessness

Bio: Afiya is a proud St. Louis native passionate about advancing human rights and advocating for marginalized communities. She began her legal journey interning at Thompson Coburn and Energizer before turning her focus to human rights, working on a sensitive women's rights case with the St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. She is currently interning at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri and volunteers with Project Downtown STL to support the unhoused community. In her free time, Afiya enjoys spending time with her pet bunny, visiting the masjid, sharing ice cream with friends, and being outdoors.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Clark University

Areas of Interest: Human Rights Law, Immigration Law, Environmental Law, Legislative & Government Affairs Law, Constitutional Law

Bio: Ashley is a current Master's in Public Administration student at Clark University. She recently received her Bachelor's in Political Science. During her undergraduate years, she interned for multiple members of Congress, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and has recently served as a Federal Practice Intern at Results for America. She also has served as Student Body President, leading equity-focused initiatives and representing student voices in campus-wide decision-making. Her senior thesis, "Feminization of the Environment and Legislative Crafting," analyzed gendered language across 400+ environmental bills from 2000 to 2023 and its influence on environmental policymaking. Born in the Philippines and raised in Hawai‘i after immigrating at age five, Ashley brings a deep commitment to public service. After a gap year focused on legal assistance and public interest roles, she plans to pursue a JD with the goal of advancing immigration law and public interest advocacy.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: American University

Area of Interest: Antitrust, Labor & Employment, Consumer Protection, Poverty & Inequality

Bio: Originally from North Carolina, Alex is an aspiring antitrust, consumer protection, or labor/employment lawyer. She graduated a Frederick Douglass Distinguished Scholar from American University, where she interned for The White House and President Barack and Mrs. Michelle Obama's office. Alex also spent her last year of undergraduate studies at the University of Oxford, where she delivered a TEDx talk at their 2024 conference. Alex worked as a field organizer during the 2024 camapaign, and now works in policy consulting in Washington D.C., along with serving as the Vice Chair of the Princeton Prize in Race Relations D.C. chapter. True to her Carolina roots, Alex is a big basketball fan, enjoys playing Wii games, and loves to swim.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Howard University

Bio: Jena is a proud Baltimorean with interest in public interest, criminal, tax and education law. She is curently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with a minor in Legal Communications at Howard University, where she is consistently recognized on the Dean’s List. She has developed substantive legal experience as an intern with the Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City and as a contributor at Baltimore Witness, where she has engaged in case assessments, legal research, and court reporting. In addition to my academic and professional pursuits, she serves as a campus reporter for The Hilltop and has presented research on colorism in artificial intelligence at an international conference. She is committed to advancing equity within the legal system.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of California, Santa Cruz

Areas of Interest: Housing Justice, Tenants Advocacy, Indigent Defense

Bio: Alex is currently a student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, studying Politics and Latin American studies. She is deeply committed to tenant and wage theft defense, service worker advocacy, and affordable housing policy. On campus, she co-founded La Sociedad for Latine Pre-Law Students, served as Director of Lobby Corps in the Office of the External Vice President, and sits on the Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid. She is also a Yale Launchpad Scholar and has interned with the California State Assembly.

Alex aims to build a career at the intersection of her passions—advancing equity in policymaking and community advocacy. In her spare time, she enjoys sharing updates about her inconsistent sourdough starter, exploring public transit systems across Latin America, and planning her next bikepacking adventure.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of Guam

Areas of Interest: Educational Equity, Public Defense, Race/Ethnic Justice

Bio: Nicole is a proud native from the island of Guam and a recent graduate of the University of Guam, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She is passionate about expanding access to justice by reducing barriers to legal resources and ensuring equitable representation for marginalized and underserved communities. During her time at UOG, Nicole served as President of the Student Government Association, where she championed affordable and equitable access to higher education, interned with the legal counsel of the Guam Legislature, and contributed to research on political status and representation in Micronesia. Currently, she is taking a gap year to work within the local government and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing her community. Nicole plans to attend law school with the goal of returning home to advance legal reforms and help address the shortage of practicing attorneys on the island.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of Pittsburgh

