Introducing the 2024–2025 Initiative on Cities Menino Fellow: Kathya Correa Almanza

We are excited to announce Kathya Correa Almanza (CAS’25) as the 2024–2025 Boston University Initiative on Cities Menino Fellow in partnership with the National League of Cities (NLC). During the fall semester, Kathya will conduct a directed study under the supervision of IOC Director Loretta Lees, evaluating the Boston Public School system and its policies related to segregation and inequality in achievement. During the spring semester, Kathya will intern with the NLC’s Institute for Youth, Education, and Families while enrolled in BU’s Washington D.C. Internship Program.

Kathya is a senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in education. Passionate about mental health, education, and public policy, Kathya aims to create a more equitable world for youth. Originally from San Francisco, she has been actively involved in community organizing, addressing immigration, gentrification, and educational inequality. She is an advocate who believes in the power of art, policy, and education. Kathya has also researched youth and policy for organizations such as Arnold Ventures, The Aspen Institute, and the University of Amsterdam. Prior to her time at BU, she was chosen by the Student Advisory Council to represent the 55,000 public students at the San Francisco Unified School District Board of Education from 2020 to 2021, reflecting her leadership and commitment to her San Francisco community. Her leadership achievements have also been recognized through the Koshland Young Leader Award in 2020, serving as high school Valedictorian, and a Posse Scholarship in 2021. Kathya will be inducted into Boston University’s Scarlet Key Honor Society for the class of 2025.

We asked Kathya a few questions as she starts her Menino Fellowship research: