Class of 2026
Maylee Acosta, Jane L. Morris Fellow
Alumnus: Northern Arizona University
Degree: B.S. Political Science
MPA Class of 2026
Maylee’s passion for city governance was ignited while serving on the Peoria Youth Advisory Board in high school, strengthened by a political science degree from NAU, and solidified in her professional career working for the City of Peoria, AZ. As Peoria’s Community Navigator, Maylee researches, refers, and advocates for community resources on behalf of the most vulnerable populations. This experience has taught Maylee that a city worker’s expertise can be the difference between a flourishing or struggling community, which is why she wants to have a well-rounded understanding of city government while simultaneously being a leader people trust. This fellowship provides the opportunity for Maylee to grow towards the government leader she aspires to be. When not working in the office or classroom, you will likely find Maylee cheering loudly at ASU sporting events!
Matt Billings
Alumnus: Northern Arizona University
Degree: B.S. Political Science
MPA Class of 2026
Matt's passion for local governance ignited during high school while serving on the City of Peoria’s Youth Advisory Board. At Northern Arizona University, he refined his knowledge through diverse experiences; notably, he interned with Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, delving into electoral processes. He later served as NAU's undergraduate Vice President of Government Affairs, spearheading initiatives aimed at amplifying student voices. Post-graduation, he briefly worked as a paralegal, gaining legal insights, before becoming a Legislative Assistant for State Senator Theresa Hatathlie. As a Marvin Andrews Fellow, Matt seeks to deepen his understanding of local governance, aspiring to enhance his role as a dedicated public servant. His focus lies on learning and implementing innovative strategies for effective, inclusive community development.
Miguel “Mikey” Cantu
Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: B.S. Public Service & Public Policy and B.A. Sociology
MPA Class of 2026
Born and raised in the small border communities of Nogales and Rio Rico, Arizona, Miguel had always dreamt of pursuing higher education and paying it forward by serving his local community. As a first-generation Latino college student his parents had always emphasized the importance of pursuing an education to make a better future for himself. Following his graduation from Rio Rico High School he enrolled in Arizona State University where he graduated with dual degrees in Public Service & Public Policy and Sociology. Originally interested in a career in federal government, his career trajectory changed after witnessing the immediate impacts local governments have on the community after serving as an intern at the Phoenix Mayor's Office. As he now works to pursue his Master's in Public Administration, Miguel hopes that through the Marvin Andrews Fellowship, he will be able to inspire the next generation of Latino community leaders and learn the skills necessary to develop innovative solutions to meet the emerging needs and challenges of the community.
Emilia Krajewski
Alumnus: Northern Arizona University
Degree: B.S. Political Science
MPA Class of 2026
Emilia is a proud Polish-American citizen which has developed her sense of civic duty and allowed her to see the world from a unique lens, ultimately inspiring her to pursue a career in local government. She desires to help people in her future profession and make a significant impact on her local community. Emilia grew up in Chandler, Arizona and first-hand observing the city’s continual developments such as infrastructure improvements and implementation of new parks sparked her interest in local government as well. Prior to her selection to the Marvin Andrews Fellowship, Emilia worked as a Public Policy Intern for the Chandler Chamber of Commerce, interned for Coconino County, organized civic engagement events at Northern Arizona University through Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society, and received the Marvin Andrews Scholarship Award from the Arizona City/ County Management Association (ACMA). Emilia is now pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration and is thrilled and very thankful to be a part of the Marvin Andrews Fellowship which will equip her with incredible opportunities to become a local government leader.
Maya Kwiedacz
Alumnus: University of Arizona
Degree: B.S. Public Management & Policy
MPA Class of 2026
Maya is from Tucson, Arizona and has expanded her knowledge and passion for public service through a multitude of experiences during her time as an undergraduate student at the University of Arizona. She has participated in internships with the Oro Valley Town Manager and Arizona Students’ Association, which has allowed her to gain an understanding of the importance of collaboration, managing resources, and communication. Maya is excited to be pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration and chosen as a Marvin Andrews fellow to utilize innovative approaches to discover solutions to issues within local government. She hopes to provide her skills and knowledge to the continuously growing community to foster collaboration within local government.
Basil "Baze" Ribakare
Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: B.S. Psychology
MPA Class of 2026
I was raised by refugee parents who were determined to beat the odds that were stacked against them. This determination to turn the odds in your favor was passed down to me and now I desire to instill that same belief and support in my communities. I was able to beat the odds through the support of my various nonprofit organizations as well as through access to local libraries and learning centers. I am proud to be part of this community of change-makers dedicated to transforming local government. This fellowship connects me with a diverse group of experts and practitioners, each contributing a wealth of knowledge and experience. I look forward to learning from both my professors and peers, who are of valuable insights to enrich my understanding. Through this program and the sharing of knowledge, I am confident that my skills and ability to drive change will flourish. During the pandemic, I started a nonprofit organization with a couple of buddies of mine and we hosted our first meeting on Zoom in April 2020. Since its conception, we’ve raised over 40,000$ and donated grants to various organizations in Arizona. I love doing anything I can to help individuals beat the odds stacked against them!
Samantha Lozano Rodríguez
Alumnus: Northern Arizona University
Degree: B.A. Political Science and B.S. Sociology
MPA Class of 2026
Growing up in a predominantly low-income community as a first- generation student, I faced obstacles that nearly deterred me from pursuing higher education altogether. However, I made a firm decision to persevere, ultimately obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Northern Arizona University. My aspiration to become an immigration lawyer was further solidified during my tenure at Alford Law PLLC during my sophomore and junior years. My senior year marked the transition to the public sector, I secured a position with the City of Phoenix, where I had the opportunity to return to my high school and engage with students facing similar challenges. This experience reignited my passion for fostering equitable education opportunities. Through this fellowship, I aim to cultivate the necessary skills to advance in roles within local municipalities, striving to enhance access to and equity in educational resources for our communities.
Rory Wilson
Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: B.S. Public Service & Public Policy and Sociology
MPA Class of 2026
Rory Wilson, who is an advocate for community empowerment and social change, is pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Urban Management. Rory started her career in public service as a sophomore in college when she began her first term on the Town of Fountain Hills’ Community Services Advisory Commission (2020). Fueled by her passion for enacting positive change, Rory has engaged with local officials and other leaders in several capacities since then, including the Fountain Hills Cares Committee (2021), A New Leaf (2022), the Fountain Hills Leadership Academy (2022), and the County Supervisors Association (2023). These experiences sparked her curiosity in exploring innovative ways to bridge the gap between local government agencies and nonprofit organizations in addressing the diverse yet interconnected issues of our time, such as housing and homelessness, revitalizing green spaces, and improving quality of life for all residents. As a Marvin Andrews Fellow, Rory is excited to continue empowering community members to be civically engaged and work with experts and fellow public servants in creating inclusive communities for all.
Class of 2025
McKenna Hubbard
Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: B.S. Criminal Justice and Criminology
MPA Class of 2025
McKenna Hubbard is pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Finance. She has been selected as the inaugural Jane L. Morris fellow at the School of Public Affairs, a prestigious fellowship named after esteemed city manager Jane L. Morris. In addition to her studies, McKenna will be undertaking multiple leadership responsibilities this year. These include her roles as the Director of Sustainability for the Graduate and Professional Student Association, a co-chair for the student chapter of the International City/County Management Association, and the graduate representative for the Watts College Council. Previously, McKenna held the positions of internship coordinator, outreach and engagement team member, and staff assistant for the City of Phoenix Office of Mayor Kate Gallego.
