KIPP Federal Policy Fellowship

An immersive opportunity for college-age KIPP alumni to intern in Washington, DC to learn how federal policy impacts every aspect of our lives, and explore career pathways that build a more just world.

The 2023 KIPP Federal Policy Fellowship

A summer internship in our nation’s capital is an invaluable experience for any student considering a career in public service. Unfortunately, it has historically been an opportunity accessible only to those with the means to afford it. Many internships in DC are still unpaid and those that do offer a stipend often fall far short of what it takes to live and work in such an expensive city for the summer. For far too long, this lack of access has perpetuated a system in which not all voices are represented in our nation’s most vital policy discussions and decisions.

In 2015, KIPP set out to change this dynamic by launching the KIPP Federal Policy Fellowship (formerly known as the KIPPtern program). Through the Federal Policy Fellowship, we support alumni with mentorship and professional development to secure internships with members of Congress, the White House, or in federal policy and advocacy organizations. Once in DC, KIPP provides Federal Policy Fellows with a paid stipend as well as support for transportation, meals, housing, and even business attire.

KIPP also sponsors cohort activities and social events to cultivate a sense of belonging across the cohort and ensure every student in the program feels connected to a community of peers and mentors. By supporting the next generation of future changemakers to begin their careers in policy, advocacy, and politics, we get one step closer to building a more just world.

2023 KIPP Federal Policy Fellows

Meet the Fellows

Amani Dobson
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Amani Dobson

Franklin and Marshall College, class of 2023

KIPP NYC Public Schools Alum

Amani Dobson is a Senior at Franklin and Marshall College where she is majoring in English with a focus in Journalism and Environmental Studies. She currently serves as Communications Director of the Senior Class Cabinet. In addition to her involvement in student government, she has been the editor and contributing writer for a student-led publication on campus. Previously, she interned at the United Nations International School where she conducted research on public health disparities and at the Bronx Community Board 6 where she supported local parks and small businesses. Amani is pursuing a career in journalism and hopes to build awareness of human rights and public health disparities, and to inspire those in her community to be a part of the change they want to see.

Andres Marquez
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Andres Marquez

University of California - Berkeley, class of 2025

 KIPP SoCal Public Schools Alum

Andres Marquez is a part of the 2025 class of the University of California, Berkeley, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He is passionate about both the law and education. Andres currently serves as a researcher at National Elections Across Democracy and Autocracy (NELDA) in Berkeley, California. Outside of the classroom, he is a college counselor at the East Bay Consortium in Oakland, California, an organization whose goal is to increase the number of students finishing high school and enrolling in postsecondary institutions. In the future, Andres aspires to use his skills in policy and advocacy to be a liaison between indigenous communities and policymakers.

Angel Nunez
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Angel Nunez

University of Colorado at Boulder, class of 2024

KIPP Colorado Public Schools Alum

Angel Nunez is a first-generation, third-year college student studying Economics at the University of Colorado Boulder. Angel is an active member of the United Mexican American Students y MECHA group at CU Boulder, which is dedicated to encouraging respect, dignity, justice, and equality for the Chicana/Chicano. Alongside this group, Angel has been a member of TRIO for six years, which is a program that provides resources to low-income students with disadvantaged backgrounds to aid in their academic success. Through this program, Angel hopes to enhance his leadership skills by becoming a peer mentor for students who have similar identities to him. Following graduation, Angel aspires to obtain his Juris Doctor degree, to work for an immigration law practice, and eventually establish his own firm to advocate for marginalized communities.

Angela Lopez-Albarran
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Angela Lopez-Albarran

University of Texas - Austin, class of 2024

 KIPP Texas Public Schools- Austin Alum

Angela Lopez-Albarran is a KIPP Amplify Scholar and a junior at the University of Texas at Austin studying Human Development and Family Sciences. She is passionate about improving the health of underserved communities and expanding the opportunities available to immigrant families. In the future, her career goals are to become a policy analyst with a focus on healthcare and immigration.

Briaunna Picart
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Briaunna Picart

University of California - Los Angeles, class of 2024

 KIPP SoCal Public Schools Alum

Briaunna Picart is a second-year student at UCLA studying Psychology. Growing up in Westmont in South Central L.A. and understanding the issues her community faces has shaped her passion for public service. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she served as a tutor for children in her community to remind them of the possibilities that lie ahead. As an advocate and leader in her community, she aims to highlight disparities in access to healthy food across the city. She continues to be engaged in both tutoring and gardening. Through her career, she hopes to help reduce the public health crises within BIPOC and low-income communities by increasing the accessibility and affordability of quality healthcare.

