News & Events
Thirty-four outstanding City College Students join the Moynihan Center as Public Service Fellows
April 29, 2025
The Moynihan Center at The City College of New York (CCNY) announces its 2025-2026 cohort of Moynihan Public Service Fellows. This group of 34 outstanding undergraduate students represents the Center's largest and most diverse cohort to date, reflecting the rich diversity of CCNY's student body and their shared commitment to careers in public service.
The Moynihan Public Service Fellowship is designed to help exceptional City College students with an interest in public service achieve their career goals through complementary education in both theory and practice, individualized mentorship, and subsidized summer internships in the field of public service, together with awards of up to $20,000 per fellow over the course of two years.
"This expanded cohort represents a significant milestone in our mission to connect City College's extraordinary student body to public service leadership," said Carlo Invernizzi Accetti, Executive Director of the Moynihan Center. "By extending our program to two years, we can provide deeper engagement with both theoretical frameworks and practical governance challenges, ensuring fellows develop the analytical capabilities and professional networks needed for meaningful careers in public service."
The 2025-2026 cohort includes students from 11 different academic majors, with interests ranging from urban policy and environmental justice to international relations and public health. The fellowship provides a unique opportunity for these students to engage with leading practitioners, scholars, and journalists while developing practical skills through real-world experience in public service organizations.
"What distinguishes our fellowship is its integration of rigorous academic study with practical professional development," said Michael Miller, Managing Director of the Moynihan Center. "Our fellows don't just study policy in the classroom—they apply what they learn through internships at government agencies and policy organizations across New York City. This bridge between theory and practice, combined with our emphasis on substantive dialogue across difference, prepares them to address complex urban challenges with both principled judgment and practical wisdom."
Layana Abu Touq, Senior Program Manager at the Moynihan Center, who oversees the undergraduate fellowship program, highlighted its impact: "The transformative impact of our program is evident in our outcomes. With our expanded network of nearly 40 partner organizations, fellows gain invaluable hands-on experience that translates directly into career opportunities. Our most recent survey showed that 84% of supervisors reported fellows exceeded expectations, with multiple students receiving immediate job offers. We're not just preparing students for entry-level positions—we're developing the next generation of public service leaders."
The fellowship includes a comprehensive curriculum that addresses both theoretical foundations and practical skills. First-year fellows explore power, politics, and policy in New York City, while second-year students engage with media literacy, constructive dialogue in polarized environments, and develop policy solutions through the Civic Innovation Lab.
When asked why they were excited to become Moynihan Public Service Fellows, several students commented:
Nicole Foto, Biomedical Sciences: “Policy is the root of society and is a form of activism—I want to work with like-minded individuals while learning and advancing policy through my research, public health, and artistic skills!”
Zainab Hamid, Architecture: “I will benefit greatly from a society of fellows that harbors a dynamic learning environment where I can engage with people from different fields.”
Carlos Rodriguez Cobar, Economics: “I hope to grow both as a scholar and a future policymaker and economist while contributing to a space where others can do the same.”
The 2025-2026 Moynihan Public Service Fellows are:
Calum Ajax, Aysha Akter, Daniel Berlinsky, Sofia Bouzid, Samantha Demander, Rachel Deschamps Fernandez, Ava Droznik, Nicole Foto, Fae Guzman-Sarante, Zainab Hamid, Danny Hernandez, Nahomi Hurtado, Fatiath Ibraheem, Mohammed Islam, Mithi Jhaveri, Salmatou Karamoko, Peter Kasapis, Zuha Khan, Cemile Koseoglu, Sol Lilman, Graciela Lora, Rafia Mazumder, Nhat-Dinh Nguyen, Naheema Olatidoye, Rayan Rafi, Angel Ramirez, Carlos Rodriguez Cobar, Sydney Roy, Rana Saleh, Farhin Sarwar, Alin Suarez Perez, Tanema Sultana, Julianne Villar, and Ernila Zenelaj.
For more information about the Moynihan Center and its fellowship programs, click here.