Andy Baca Velasquez

Andy Baca Velasquez (he/him/his) is a junior at Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in Philosophy for Law & Policy and Educational Studies. Andy is a first-generation, low-income college student and the child of immigrant parents from Nicaragua, raised in Montgomery County, Maryland. Drawing on his firsthand experiences with language and class barriers in his community, as well as his work providing academic support to children in underserved communities, he is deeply committed to advancing education equity. Although extensive theorizing exists regarding effective pedagogies in schools, Andy aims to leverage legal frameworks to bridge the gap between theory and practice in communities that lack adequate structural support. He believes that, while the law has helped entrench inequities within our schooling and meritocracy, it can also be leveraged to ensure that everyone can experience the liberatory nature of education, so that every child can pursue their highest ambitions unhindered.

Darianny Bautista

Darianny Bautista, a first-generation Dominican American from Newark, New Jersey, is a trailblazer in public service and advocacy. A senior at George Washington University, she is pursuing a double degree in Political Science and Philosophy with a concentration in Public Affairs. Her academic journey began at Bergen Community College, where she earned an Honors Associate of Science before transferring to GW. Having previously served as a Running Start Congressional Fellow for U.S. Senator Cory Booker and Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, Darianny currently works at the U.S. Department of Justice, reinforcing her commitment to legal equity and systemic reform. Beyond her professional experience, she is a Harvard LEAD Scholar and a two-time recipient of U.S. Senate Special Recognitions for Leadership and Service. As the founder of Reshaping the Future, she has empowered underserved students to pursue higher education. Her firsthand experiences navigating systemic barriers fuel her ambition to become an attorney and public servant, committed to reshaping the very systems that uphold inequality and neglect communities like hers.

Elia Ching

Elia Ching (he/him/his) is a rising junior at Claremont McKenna College. As a Robert Day Scholar and Seaver Scholar, he studies economics and government, exploring the intersection of policy, strategy, and impact. On campus, Elia is deeply engaged in intellectual and professional communities, contributing to the Lowe Institute of Political Economy, SOURCE Nonprofit Consulting, and the Keck Center for International and Strategic Studies. Through these roles, he brings analytical rigor and thoughtful insight to discussions on both global and domestic issues. His professional experiences span internships at the New York Federal Reserve, the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Foreign Policy Research Institute, as well as research positions at Stanford University. Passionate about law, consulting, and economic policy, Elia enjoys breaking down complex challenges and transforming insights into action.

Jasmine DeBruce

Jasmine DeBruce (she/her), from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is currently a junior at Spelman College, double majoring in philosophy and political science. Jasmine is particularly interested in the intersection of philosophy and law and is deeply guided by her passion for political philosophy. Recently, she was recognized at Spelman College’s Annual Research Day for her extensive research relating to the human capacity to restore democracy using philosophical frameworks relating to social vitality, civic duty, and civic trust. Alongside her academic pursuits, Jasmine serves on the executive boards of Sisters Keeping It Real Through Service, Inc., The African Diaspora Society, the Spelman College Chapter of Black Girls Vote, and the AUC Modeling and Media Agency. Additionally, she is a member of the “Sweet” Mu Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, serving on the Social Justice and Environmental Action Committees, the Spelman and Morehouse Pre-Law Society, and the Spelman College Mock Trial Association as a competing attorney. Additionally, she has had the opportunity to work for the City of Atlanta’s Mayor’s Office under the administration of Mayor Andre Dickens as an intern with the Office of Communications. Additionally, and in light of Jasmine’s internships with the boutique firm, The White Legal Group, LLC, as well as the iconic brand Tiffany & Co., her experiences in the classroom, in her community, and in the workplace have shaped her legal goals for the future. She aspires to build a career in corporate law within a global context, specializing in employment law and corporate responsibility, ensuring alignment with regulations and high ethical standards concerning labor rights, environmental law, human rights, and DEI initiatives. Following her work in the private sector, she hopes to transition to the public sphere, serving as an attorney with the United Nations. Her interest in the U.N. is shaped by her interest in refugee law, racial non-discrimination efforts, environmental law, and human rights as they relate to conflict, war crimes, and crimes against women and children.