Ericka Vara
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Ericka Vara

Texas A&M University San Antonio, class of 2023

 KIPP Texas Public Schools- San Antonio Alum

Ericka Vara is a junior at the Texas A&M University-San Antonio. She is studying Political Science and Business Administration as her minor in hopes of becoming a Corporate Defense Attorney. She has made the Dean’s List and President’s list throughout her undergraduate years. Ericka is Publicity Chair for the National Society of Leadership and Success, Texas A&M University Chapter, which strives to ensure students receive the necessary skills to become our future leaders. She is also the Director of Publicity and Digital Marketing for Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International-TAMUSA. Ericka hopes to continue her education after university and attend law school in order to pursue her passion for helping others receive the justice they deserve.

Fatuma Abdikadir
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Fatuma Abdikadir

Berea College, class of 2024

KIPP Nashville Public Schools Alum

Fatuma Abdikadir is first-generation college student at Berea College where she is majoring in peace and social justice with a minor in political science. Coming from a low-income, immigrant background, she is no stranger to the overwhelming racism, xenophobia, and discrimination that plagues society. Fatuma aspires to transform her trauma and use it as a resource to bring about positive change in unrepresented communities. She has used spoken word poetry to spread awareness and provoke uncomfortable but essential conversations. On campus, she is currently organizing a campaign in service of improving quality of life for student workers. Fatuma hopes to continue taking all opportunities to keep learning and being a conduit of positive change. In the future, she plans to become an immigration lawyer to amplify the voices of communities that are too often ignored.

Gabrielle Barreau
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Gabrielle Barreau

Hampton University, class of 2025

KIPP New Jersey Public Schools Alum

Gabrielle Barreau is a second year Criminal Justice and Criminology major at Hampton University. She is a Merit Scholar and has been on Dean’s list for the duration of her time at Hampton. In addition to her academic commitments, she is an active member of several on-campus organizations and leadership groups. She is heavily involved with community service in her home of New Jersey as well as where she attends school in Hampton, VA, and is especially passionate about working to aid the homeless in her communities. After earning her bachelor’s degree, Gabrielle plans on pursuing a master’s as well as her PhD in Criminal Justice or Criminology. Gabrielle plans to become a Forensic Psychologist, continuing her advocacy for the mental health rights of people of color.

Gianmarco Godoy
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Gianmarco Godoy

Duke University, class of 2024

KIPP Colorado Public Schools Alum

Gianmarco Godoy is a member of the class of 2024 at Duke University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and a certificate in Secondary Education. He is passionate about addressing education inequity. After graduating, Gianmarco would like to return to the community in which he grew up to teach at the same high school he attended, to serve as a role model for his community. Long-term, he hopes to lead a non-profit organization that specializes in addressing education inequity. On campus, Gianmarco is the president of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda, Fraternity Inc. a Latinx fraternity that has been charted on Duke’s campus since 1995. Additionally, Gianmarco is a general body member of Mi Gente, the largest Latinx organization on campus.

Isabella Lora
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Isabella Lora

Boston College, class of 2025

KIPP New Jersey Public Schools Alum

Isabella Lora is a first-generation college student and a sophomore at Boston College, where she majors in Secondary Education and English with a special concentration in Special Education. At Boston College, Isabella serves on the executive board of Sisters Let’s Talk, where she advocates for women of color on campus. Isabella is also a research assistant focused on how gun violence impacts Black youth. She aspires to earn a master’s degree in Public Policy. Her goal is to enact change in her community and critically analyze policies that perpetuate Black suffering and inequity for marginalized groups. After graduating, she hopes to begin teaching and eventually gain further professional experience in public policy and human rights advocacy.

Karime Romo Morales
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Karime Romo Morales

University of Texas - Austin, class of 2024

KIPP Texas Public Schools- San Antonio Alum

Karime Romo Morales was born in Mexico and grew up in San Antonio, TX. She is a rising senior at the University of Texas at Austin studying Philosophy and pursuing a minor in Business as well as a Computer Science certificate. Karime plans to go to law school and is passionate about providing resources to the undocumented community related to getting an education, accessing healthcare, and starting a business. At UT, she is part of the University Leadership Network and Minority Women Pursuing Law. Karime is also part of ROOTED, an initiative to create a center for undocumented students on the UT campus. She enjoys being a volunteer for Austin Sunshine Camps, which provides children from underrepresented communities a summer camp experience free of charge. In her free time, she enjoys paddleboarding, reading, and scrapbooking.

Kaylin Hernández
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Kaylin Hernández

Duke University, class of 2024

KIPP Texas Public Schools- San Antonio Alum

Kaylin Hernández is a junior at Duke University studying Public Policy and Political Science. She is a Dave Goldberg Scholar and lives to serve others, especially through her involvement in various organizations. Her favorite endeavors include Citizenship Lab, where she works with a local refugee family, and PAWS, a club that promotes animal welfare through volunteering opportunities. She is also a member of a Latin sorority on campus and is passionate about fostering a welcoming environment and advocating for the Latinx community in the Research Triangle of North Carolina. As a proud San Antonio native, she aspires to work in K-12 public education policy, serving vulnerable populations and cultivating equity in communities like her own.

