Baruch Students Earn Top Public Service Fellowship

Baruch Students Earn Top Public Service Fellowship

September 9, 2025

Four students from Baruch College's Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs are among just 12 selected for the John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service-the first graduate fellowship in New York City devoted specifically to emergency management.

Established in 2012 to honor John D. Solomon, an accomplished journalist on homeland security and a devoted public servant, Fellows are chosen based on their strong academic record, leadership potential, and commitment to public service.

The nine-month Fellowship places students in New York City government agencies or nonprofits for up to 20 hours a week. Fellows attend community and local government meetings, take on high-impact projects, and support emergency preparedness and resilience initiatives across the city-all while earning a $10,000 stipend.

Meet the 2025-26 Fellows from Baruch College

Kevin Gonzalez: American Red Cross in Greater New York

Working with The American Red Cross in Greater New York, Gonzalez (MPA '26, nonprofit management) will support disaster relief efforts that reach more than 12 million people.

"I am excited to be able combine what I've learned at Marxe with a hands-on experience at a long-standing and essential nonprofit organization like the Red Cross that provides necessary work to keep New Yorkers safe before, during, and after emergencies occur," Gonzalez explains.

Gonzalez chose the Red Cross to deepen his understanding of how a nonprofit operates in emergencies, saying, "I want to provide help wherever it is needed, and I know the Solomon Fellowship will give me the guidance, skills, and mentorship to support New Yorkers in times of crisis."

Shamiha Islam: NYC Fire Department

Islam (MPA '27, policy analysis) is joining the New York City Fire Department to gain experience in public service and emergency management.

"This opportunity felt like the ideal way to apply what I am learning in the classroom to real-world challenges while supporting the safety and well-being of my community," Islam says. "I am excited to see firsthand how emergency services support New Yorkers facing real crises."

Islam aims to build a career addressing critical issues like the housing crisis and post-disaster displacement, noting that "the John D. Solomon Fellowship will expose me to large-scale city operations and give me the training and network I need to make a real impact in government or nonprofit sectors."

Khadija Jabbi: NYC Emergency Management Office of Strategic Partnerships Unit

Placed with the NYC Emergency Management Office of Strategic Partnerships Unit, Khadija Jabbi (MPA '26) is eager to build private sector connections while providing essential services to New Yorkers.

"This city unit is imperative to coordinating with business partners and agencies to ensure that the city is prepared for emergencies that New Yorkers face daily," Jabbi states. "I believe public service and emergency management are connected to saving lives and providing for communities in times of panic and devastating moments."

Jabbi's career goal is to serve those who have been treated the worst, explaining, "I would like to work for people through advocacy, action, and partnership. This Fellowship will teach me how to maintain operations and connections to complete the agency's goals."

Dayana Guerrero Uribe: NYC Emergency Management - Government Relations Unit

Assigned to NYC Emergency Management in the Government Relations Unit, Uribe (MIA '26, global security) aims to gain experience in navigating intergovernmental processes, concentrating on legislation and initiatives that center on resilience within vulnerable communities while strengthening her research and public-speaking skills.

"Being a Fellow is an exciting moment! While being nervous stepping into my first role in a New York City government agency, I am eager to embrace a new challenge and grow from this experience."

Uribe adds, "I see local policymaking as a foundation to addressing broader global challenges since many international issues require effective and unique local solutions. This experience will strengthen my ability to serve vulnerable New Yorkers but also prepare me to contribute to international efforts, where local insights are critical to shaping sustainable, globally informed policies."

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