Areas of Interest: Civil Rights, Education

Bio: Caroline is a senior and Chancellor's Scholar at the University of Pittsburgh studying Political Science and Economics. She is very interested in K-12 education equity, multicultural curricula, and civil rights. As President of Pitt's Asian Student Alliance, she is also invested in amplifying AANHPI voices, community organizing, and civic engagement. She plans on gaining work experience in public service before pursuing law school.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: American University

Areas of Interest: International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law

Bio: Emily is a junior at American University studying Justice & Law and International Studies. On campus, she serves as Director of Student Accommodations in Student Government and on the Student Conduct Council Committee, is active in her sorority, and is an editor for two political science research journals. She also holds two part-time jobs as a Desk Receptionist in University Residence Life and an Operations Assistant in the University Library. She is currently interning at the Supreme Court of the United States and has interned with the U.S. House of Representatives, the Government of the District of Columbia, and the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia. Emily intends to pursue a JD with a focus on international human rights law to support communities displaced by conflict and disaster.

CO-DIRECTOR OF CHAPTERS

School: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Area of Interest: Labor Law

Bio: Luke is a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln triple majoring in Political Science, Economics, and History. At the University of Nebraska, he served as student government’s External Vice President and Chair of the Husker Vote Coalition. He is currently an intern with NAPE/AFSCME Local 61 and has worked in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Nebraska Unicameral, and as a Legal History Researcher. A 2025 Truman Scholar, 2024-2026 Obama-Chesky Scholar, and a 2024 Phi Beta Kappa Key Into Public Service Scholar, he is committed to a career in public service. He intends to pursue a JD/MPP focusing on labor and constitutional law.

CO-DIRECTOR OF CHAPTERS

School: University of Pittsburgh

Area of Interest: Economic development, housing

Bio: Simon Wang, graduating with degrees in Economics and Psychology, is passionate about advancing economic justice through law, policy, and applied research. At Pitt, Simon co-founded the Pittsburgh Policy Initiative, the university’s first student-run think tank; conducted NSF-sponsored eviction research; published peer-reviewed work on childhood adversity; and helped write food allergy legislation introduced in the PA Senate. After a gap year focused on public interest work, he plans to pursue a JD/PhD with the goal of advancing equitable domestic development and expanding economic security. 

CHAPTERS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Area of Interest: Reproductive Justice, Education Policy, Basic Needs, Mental Health

Bio: Srinidhi Nagarajan is a rising junior at UCLA double-majoring in Cognitive Science and Public Affairs, dedicated to advancing both individual initiative and systemic reform to improve health outcomes. She is the founder of TRUST, a volunteer organization that designs and presents habit-building workshops for youth. Additionally, as an intern with the California Health Benefits Review Program and Maverick Health Policy, she has developed newsletters and policy briefs on topics like payer-provider dynamics, pharmaceuticals, and artificial intelligence. Srinidhi is also involved with reproductive justice and student relations advocacy through IGNITE and UCLA student government. In her free time, she loves to sing, dance Bharatanatyam, explore nature, and read good books.

CHAPTERS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Princeton University

Area of Interest: Criminal justice reform, prisoners' rights, civil rights impact litigation, public defense

Bio: Sophie is an aspiring public defender and impact litigation attorney with interests in prison policy, criminal legal reform, and client-centered advocacy. Born in North Carolina and presently residing in New Jersey, she has called many places home and is currently completing her senior year at Princeton University. There, she studies public policy in the School of Public & International Affairs and minors in Values & Public Life and Gender & Sexuality Studies. Sophie plans on working as a paralegal and/or pursuing additional education in criminology and criminal justice before entering law school and working towards her goal of providing passionate criminal defense and advocating for the rights of those who are incarcerated. As an undergraduate, she has been lucky enough to intern with some phenomenal public interest law and nonprofit organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, the Federal Defender for the District of New Jersey, and Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop in D.C.

