Articles

CHIP Fellow Yasamin Khosh Reflects on Internship with Rep. Maxwell Frost
Yasamin Khosh is a rising junior at Florida State University, pursuing a dual degree in Political Science and Media Communications. This summer, she interned with Congressman Maxwell Frost on Capitol Hill. This summer, I had

CHIP Fellow Lindsey Mazarei Reflects on Internship with Rep. Adam Schiff
A rising sophomore at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Lindsey Mazarei is majoring in Political Science with a concentration in American Politics. This summer, she interned with Congressman Adam Schiff’s district office. This

Ansari Fellow Rooha Hagharmehdiabadi Reflects on Internship with American Gateways
PAAIA’s 2024 Ansari Fellow, Rooha Hagharmehdiabadi, is a law student at the University of Texas School of Law, where she previously earned a B.A. in International Relations and Global Studies. Below, she reflects on her internship

Hasti Sadri Reflects on her Ansari Fellowship Experience with the Brookings Institution
PAAIA’s 2024 Ansari Fellow, Hasti Sadri, is a rising senior and Honors Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill. Sadri is majoring in Political Science and Peace, War, and Defense, with a minor in Conflict Management. Below, she reflects

PAAIA is Hiring a New Director of Civic Engagement and Democracy!
The Position The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) is seeking a Director of Civic Engagement and Democracy. Description The Director of Civic Engagement and Democracy (DCED) plays a key role in educating and

The IRAN Act was Introduced in the House to Support Internet Freedom in Iran
Washington, DC — Today, Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA14) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY24) introduced the IRAN Act (H.R.9299) in the House of Representatives! The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) helped spearhead efforts to address

PAAIA Celebrates Our Third Civic Leaders Summit!
From July 8 – 14, PAAIA hosted our third annual Civic Leaders Summit in Washington, DC! Twenty-one Iranian American high schoolers and counselors came together for a transformative week of learning. The student advocates learned about

White House Misses MAHSA Act Reporting Deadline
Washington, DC — The Executive Branch missed the 90-day MAHSA Act reporting deadline through which to impose potential sanctions on Iranian officials for their roles in human rights violations. President Biden signed the MAHSA Act into law

Meet Our 2024 Ansari Fellows
Washington, D.C. — PAAIA is excited to announce our summer 2024 Ansari Fellows: Rooha Hagharmehdiabadi and Hasti Sadri. Funded by the Ansari family, the Ansari Fellowship is a key initiative of the Civic Leadership Program

Meet Our 2024 Summer CHIP Fellows
Washington, DC — PAAIA’s Civic Leadership Program is thrilled to announce our Summer 2024 cohort of Pezeshkan Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP) Fellows: Ariana Ghafouri, Yasamin Khosh, and Lindsey Mazarei. As part of our Civic

Spring CHIP Fellow Ava Etemadi Reflects on Internship with Rep. Mike Levin
Pezeshkan Family Capitol Hill Internship Program Fellow Ava Etemadi is a sophomore at George Washington University’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in political science, with interests in environmental policy and foreign affairs. This Spring,

Spring CHIP Fellow Bahar Babagoli Reflects on Internship with Rep. Katie Porter
Pezeshkan Family Capitol Hill Internship Program Fellow Bahar Babagoli is a junior at Chapman University’s Crean College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, majoring in psychology with a minor in political science. This Spring, she interned in

Spring CHIP Fellow Melody Mashouf Reflects on Internship with Congressman Brad Sherman
Pezeshkan Family Capitol Hill Internship Program Fellow Melody Mashouf is a rising Junior at Santa Monica College, with passion for political science and international relations. This spring, she interned in the office of U.S. Congressman

Spring CHIP Fellow Persia Zurita Reflects on Internship with Senator Mark Warner
Pezeshkan Family Capitol Hill Internship Program Fellow Persia Zurita is a rising Junior at George Washington University studying international affairs with a concentration in security policy. This spring, she interned in the office of Senator Mark

Celebrating Pride: PAAIA Stands with the LGBTQ Community
Washington, DC — As Pride Month unfolds, the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) reaffirms our unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community. This month is a time to celebrate love, diversity, and the progress