Debra Erdenemandakh

Debra Erdenemandakh (she/her/hers) is a junior at the University of Southern California, studying Intelligence and Cyber Operations with minors in Finance and Technology Commercialization. Born in Chicago, Illinois, and later moving to the nomadic landscapes of Mongolia, Debra initially turned to technology as both an escape and a means to explore the world. After returning to the United States, she was raised by her teenage sister and began supporting her future by learning to code and develop websites. Her ongoing involvement in entrepreneurship and technology—combined with her diverse life experiences—has fueled her ambition to become a cyber attorney. Debra aims to enhance the security of digital systems and assets, particularly those supporting electronic voting software in developing countries. In addition to her academic pursuits, Debra is the founder of Avenues Consulting Group, the Partnerships Coordinator for HackSC, a Trojan Guardian Scholar, and a Campus Lead for Matriculate. She also balances two roles: working as an IT specialist for the Marshall School of Business and serving as a Teaching Assistant for the Viterbi School of Engineering. Previously, she interned with the DCCC as a Data Analyst and served as a Youth Coordinator for AAPI Against Hate, organizing protests throughout the Greater Seattle area. Committed to innovation and leveraging technology, Debra aspires to pursue a J.D. to open her own cyber practice—one that advises governments, reduces corruption, and builds trust in electronic voting systems.

Esrom Ghirmay

Esrom Ghirmay (he/him/his) is a rising junior at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Born in Oakland, California, and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, he is a first-generation Eritrean American passionate about international affairs and human rights. As a Political Science major with double minors in African American Studies and Psychology, Esrom is committed to addressing human rights violations under the current Eritrean regime and advocating for those whose rights have been stripped away. On campus, Esrom is actively involved in various leadership roles. He serves as the Public Relations Officer for the African-Caribbean Student Association, a member of the Black Student Alliance Events and Traditions Committee, a Student Conduct Advisor, a Resident Advisor, and an initiate of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. He also holds the position of Vice President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council as a member of the Omicron Sigma Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Beyond Wake Forest, Esrom gained international experience through a summer internship in Cape Town, South Africa, working with the Scalabrini Centre. There, he contributed to programs that support migrants through advocacy, welfare services, employment assistance, and English language education. Esrom is deeply committed to social justice, leadership, and community empowerment, both on campus and beyond.

Angel Gilbert

Angel Gilbert (she/her) is a rising senior at Columbia University majoring in African-American and African Diaspora Studies. As a proud Questbridge Scholar and first-generation college student, Angel has passionately advocated for human rights throughout her academic journey. To dismantle the inherent and cyclical violence of incarceration, she cannot wait to become a criminal justice attorney. Currently, Angel is conducting research with Dr. David Knight at The Movements Against Mass Incarceration Lab—a Mellon Foundation Project that aims to uplift the oral stories of 200 formerly incarcerated activists. Prior to this position, Angel interned for the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law and the ACLU National Prison Project. Eager to cheer on a multi-generational community of changemakers, she is honored to participate in the Stanford Law Scholars Institute.

Pricilla Jimenez

Pricilla Jimenez (she/her/hers) is a rising sophomore majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies from Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Pricilla became tied to the legal system at an incredibly early age having had firsthand experience of what it was like to be a child in a custody case involving neglect and abuse. It was this connection to the law that sparked her first interest in learning about what the legal field can offer her as an individual. Currently, she is involved in the Student Governing Association as Academic Senator to the School of Arts and Sciences, Rutgers Debate Team, and as a Legal Professions Learning Community Scholar. She also often judges NSDA Speech & Debate Tournaments, constantly inspiring the next generation of student leaders to innovate and expand, while also giving back to her community. Facing systematic barriers has fueled her commitment to law and social justice, inspiring her to attend law school and use her legal education to drive meaningful change. She is excited to join a group of fellow distinguished individuals and learn more about what tomorrow holds for her as an aspiring legal professional through the Stanford Law Scholars Institute.

