International Human Rights Fellowship

Alexis is a Communications major during the 2026–2027 academic year and a New York native with a strong passion for social impact. She is deeply interested in issues such as climate change, women’s equality, and international human rights, and hopes to use her degree to advocate for underserved communities on a global scale. Professionally, Alexis works in social services, where she supports individuals navigating housing and stability challenges, reinforcing her commitment to equity and access. Beyond her career, she is the founder of a travel focused brand that encourages women to explore the world through curated experiences. In her free time, Alexis enjoys traveling, discovering new cultures, and creating meaningful connections that align with her purpose-driven lifestyle.

Alyssa is a Senior part of the BA/MA CASAC program in Psychology and minors in Legal studies. Raised in a Puerto Rican household, Alyssa has not only gained a love for many different cultures but has also led to Alyssa wanting to fight for the many injustices and human rights violations seen around the world such as the right for females to access and gain an education. Alyssa in her free time volunteers at the Crisis Text Line helping and providing resources to individuals who may be dealing with a mental health crisis and she is also the President of the CCNY Pre-Law Club.

Arfath is an undergraduate student majoring in the Biomedical Sciences and Psychology with a minor in Human Rights. She is passionate about the intersection of public service, activism and medicine to raise awareness of healthcare disparities and advocate for marginalized communities. As a first-generation student, she aims to make medicine more accessible and equitable to improve existing standards of care and serve the South Asian communities she grew up in. Interning at a senior citizen call center fueled her commitment to empowering patients through narrative medicine, valuing patients’ unique voices and diverse stories that exist beyond a diagnosis. On campus, she spends time at the Physicians for Human Rights Club, the American Medical Women’s Association and engaging in rich discussions with her fellow peers! Outside of class, she enjoys playing card games with friends, making jewelry, letter writing, and exploring arts and culture at city museums.

Danny is a duel major in Political Science and Sociology at the City College of New York. He is a senior-year undergrad as of the 2026-2027 academic year. Danny moved to New York City three years ago in pursuit of growing his photography business, but it was not long before he became involved in tenant organizing in Brooklyn, witnessing first hand the legal and financial struggles faced by working New Yorkers and learned the deep values and lessons of taking part in grassroots efforts. Since then he has returned to school to pursue a deeper knowledge in both policy and human behavior and to put that understanding towards a career in diplomacy. Danny is someone who believes in a world that recognizes fundamental, unwavering, non-negotiable human rights such as housing, water, food, etc… and wishes to do his part in pushing both local and international policy towards that vision.

Denise is a rising senior majoring in Psychology and Political Science at the City College of New York. Born and raised in Brooklyn, she is a proud first-generation American carrying the legacy of her Salvadoran roots. Through this unique lens, she has a deep understanding of the challenges many immigrant families face living in the United States, as well as the resilience, hard work, and tenacity that these families embody. She hopes to channel these ideals into her passion for women’s and children’s rights on an international level, working to support and advance systems that care for vulnerable communities and minorities. In her spare time, she participates in protests, reads up on current events, and spends time with friends and family. She aspires to carry her dedication to human rights activism into the nonprofit sector and hopes to one day work at UNICEF.

Dmytro is an undergraduate student who will continue studying during the 2026-2027 academic year, pursuing his degree in bachelor of arts and majoring in international studies. Originally from Eastern Europe and now based in New York he brings a diverse background and perspective to his education. Dmytro is especially interested in human rights, migration and social justice, focusing on the challenges faced by displaced communities. He hopes to pursue a human rights fellowship and ultimately build a career as a migration lawyer. He is motivated to use his education to better understand immigration systems and contribute to legal work that supports equity, due process and human dignity. Outside of academics, Dmytro enjoys reading contemporary world news, watch soccer and historical movies and stay fit. He is committed to personal growth and making the most of his college experience

Hadiyah Shahid is an incoming sophomore for the 2026–2027 academic year, studying Philosophy with a minor in Human Rights Studies. She is from Yonkers, New York, and is the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, a background that deeply shapes her perspective and interests. Hadiyah is especially passionate about advocacy work, with a focus on Palestine, women’s access to education, and broader human rights issues. She hopes to pursue a career that allows her to travel and work directly with marginalized communities around the world. In her free time, she enjoys reading romantasy novels and researching Islamic philosophers, aiming to bring their ideas into her own writing and academic work.

