Students

ta453@scarletmail.rutgers.edu

Born and raised in Newark, NJ, Titi Afolabi is a graduate of Science Park High School (2019) and is a rising senior at Rutgers University-Newark with a major in political science and a minor in women’s and gender studies and a concentration in social justice through the Honors Living-Learning Community. She has worked as an English tutor with the Abbott Leadership Institute. This organization empowers parents, students, educators, and community advocates through information about public school reform and knowledge of effective family engagement methods in schools in Newark. She is an active community member who recently completed an internship with the Truth Racial Healing Transformation Center, a center that fosters and strengthens the collective knowledge and wisdom of the diverse communities in and of the City of Newark. The center also engages in an arc of interactive programming designed to change the narrative about race and race relations in Newark and beyond through racial healing circles and others methods of community engagement.

She has volunteered with NJPIRG on public interest projects such as voting advocacy in college students and has also interned with the Intercultural Resource Center at her university as an LGBTQ+ peer mentor and activist. She is currently a student journalist and News Editor for her school’s paper, The Observer, writing primarily on political issues. In addition, she is a member of the Bold Women’s Leadership Network, a pioneering program cultivating courageous leadership in young women during their collegiate education, college years, and beyond. On a pre-law track, she hopes to attend law school with interests in health law and employment law. Overall, Titi utilizes her passion for social justice, politics, and community building to advocate for marginalized groups.

cba37@scarletmail.rutgers.edu

Chantel Amissah, School of Arts and Sciences ‘23, is a Political Science major with a minor in Theater. She is an active member of the Douglass Residential College and an Institute of Women’s Leadership scholar here at Rutgers. Presently, she is a fellow at the Eagleton Undergraduate Associates Program and was accepted amongst students from Rutgers schools and departments with an interest in politics, government, policy, and/or advocacy to complete an interdisciplinary certificate program as a Rutgers undergraduate. Her passions lie within advocacy for global women’s rights.

During her undergrad career, she has interned at the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, a Rutgers-affiliated organization that aids and brings awareness to women’s issues globally, through hands-on activism and diplomacy. In addition to her internships, she was accepted amongst hundreds of applicants for an exclusive presentation and publication of research at the Rutgers Undergraduate Research Writing Conference, an annual event that showcases outstanding work completed by students across Rutgers University. Her research examines the post-colonial Ghanaian identity as it relates to religious syncretism and modernity. Upon graduation, Chantel seeks to pursue a dual degree in Political Science and Global Policy Studies.

carmenarielab12@gmail.com

Carmen Benitez is a twenty-three year old originating from Cliffside Park, NJ. She attends Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ, where she is pursuing her Masters in Public Administration. Carmen just graduated with her Bachelors in Arts and Sciences of Criminal Justice. She is interested in working in law enforcement and plans to start a nonprofit in the future.

mariaacastro125@gmail.com

Maria Castro is a rising senior from Manville, New Jersey, double majoring in Political Science and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, with a minor in psychology at Rutgers-New Brunswick. She is a student at the School of Arts and Sciences and Douglass Residential College. Her academic and research interests are in American politics, gender, identity, and political representation, and immigration policy and reform. Maria is currently an undergraduate associate for the 2022-2023 cohort with the Eagleton Institute of Politics. She also served as a student advocate for the 2022 cohort of Rutgers Advocacy Corps, lobbying for increased financial aid with the Office of Federal Relations. On campus, Maria most recently served as the Artistic Director of Cabaret Theatre, and is also an active member of the Livingston Theatre Company. Maria has been a deeply passionate advocate for women’s equity and lgbtq+ rights ever since she was in high school, going as far as to found the first gender-sexualities alliance in her high school’s history. Throughout college, she has continued to advocate for others in any way she can. Through her involvement in student theatre she has worked to diversify theatre spaces, and make theatre spaces safer for queer artists and artists of color. Upon graduation, Maria seeks to pursue a master’s degree in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies with focuses in feminist practices for social change, and continue to advocate for others using what she’s learned through her higher education.

helydodia03@gmail.com

Hely Dodia is a first-generation college student who recently graduated from Middlesex College with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration in 2022. At Middlesex College, Hely participated in student government, provided over 600 hours of community service as part of the Bonner Leader Program, and was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She advocated for Juvenile Justice reform by working alongside the Center for Justice-Impacted Students at Middlesex College. She is an Education Opportunity Fund Program Scholar and Phi Theta Kappa and New Jersey Council of County College’s 2022 New Jersey All-Academic Team member. She has also worked at the Middlesex County Division of Children Services as an intern.