CHAPTERS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Areas of Interest: Labor rights, constitutional law, legal scholarship, specifically, critical refugee studies

Bio: At fifteen, Chloe co-founded Melanated Youth, a youth-led initiative to drive civic engagement, mutual aid, and mobilize young people. She previously served as President of Associated Students and Student Trustee at Fullerton College, where she passed statewide and campus-wide equity resolutions. Currently, she is in her last year at UCLA pursuing a degree in Asian American Studies and Public Affairs, where she has interned at the California Democratic Party, New American Leaders, Ms. Magazine, Americans United for Church State Separation, and the Michelson Foundation. She plans to pursue her JD shortly to advance her legal academia and become more well-read in public policy. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her cats, exploring new recipes, and weight lifting.

CO-DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING

School: San Diego State University

Areas of Interest: Educational equity, women’s rights, civil rights

Bio: Sandy is an aspiring public interest lawyer committed to advancing educational equity and protecting the civil rights of students across the country. The proud daughter of Iraqi refugees, she served as Vice President of University Affairs at San Diego State University, helped lead university-wide initiatives on academic access, and became the university’s first Truman Scholar. Sandy has worked at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, interned at the White House and on Capitol Hill, and contributed to efforts aimed at making higher education more inclusive. In her free time, Sandy enjoys writing poetry, planning themed events, and analyzing Taylor Swift lyrics.

CO-DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING

School: Saint Louis University 

Areas of Interest: Addressing public health and policy issues, such as women's health within prisons, immigrant communities, and communities of color. 

Bio: Originally from Omaha, Becca attained a bachelor’s degree in African American Studies and Political Science with minors in Anthropology and Spanish from Saint Louis University. Becca served as the President of The Society of African American Studies, interned as a Servant Leader Intern for Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools, American Friends Service Committee, and Teaching for Change in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation, Becca completed a year of service with Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest/Americorps. As the community program coordinator for Spokane County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP), Becca coordinated pro-bono legal clinics, assisted in court processes, and provided legal/educational resources. Becca currently works as the Volunteer Coordinator for Refugee Women Rising- an Omaha-based non-profit refugee service provider that works to fill gaps refugee women and their families deem necessary.

CO-DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING

School: University of Chicago

Areas of Interest: Public Defense, Immigrant Rights, Family Law

Bio: Ariel is a sophomore at the University of Chicago, majoring in Law, Letters, and Society and Economics. She is passionate about providing more accessible legal representation and resources to under-resourced individuals in the legal system. At UChicago, Ariel serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Chicago Journal of Sociology, which publishes outstanding undergraduate work in sociology on issues such as identity, immigration, historical discrimination, etc. Ariel is currently conducting research on socio-linguistic biases in the courtroom and the availability of translators/interpreters for stigmatized dialects in defense. Outside of school, she is a part of Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago and is partnering with other undergraduate students to tackle important legal injustice issues in Chicago and Illinois. Ariel enjoys reading, writing, baking, and takes a lot of naps throughout the day.

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: American University

Areas of Interest: Public Defense; Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, with a special interest in the rights of incarcerated people, policing practices, equal protection, and racial justice.

Bio: Drawn to a legal career where she can champion constitutional rights, safeguard human dignity, and provide indigent clients with quality legal representation, Ameerah joined the ACLU of D.C. in 2024 as the organization's Paralegal/Intake Coordinator—here, she leads legal intake and investigations efforts while supporting staff attorneys in matters of complex civil rights/liberties litigation. Before this, Ameerah interned for Georgetown University Law Center's Criminal Defense and Prisoner Advocacy Clinic, working closely with public defenders and marginalized clients to investigate misdemeanor cases. Though she hails from South Florida, Ameerah graduated with high honors from American University in Washington, D.C., earning a degree in Justice and Law and a minor in Sociology. As a student, she conducted advanced criminal justice research, tutored disadvantaged D.C. youth, and campaigned for diversified pedagogy at a law school in Scotland. In her free time, Ameerah enjoys playing volleyball, listening to her parents' Nigerian music, and exploring new cities by way of their food and performing arts scenes.

