PAAIA Announces Summer 2025 Ansari Fellows
Washington, D.C. — PAAIA is excited to announce our summer 2025 Ansari Fellows: Farid Hadj and Niki Sotoodeh.
The Ansari Fellowship, a Civic Leadership Program initiative generously funded by PAAIA member Bijan Ansari, was founded to encourage and empower young Iranian Americans to pursue careers in public service. The program provides exceptional students – both in graduate and undergraduate programs – with funding and access to a network of public policy experts during an unpaid summer internship.
Farid Hadj with City Year Los Angeles
Farid Hadj is a recent graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned his B.A. in Political Science. Throughout college, Farid’s motivation to ensure equal access and representation inspired him to intern in multiple Congressional and state offices. Previously, he interned with Congressman Raul Ruiz, Congressman Salud Carbajal, and California State Assembly members Gregg Hart and Philip Chen, where he assisted with policy research, legislative affairs, and constituent services. This summer, Farid will be completing an Ansari Public Service Fellowship with City Year Los Angeles.
Niki Sotoodeh with Superior Court of Santa Clara County
Niki Sotoodeh is a rising junior at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Political Science, Legal Studies, and Sociology. She is passionate about law and public service. Niki has previously interned for the San Fransico District Attorney’s office. She hopes to pursue a career as a lawyer in the public service sector. With the help of the Ansari Fellowship, Niki will be interning with the Superior Court of Santa Clara County.
Learn more about our Ansari Fellowship Program and other opportunities for Iranian American youth at iacivicleaders.org