Beginning Fall 2022, Hely plans on attending Rutgers Business School as a junior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Finance. Her goal is to graduate from Rutgers Business School by May of 2024. She also wishes to pursue an MBA at a reputable institute post-graduation. Her academic interests lie in investment banking, commercial banking, asset management, risk management, and overall, corporate finance. Apart from business, her academic interests also lie in human psychology, cultural studies, public policy, and art history. Professionally, Hely wants to gain more experience in the field of business but also wants to continue to participate in different forms of civic engagement. She wants to stay connected with her community and try to become the voice for minority groups.

chana.b.fisher@gmail.com

Chana Fisher is a rising junior at Rutgers University majoring in History and Political Science. She is actively exploring options for a minor and is excited to learn more. She hopes to pursue a career in public policy or law. She enjoys learning about different religions, customs, and cultures. She is also passionate about learning about and finding solutions for the problems that affect New Jersey citizens, such as food deserts and neonatal deaths. Chana enjoys comedy and creative writing, and has written for The Anthologist, Rutgers’s Literary Journal.

gaffneys5@student.wpunj.edu

Shawn Gaffney recently graduated Summa Cum Laude from William Paterson University in 2022. She earned two bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Geography and minored in Urban Studies. She has been recognized by Student Government, the Center of Diversity and Inclusion, and University Administration for her efforts towards imparting change on the University. After partaking in AmeriCorps, she plans to earn her master’s degree at Rutgers University in Urban Planning and Public Policy.

jhilares@students.pccc.edu

Judiht Hilares left Lima, Peru, the city of kings, two years ago for what she thought would be a short time abroad. She is excited to share that she is still happily living and working in North America. She has gradually adjusted to city living and feels very privileged to have spent this time of her life in what she calls one of the most interesting places, full of international restaurants and friendly people eager to learn.

As a Biology major at Passaic County Community College, she is passionate about working with people on projects related on taking care of the environment. She is currently interning in the STEM department on a climate change project, and works as a part-time intern/ambassador. She also works as a part-time Laboratory Technician in the Science Department, as well as a part-time associate at SOHM Ministries.

She is involved in her community, serving as a Sunday school leader at Paterson’s First Baptist Church during her weekends. She feels a commitment to engaging in new challenges and immersing herself in meaningful experiences that will give tools to teach and bring to others the opportunity to build a unique set of leadership skills that they can draw upon throughout their lives.

dzulietai5321@my.middlesexcc.edu

Dzulieta Ismaili-Jean is a second year student at Middlesex County College. She is majoring in Education and expects to graduate in December of 2022. Her academic interests are diverse, but she is passionate about justice and equality and any academic discipline that serves this purpose.

lawnic34@students.rowan.edu

Nic Lawniczuk is a recent alumni and graduate of Rowan University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. As a student, Nic was involved as an Associate of the Rowan Institute of Public Policy and Citizenship as well as a being active member of the Rowan University College Democrats. Her interests include women’s issue advocacy in addition to campaigning and New Jersey state politics. With the influence of her professors and supervisors of her internships, strong women in politics has always been the core of her political motivation and is a part of the role models she looks up to in her career and personal life. With this, Nic’s ambitions include impacting the world of women in leadership positions and women-run campaigns, and working for non-profits concentrating in women’s issue advocacy.

mvl55@scarletmail.rutgers.edu

Mariah is a rising junior at Rutgers University – Newark majoring in Political Science with a concentration in Social Justice. She will be studying political science and a third language at Charles University in the Czech Republic, Prague, for the fall semester. She is interested in pursuing a legal career, and her goal is to start a law firm. She is excited for the opportunity to be a 2022 NEW Leadership candidate and cannot wait to start making connections.

