2026-2027 Fellows
Isabella Vallejo is a rising junior double majoring in Political Science and Public Policy at Rutgers University. She is a Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar and a recipient of the Chartwells Scholarship. On campus, she is deeply active in leadership; she serves as Director of Community Service for the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA), Vice President of the Latinx Pre Law Society, and Political Chair of the Peruvian American Student Association, and previously served as Treasurer of the Rutgers Moot Court Association.
Her interest in government and public service led her to intern as a Legislative Intern in the Office of Assemblyman Gabriel Rodriguez, where she manages constituent services and communicates with much of the district in Spanish, and previously as an Outreach Intern for the Freshta Taeb for Assembly campaign, where she led voter outreach and phone banking efforts. She has also studied law and government up close as a Law and Political Science Living Learning Community Intern with Rutgers University Student Legal Services, observing court proceedings and conducting case research. Isabella has been selected for several competitive pipeline and professional development programs, including the Goldman Sachs Possibilities Summit Program, LatinoJustice LawBound Scholars Program, and the Hispanic Bar Association Pipeline Program.
Isabella also founded a nonprofit providing care packages for children in need. A native Spanish speaker and elementary Quechua speaker, she holds the NJ Seal of Biliteracy. Beyond academics, Isabella is an accomplished fashion designer and seven-time medalist and international title holder in the field. In her spare time, she loves baking, listening to music, reading, and taking care of her bunny, Thumper.
Aneliese Ammirata is a rising junior double majoring in both Biological Sciences, and History and Political Science. She is part of the Rutgers Honors College where she studies on a Presidential Scholarship. Aneliese is also very active around campus serving as a Scarlet Ambassador where she represents Rutgers University to families across the country, and as the incoming Editorial Director of the Eagleton Political Journal. Her keen interest in politics motivated her to intern for the New Jersey Clemency Project, an effort coordinated between Rutgers University and the New Jersey government. She also served as the representative for Rutgers at the ValEUs Conference in Copenhagen last summer discussing the rise of right-wing populism.
In addition to political science, Aneliese is highly involved in scientific research. She previously worked at the Waksman Institute of Microbiology studying neuroscience and later earned the prestigious DAAD RISE scholarship to spend the summer researching at the University of Bonn in Germany.
Beyond academics, Aneliese is a member of the Phi Mu Fraternity and loves to travel in her spare time. She also enjoys going to Mets games, spending time with family, playing piano, and heading back to her home on Long Island, New York to go to the beach.
Varshini Rajanikanth is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences, pursuing a double major in Political Science and Finance on the pre-law track. As a first-generation immigrant, Varshini is passionate about fostering inclusive communities where every voice is heard. As an RDL Think and Do Tank Fellow, she developed a policy proposal to make internships more accessible by addressing transportation barriers for students. She is also the founder of the Common Grounds Initiative, a student-led movement dedicated to creating third spaces that strengthen community and promote meaningful dialogue across campus.
Through the Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship Program, Varshini spent the summer interning with the New Jersey Department of the Treasury's Division of Investment, where she conducted investment research supporting the state's pension fund and presented an equity recommendation to senior leadership. Upon graduation, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career that bridges finance and law.
Outside of academics, Varshini enjoys traveling, photography, and singing.
Rose Jens is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Honors program, studying Psychology and Political Science, with a minor in Dance. She is involved with the Rutgers Performing Dance Company, as well as Phi Alpha Delta -- the pre-law fraternity, both allow her to engage with her peers in creative and professional communities. She works as a choreographer for a theater company in her spare time, giving her energy and dedication to her community.
Rose is devoted to efforts that aid communities in need and has a strong interest in immigration affairs. She was inspired during her time working for different marginalized communities, including volunteering at the Miracle Project, which accommodated theatrical productions for people with special needs, and her therapy work at the Bergen County LGBTQ+ Center. Furthermore, her interest in immigration stemmed from her internship with Diahann De Ruggiero where she researched and planned to support unaccompanied youths in New Jersey. After her undergraduate studies, Rose plans to apply to law school and hopes to work in criminal or immigration law after graduating. In her free time, she loves to read, crochet, and make drinks as a Starbucks employee.
Liam Carroll is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University, pursuing a double major in History and Philosophy on a pre-law track. He is particularly interested in the intersection of law and politics and has taken on leadership roles in organizations that engage students in these fields. Liam serves as both President and Secretary-General of the Rutgers University Association of International Affairs, home to Rutgers’ travel Model United Nations team. He is also the Tournament Director for the Rutgers Mock Trial Association and competes on their A Team.
Liam has gained experience by interning at an immigration law firm in New York City and in the Family Division of the Hudson Vicinage. After completing his undergraduate studies, he plans to attend law school and work at the intersection of law and politics. Outside of the classroom, Liam likes to read nonfiction, hike, and watch movies.