Jonathan Lam

Jonathan Lam (he/him) is a rising junior at Cornell University majoring in Industrial and Labor Relations and double minoring in International Relations and Migrations. As a First-Gen student and son of Vietnamese refugees, his interest in the law is the intersection between immigration, international human rights, and criminal justice law. On campus, he serves as the incoming Co-President for Cornell ACLU, Vice President for Cornell-Anti Detention Alliance and Co-Vice President for Cornell Parole Initiative. He currently serves as a National Youth Leader and New York’s Community Organizing Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Rights Task Force at Amnesty International USA. He is also a RFK Human Rights John Lewis Young Leaders Fellow, where he started Sanctuary Beyond War, an advocacy project focused on disarmament, humanitarian efforts, and protecting refugee rights. He is also a youth organizer with the ACLU of New York (NYCLU) and his activism efforts have been highlighted and featured on Teen Vogue, NBC News, and ABC News. Jonathan has served as a U.N Youth Delegate for the U.N Summit of the Future and currently is a youth delegate at the U.N Third Annual Member States Parties Meeting on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Treaty. He co-drafted and published a working paper on the United Nations Office of Disarmament website outlining recommendations on supporting marginalized communities, specifically Pacific Island nations impacted by nuclear testing. Jonathan is a Cornell National Meinig Family National Scholar, Laidlaw Leadership and Research Scholar, and Cornell’s Undergraduate Migration Scholar.

Caden Lucas

Caden Lucas (he/him/his) is a rising junior at Western Kentucky University pursuing a B.A. in Political Science and Legal Studies. Raised in rural Kentucky, Caden is committed to strengthening democratic understanding and advocating for public policies that equitably serve developing and rural communities. Inspired by his experience in grassroots organizing, he founded WKU’s Civic Engagement Resource Center to institutionalize voter engagement and expand public service pathways for underrepresented students. Beyond campus, Caden has worked in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs, conducted legal research on General Data Protection Regulation compliance for NASA, and is a Harvard Public Policy Leadership Scholar. His experiences in grassroots organizing, legal research, and civic leadership, as well as his love for people, drive his passion for bridging law, policy, and public service to create meaningful change in rural communities.

Kennedi Maxwell

Kennedi Maxwell is a rising junior at Tuskegee University, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy and a concentration in Pre-Law. Born and raised in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Kennedi was inspired to pursue civil rights law after the events of the summer of 2020. Kennedi’s commitment to advocacy is seen through her involvement and leadership with the NAACP, where she serves as the secretary for both Tuskegee University’s chapter and the state of Alabama’s Youth & College Division. Other campus involvement includes Tuskegee’s Pre-Law Society, the Collegiate100, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, and the National Society of Leadership & Success. With a strong commitment to academic excellence and social impact, she seeks to use the law as a tool to uplift marginalized communities.

Jana Mohamed

Jana Mohamed (she/her) is a community organizer and a third-year Global Studies student at The New School, with a double minor in Communication Design and Printmaking. Born and raised in Kuwait, she is originally from Alexandria, Egypt. On campus, Jana is deeply devoted to community-driven initiatives, serving as the President of the Middle Eastern North African Creatives Collective (MENA CC). Her work and enthusiasm hone in on themes of collective memory, Middle Eastern history/contemporary politics, cultural identity and preservation, spaces of struggle, and erasure and subjugation alongside the linkages of art and design. Beyond
academia, she has held internships at Human Rights First and worked as a Studio Assistant for a sculpture artist in New York. She is currently an Arts and Culture Intern at the Middle East Institute and a Studio Administrative Assistant at the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop. Driven by her Arab and Middle Eastern heritage and the historical and ongoing injustices and dehumanization faced by these communities, she is keen on using legal advocacy as a tool to confront oppression and occupation.

Julia Monconduit

Julia Monconduit (she/her/hers) is a rising junior at Tulane University. There, she is pursuing a dual degree of a B.S.M in Legal Studies as well as a B.A. in English, minoring in Spanish and the Pre-Law track. During her time at Tulane, she has been an active member of the Afterschool Newcomb Tutoring program, the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and the First-Year Experience Team. In addition, she also acts as the Student Experience Committee Chair of the Tulane Undergraduate Assembly, a representative on the College Scholars Leadership Council, a violinist in the Tulane University orchestra, and a Resident Advisor on the Housing & Residence Life Team. Upon graduation, Julia aspires to earn a J.D. to better represent the underrepresented and unrepresented voices in marginal communities as an entertainment lawyer. When she isn’t doing this, she enjoys cooking, baking, reading, photography, and spending time with her friends watching a good movie or eating good food!