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: San Diego State University

Area of Interest: Environment

Bio: Having grown up in Montgomery County, Chris has been a DC-area native since birth. He attended San Diego State University for his undergrad degree in Political Science, but ultimately decided to come back to the better of the two coasts. He aspires to work in environmental law or policy someday, and derives this passion for environmental justice and rights from his high school AP Environmental Science teacher. In college, Chris served as the President of the College of Arts and Letters Student Council, as well as numerous other Boards, Committees, and Councils within SDSU Associated Students. In his free time, you'll find Chris swimming in any nearby body of water, hiking a new (or beloved) trail, and spending time with loved ones and friends. He cannot wait to see what fun and exciting opportunities come in PILA!

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of Central Oklahoma, Harvard Law School

Area of Interest: Civil Rights, criminal justice reform, race, and gender

Bio: Beyonce Hammond joined ACLU-PA in September 2023 as the Legislative Associate. Before joining ACLU-PA, she spent 3 years working in legislative affairs and advocacy through political organizations, including the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Council of State Governments. Beyonce completed her Bachelor's degree in Political Science with minors in Pre-law and Leadership at the University of Central Oklahoma. During that time, she completed an internship with the Oklahoma House of Representatives and held multiple Research Assistant positions around issues related to mass incarceration, voting, and women's rights. In her free time, Beyonce enjoys traveling, reading, and exploring the city for good eats.

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Temple University

Areas of Interest: Sexual/domestic violence, legislative

Bio: Ray is a recent graduate of Temple University, where she served as Student Body President and founded Student Activists Against Sexual Assault, now one of the largest student-led survivor advocacy groups in the country. She has organized to prevent sexual violence since middle school and currently serves as Pennsylvania State Director for the Every Voice Coalition, where she helped author and introduce survivor-based legislation. Ray is also an ambassador for Callisto, promoting tools to support survivors in reporting sexual violence, and she previously held the inaugural LGBTQ+ Caucus Chair position at It’s On Us National. She is a Truman Scholar, an Iconic Philly Woman 2024 honoree, and has interned with the U.S. District Courts, Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Break the Cycle, and the Network for Victim Recovery of DC.

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of Washington

Area of Interest: Economic development

Bio: Emma is a senior at the University of Washington studying Political Science and minoring in Business. She is originally from Kansas City, Kansas, and is interested in working with a focus on economic development of rural communities. In the past, she has had the opportunity to engage in a variety of roles focused within the public sector, such as through being an Undergraduate Intern at the Western District of Washington Federal Public Defender, and through her time as a Civil Rights Intern for the City of Kansas City, Missouri. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball, baking, and volunteering.

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of Chicago

Areas of Interest: Civil Rights, Human Rights, Women's Rights, specializing in domestic and sexual violence

Bio: Ella is a junior at the University of Chicago majoring in Law, Letters, and Society, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and Political Science. Ella is passionate about human rights, specifically in how they relate to women and gender minorities in the areas of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual violence. At UChicago, Ella is the president of UChicago's Project Reproductive Freedom, works as UChicago's Safer Sex Supply Student Coordinator, sits on the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality Student Advisory Board, and helps to plan a winter institute of panelists and workshops for members of Women and Gender Minorities in Public Service. Outside of school, Ella currently volunteers at the Chicago Abortion Fund, engaging in tabling events, fundraising, and outreach to raise awareness and strengthen community support for reproductive rights. After a gap year focused on public interest work, Ella plans to pursue a JD to better leverage the legal system to support and empower survivors. In her free time, Ella enjoys hiking, reading, and playing the trumpet.

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of Southern California

Areas of Interest: Civil Rights & Liberties, Election Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law

Bio: Chase is a proud Pittsburgher (Go Steelers!), passionate about advancing democracy through advocacy at the intersection of politics and law. During his time at the University of Southern California, he explored many facets of the political sphere through internships, including work as an Organizing Fellow with the Jewish Democratic Council of America and a Field Organizer for a Los Angeles City Council campaign, where he engaged with voters across the political spectrum and learned that the partisan divide is about more than individual issues—it is about defending democracy. He also gained experience in policy and legal research with the Office of Mayor Karen Bass and the Vogel Group, a bipartisan lobbying firm. Outside the classroom, Chase served as Event Coordinator for Blackstonians, USC’s pre-law honor society, and was a fierce competitor on Southern California Moot Court’s Brief Writing and Oral Advocacy teams. Together, these academic, professional, and leadership experiences have inspired him to pursue a career in public interest law—a journey he is eager to continue with PILA.

