Minority Leadership Program

Maleiha Ali is a full-time student at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration, pursuing a Master of Public Policy degree, with a concentration in National Security and Foreign Policy. Maleiha received a Bachelor of Public Policy degree with a minor in Modern Standard Arabic from Rutgers University. Maleiha is currently interning at the Defense Technology Security Administration at the Office of the Secretary of Defense. She has previous experience working with the National Guard as well as various nonprofits. Maleiha is particularly interested in working in intelligence analysis and national security policy following graduation.

Maryam Arab is a second year MPP student at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Administration. During her first year at the Trachtenberg school, Maryam was a legislative intern at the United States Senate and a Student Administrative Assistant for the Trachtenberg School. She is from St. Paul, Minnesota and received a bachelor's degree in Sociology. At the Trachtenberg school, she is concentrating in Social Policy with a focus on wealth and income inequality.

Kimberly Whitehead is a second year Master of Public Policy student concentrating in national security and foreign policy at The George Washington University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Hampton University. In her undergraduate studies, Kimberly noticed women were mentioned rarely in context to international politics. This observation led her to take a history course focusing on the role of women in the United States. Through this class, Kimberly decided to dedicate her career to women’s rights and foreign policy. As a graduate student, Kimberly wanted her coursework to focus on gender equity in relation to international affairs. During her graduate studies, Kimberly has become interested in international security more specifically the Women, Peace and Security agenda (WPS) and international human rights. Her career goal is to create policy that sustainably supports women and be able to communicate foreign policy to the general public. When Kimberly is not studying, she likes to visit bookstores, museums, trying new restaurants and spending time with her family and friends.

Arub is a first year MPP student at Trachtenberg concentrating in Public-Private Policy & Management and Environmental Policy. She holds a BA in Political Science and History from Bryn Mawr College, and currently works as a policy intern for The National Consumer Voice for Long-Term Quality Care. Her interests include government affairs/relations, DEI and ESG initiatives, and writing/editing.

Rashad is a first year MPP student at the Trachtenberg School. He was born and raised in sunny Southern California. He’s spent his career in the hospitality industry, except for the time he was in the military. After serving in the US Navy, Rashad made his way to Seattle, WA, where he attended The University of Washington and completed a double major in Media and Communication Studies and Culture, Literature and the Arts and a minor in Human Rights. Rashad has grown extremely passionate about the role US policy has on human rights abuses internationally and wants to use that to leverage his career.

Michelle is a first year Master of Public Administration student at TSPPPA planning on concentrating in education policy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Exeter, UK. She was born in Missouri, US and raised in Lagos, Nigeria. Having worked in the legal sector and private consulting, she is turning her focus on development in the public sector. In her free time, she enjoys true crime documentaries and cooking.

Carolina Gutierrez is a first-year Master of Public Policy candidate at the Trachtenberg School, with a concentration in social and urban policy. She graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Her academic interests include comprehensive immigration policy and reform as well as nonprofit management. During her spare time, Carolina enjoys reading, weightlifting and spending time with friends and family.

Odia is a first-year Ph.D. student in the Trachtenberg Public Policy and Public Administration Program. She recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics from Eastern Michigan University. She is interested in international development and addressing health disparities in Africa and their broader impact on all aspects of society, including gender and educational opportunities. Off-campus, she works as a Financial Consultant at Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW) and runs an Etsy shop selling her art. Odia enjoys reading, traveling, and creative projects.

Wardah Kashar is a dedicated student in her second year of the Master of Public Administration program, specializing in international development. With a solid academic foundation in international relations, she is committed to making a meaningful impact in the field. Wardah is a distinguished member of the Women's Leadership Fellows and the Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellowship, demonstrating her commitment to leadership and public service. Beyond her academic pursuits, Wardah enjoys immersing herself in reading and fitness during her free time. In addition, Wardah is a passionate food enthusiast who creates short videos reviewing new restaurants to feature on her food blog.

Tara graduated from Spelman College with a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science in May of 2022. She is now a graduate student in the Trachtenberg School at George Washington University to obtain my Masters in Public Policy, specializing in Urban and Social policy. Tara serves on the Minority Leadership Program’s cohort at George Washington University for the 2023- 2024 academic year. She is a strong advocate for the advancement of marginalized communities to help shift the social constructs built against minorities via analysis and advocacy.

Suzzy is a first-year MPP student at The George Washington University, where she is pursuing a concentration in Health and Social Policy. She is originally from Compton, California and earned her Bachelor's degree in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California, Irvine. Her passion lies in the realm of public health, specifically concerning substance use disorders and drug overdoses. Suzzy’s goal is to make a meaningful impact by working with nonprofit organizations that provide treatment and support to individuals affected by punitive drug policies. In her leisure time, she loves journaling, reading, and exploring new destinations through travel.

Jada Thompson is a first year graduate student in the MPA program at George Washington University from Reading, PA. Prior to this, she studied Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice at Lincoln University, a small HBCU in Pennsylvania. Jada currently works for an organization called New Voices for Reproductive where she is the Voter Outreach Coordinator specifically doing outreach to Black women, girls and gender expansive people.

Yahui is a second-year MPP student specializing in social policy. With a deep passion for addressing complex societal challenges, particularly in poverty and gender inequalities, she is committed to advocating for positive change in our society.