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:
What made you interested in applying for the NLC Menino Fellowship?
I heard about the Menino Fellowship program through the
Newbury Center and was encouraged to apply due to its rigorous exploration of urban populations, public leadership, and education. The directed study encouraged me to combine several areas of interest into one research project that I am truly excited about! The semester in Washington, D.C., is of particular interest to me because of the opportunity to intern with the NLC Institute for Youth, Education, and Families (YEF Institute). I feel very aligned with the mission of the YEF Institute, which is dedicated to establishing research and community-supported programs across the country.
When did you become interested in cities?
I have lived in cities almost my entire life. I was raised in San Francisco, one of the wealthiest and fastest-changing cities in the United States due to the tech industry. In stark contrast, I grew up in a low-income household and attended school in a low-income neighborhood. I was exposed to the struggles of various communities, such as gentrification, mass incarceration, segregation, and food insecurity. These topics were taught within my education, but I also saw them every day outside the classroom. Despite the hardships, what influenced me most was how communities united to tackle these issues, instill hope, and create change. In a large urban city like San Francisco, organizing and activism were abundant, with like-minded people working to bring about change. This inspired me to use policy and community organizing to address the issues I witnessed firsthand and care deeply about.
Why did you decide to focus on education and public schools for your directed study?
I attended a small public school in San Francisco but made friends with students from across the city through the Student Advisory Council (SAC). SAC was a council composed of 2–3 students from each public high school in the San Francisco Unified School District. We discussed various issues and collaborated on initiatives to improve our schools. Through conversations with my peers, it became quickly evident that some schools offered significantly more resources and opportunities than others. My high school education provided me with a social justice perspective, featured teachers who were active community members, and emphasized student voice in many school decisions, including the hiring of new teachers. This approach was very different from that of other schools in the district. Although I viewed my school positively, there were negative perceptions of it stemming from its demographics, which were predominantly Black and Latino. In my senior year, I was elected by SAC to represent San Francisco students on the Board of Education. I played a critical role as a student voice in debates concerning the pandemic, racism, and school inequality. I continue to carry this experience with me and am always striving to learn more about the education system in the U.S.
What are you most looking forward to during your internship with the National League of Cities during the spring semester?
During my interview with the National League of Cities, I had the opportunity to ask two leaders about their favorite projects. I learned that they each have “no single favorite” project. Instead, their initiatives are built upon research, evidence-based program structures, and community participatory methods. The projects they have supported nationwide are inspiring, and I am even more excited to learn about what is necessary to make them successful.