Sharon Olaifa

Sharon (“Shay”) Olaifa (she/her/hers) is a junior at Rice University, pursuing a dual B.A. in Political Science and Social Policy Analysis. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Shay is a proud Nigerian-American dedicated to advancing health equity through law and policy. A finalist for the Truman Scholarship, she draws from personal experiences and extensive work in environmental justice, healthcare accountability, and grassroots advocacy to address systemic healthcare disparities. At Rice, she has served as a Student Association Senator and Director of Policy, spearheading initiatives to promote institutional inclusivity. She is also a research fellow documenting environmental racism in Houston’s Fifth Ward and has worked on health policy initiatives with the UT Health Center for Health Equity. Through internships with public interest organizations and policy research, she aims to use a J.D./M.P.H. to advocate for legal reforms and policy initiatives that ensure equitable healthcare access for marginalized populations. In her free time, she enjoys upcycling and designing sustainable fashion pieces, skating, reading, and discovering new music!

Chrystalle Perez

Chrystalle Perez is a rising junior at Northeastern University, majoring in Political Science. As a proud Peruvian-American from Houston, Texas, Chrystalle’s passion for law, particularly criminal law, began early in life. Growing up in a diverse community where many individuals faced uncertainty regarding their legal status, she witnessed firsthand the profound impact of the justice system on people’s lives. These experiences sparked a deep desire to advocate for vulnerable communities and contribute to creating a fairer, safer society. This past semester, Chrystalle was an intern in the Narcotics Unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Working alongside federal prosecutors, she gained invaluable insights into the complexities of criminal law and the critical role it plays in upholding justice. Her experiences have solidified her belief that a career in criminal law would allow her to not only seek accountability for wrongdoing but also ensure that justice is served with integrity and fairness. Chrystalle’s drive to pursue criminal law is also rooted in her upbringing. Raised by immigrant parents who emphasized the importance of service, she learned early on that those who have the means to give back should always help those in need. She embodies this value through her volunteer work at her church’s food pantry, tutoring children from her church, and participating in Habitat for Humanity. Aspiring to become a prosecutor, Chrystalle hopes to serve as a voice for those who often go unheard and to contribute to building safer communities. She is particularly motivated by the opportunity to make a tangible impact by helping to protect public safety and uphold the rule of law. Additionally, Chrystalle hopes to serve as an example to her siblings, showing them the power of giving back, and possibly serve as inspiration to those who come from a similar background.

Brodhi Ramirez

Brodhi Ramirez (he/him/él), a sophomore Annika Rodriguez Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis, is from the rural town of King City, Missouri. Raised by a single mother in poverty, he is committed to advocating for first-generation, low-income students. He is double majoring in Political Science and Sociology with a minor in Film & Media Studies. At WashU, he is involved in Lock & Chain (WashU’s oldest sophomore honorary), GlobeMed (a global health equity club), and Carnaval (a Latine cultural show), and was a member of the Gephardt Institute-sponsored St. Louis Fellows 2024 cohort. Passionate about civic engagement, Brodhi is driven by his desire to serve underprivileged communities. His interest in law, centered on advocacy and social justice, deepened during his time at the holistic nonprofit legal firm ArchCity Defenders. This experience reinforced his commitment to pursuing a legal career that protects marginalized communities and advances social justice. He hopes to dedicate his life to the service of others through his aspirations in the legal field.

Diego Ramos

Diego Ramos (he/him/his) is a rising senior majoring in Economics and Political Science at the University of Notre Dame. He is a proud Mexican-American, born and raised in Houston, Texas. Diego is studying political science and economics to get a more complete picture of how the United States’ political and economic systems impact its citizens. He believes both lenses are crucial in his pursuit of expanding his ability to positively impact the lives of those around him. Diego is interested in LGBTQ+ political and legal rights, and how the law impacts the lives of queer people in different jurisdictions. He seeks to become an upstanding force through his legal career. At the age of 19, Diego completed an internship at the Supreme Court of the United States, where he gained first-hand experience with how environmental law is adjudicated and received unforgettable mentorship over the course of a semester. His time at the Court only amplified his interest in the law and how it impacts real people. At the Stanford Law Scholars Institute, he hopes to gain a more complete picture of what career avenues he can take to fulfill his hopes of practicing law.