Elijah (Eli) Cohen is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences, pursuing a double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science with a minor in Law & History. His dedication to public service started in high school and was strengthened through his extracurricular involvement on campus and in the public sphere. A former transfer student and student-athlete from New Jersey City University (NJCU), where he was a member of the Honors College and baseball program, he leveraged those experiences to deepen his commitment to community-driven advocacy. Alongside the Lloyd C. Gardner Fellowship, Eli will serve as a fellow in the Rutgers Democracy Lab Think & Do Tank program, where he will work with peers to improve democratic engagement and address prominent local and global issues. In addition, he is an inducted member of the Rutgers University Pre-Law Society and, in keeping with his competitive nature, Eli currently serves as the secretary of the Rutgers University Ski and Snowboard Team.
Off campus, Eli has explored his interest in public service through his local and regional communities. In the spring semester of his sophomore year, Eli was a judicial intern for the Honorable John I. Gizzo at the Essex County Superior Court, where he drafted sentencing memoranda and prepared written recommendations on active motions pending before the court. During the following summer, he interned in the Bureau of Prosecutor Supervision within the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, where he conducted extensive legal research for litigation on the admissibility of breath-testing devices in the state and explored the intersection of law and politics by drafting policy briefs on proposed criminal justice legislation.
After finishing his undergraduate degree at Rutgers, Eli plans to attend law school to earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.), which he intends to use to become a public-interest attorney with a nonprofit, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). In his free time, Eli enjoys a good book about French history, collecting Pokémon cards, and skiing in Vermont.
Emily Moscarelli is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University, double majoring in Political Science and Psychology. Her interest in law, public policy, and human behavior has shaped both her academic and professional experiences. She further developed her passion for education and cross-cultural communication while working as an English teacher for Italian students, gaining valuable experience fostering language skills and building meaningful connections across cultures.
On campus, Emily serves as the Membership Coordinator for the Women's Pre-Law Society, where she helps recruit new members and strengthen the organization's community. Through her coursework and leadership experience, she is particularly interested in the intersection of psychology, politics, and the legal system and hopes to pursue a career where she can advocate for others and contribute to meaningful social change.
In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring new coffee shops, staying active, and discovering new books and TV shows.
Justin Cothron is a rising junior in the School of Arts and Sciences Honors Program, double majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology. He first engaged with the broader Rutgers community as a volunteer with the Rutgers Advancing Community Development program, organizing a seminar for people experiencing unstable housing in and around New Brunswick. This program showed him that the systems in place are insufficient to aid people facing housing challenges.
Justin is currently a Learning Assistant for Topics in Mathematics for the Liberal Arts and is conducting criminal justice research for the Department of Sociology. Outside of the classroom, Justin is interning for Mintz and Gold, a law firm in Midtown Manhattan, working closely with the firm’s criminal division. This upcoming year, Justin will be a Resident Assistant for the Newell Apartments on Cook campus.
Justin’s interests lie at the intersection of criminal justice and education, firmly believing that educating citizens on their constitutional rights can help prevent criminal justice net widening. During the Gardner Fellowship, Justin hopes to meet like-minded individuals and conduct research to illuminate criminal justice and policy issues for our generation to overcome.
After graduation, Justin plans to attend law school to receive his Juris Doctor, work as a federal prosecutor, and eventually work as a federal trial judge. In his free time, Justin enjoys spending time with friends, learning new languages (he is currently learning basic Russian), and playing fetch with his dog, a mini Golden-doodle named Sparky.
Navneeth Kotta is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences, double-majoring in Economics and Political Science, with minors in Computer Science and Critical Intelligence Studies. A firm believer in public service, he is interested in understanding pressing problems related to democratic security, political economy, and new technologies.
On campus, he tries to live his values through his extracurriculars; as Vice President of Recruitment for Kappa Alpha Pi, he is excited to help grow the first Public Interest Pre-law and Government Service Fraternity at Rutgers. As a Board Member of Hindu YUVA, he contributes to campus advocacy for dharma, a spiritual discipline that emphasizes service, duty, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Off campus, Navneeth has worked in the Criminal Division of the Middlesex Superior Court since the summer of 2025. While there, he gained valuable experience in the administrative side of the judiciary, gaining insights into the interaction between the practice of law and its reality. In the future, he hopes to use this experience to become a better lawyer and public servant. In his free time, he enjoys kayaking in the lake near his house, exploring the vast body of dharmic literature, and traveling with his friend.
Rania H. Fquihi is a Junior in the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Management and Labor Relations, pursuing a double major in Political Science and Labor Studies, with a minor in Public Health at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. She has always enjoyed asking questions about how government works. Whether studying voting rights, state agencies, or constitutional law, she is interested in understanding why institutions make the decisions they do and how those decisions affect people's lives.
This summer, Rania interned at the DC Bar Foundation as a Rutgers–Eagleton Washington Awardee, where she researched civil legal aid systems and access to justice initiatives. She previously interned in the district office of Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman and with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights in the Office of the Attorney General.
Through the Gardner Fellowship, Rania hopes to make legal and political research more accessible to the public. She believes the people most affected by government decisions should also be able to understand the research that informs them and hopes her work will help bridge the gap between institutions and the communities they serve.