Humayra Shahnaz is a sophomore majoring in Entrepreneurship who was born and raised in New York. Coming from a Bangladeshi background and visiting Bangladesh exposed her to a different perspective on the world and deepened her interest in human rights and global issues. Through those experiences, she became passionate about giving back to communities and creating meaningful impact.

She has been involved in Charity Week, helping raise money for international humanitarian projects, and enjoys opportunities that allow her to combine leadership, collaboration, and service. Humayra has also taken a strong interest in entrepreneurship and hopes to pursue a career as an event coordinator. She has experience working on and planning events, which has strengthened her passion for creating meaningful experiences that bring people together. Through the fellowship, she hopes to continue growing professionally and personally while connecting with mentors and peers who inspire positive change.

Loaiza Rivera is a Political Science and Economics major at CCNY, participating in the Honors Program in Legal Studies. She plans to pursue human rights, immigration, or international law after graduation. A global cause she is passionate about is eradicating colonialism as per the United Nations’ Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples adopted in 1960. Loaiza firmly believes in and supports the right to self-determination for all peoples and supports the call to end colonialism in all its forms. Originally from San German, Puerto Rico, Loaiza currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, and enjoys cooking, painting, and gardening when she is not studying or volunteering in her community.

Mohamed Hamama is a sophomore majoring in Civil Engineering at The City College of New York during the 2026–2027 academic year. Originally from Morocco and now based in Brooklyn, New York, he is passionate about infrastructure, sustainable development, and creating opportunities for immigrant and international communities. Mohamed has been actively involved in leadership and service initiatives, including supporting earthquake relief efforts in Morocco and participating in fellowship and mentoring programs at CCNY. He is also a student-athlete on his college soccer team and enjoys balancing academics with sports and community engagement. Professionally, he hopes to pursue a career in civil engineering while continuing to advocate for educational and professional opportunities for underrepresented students.

I am a sociology major with a minor in legal studies, and my academic interests center on the intersection of law and social inequality. As a Ghanaian, I bring a global perspective to my studies, particularly in understanding how legal systems can be used to advocate for and uplift less privileged communities. I am especially interested in how law can serve as a tool for social justice and structural change. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing video games in my free time, and when the weather is nice, I like to stay active by playing soccer or going to the gym.

Ryan is a first-year Macaulay Honors student with a passion to make improvements that benefit everyone in the communities he is part of. Pursuing majors in both civil engineering and political science, he hopes to put together the best of both fields through civil service in housing, zoning, and construction policies in communities throughout the world. Oftentimes, you will find him at a community service event or taking photos at cultural clubs around campus. Fun fact: Ryan is also the 2029 Class Representative for both the Macaulay Honors and Honors cohorts, having organized and led the City College team, comprised mostly of freshman engineering majors, to win the new CUNY-wide Macaulay Olympics competition for the first time. Over time, Ryan hopes to continue building his leadership experience so that he can work together with like-minded individuals to create a difference for not just his communities but also those beyond it.

Tasfia Hasan is a Computer Science major at The City College of New York and will be a junior during the 2026–2027 academic year. Originally from Bangladesh, her journey as an immigrant and first-generation student has shaped her commitment to education, resilience, and service. She is passionate about the intersection of technology, human rights, cybersecurity, and women’s safety, especially how secure digital systems can support vulnerable communities. Through her academic work, tutoring experience, and community involvement, Tasfia hopes to use technology and research to address real-world social challenges. Outside of her academic and professional interests, she enjoys painting and often finds inspiration in colors, emotions, and the stories of people around her.