Mia Jones
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Mia Jones

Agnes Scott College, class of 2024

KIPP DC Public Schools Alum

Mia Jones is a junior at Agnes Scott College where she majors in International Relations with a minor in Human Rights and a concentration in Global Learning. She takes pride in being a Gilman Scholar for the U.S. Department of State and a member of Alpha Alpha Alpha, a national Honor Society for first-generation college students. Her policy areas of interest include civil rights and liberties, commerce, education, environmental protection, immigration, and international affairs. Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, Mia has had a life-changing experience studying abroad in Brussels, Belgium that solidified her interest in pursuing a career with the U.S. Department of State or the United Nations. After graduation, Mia wants to pursue a master’s degree in International Relations with a concentration in Foreign Policy. She dreams of leaving the world in a better condition than where she found it.

Mickiyah Pope
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Mickiyah Pope

Mount Holyoke College, class of 2023

KIPP New Jersey Public Schools Alum

Mickiyah Pope is a senior at Mount Holyoke College and a 2019 KIPP Alum. She is pursuing a Politics major, an Africana Studies minor, and a concentration in Educational Policy. Previously, Mickiyah has completed internships surrounding politics, such as working for the office of the Governor of New Jersey and aiding with digital communications. Currently, Mickiyah teaches first and fourth graders math and reading once a week, and she is highly interested in diving deeper into education and all it offers.

Osvaldo Soto
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Osvaldo Soto

University of Texas - Austin, class of 2024

KIPP Texas Public Schools-Houston Alum

Osvaldo Soto is a KIPP Amplify Scholar and junior at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is majoring in Economics and pursuing a certificate in Applied Statistical Modeling. Osvaldo previously worked as a contact tracer for KIPP Texas Public Schools to decrease the spread of COVID-19. He also interned for the KIPP Foundation, an experience in which he focused his time on increasing awareness of professional development programs offered by KIPP. After graduating, Osvaldo hopes to give back to the Latinx community through acts of social service.

Savoy Adams
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Savoy Adams

Loyola University Maryland, class of 2023

KIPP Baltimore Alum

Savoy Adams Jr. is a first-generation college student and a current senior at Loyola University Maryland, majoring in Sociology with minors in Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship. At Loyola, he has established himself as a persistent agitator to the administration, challenging them on racial and social justice issues at every turn. Savoy was recently honored as a member of Loyola’s Green and Grey Society, a recognition bestowed upon graduating seniors who demonstrate academic excellence and committed service to the Loyola community. He co-founded an organization on campus called “Addressing the System” with a mission to spark necessary conversations on racial injustice and issues that oppress underserved communities. Savoy is particularly interested in public policy and public health issues such as mass incarceration, juvenile delinquency, and education. Savoy’s ultimate goal is to be a part of the conversation to establish new policies that reform and address these issues.

Sharon Nwadiozor
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Sharon Nwadiozor

Rutgers University New Brunswick, class of 2024

KIPP New Jersey Public Schools Alum

Sharon Nwadiozor is a junior at Rutgers University majoring in Criminal Justice with a double minor in education and sociology. During the summer of 2021-2022, Sharon served as a Gem Project Fellow, where she facilitated and led workshops focused on social injustices. She also interned with KIPP New Jersey’s Special Education department where she supported students and teachers. Sharon aspires to become a civil rights lawyer, and later in her career, a university professor.

Yusra Sultan
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Yusra Sultan

California State University, East Bay, class of 2024

KIPP Public Schools Northern California Alum

Yusra Sultan is a third-year student at California State University, East Bay majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology with a minor in Psychology. In the future, she plans on becoming a licensed Speech Language Pathologist and working at a non-profit organization before eventually expanding into her own equitable franchise. She volunteers at middle schools in Oakland and Hayward as a member of Elevate Tutoring and College Corps to help promote an inclusive education through free tutoring. Additionally, Yusra serves as a Students Rising Above (SRA) SOAR Peer Mentor in which she supports low-income, first-generation college students in understanding educational commitments, financial aid responsibilities, and building meaningful social relationships.

Fellowship Photo Gallery

Get in Touch

If you are interested in learning more about the KIPP Federal Policy Fellowship, reach out to Dylan Alles, Senior Manager of Policy and Advocacy.

Contact Dylan

Previous Policy Fellows

View the fellows from previous cohorts of the Federal Policy Fellowship.