Demetrick Stringer

Demetrick began his activism journey as a teen, hosting a school-sponsored protest against gun violence in public schools, at Tunica Middle School, where a firearm had been found the same week. During his transition to high school, this passion for making a difference resulted in his joining multiple organizations, such as the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America as its Vice President, Future Business Leaders of America as its Co-President, National Honor Society, and Tunica Teens In Action, and meeting with the Superintendent at the time to discuss relevant issues. This was done while maintaining high academic excellence and being the President of the school’s marching band. Demetrick has devoted much of his work to serving others throughout Mississippi, but primarily in the Mississippi Delta Region due to the historic setbacks and issues that plague the area. Demetrick has been a social advocate for mental health resources, youth and community development, educational resources, criminal justice reform, and ending mass incarceration. Demetrick is the Finance Chair of the University of Mississippi NAACP chapter, a member of the Black Student Union, Undergraduate Law School Society, Black Undergraduate Law School Society, and a First Generation College Student Representative under the Associated Student Body. He is a Provost Scholar, Chancellor’s Scholar, and Dean’s Scholar, and the 2024-2025 recipient of the James H. Meredith Community Transformation Award for his innovative D.R.E.A.M. (Debt Reduction Educational Achievement Method) Initiative, a program designed to assist high school seniors in the Mississippi Delta gain acceptance in and find financial assistance for a higher education. Demetrick aspires to continue Mississippi’s legacy of civil rights activism by becoming an attorney. Demetrick desires to advance racial equity and eliminate the continual discrimination committed against historically oppressed groups by using the law as a tool in the fight for social and racial justice. A common quote that he tells to those he helps is “Never be limited by a limited imagination.”

Gavin Walker-Mason

Gavin Walker-Mason (all pronouns) is a rising junior at Rutgers University-Newark, studying Political Science with minors in the Honors College and Social Justice through the Honors Living-Learning Community (HLLC). Gavin serves as the first sophomore in their university’s history elected to the student government executive board, as Chief of Staff, and represents over 65,000 students on the Rutgers President’s Student Advisory Board as the youngest of 12 representatives. Dedicated to social justice, Gavin has worked extensively in domestic and international policy, including an internship in Moshi, Tanzania, with Kizazi Hodari through USAID, where they contributed to treatment and testing outreach initiatives for youth living with HIV/AIDS in some of East Africa’s most vulnerable and isolated populations. In New Jersey, Gavin has led youth campaign efforts for the Ras Baraka Gubernatorial Campaign Committee and worked as an oral history coder for the nonprofit My Voice Our Stories, which utilizes destigmatization as a tool to fight against HIV/AIDS. Gavin’s heart lies at the intersection of policy, social justice, and LGBTQ+ rights, driving their goal toward pursuing law school and a career in politics and civil rights law. In their free time, Gavin enjoys participating as an NCAA athlete for Rutgers-Newark, thrifting, exploring new coffee shops, and traveling.

Nathan Yuan

Nathan Yuan studies Economics and Political Science at Columbia University, where he transferred after a year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As an investigative journalist, his article about the systemic underidentification of students experiencing homelessness in Illinois was awarded the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness’ Victory Award, among others. In addition to his work as a journalist, he was an author of Illinois House Bill 5407: “Strengthening Supports for Students Experiencing Homelessness,” and helped design the Homeless Student Identification Performance Assessment (HSIPA). As an intern at the Washington, D.C. based non-profit SchoolHouse Connection, he led the analysis of hundreds of pages of government finance data and authored a report to Congress that directly led to 32 U.S. Senators signing onto a bipartisan Dear Colleague Letter. Previously, he was a Gary Marx fellow at the National Institute for Computer Assisted Reporting, a public policy fellow at Hear Us Inc., and a volunteer for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual Point-in-Time count. At Columbia, he is an editor for the campus publication Bwog.

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