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of Guam

Areas of Interest: civil and human rights, immigration, housing and homelessness, economic justice and poverty, LGBTQ+, education

Bio: Born and raised on the island of Guam, Christian is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Guam, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and was recognized as a 2023 Truman Scholar. During his time as a Triton, he served in various leadership capacities and was a steadfast advocate for students from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds, including AANHPI, LGBTQ+, first-generation and low-income (FGLI) students, and BIPOC. After graduation, he continued to further his passion for public service in Washington, D.C. through volunteering with APAICS, SMYAL, Truman Scholars Association, World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers (Washington, D.C. Hub), and Men4Choice. Currently, he serves as the Administrative Associate for APIA Scholars, advocating for resources that advance AANHPI and FGLI students in higher education. In his free time, Christian enjoys dancing, watching romantic comedies, and belting his favorite Whitney Houston song during a karaoke session.

PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Areas of Interest: Labor, Environmental, Health

Bio: Arnav Rishi is a junior at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln studying Political Science with a minor in Communication Studies on the pre-law track. He has experience in public policy, advocacy, and community engagement through roles with the Alliance for American Manufacturing, the Nebraska Legislature, and Dan Osborn for Senate. On campus, Arnav serves as President of the NAACP chapter and has been active in student government and sustainability initiatives. He is particularly interested in the intersection of law, public policy, and social justice.

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

School: Washington University in St. Louis, Washington University School of Law

Area of Interest: Human Rights, specifically regarding domestic violence & human trafficking 

Bio: Alice is a Californian through and through, aspiring to share warmth and joy with all those around her. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a B.A. in Anthropology (Global Health) and is invested in interpersonal violence prevention and survivor advocacy. She wrote a thesis examining the intersection between gender, Korean culture, and interpersonal violence and following graduation, worked at a non-profit serving APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander and Desi American) survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in Orange County, CA. In her free time, Alice enjoys traveling to immerse herself in different cultures, watching movies with friends, and finding hidden gem food spots. 

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Duke University

Areas of Interest: Family and civil rights

Bio: Ariona is a third-year Public Policy student at Duke University and aspiring youth and children’s rights attorney from rural Kansas. On campus, she has helped lead various political and civil discourse initiatives, such as working as a Campus Fellow for the Harris-Walz campaign and serving as a College Debates and Discourse Alliance Student Fellow, and currently helps lead her campus Questbridge chapter and first-generation, low-income student association. Off campus, you can find Ari participating in a local mic night, playing chess, or working on her passion project, the Rainbow Foster Home Initiative. Motivated by her lived experience as an emancipated minor, Ari is dedicated to advocating for policy reform in the child welfare system, representing children and youth in legal proceedings, building a unified system of support for transition-age youth in alternative care, and fighting for the codification and support of the rights of children and youth in the United States.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of Pittsburgh

Area of Interest: Immigration, Housing, Gender and Race

Bio: Grace is an aspiring attorney currently studying Politics and Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh. She is passionate about public interest law and trial advocacy, and hopes to pursue a career that combines both. As a low-income college student of Puerto Rican descent, Grace is deeply motivated to serve immigrants and those facing housing injustices. As part of Pitt's Student Government Committee on Community Government Relations, she hosted events informing the student body of their tenant rights, encouraging students to vote, and highlighting the successes of women in local politics. As a legal intern in Washington, DC, she worked on failure-to-warn and antitrust cases harming consumers. Over the course of her four years on Pitt's Mock Trial team, she has bolstered her oral advocacy skills and her dream of becoming an attorney. In her free time, Grace loves to sing, thrift shop, and play board games with her friends.

CO-DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE

School: University of Southern California

Areas of Interest: Voting Rights, Elections, Redistricting 

Bio: Diego is the Assistant Director of the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, which plays a crucial role in advancing research and fostering civil dialogue that transcends partisan divides to shape the future of politics.

