Ria Escamilla-Gil is a community organizer and advocate raised in Queens, New York City. As a Mexican-American, Escamilla-Gil is committed to fostering community, representation, and inclusivity through her time at Brandeis University and beyond. A member of the class of 2027, Escamilla-Gil has taken part of various impactful and meaningful organizations and groups such as the Student Union, Language Empowering Action Project, the Femme of Color Alliance and the Orientation team. She has also taken part of meaningful projects with United for a Fair Economy and Ballotpedia through research and internship work. As the current president of the undergraduate student body, Escamilla-Gil has completed several impactful initiatives such as ICC restoration, the addition of multicultural hair products on campus, club storage space renovation, and faculty-student connection program.

Ria Escamilla-Gil is excited to learn more about public service, legislative advocacy, and political campaigning as a Segal Fellow this summer with a focus on representation, social justice, and racial/economic equity.

Samuel Hadego is a proud Ethiopian-American from Atlanta, Georgia. He is a junior at Brandeis University double-majoring in Biology and Health: Science, Society, and Policy. He is committed to creating equitable access to healthcare resources and expanding educational opportunities in life sciences to the youth. Before coming to Brandeis, Samuel volunteered at the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, working with patients and assisting operations in the Anesthesiology Department, and volunteered at the Children’s School of Atlanta, working with neurodivergent high schoolers to aid their learning experience. He was a recipient of the Posse Foundation Scholarship as part of the 2023 cohort and is a current Posse Scholar. On campus, Samuel is President of the Campus Activities Board, an Ambassador at the Office of Study Abroad, and a Level II Technician at the Information & Technology Help Desk. In his free time, Samuel enjoys playing tennis with friends, reading up on the latest in biotech, and playing Sudoku. He believes that biotechnology is a means for dismantling inequality in our society and empowering the next generation to pursue innovation. Samuel is excited to learn more about the intersection between biology and social change as a Segal Fellow this summer.

Anaisha Moya is a proud first-generation Afro-Dominican college student from Harlem, New York. She is a junior Posse scholar at Brandeis, double majoring in Health: Science, Society and Policy & African and African American Studies at Brandeis University. On campus, Anaisha serves as Vice President of the Black Student Organization and is a proud member of the National Society of Black Women in Medicine. Raised by a single mother and deeply shaped by the resilience of her community and incarcerated loved ones, her academic and personal experiences fuel her commitment to reimagining carceral systems as public health crises—especially their impact on Black and Latinx youth. In the winter of 2024, she partnered with New York State Assembly members to host youth empowerment sessions for Black and Latinx girls from Dyckman. That summer, she supported immigrant families as an intern with Waltham Family School, creating a referral tracking system and researching barriers undocumented families face in education and healthcare. In the fall of 2025, she joined Prisoners’ Legal Services of Massachusetts, where she helped organize advocacy around the Human Rights Bill for people who are incarcerated. Outside of her work, Anaisha finds joy in reading, listening to music, podcasts, and building community through storytelling and celebration. Anaisha is excited to deepen her skills in policy advocacy, community organizing, and public health strategy to help dismantle carceral systems and expand access to care for Black and Latinx communities as a Segal Fellow this summer.

Efosa Ologbosere is a student leader, visual storyteller, and emerging advocate for equity and justice. Born and raised in Georgia, she is a junior at Brandeis University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and American Studies with minor in Legal Studies on the pathway to Law School. She is a Community Advisor and works with campus organizations like COMPACT and ENACT. Efosa works independently in cultivating an inclusive campus community through photography and digital storytelling efforts that amplify conversations on representation and equity, especially for people of color. Efosa's leadership is rooted in active listening, collective care, and networking with different communities, on and off campus. She hopes to continue expanding her work in criminal law, family law, and civil rights advocacy, contributing to systems that better serve and uplift disadvantaged communities. Her work reflects a deep belief in empowering others and creating sustainable and intentional change.

Sam Pearl is a first-year MPP student at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, where is focused on community engagement in policy development. She earned her B.A. in Psychology and Education Studies from Middlebury College, graduating summa cum laude, and also holds a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding.

Sam brings extensive experience in youth development, facilitation, outdoor education, and nonprofit leadership. She has managed regional education programs, facilitated statewide youth leadership initiatives, supported nonprofit strategy and evaluation, and engaged in restorative justice and court diversion work. Sam is particularly passionate about storytelling as a tool for connection, meaning-making, and social change, and centering youth and community voice to create more inclusive and equitable policies. Outside of her professional work, Sam enjoys hiking, biking, swimming, photography, and volunteering at Moth storytelling events throughout Boston. This summer, Sam is excited to deepen her community-engaged policy practice as a Segal Fellow.

Jonathan Hamel Sellman is an MPP candidate at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, concentrating in Economic and Racial Equity. He is committed to pursuing policy change that promotes the flourishing of all students, workers, and families. He believes that immigrants enrich and strengthen our communities, and should have equitable access to high-quality public education, child care, health care, and housing. Before coming to Heller, he worked as an elementary school educator for six years. In the classroom, he built relationships with some wonderful second- and third-graders in Lawrence and Waltham. He also had the privilege of teaching and learning from immigrant parents while leading after-school ESL classes at the Whittemore School (in Waltham) for the past three years. Jonathan graduated with High Honors from Swarthmore College in 2019, where he majored in Education and Political Science. He is originally from Newton, Massachusetts and loves making art, reading, biking, and cooking with friends and family. Jonathan is excited to learn more about policy research and advocacy promoting immigrant justice as a Segal Fellow this summer.