My JSI cohort became my people.  We still talk.  We still show up for each other.  None of us are doing this work alone.

Samantha Sanchez

PPIA Junior Summer Institute, University of Minnesota, 2018

B.A., Citizenship, Civic Engagement and Geography, Syracuse University, 2019

Master of Urban Planning, New York University, 2024



Building Community, Opportunity, And Accountability In Public Service

Samantha's journey into public service began with persistence, family support, and a belief that opportunity should never be restricted.  She is the daughter an Ecuadorian immigrant father and a mother born to Ecuadorian and Puerto Rican immigrant parents. She grew up in a close and loving family that encouraged hard work, humility, and curiosity, which are values that shaped her approach to every step in her academic and professional life.

The Door That Almost Closed

At Syracuse University, Samantha learned about the PPIA Junior Summer Institute (JSI). She felt an immediate connection to the mission and wanted to apply. When she approached her scholarship office, she was met with discouragement.

“They told me I should not bother applying,” she said. “They literally said, ‘Students like you do not usually get programs like this.’ I walked out of that office completely discouraged.”

A few days later, one of her professors pulled her aside and offered advice: apply anyway, because she was the type of applicant the program was designed for. That moment changed everything. She applied, was selected, and joined the 2018 University of Minnesota JSI cohort.

Finding Community Through PPIA

At the University of Minnesota, Samantha’s JSI experience provided academic rigor and exposure to policy careers. What stayed with her most was the sense of community she found in her cohort.

“My JSI cohort became my people,” she said. “We still talk. We still show up for each other. None of us are doing this work alone.”

Nearly a decade after JSI, she remains close to her cohort through group chats, shared celebrations, and informal reunions. That sense of belonging continues to ground her as she navigates public service.

A Career Focused On Equity And Impact

After college, Samantha completed the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs, where she gained insights into New York City government and the public sector workforce.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she paused her career to care for her family. She later returned to school part-time to earn her master’s degree in urban planning at New York University's Wagner School as a McNair Scholarship recipient. While in school, she worked at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and later at a financial technology firm managing universal basic income pilots and food stipend programs for migrant families.

Samantha now works at Common Cause New York. Her role focuses on accountability, transparency, election protection, federalism, and strengthening trust in government institutions. Whether she’s supporting statewide coalition efforts or legislative reforms, her work centers communities that are often excluded from policymaking.

Navigating Spaces That Didn't Always Feel Inclusive

As she advanced academically and professionally, Samantha often found herself in environments where representation was limited.

“As a woman of color in very competitive spaces, I always felt like I had to prove myself,” she shared. “It took a long time to trust that I deserved to be there. Community mattered more to me than any building or institution.”

Her lived experiences continue to inform her commitment to making civic and policy spaces more accessible, inclusive, and supportive for future generations.  Samantha’s ability to stay grounded in her values continues to guide her.

Looking Forward And Giving Back

Samantha hopes to continue advancing democracy, accountability, and equity in New York City, while uplifting the communities that shaped her.  She also wants young students of color to feel encouraged to pursue opportunities they may not think are for them.

“Apply for every opportunity, even the ones that feel scary,” she said. “Stay grounded in who you are. You do not have to do any of this alone.”