Introducing the Roosevelt Network Fellows of 2025

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt, address at the University of Pennsylvania, 1940

FDR understood that even when the future seems uncertain, we must invest in developing our future leaders. That’s why the Roosevelt Network is proud to bring this aspect of the legacy to life by announcing the undergraduate students selected to participate in its three transformative fellowship programs. Divided among the Forge, Roosevelt in Washington (RIW), and Emerging Fellowships, these students will gain the skills, experiences, and vision necessary to lead progressive change. Each fellowship emphasizes a unique facet of professional development and policy immersion. 

The Forge Fellowship—a six-month experience designed for first- and second-year undergraduates—serves as an entry point to the Network and honors the legacy of the late Reese Neader, a Network staff member, organizer, mentor, and friend to many Roosevelters. It provides foundational training in policy research, analysis, and communication training from a progressive perspective. More than just an introduction, Forge encourages students to question dominant economic ideas and explore alternative policy approaches. Through virtual sessions, mentorship, collaboration, and an in-person policy conference, fellows gain the skills and support they need to begin their journey in progressive public policy work.

This year’s Forge Fellows are:

• Uche Alozie – Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
• Sky Cambron – Marymount Manhattan College
• Gracey Champ – West Virginia University
• Henry Carter – Texas Tech University
• Peter Conser – The Ohio State University
• Paige Duffy – Villanova University
• Donovan Fobbs – Michigan State University
• Gracie Fisher – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Yazmina Holness – Georgia Institute of Technology
• Tvisha Jindal – Rising College Freshman
• Lilla Korniss – University of Connecticut
• Carina Laventure – Howard University
• Frankie Luna – Columbia University
• Madelyn McFall – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
• Victoria Nwankwo – Emory University
• Martin Orea – Santa Monica College
• Arabelle Park – Barnard College, Columbia University
• Sydney Phillips – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Maria Rueda – Stanford University
• Jason Sherrick – Bowdoin College
• Nahom Sisay – Collin College
• Ryan Williams – University of Virginia
• Kanz Wiggins – Howard University
• Zipporah Yontz – University of Missouri
• Niky Zhuang – University of Michigan

The second fellowship, Roosevelt in Washington (RIW), stands as a beacon of opportunity for aspiring progressive students, offering a six-month immersion into the world of progressive policy in the nation’s capital. RIW includes both students new to the Roosevelt Network and returning fellows from other Network fellowships. Designed to engage students during the spring and summer preceding their junior or senior year, this program offers a comprehensive leadership and professional development experience. Through career exploration, skill-building workshops, mentorship, and community engagement, RIW provides a pathway for students to hone their focus by learning about all aspects of the progressive policy ecosystem.

This year’s RIW Fellows will include four returning Forge Fellows:

• Aishah Abdalah – University of New Orleans
• Love Adu – Cypress College
• Tierra Albert – Claflin University
• Rea Bardhi – University of Michigan (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Owen Cai – Vanderbilt University
• Luke Corless – Connecticut College (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Idalyd Granados – Texas Woman’s University
• Kayla Hynes – University of Oklahoma (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Netra Parikh – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Noah Rossin – Bowdoin College (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Alexander Shearman – City University of New York, Hunter College
• Eyces Tubbs – University of Alabama
• Eric Valcarce – University of Florida
• Angel Valle-Flores – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Landis Varughese – University of Wisconsin–Madison

Last but not least, the Emerging Fellowship offers a unique, yearlong opportunity for aspiring progressive policy researchers to deepen their writing skills. Emerging Fellow cohorts often consist of returning fellows from Forge and RIW. Designed for undergraduate juniors and seniors, this fellowship goes beyond traditional coursework, providing hands-on experience in policy research, writing, and publication. Through virtual learning, mentorship, peer collaboration, and an in-person conference, Emerging Fellows gain the tools and confidence to produce publication-ready work on the issues that matter most to their communities. With its focus on professional development and policy authorship, the Emerging Fellowship prepares students for graduate study and public policy careers while offering a lasting connection to a national network of progressive leaders.

This year’s Emerging Fellows will include 16 returning Forge and RIW Fellows:

• Tyren Boyd – University of Mississippi (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Melanie Cabrero – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Avinash Chivakula – University of Texas at Dallas
• Sonali Dade – Wellesley College (Returning RIW Fellow)
• Amant Grewal – University of Michigan
• Anna Hyslop – University of Oklahoma (Returning RIW Fellow)
• Janaki Kapadia – Wellesley College (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Inica Kotasthane – Barnard College, Columbia University (Returning RIW Fellow)
• Eduardo Linardi – University of Florida
• Luke McDermott – University of Nebraska–Lincoln
• Rachea McDonald – Bowdoin College (Returning RIW Fellow)
• Nazrin Nahar – City University of New York, Baruch College
• Obinna Oramalu – Howard University (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Evelyn Qiu – New York University (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Olu Rouse – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Aana Shenai – Loyola University Chicago (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Kei Smith – DePaul University
• Ellie Spangler – Macalester College (Returning RIW Fellow)
• Colin Street – West Virginia University (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Willie White III – Howard University (Returning RIW Fellow)
• Breah Marie Willy – University of Michigan (Returning Forge Fellow)
• Elena Wierich – Washington University in St. Louis
• Randi Wright – University of Oklahoma
• Andy Zhang – University of Connecticut (Returning Forge Fellow)

“This year, we received hundreds of impressive applications, making it incredibly difficult to narrow the selection to just over 60 students,” said Katie Kirchner, Vice President of Field-Building Programs at the Roosevelt Institute and National Director of the Roosevelt Network. “This cohort brings a wide range of perspectives—many are first-generation college grads or students who bring lived experiences that aren’t often reflected in policy spaces. United by their passion for progressive policy and social change, they represent the leadership, creativity, and determination that drives our Network forward. I’m thrilled to support them on every step of their journey.”