Diego’s professional and research experience centers on reforms that strengthen American democracy. As a researcher at the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, he explored the impact of nonpartisan election grant funding and independent redistricting commissions. In Congress, Diego added a practical policy perspective to these academic insights, focusing on antitrust in the House and election administration in the Senate. Later, as a Political Appointee in the Biden-Harris Administration at AmeriCorps, Diego worked to strengthen democracy, one neighborhood at a time.

CO-DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE

School: Arizona State University

Area of Interest: Antitrust Law

Bio: Jackson is a recent graduate of Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University with dual degrees in Economics and Political Science. During his time at ASU, Jackson served as the President of the Pre-Law Society, assisted a Georgetown Law professor with research, and studied competition law abroad at the London School of Economics. He is currently an Associate at Berkeley Research Group working on Antitrust & Competition within their economics team. He is passionate about antitrust and committed to building a more equitable economy through fair competition. Jackson enjoys traveling, listening to Kendrick Lamar, and is a strong advocate for the Oxford comma.

RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: University of Utah, University of Oxford

Areas of Interest: Consumer protection law, financial regulation, antitrust, competition law, tech law, international law, investment/trade law

Bio: As a first-gen student, Tiffany earned two Honors BAs in political science and economics from the University of Utah Honors College and an MPhil in International Relations from the University of Oxford. At Utah, she previously served as student body Vice President for University Relations and was a debate competitor nationally. She previously worked at her state’s budget and planning office, Goldman Sachs, and a regional social impact consultancy firm. At Oxford, she is finishing out her research assistantship with the Oxford Global Society and fellowship with the Oxford China Policy Lab, focusing on investment law, administrative law, and emerging critical technology. She is interested in pursuing international law, especially in economic law and tech law with a policy focus.

RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Princeton University (MPA), University of Virginia (BA)

Areas of Interest: Public defense, immigration, labor law

Bio: Julia is proudly from Pennington, New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree in Economics, and went on to work for the Congressional Budget Office, on the Labor, Income Security, and Long-Term Analysis Division. While there, she worked on modeling the labor market effects of minimum wage policies, creating models to examine immigration patterns, and assisting with Congressional staff relations. She is currently a graduate student at Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs, where she specializes in Economics and Public Policy. In her free time, she enjoys solving crossword puzzles, going for walks, and reading.

CO-DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

School: Brown University

Area of Interest: Civil Rights, Appellate Litigation, Administrative and Constitutional Law

Bio: Logan is an aspiring appellate litigator who is committed to promoting justice, defending civil rights, and upholding the rule of law. He is a first-generation, low-income college graduate from Brown University, where he interned in the US Senate, Yale Law School, the RI Public Defender, the RI Senate, and numerous political campaigns. Since graduating, he served as the youngest DNC Delegate from Maryland and works as a litigation analyst at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP. Logan is also the Co-Founder of the civic education nonprofit Time To Advocate, a grassroots organization that seeks to strengthen the pillars of democracy by breaking down barriers to civic education. He plans to pursue a JD to better leverage the law and public policy as an advocate for working-class families like his own.

CO-DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

School: University of South Dakota

Areas of Interest: Environmental Law, Agricultural Law

Bio: Caleb is a proud South Dakotan who aspires to become an environmental attorney whose work advances environmental protection and sustainable agriculture, particularly in the Northern Great Plains. He is an alum of the University of South Dakota, where he competed for and was captain of his university’s Division I Swimming and Diving program, served as student body and Environmental Club president, and was selected as a 2023 Harry S. Truman Scholar. Caleb currently works for the State of California, where he assists the California Agricultural Land Equity Task Force in developing its report of policy recommendations on how to equitably increase agricultural land access. In his free time, Caleb enjoys reading, cooking, spending time outdoors, and staying active.

CO-DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

School: American University

Area of Interest: Human Rights Law 

Bio: Rohan Singh is a recent graduate of The American University (AU) in Washington, D.C. with a B.A. in international studies (magna cum laude). During his time at AU, Rohan served as the President of the Rotaract Club and was a member of the Outreach Committee of the Pre-Law Society. He also interned at the White House under the Biden-Harris Administration and at the U.S. Mission to the UN Human Rights Council. He is passionate about human rights law and hopes to work in the international advocacy sphere to protect the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQIA+ people. Rohan is currently a Merger Clearance Assistant at Latham & Watkins LLP as well as a Yale Law School Launchpad Scholar. 

OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: The George Washington University

Areas of Interest: Civil litigation: civil rights, appellate/SCOTUS, education law

Bio: Maya is an aspiring civil litigator dedicated to using the law to connect with people and create meaningful change. She has honed her advocacy skills through internships with the U.S. Department of Education and Third Way, as well as through grant writing and program evaluation research projects. She has engaged in congressional lobbying, supported a federal gender discrimination trial, and contributed to nonprofit initiatives expanding access to justice. In her free time, she enjoys biking through D.C., hosting Shabbat dinners, and reading about Supreme Court justices.

OPERATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Georgetown University

Areas of Interest: Education, Reproductive Rights, Immigration

Bio: Keatyn is a South Dakota native currently studying at Georgetown University. She is majoring in Justice & Peace Studies and Sociology with a minor in Education, Inquiry and Justice. She has interned in the House of Representatives and the South Dakota Attorney General's Office, advancing her passion for public service.

CO-DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE

School: University of Vermont

Area of Interest: LGBTQ+ Civil Liberties

Bio: Zane Zupan is a leader in LGBTQ+ policy in New England and hopes to one day become an impact litigation attorney fighting for the civil liberties of their community. As a trans advocate, Zane has made tangible impacts on existing law, ranging from responses to the opioid epidemic to strengthening conversion therapy bans against incoming attacks. As a Truman Scholar, Zane hopes to have a career dedicated to protecting the interests of historically oppressed Americans. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Sociology, and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies, they are currently completing a Master’s in Public Administration at the University of Vermont. 

CO-DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE AND CULTURE

School: Rochester Institute of Technology

Area of Interest: Civil Rights (Specializing in gender, race, and LGBTQ+ rights)

Bio: K.S. Jamison is an undergraduate at the University of Rochester studying Political Science and Film & Media Studies. She works at the intersection of art and policy, supporting underserved populations through community outreach and media representation. Outside of academia, she has served as a Legislative Intern for NYS Senator Samra Brouk and a Grant Panelist for Genesee Valley Council on the Arts.

A former NASA intern sponsored by the Harvard-Smithsonian CFA, she developed an educational podcast series to inspire the next generation of BIPOC women in STEM. As the youngest board member of RocArts United, K.S. works to improve economic access for career artists in Rochester, NY. Jamison aims to use her legal education to work towards a more equitable future.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Simmons University

Areas of Interest: Education Law, Civil Rights, Economic Development

Bio: Rachel is a proud Vermont native with a passion for education policy and civil rights advocacy. She is currently pursuing her BA in Political Science and Economics at Simmons University within an accelerated graduate program, where she will earn her MA in Public Policy. Beyond her studies, Rachel serves as a Youth Organizing Fellow with Americans United and an Advocacy Associate at Inclusive America. She is also conducting independent research regarding the economics of early childhood education in the United States. Upon her graduation, Rachel is committed to pursing her JD and continuing down the path of public service within the non-profit sphere.

PEOPLE AND CULTURE COMMITTEE MEMBER

School: Drury University

Area of Interest: Racial Justice

Bio: Serenity Sosa is a native Kansan and aspiring public interest lawyer committed to healing communities fractured by unjust policies and inequitable access to the law. A recent graduate of Drury University, she served as long-time President of the Black United Independent Collegiate and founded Sociedad de Orgullo Latino, an organization dedicated to empowering Hispanic and Latino students on campus.

Serenity has been nationally recognized for her impact, including honors as a Point Foundation BIPOC Scholar, Her Bold Move Fellow, Rilla Moran Woods Intern with the National Federation of Democratic Women, and as a recipient of a Certificate of Leadership from the NAACP Youth and College Division. She has gained hands-on experience as a district intern in the office of Representative Sharice Davids, and currently works in the Missouri courts. In her free time, she enjoys trying new recipes and connecting with friends.