The MPA Program is pleased to announce that Mahin Ashik and Aasim Rozier-Williams have been selected as this year’s Public Service Partners (PSP) Fellowship recipients. Both fellows will join the NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development, where they will contribute to programmatic and policy-driven initiatives.
The PSP Fellowship is designed to bridge academic study and professional practice, providing MPA students with hands-on experience directly aligned with their career goals. Through the fellowship, students develop transferable skills and specialized knowledge while gaining a deeper understanding of what impactful public service work looks like in practice.
Ashik and Rozier-Williams’ placement at one of the city’s key housing agencies reflects both their commitment to public service and the MPA Program’s ongoing dedication to preparing the next generation of public sector leaders.
Mahin Ashik (she/her)
Mahin Ashik currently works at Henry Street Settlement as a Manager of Community Engagement and Partnerships. In this role, Mahin leads programs supporting youth workforce development, overseeing recruitment, retention, partnerships, mentorship, and training initiatives to help participants build skills and access career opportunities. Mahin has been part of the nonprofit/social services sector for three years. She has also worked for various CUNY colleges, including Bronx Community College and Lehman College. Mahin is driven to acquire more professional experience and education in nonprofit management to excel in her career. Although Mahin is open to exploration within the array of sectors in public service management, she aspires to pursue a management role within CUNY to transition her professional experience due to her respect for higher education.
Aasim Rozier-Williams (he/him)
Aasim is a community advocate dedicated to advancing housing justice and addressing the inequities that shape urban life. His work focuses on understanding the systems that impact affordable housing and developing sustainable, livable solutions for communities facing displacement and unsafe living conditions. Rooted in his experiences growing up in Bed-Stuy, Aasim is particularly passionate about protecting longtime residents from deed theft, improving housing conditions, and ensuring that everyone has access to homes that are both affordable and dignified. He believes housing justice is deeply connected to food access, economic opportunity, and community well-being. With a background in art, education, and organizing, Aasim brings creativity, empathy, and strategy to his work. He currently serves as an Afterschool Creative Coordinator for students with learning disabilities. His work is grounded in values of equity, sustainability, and collective care.