rmarcillogomez19@saintpeters.edu

Rebecca Marcillo-Gómez is a senior at Saint Peter’s University majoring in Political Science with a minor in English, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Social Justice, and Sociology. She is currently in a five year MPA program working to get her Master’s in Public Administration at Saint Peter’s. Her goal is to go to law school and become a civil rights lawyer. She is invested in issues of social justice and politics. She has always been fascinated by how our government works and how we can use this structure to make changes in order to create equity. Due to the ongoing attacks on underrepresented people, the need to protect laws and court cases is even more apparent. The courts have always been the branch of government that she’s been most fascinated by. After all, they interpret the law but also have the ultimate say in the legality of laws. Moreover, law tells the story of a nation’s development, it’s how we understand the development of the power structures in place in our government today. Laws tell the story of how we got to today and how we can create a better future. At the end of the day, she is concerned with people and how we can help them. She wants to help create spaces where people can be listened to and be authentically themselves.

c.marshall18@hotmail.com

Chenell Marshall is a proud New Jersey native inspired by her grandmother and mother’s careers in nursing. Chenell’s grandmother received her nursing degree and certifications in England in the late 50s. In the mid-’60s, she immigrated to the United States and overcame the hurdles of obtaining her license as an RN. Her mother was a Medical assistant and got her degree in Criminal justice. After graduating high school, Chenell applied and was accepted to Middlesex College. Unfortunately, she had to put school on hold due to some financial hardship within the family and work until she could return to her studies. She continued working in the industry on the front lines for ten years. In her thirties, she decided to further her nursing skills and reapply to the same college she left years prior. She is currently attending Middlesex College as a Nursing major with the anticipated graduating year of 2024. She is the newly elected President of Phi Theta Kappa Upsilon Gamma Chapter. Chenell recently joined the Justice for Juveniles Reform Club through exposure to her mother’s role in criminal justice affairs, working with the Juvenile Detention Center of Middlesex County. She is also a member of Middlesex College’s Student Government Association. Chenell finds participating in all of these organizations and using the ability for real change suitable and incredibly motivating to use her interpersonal skills to advance in her new leadership role.

carmeina.martinez@owl.ucc.edu

Carmeina Dalaina Martinez is a student at Union County College pursuing her Associate’s Degree and her registered nurse license by 2024. She was born in Plainfield, NJ and graduated from Linden High School, where she was in the National Honors Society. Now, she is a wife and a mother to four children, two of whom are in college, and two who will be going to Linden High School next year. She would love to go into politics in the future, as she loves talking to people and helping others. She would also like to continue her carpentry work as well.

isabellesnunez@gmail.com

Isabelle Nuñez is an undergraduate student at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. She is majoring and minoring in Political Science and History with a particular academic interest in environmental policy, social change, and human behavior.

At Raritan Valley Community College, Isabelle maintained many leadership roles as an Environmental Officer at her school. Within her two years there, she was the Vice President of Information and Media, Treasurer, and the Executive Media Manager. In these roles, she has given presentations as a panelist and facilitator for the National Council of Negro Women’s event to help young women of color confidently transition to higher education, the Engage NJ annual conference on teaching and promoting civic action, and an Earth Day seminar on communication and climate change by the NJ Student Sustainability Coalition.

Isabelle has been nominated for multiple honors societies throughout her college career, being formally inducted into Phi Theta Kappa and Phi Alpha Theta. She has become a certified member of a nonprofit created to promote community among young women in her hometown. She also has been invited to participate in graduate courses led by Yael Schacher, the Senior U.S. Advocate at Refugees International, and Julia Rose Kraut, a historian on immigration law and policy.

Being a Political Science and History student, Isabelle has developed a reservoir of papers on various social issues and trends, and an interest in conducting research and SPSS data analytics.

kocana@njcu.edu

Kaylen Ocana is a graduating senior at New Jersey City University. She is an Accounting major with a minor in Pre-Law. She has loved accounting for as long as she can remember and has plenty of expertise in the field. However, she has little experience in pre-law and thus is excited to learn about the industry starting with this program!

piedra.lizette2018@gmail.com

Lizette Piedra is a graduating senior at Rutgers University – Camden majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Urban Studies in the class of 2022. She desires to become an immigration lawyer in the future and strive to continue to find ways to help the undocumented community in the United States. She plans on creating different programs that would focus on improving and empowering communities.

