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.
“I applied to the Ansari Fellowship to connect my Iranian American identity with meaningful public service. I was raised in an immigrant household without familiarity with the ins and outs of American bureaucracy, and I often had to navigate academic and professional spaces on my own. That experience, along with internships in several legislative offices, showed me how access and representation can help to shape a person’s path. Through this fellowship, I’ll be serving with City Year Los Angeles to help educate and support underprivileged and underinformed students, many of whom face barriers I once knew firsthand. By helping them navigate those challenges, I hope to provide not only guidance and opportunity, but also to instill the same spirit of resilience that defines the Iranian people and has guided me throughout my journey.”
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.
“When I learned about the Ansari Fellowship, I was excited to see a program dedicated to uplifting Iranian Americans in public service. As the daughter of Iranian immigrants and someone passionate about public interest law, I applied because I believe in the power of representation, advocacy, and giving back to the communities that have shaped me. This fellowship is an incredible opportunity to grow, learn, and connect with others who are committed to making a meaningful impact.”
Learn more about our Ansari Fellowship Program and other opportunities for Iranian American youth at iacivicleaders.org
