We are excited to announce Isabella Alvarado (CAS’27) as the 2025–2026 Boston University Initiative on Cities Menino Fellow in partnership with the National League of Cities (NLC). Isabella is a junior at Boston University studying Political Science with minors in Public Policy Analysis and Urban Studies. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, she is passionate about creating cities that are equitable, sustainable, and vibrant for all. She has gained experience in local government, political campaigns, and policy research, which have shaped her commitment to urban issues and public service. At BU, Isabella is involved in the Urbanism Club and Epsilon Eta, where she focuses on urban planning, conservation, and community service. Beyond the classroom, she enjoys hiking, cooking, cinematography, and reading Joan Didion, as well as exploring new cities through their transit systems, bookstores, parks, and food scenes. Through the Menino Fellowship, she hopes to deepen her understanding of urban governance and contribute to efforts that strengthen communities.
During the fall semester, Isabella will conduct a directed study under the supervision of IOC Director Loretta Lees, exploring challenges and opportunities to expand public transportation in her hometown of San Antonio, TX. During the spring semester, Isabella will intern with the NLC while enrolled in BU’s Washington, D.C. Internship Program.
What made you interested in applying for the NLC Menino Fellowship?
The Menino Fellowship stood out to me because it combines two things I value most in my education: independent research and meaningful, hands-on experience. It is rare to find a program that allows you to explore a pressing urban issue while also working alongside practitioners who navigate these challenges daily, and that is what makes this opportunity so unique. The fellowship provides professional development while creating space to think critically, test ideas, and learning from mentors with diverse perspectives on urban policy. I see it as a chance to translate my academic coursework into practical solutions that can strengthen communities in meaningful and tangible ways.
When did you become interested in cities?
I think I have always been interested in cities, though I only recently began to understand why. Growing up, I imagined going to college in New York City or another vibrant urban area, where bustling transit, lively public spaces, and endless opportunities to connect with people were abundant. Initially, what drew me in was the energy and possibilities of city life, but once I began studying politics, government, and urban development, I realized that these qualities are not accidental. Instead, they are shaped by deliberate choices, planning, and policy, and they often exist alongside stark inequalities. This realization sparked my commitment to understanding how cities work and to finding ways they can become more just, inclusive, and resilient.
Why did you decide to study barriers and opportunities in establishing and expanding public transportation systems for your directed study?
I chose to focus my directed study on public transportation because it sits at the heart of many issues I care about, including equity, sustainability, and economic mobility. San Antonio, my hometown, is one of the largest cities in the country without a comprehensive transit system, and that absence has real consequences for access to jobs, education, and essential services. It also reinforces a sedentary lifestyle of extreme car dependency, limiting choices for mobility. Through my work in local government, I saw how ambitious political disagreements, limited funding, and institutional silos can slow transit plans. I want to understand why these barriers exist, but also how cities can overcome them. For me, transportation is the connective tissue that knits communities together and opens doors to opportunity, making it essential to the future vitality of any city.
What are you most looking forward to in the spring semester, during your internship with the National League of Cities?
Cities are on the front lines of urgent challenges, including housing shortages, aging infrastructure, and access to education and workforce development. Yet they often operate under intense scrutiny without the support and resources needed to serve residents effectively. That is why I am so excited to work with the National League of Cities, strengthening municipalities across the country through collaboration and learning how local policy solutions can be adapted to different regional contexts. I also look forward to experiencing Washington, D.C., engaging with the networks and institutions that shape national policy, and working alongside established professionals. The NLC team members I have met so far have been incredibly welcoming, and I am eager to learn and grow under their guidance!