lbegum37043@students.pccc.edu

Lija Rahman is currently attending Passaic County Community College (PCCC) studying Business Administration. Rahman was born in Bangladesh and attended D.M. high school in Sylhet, Bangladesh. In September of 2015, Rahman’s family immigrated to the United States, settling in New Jersey. After a month here, Lija attended John F. Kennedy High School in the School of Education and Training Academy. Lija was determined to make the best of her experience in high school and participated in an internship at Felician University in their Career Development Center. She continued her activism by joining and participating in the “Compete for Life” program and the National Honor Society club. Lija graduated in the top 10% of her high school class in 2019. Lija continued to develop her involvement throughout college. She was selected as a Winter Student of the Month by the Academic Resource Center at PCCC. She served as the Secretary of the Alliance of EOF Students and Membership Coordinator of Women of Change Success & Inspiration (WOCSI). Currently, Rahman is a Provisional Membership Coordinator of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and the CO-Chair of Service and the College Project Committee. She plans on applying as a transfer student to Rutgers University to complete her bachelors’ degree in business management. Once she successfully completes her educational goals, she aspires to return to Bangladesh and support the orphanages and the children in those orphanages and educate others on the importance of education and healthy lifestyles.

ana@heliumcreativeservices.com

Ana Paula Rodrigues has a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University – Newark and a Masters of Fine Arts from New Jersey City University, where she studied art and design. In 2022, she will graduate Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University – Newark in political science.

Rodrigues is an award-winning designer who is the proprietor of Helium Creative Services’ design firm. She has designed campaign materials for high-profile political races and marketing materials for not-for-profits, corporations, advocacy groups, and labor unions. She has worked as an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Haven, The NY Art Institute, Montclair State University, and New Jersey City University.

Rodrigues’ design work has been featured in several books, including The New Big Book of Layouts and Logolicous, published by Harper Collins. She has served as a judge in numerous design competitions, including the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) and Campaigns and Elections magazine.

Rodrigues has worked on political campaigns as a campaign manager, communications manager, and design director. She is a two-term Democratic District Leader in Newark, and she is currently completing the Leadership Newark fellowship. She is a proud member of Latinas United for Political Empowerment (LUPE) and the New Jersey Federation of Democratic Women. As part of a team, Rodrigues was named to City & State Magazine’s 2021 New York Political Consultants 75 Power List.

kennasrivastava@gmail.com

Kenna Srivastava is a rising junior at Rutgers University – New Brunswick double majoring in Philosophy and History/Political Science. Her areas of interest include ethics and wealth inequality.

taylor.loukaia@gmail.com

Taylor Loukaia was born and raised in Atlantic City, NJ. She attended two charter schools (Oceanside and Galloway Community) prior to their closing and graduated from the Atlantic County Institute of Technology (ACIT). While there, she studied Cosmetology and received her license, which is still active today.

She recently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Stockton University and received her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication Studies. She also dual minored in both Africana Studies and Political Science. In addition, she is a part of three honor societies: Alpha Lambda Theta, National Society of Leadership and Success, and Ankh Maat Wedjau. Outside of her studies, she was an active member of TogetHER, a student organization dedicated to mentoring and networking with women of color at Stockton University, and a student worker for Stockton’s Graduate Admissions Office.

Through interning with Stories of Atlantic City as well as the Superintendent of Elections Office for Atlantic County, she has garnered interest in all things community and community building, as well as diversity and inclusion and human interest storytelling. That is what prepared her for her current role at Stockton University as a Multicultural Communications Specialist, which entails her writing news articles and special publications for Stockton that highlights underserved student populations and communities.

She is also actively involved in the Engelberg Leadership Scholarship Program, which gives students from the Atlantic City area (or who graduated from AC High School) with a 3.8 GPA or higher a full-ride scholarship. The program doesn’t just provide financial assistance; it provides students with opportunities to network with local Atlantic City leaders and attend conferences and seminars whenever appropriate. After receiving the scholarship, students are expected to create a capstone project that involves helping the Atlantic City community. For her cohort’s project, they created a literacy program for students that attend an after-school program at the Salvation Army. In the three-day program, we read to the students, held group-read-aloud, and had them complete their own 1-2 page stories. As an alumna of Stockton, she is now a mentor and sit on the program’s Selection Committee.