Riya Patel is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences and the Honors College, majoring in Political Science with a minor in South Asia Studies. Riya’s passion for advocacy and community service is reflected in her volunteer work, most recently through her internship with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) as part of the Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship (RSSI). As an Organizing and Advocacy Intern with the AFSC New Jersey Immigrant Rights Program, Riya conducted legal research to support individuals in ICE custody, primarily at Delaney Hall, while coordinating meetings with congressional offices to advocate for detention reform. Connecting with individuals in detention and their families strengthened her commitment to pursuing a career as an immigration attorney.
Beyond the legal field, Riya is a founding member of the New Jersey chapter of the Dementia Art Therapy Alliance (DATA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the well-being of individuals facing neurodegenerative conditions through therapeutic art activities.
Riya is also committed to encouraging greater civic engagement among Hindu youth. She serves as a Youth Action Network leader for the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CYAN) in New Jersey, where she organizes student advocacy initiatives addressing Hinduphobia.
On campus, Riya serves as the Co-President of the Hindu Students Council, one of the university’s largest cultural organizations. For the past two years, she has also supported her peers as a Math Learning Assistant. In addition, Riya serves on the executive board for the Women’s Pre-Law Society, where she works to expand professional opportunities for undergraduate women pursuing law. In her free time, Riya enjoys experimenting with new vegetarian recipes. Through the Gardner Fellowship, she seeks to continue exploring the role of advocacy and public policy in addressing social challenges.
Eric Silverman is a junior at the School of Arts and Sciences majoring in Urban Planning & Design. Sparked by his passion for environmentalism and appreciation of public space, Eric's interest in advocacy began at an early age, when he spoke at local council meetings and volunteered for political campaigns in middle and high school. During his time in college, Eric has maintained his civic involvement, serving as the President of the Rutgers University Democrats and the Chairman of the Cedar Grove Democratic County Committee.
Building on the knowledge he has gained during his academic career and his time working as an intern at the Montclair Department of Complete Streets and Topology, Eric hopes to pursue a career in public service and bridge the gap between city planning and the policy-making process to create safer, more cohesive communities.
In his free time, Eric enjoys making electoral maps, riding his mountain bike, and listening to 70s and 80s rock music.
Aaditi Vinod is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences majoring in Political Science and Labor Studies & Employment Relations, with a minor in Business Administration. She works as a Legal Intern at RHG Law and an Administrative Intern with the Burlington County Bar Association, where she has gained firsthand experience in the legal profession while further deepening her interest in advocacy and public service.
Beyond the classroom, Aaditi is actively involved in campus leadership and pre-law organizations. She serves as the Events Chair for the Transfer Students Association and is one of the Academic Chairs for Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. She also writes for the Rutgers Undergraduate Law Review and is a member of both the Pre-Law Society and Club Swimming, reflecting her commitment to academic engagement, leadership, and community.
Aaditi is particularly interested in the impact of legislation on workers, the effects of political polarization, and the protection of civil liberties. As she continues her studies, she hopes to explore the intersection of business and law, with a focus on corporate law. Guided by her commitment to service and leadership, Aaditi plans to attend law school after graduating from Rutgers in Spring 2028 and pursue a career in corporate law.
Shayan Chaudhury (he/him) is a junior in the School of Arts and Sciences Honors College double majoring in Political Science and History. His interest in law began in high school where he competed at the National We the People Competition, and it continued through his experiences working at the National Constitution Center, and most recently, the New York City Law Department. Shayan is committed to immersing himself in the practice of law through writing for the Daily Targum, researching for the Aresty program, and oral advocacy as a competitor for the Rutgers University Mock Trial Association.
On campus, Shayan devotes himself to civic education, having experience as a Darien Civic Engagement Fellow and helping launch the Rutgers Civic Engagement Hub with the Rutgers Democracy Lab. After graduating, Shayan hopes to bring the skills he’s learned at Rutgers to the courtroom. In his free time, Shayan enjoys singing, playing the guitar, and rooting for the Detroit Pistons.
Victor Dan-Ogbe is a rising junior in the School of Arts and Sciences majoring in Political Science and minoring in Critical Intelligence Studies. He is passionate about understanding the relationships between political institutions and economic development, political culture and political participation, and government action and educational outcomes.
In the summer of 2026, Victor served as an intern for the Faith Action Center under the Department of State through the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Foundation’s Leadership Institute, where he worked under its director, Dr. Semaj Vanzant Jr. in connecting Faith-Based Organizations with the resources they need from the government and strengthening their networks and communities.
On campus, Victor is involved with the Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA), where he serves as a Class of 2028 Representative. He’s also a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, where he serves on the recruitment committee. He also works as an Operations Assistant at the College Avenue Student Center.
Victor’s goals after graduation include attending law school and subsequently working in public service in an elected capacity.
Outside of the classroom, Victor enjoys playing basketball, reading literature, and listening to music.