Meet the 2026 - 27 School of Public Affairs Ambassadors - our second cohort of student volunteers dedicated to welcoming first-year, sophomore and incoming graduate students into the SPA community. Let them help you get connected.
Student Ambassadors
The Ambassadors Program is intended to jumpstart the relationship, beginning when a new student chooses ASU-SPA or a current student engages in exploration, preparation, or advancement of public service. Ambassadors support undergraduate and graduate students through a student-to-student peer advisory network.
In 2025 - 2026 an inaugural cohort of eight student volunteers welcomed and guided first-year, sophomores, and incoming graduate students into the SPA community of experiences. Ambassadors provided personalized interactions over the course of an academic year, helping new students feel connected to SPA, and gain an understanding of how to leverage ASU’s vast resources for academic and career growth and engagement.
The program offers Ambassadors the opportunity to share learned experiences in support of fellow students, foster life-long connections to SPA, and promote the profession of public service. Ambassadors and students learn about the power of cultivating a professional network and how to share their knowledge with others through positions of servant leadership.
Returning and new Ambassadors look forward to guiding incoming students in 2026 - 27.
 | Katie Ritchie SPA Student Ambassador 2025 – 2027 Hi, I’m Katie, and I am a junior in Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, studying Public Policy and Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership. I am passionate about public service, leading initiatives to increase educational access at the Arizona Governor’s Office and as a Student Advisor to Arizona’s State Superintendent. My work extends beyond Arizona, driving national impact. I have completed internship experiences in Washington, D.C., with the U.S. Department of Education and the YMCA of the USA’s Policy and Government Affairs team, supporting federal policy priorities. |
 | Diego Rodriguez Vasquez SPA Student Ambassador 2025 – 2027 Hello! I’m Diego, and I majored in Public Service and Public Policy. When I first started at ASU, I had no idea of what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to something meaningful, but I wasn't sure what that would be. Ultimately, I chose to commit my career to the service of others and improving our government, so it works for everyone. Now, as a Master of Public Administration graduate candidate, and in my role as Council Aide to a Phoenix City Council member I want to share my professional insight and network with others. Undergraduate students with interests in public service, or what I like about working for elected council members in local government, reach out! |
 | Valeria Navarro SPA Student Ambassador 2026 – 2027 Hi! My name is Valeria, and I am a senior with Barrett, The Honors College and the School of Public Affairs. I’m studying Public Service and Public Policy with a concentration in Law and Policy. I am also pursuing a minor in Philosophy and a Spanish for the Professions certificate. As a first-generation college student, coming to ASU as a freshman and living on campus was both exciting and intimidating. Although I was confident in my goal of attending law school and becoming an immigration attorney, I didn't always know where to start or what opportunities were available to me. I was often afraid to ask questions, even while being in an environment where asking questions is encouraged.
Over time, I learned to step outside of my comfort zone and seek opportunities that connected my interests in law, advocacy, and public service. Through Barrett’s Justice, Equity, and Networking Honors Network (JEHN), I had opportunities that expanded my experiences beyond ASU, involving traveling to Washington, D.C. to present and bring awareness to global issues in our country. I later participated in the Transcending Borders Research Fellowship, where I became involved in research surrounding immigration systems and migrant communities. Through Project Excellence, I also had the opportunity to take courses through ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law alongside law students, allowing me to experience legal education while still an undergraduate. Most recently, my internship with the Maricopa County Superior Court Adult Probation Department has given me firsthand exposure to the justice system and a chance to see how law and public service operate beyond the classroom. |
 | Jacob Quiros SPA Student Ambassador 2026 – 2027 Hi, my name is Jacob. I’m a senior studying Public Service and Public Policy. My road to working in public service has been, to say the least, long and winding. I originally started my collegiate journey at a different institution and with a completely different field of study; it was only because of the careful guidance of friends and mentors that I was able to find a field that truly speaks to what I want to do with my life.
For the last three years, I have worked in the nonprofit space and am currently on the team for United Food Bank, where I regularly work with community organizations across Maricopa County to find innovative ways to fight food insecurity. I am proud to serve an organization that gives back and am grateful that I get to be part of a college and academic program where I get to learn more about how I can do more for my community.
If you are a non-traditional student, or are new to the field of public service, there is a community here at Watts for you. A community willing to help you learn, grow, and navigate the ins and outs of these next few years. Reach out to me for help navigating your journey, and we’ll develop a plan together. |
 | Kayla DiGiacomo SPA Student Ambassador 2026 - 2027 Hi, I’m Kayla, and I am a junior studying Public Service & Public Policy with a concentration in Nonprofit Leadership and Management. I am also pursuing certificates in Cross Sector Leadership and Environmental Studies. At ASU, I am in Barrett, the Honors College and the Next Generation Service Corps.
I am originally from Pennsylvania, and I am passionate about environmental justice and promoting equal access to resources like parks and public transportation. I am currently an Ed Pastor Public Administration Fellow at Valley Metro, and this past summer I completed an internship at a tech startup in Barcelona, Spain. I am also a volunteer with nonprofits like Arizona Animal Welfare League and Habitat for Humanity.
