We are thrilled to introduce our 2026 Youth Fellows cohort. From a highly competitive pool of applicants, the GCE-US Youth Engagement Committee has selected an inspiring group of young leaders who demonstrate exceptional commitment to advancing education and strengthening their communities.
Beginning this month, the fellows will participate in an intensive training program focused on communication and advocacy strategies and policy development. Their learning experience will include an Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill this June, where they will apply their training in real-time conversations with policymakers.
The fellowship will culminate this fall as each participant designs and implements a community action plan, putting their skills into practice to drive meaningful, locally grounded impact.
By equipping these emerging leaders with the strategic, technical, and professional tools essential for effective advocacy, we are investing in a future where young voices shape education policy and inspire others to take action.
Mumtaz Cooper is an incoming freshman at Temple University and the founder of Pencils Not Prisons, a nonprofit organization dedicated to dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline through education, advocacy, and community-based reform. Her work centers on expanding access to resources, promoting educational equity, and addressing systemic barriers that disproportionately impact marginalized youth. Mumtaz’s passion for advocacy is deeply rooted in her commitment to justice and her firsthand awareness of gaps within the education system. Through her leadership, she has organized initiatives focused on mentorship, literacy, and policy awareness, aiming to empower students to see education as a pathway rather than a barrier. She was drawn to this fellowship as an opportunity to further amplify her impact, collaborate with like-minded changemakers, and continue developing sustainable solutions at the intersection of education and social justice.
Bronia Irakoze is a dedicated advocate for equitable education and a Public Health student at the University of Kentucky. With experience in community outreach, policy engagement, and youth empowerment, Bronia has worked on initiatives that center advancing health equity and expanding access of education in marginalized communities. She has interned with local health organizations and led projects to amplify youth voices in public health. Bronia joined the GCE- US Youth Advocate Program to strengthen her advocacy skills, engage in education policy, and support youth-led efforts to build more opportunities where all students thrive.
Sahil Prasad's interest in education and mentorship began early in life. Since seventh grade, he has mentored elementary students preparing them for national quiz bowl competitions through his school’s It’s Academic Club. In summer 2025, he volunteered as a special education teacher aide at the SPJ Sadhana School in Mumbai, India, supporting differently abled students. He continues to collaborate with the school today to explore technology-based learning solutions for students with autism. Sahil also currently serves as a high school science educator at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC where he engages the general public through interactive astronomy and space science activities. Sahil has been a regular contributing writer for the Skipping Stones magazine in the areas of humanities, science, and history since fourth grade, educating children on many topics. Sahil is motivated by a simple goal: to make learning fun, engaging, and accessible for others.
Audrey Shih is a youth poet, historian, and lover of all things nature. She is a student looking to bring networks of U.S. programs to younger generations through civic engagement. As a student at an arts high school, she aims to use her experiences to provide support for other students struggling to express themselves and reshape spaces into more inclusive environments. She hosts open mics and workshops focused on topics such as cultural inclusion and art awareness. She is currently a board member of BookEels, a student-led podcast focused on releasing accessible content for people with visual/seeing disabilities. Audrey wishes to encourage freedom and creativity in school curriculums and spread awareness on the importance of conservation, as well as provide further support for students with visual impairments.
Vinisha Singireddy is an education advocate passionate about advancing educational rights worldwide. She hopes to support the many students, who do not have the means to further their education, depriving the world of future innovators and people who could change the world. She is excited to join the Global Campaign for Education-US and expand the scale of her efforts and advocate for changes in policy regarding education for children worldwide. She strives to advocate for changes in educational policy and make quality education not a privilege but a basic right.
Colbie Stanek is a high school student who has become passionate about education advocacy. Through her experiences as a teaching assistant in a special needs classroom, Colbie learned that one of the most critical factors in a strong education is a students’ confidence in the resources and support they receive. This inspired Colbie to work with Head Start learners to expand educational resource availability. After learning more about education advocacy, Colbie was further motivated to start a Girls Learn International chapter in her community, which expanded outreach of the initiatives Colbie wishes to share with others. By joining GCE-US, Colbie hopes to influence policy-based reform to support the needs of diverse learners.
April Surac is a student researcher, education advocate, and technologist working at the intersection of edtech, public policy, and educational access. She is the founder of Bookoli, an edtech initiative focused on the literacy crisis through accessible reading support, and NeuraSensa, which develops sensory-accessible spaces for neurodiverse communities. Her perspective on education has been shaped by leadership and research across science, health, and civic life, including service on the Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Making Caring Common Youth Advisory Board, statewide outreach as a Florida ambassador with the STEM Next Opportunity Fund, research experiences with Stanford School of Medicine and the Stanford Department of Neurosurgery, and international leadership through the U.S. Department of State’s TechGirls program. Recognized by the Gloria Barron Prize, NCWIT Aspirations in Computing, the Women in Tech Global Awards, and the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award, April is excited to join the fellowship to continue advocating for students and to engage congressional leaders and federal policymakers on solutions to the literacy and access barriers shaping her state’s education system.