The Karabelle Pizzigati Initiative in Advocacy for Children, Youth, and Families develops a pipeline of knowledgeable and effective advocates dedicated to ensuring all children are healthy, safe, educated and joyful. Throughout her life, the late Karabelle Pizzigati empowered advocates with the critical policy tools needed to drive meaningful, lasting change. In her honor, the Karabelle Pizzigati Initiative Fellowship—a collaboration between the School of Public Policy and the School of Public Health—motivates outstanding students to pursue careers in children’s advocacy.
As part of the program, students complete a paid internship, gaining insights from seasoned professionals while actively contributing to initiatives that improve children’s lives. In addition to the internship and coursework, students benefit from continuous mentoring and coaching, equipping them with the skills and knowledge for a successful career in children’s advocacy.
This year’s fellows include:
Aditi Gubba
JUNIOR, PUBLIC HEALTH SCIENCE MAJOR
Aditi Gubba is a junior at the University of Maryland pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public health science with a Science, Technology, Ethics, and Policy (STEP) minor. She is deeply passionate about advancing programs and policies that support early cognitive development and family-centered approaches to child welfare. Through her research on autobiographical memory in children and her experience as a youth dance teacher, Gubba has seen firsthand the transformative impact that nurturing environments have on children’s futures. Upon graduating, she hopes to drive meaningful systems change through advocacy and leadership in health administration or health technology.
Phoebe Hulen
SOPHOMORE, PUBLIC POLICY and WOMEN, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY STUDIES MAJOR
Phoebe Hulen is a sophomore at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy and College of Arts and Humanities. Her areas of interest include education, health and civil rights policy. She is passionate about the legal system and equitable treatment of all persons in law and society. Hulen is studying public policy and women, gender and sexuality studies. With her degrees, she plans to attend law school and pursue constitutional law for underserved and underprivileged communities. She believes everyone should have equal opportunities, and aims to ensure that the law reflects this principle.
Alisha Hussain
SOPHOMORE, FAMILY SCIENCE MAJOR
Alisha Hussian is a sophomore at the University of Maryland pursuing a bachelor’s degree in family science with a minor in nonprofit leadership and social innovation. Her areas of interest include access to mental health resources, child welfare, maternal health and racial justice. She has a strong passion for raising awareness of mental health issues in marginalized communities that have limited access to such resources. Hussain hopes to pursue a career in children's counseling while advocating for their well-being. She believes that to have a successful future, we must invest in our children in all areas. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she intends to pursue dual master's degrees in social work and public health.
Kaiya Lumpkin
JUNIOR, PUBLIC POLICY MAJOR
Kaiya Lumpkin is a junior at the University of Maryland. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in public policy with a focus on gender and racial justice. Her areas of interest are health equity and advocating for the well-being of all children. She is dedicated to advocating for underserved communities through her academic work, leadership roles and community initiatives. Lumpkin actively contributes to efforts that promote social justice, aiming to address systemic inequities and improve access to resources for marginalized groups. She aspires to a career in public service, where she can develop policies that advance equity and inclusivity.
Nishna Makala
FRESHMAN, COMPUTER SCIENCE and PUBLIC POLICY MAJORS
Nishna Makala is a freshman at the University of Maryland pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science with a concentration in data sciences, and a degree in public policy. She is passionate about championing data privacy, algorithmic justice and responsible use of artificial intelligence. Recognizing the profound impact AI and data-mining technologies can have on fields such as healthcare, criminal justice and education, Makala is committed to safeguarding children from the misuse and exploitation of their personal information online. She believes every child deserves the chance to learn, explore and grow safely in digital spaces. After completing her undergraduate studies, Makala plans to attend law school to explore the ethics, transparency and accountability of AI through a focus on algorithmic law.
Melissa Mason
JUNIOR, PUBLIC POLICY MAJOR
Melissa Mason is a junior at the University of Maryland pursuing a degree in public policy with a focus on gender and racial justice. She is dedicated to amplifying the voices of children in underrepresented communities and researching early childhood education programs and their role in breaking the cycle of poverty. Mason believes every child deserves access to resources, representation and opportunities to thrive and achieve their dreams. Her long-term goal is to establish a nonprofit dedicated to bridging gaps in resources for underserved youth, providing them with the tools and guidance needed to pursue higher education, including support for the college application process and educational pathways.