Minority Leadership Program

Genevieve Afrifa

Genevieve Afrifa is a first year Public Administration student at Trachtenberg from Toronto, ON. She received her Bachelor’s in Public Health from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA in May of 2018. During undergrad, she spent a majority of her studies focusing on minority health, specifically mental health as it relates to African American males. Currently, she has interests in Health Policy and Program Evaluation and Analysis.

Daryl Cordova

Daryl is a first year MPA student with a concentration in program evaluation and policy analysis. Additionally, he works as a graduate assistant, within the Trachtenberg school, and aid faculty with research. His interests are in education policy and Latin America-United States relations. As a first-generation Latino, he is privileged to be the first one in his family to complete college. He aspires to go on to receive a PhD degree in Public Policy. Daryl grew up on the Southside of Chicago, IL and spent his undergraduate years in Fort Myers, FL studying political science at Florida Gulf Coast University and interning in the Florida House of Representatives as well as in Lee County's Performance Management and Analytics team. During his spare time, Daryl enjoys distance running and spending time with his puppy.

Kai K. Martin

Kai Martin is a Masters of Public Policy candidate, with a concentration in Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Law and Society from John Jay College of Criminal Justice where she graduated with honors. Passionate about serving her community, Kai volunteers with organizations such as TheDream.us, where she serves as an alumni council member, Immigrants Rising, where she works as an entrepreneur ambassador providing resources to undocumented entrepreneurs, and the Undocublack Network where she advocates on policies and topics affecting undocumented black communities. Adding to her public service work, Kai facilitates community workshops on mental health, domestic violence, immigration policies, and race relations. At the completion of her graduate program, she hopes to further her community services by partnering with local agencies to provide a variety of services and job training to domestic violence survivors, while continuing to advocate for disadvantaged social groups.

Artisha Naidu

Artisha Naidu is an MPA ‘20 student with a concentration in environmental and urban policy. She has an extensive background in urban policy, planning, and development, and has worked with organizations such as the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the Sustainable San Mateo County to advance equitable policies in marginalized communities. She currently works as a Research Fellow for the Enviornic Foundation International, as a Graduate Intern with the Council of State Community Development Agencies, and as a Research Assistant Intern with the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness. Upon graduation, Artisha will start as a Government and Public Sector Consultant with Deloitte LLC. In her spare time, Artisha tutors youth from disadvantaged communities and is in the process of launching an apprenticeship program for female high school students east of the Anacostia. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Community and Regional Development from the University of California, Davis. 

Lisette Ortiz

Lissette was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. While living in the South Bronx, Lissette developed a unique passion for politics and good governance. It was clear to Lissette that a degree in Public Administration at Medgar Evers College was imperative.  Lissette served as a Board member for the Latino Leadership Institute. 

Professionally, she serves as a Human Resources Specialist at the D.C Office of the State and Superintent of Education.  Lissette is currently pursuing her Master in Public Administration at the George Washington University. Currently, Lissette serves as the Public Administration New Student Liaison for the Trachtenberg Student Organization.

Diego Scharifker

Diego Scharifker is a Venezuelan-American lawyer, pro-democracy activist and a former leader of the country’s student movement. Scharifker co-founded the National Federation of High School Students and is the former president of the Federation of University Centers at the Central University of Venezuela, the most prominent student government with important influence in the Venezuelan political arena. Since then, Scharifker has continued to advocate and protest for human rights and democratic principles in Venezuela. Until 2018 he was a City Council member in Caracas, being its Vice-President. He is currently part of the Corporate Alliances team at the USO, where he works on building alliances with corporations in support of the members of our Armed Forces.