Reach out if you are interested in local government, nonprofits, environmental issues, or have any questions about internships or studying abroad! |
 | Sean Geraghty SPA Student Ambassador 2025 – 2027 My name is Sean, and I am an accelerated Master of Public Policy student in the School of Public Affairs. I earned Bachelor’s degrees in Urban Planning and Public Service and Policy: Law and Policy. I am a full-time Transportation Planner at Michael Baker International and previously worked at Valley Metro as a planning intern and with the Morrison Institute as a graduate research fellow. I can offer guidance with navigating double majors, the accelerated master’s program, and finding/preparing for internship or research opportunities. |
 | Arionna Littleman SPA Student Ambassador 2026 - 2027 Hello! My name is Arionna, and I am currently pursuing my Master of Public Administration at Arizona State University. My academic and professional interests include local government, American Indian Studies, politics, and collaboration between tribal and local governments. My strengths include communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and having a growth mindset. I aspire to make a positive impact in my community and help as many people as I can throughout my career.
One of my proudest accomplishments is being selected as a Marvin Andrews and Jane Morris Fellow, a two-year commitment to achieving academic and career goals. I am also excited to connect with the Indigenous community at ASU and attend the ASU Powwow this spring.
As a School of Public Affairs Ambassador, I hope to help students navigate university resources through effective communication, planning, and sharing my own experiences. One of my favorite resources for Indigenous students is American Indian Student Support Services (AISSS), which provides valuable support and opportunities for students to connect with their community. |
 | Bradley Honer SPA Student Ambassador 2025 – 2027 I’m Bradley, a U.S. Air Force veteran and junior at Arizona State University’s School of Public Affairs, pursuing both a Bachelor’s in Public Service and Public Policy and a Master of Public Administration concurrently. I serve as a School of Public Affairs Ambassador, to support student engagement, recruitment, and institutional outreach across ASU’s public-service programs.
I also hold leadership roles with ASU’s Next Generation Service Corps and work with the Arizona State Legislature’s Veteran Caucus Advisory Board on veteran-focused policy initiatives. With a background in national-security operations and an active Top Secret/SCI clearance, I bring a real-world perspective to public administration and governance. My academic and professional focus centers on veteran advocacy, public accountability, and the effective delivery of government services. |
 | Leslie Linarte Luna SPA Student Ambassador 2026 Hello! I’m Leslie, and I am a senior with Barrett, the Honors College and the School of Public Affairs, majoring in Public Service and Public Policy: Law and Policy and minoring in Justice Studies. My decision to pursue public service was heavily influenced by my involvement in my high school’s Earth club, where I began to teach my local community about environmental justice. I have since found a passion for working with local communities to make higher education accessible through my work with Access ASU’s Family Programs and TRIO Upward Bound. As I wrap up the final semester of my bachelor’s degree at ASU, I wanted to take the opportunity to offer students my insights as a Latina first-generation college student. Reach out anytime! |
 | Abdel Fattah Al Habshi SPA Student Ambassador 2026 – 2027 My name is Abdel, and I’m a Fulbright Scholar pursuing my master’s degree in public administration at the School of Public Affairs (SPA). I’m specializing in Nonprofit Management because it is the field I enjoy working in the most, and I’ve built experience through participation in various local and global programs during my studies.
My journey has been shaped by a passion for public service, youth empowerment, peace-building, and creating meaningful impact. Before coming to ASU, I worked with nonprofit organizations, community initiatives, and international programs focused on leadership, education, and social development. More recently, I worked as a Consular and Political Affairs Intern at the Embassy of Lebanon in Washington, D.C. As an Intern I had the opportunity to build a firsthand understanding and experience in diplomacy, international affairs, and the work that happens behind the scenes to strengthen relations and represent a country abroad.
I currently serve as a Graduate Assistant and as a SPA Ambassador because I enjoy connecting with students from diverse backgrounds, sharing international perspectives, and building communities that inspire collaboration and positive change. |
 | Tianay Flores SPA Student Ambassador 2026 – 2027 Hi, I'm Tianay, a senior in Barrett, The Honors College and the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University. I am an ASU Online student, pursuing a B.S. in Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
As a first-generation student who started college later in life, I understand that everyone's path to higher education can look different, and I want to help other students feel supported on their college journey. My experience includes emergency management internships in both the private sector, with the Department of Enterprise Resilience at Duquesne Light Company in Pennsylvania, and local government, with the Department of Emergency Preparedness at Frederick County Government in Maryland, along with multiple deployments of nonprofit volunteer work in disaster response and recovery with Reach Out Worldwide. These experiences have strengthened my passion for public service and for helping communities become more resilient.
In the role of Student Ambassador, I hope to help students navigate ASU, connect with helpful resources, and discover opportunities that support their academic and career growth, while in college and beyond. |