Clay Institute Programs

Ayla Acakposatchivi is a student at Saint Louis University majoring in psychology with minors in mathematics and French. She works at the University Counseling Center and is involved in two psychology research labs, as well as SLU’s orchestra and pep band. Acakposatchivi is passionate about advocacy and community engagement through the Environment and Transit Policy Pod, where she has helped support local policy efforts and collaborate with community organizations to create change in St. Louis. She currently serves as a co-leader of the environment and transit policy pods.

Amanda Armbruster is a sophomore at Saint Louis University majoring in neuroscience and bioethics and health studies. She is involved in Her Campus, Policy Pods and serves as a civic ambassador. Armbruster is passionate about advocacy, particularly through her experience living with epilepsy and supporting others with the condition. She previously interned with the Epilepsy Foundation of Missouri and Kansas, where she helped support fundraising and awareness efforts for individuals with epilepsy. She currently serves as a co-leader of the healthcare policy pod.

Akshaya Arun is a junior at Saint Louis University majoring in health sciences with a minor in health information management on the pre-med track. She is involved in SGA, Hands of Hope, MindForward, SpoonSLU, and Policy Pods. Arun is passionate about improving access to equitable education and became interested in advocacy through tutoring and community involvement. She hopes to contribute to meaningful policy solutions that support student success and educational equity through the education policy pod.

Saanvi Burle is a junior at Saint Louis University majoring in medical sciences and bioethics and health studies on the pre-med track. She is involved with Overground Railroad to Literacy, Hopeful Horizons, Alpha Phi Omega and the education policy pod. Burle also works as a biology learning assistant and tutors students in the local community, which inspired her passion for education policy and equitable access to learning opportunities. She currently serves as a leader within the education policy pod.

Suzan Clinton is a sophomore at Saint Louis University studying political science and environmental studies with plans to attend law school. She is passionate about environmental advocacy and hopes to combine legal and scientific knowledge to improve access to clean water and environmental protections. Outside of academics, Clinton enjoys reading, creating art, and exploring new interests. She currently serves as a co-leader of the environment and transit policy pods.

Samantha Dayrit is a senior at Saint Louis University majoring in criminal justice with minors in psychology and social work on the pre-law track. She is heavily involved in advocacy and social justice work on campus, including serving as an RA and participating in organizations such as Billiken Bounty. Dayrit is passionate about creating inclusive policies and supporting underserved communities through legal and community advocacy. She currently serves as a leader of the immigrant and refugee policy pod.

Rahul Jasthi is a junior at Saint Louis University pursuing a degree in biochemistry with minors in computer science and engineering mathematics. He is passionate about healthcare innovation, public education, and RNA therapeutics, particularly in relation to insulin resistance. Through the education policy pod, Jasthi has worked with local and state leaders to advocate for more equitable access to education. He hopes to become a physician-scientist while continuing research and teaching in the future.

Carmen Myers is an undergraduate student at Saint Louis University majoring in psychology, Spanish and American studies. She is passionate about immigration reform and language access advocacy and hopes to pursue immigration law in the future. Myers previously worked with the Office of Language Access for Kansas City, where she saw firsthand how policy can improve access for immigrant communities. Through Policy Pods, she has enjoyed working with students to increase awareness and engagement around immigration issues. She is involved with the immigration policy pod and is the Student Leadership Coordinator for Policy Pods this year.

Raghu Penugonda is a junior at Saint Louis University majoring in exercise science on the pre-med track. He is involved with Overground Railroad to Literacy, Labre, MLK Scholars and is the co-founder of The BrightRoots Project, which promotes mental wellness activities for children in underserved communities. Through the Healthcare Policy Pod and advocacy work in Washington, D.C., Penugonda has developed a strong interest in healthcare reform, educational justice and community advocacy.

Johnathon Ridgley is a junior at Saint Louis University majoring in political science with a minor in criminal justice. He is interested in legislative advocacy, civic engagement and policy development, particularly within the criminal justice system. Outside of academics, Ridgley volunteers in his hometown community and enjoys opportunities to serve others. Through Policy Pods, he hopes to contribute to positive change in both the St. Louis and Missouri communities.

Carlee Smith is a sophomore at Saint Louis University studying political science with a minor in human resource management and a microcredential in Spanish. She is passionate about labor rights, workplace equity, and employment law, and hopes to attend law school in the future. On campus, Smith is involved with Student Government Association, serves as news co-editor for The University News, and is vice president of events for the pickleball club. She currently serves as a co-leader of the criminal justice policy pod.

Manvee Vuppala is a sophomore at Saint Louis University majoring in biomedical engineering with a minor in entrepreneurship. She is involved in research, Engineers Without Borders, BMES, Policy Pods and volunteer work supporting survivors of domestic violence. Vuppala is passionate about the intersection of healthcare, engineering and policy, particularly in improving access to mental healthcare and community support systems. She hopes to continue advocating for structural change through innovation and policy work.

Jade Ari’yona Williams is a student at Saint Louis University with a passion for storytelling, leadership and community engagement. She is involved in organizations such as Mock Trial and the BSA Black History Committee and enjoys exploring issues related to equity and discrimination through her academic work. Williams values creativity and communication and hopes to continue using her voice to inspire and connect with others through writing and advocacy. She co-leads the human trafficking policy pod.

Clarence Alexander

Clarence Alexander is a junior studying political science and economics at SLU. They are passionate about working with communities to create more just and inclusive systems. Their interests include economic justice and access to education, and they have previously been involved with the Freedom Community Center, where they examined courtroom cases to evaluate the fairness of judicial rulings. Through the Pathway to Progress Program, they hope to deepen their knowledge of equity-driven advocacy and civic engagement. They aspire to pursue a career focused on advancing justice and expanding opportunity for underrepresented populations. In their free time, they enjoy playing basketball and spending time with friends.

Mahi Besur

Mahi Besur is an undergraduate student at Saint Louis University majoring in health sciences, with minors in women and gender studies and biology. She is deeply passionate about community outreach and research, particularly in areas that address health inequities. Mahi volunteers with students in St. Louis public schools as well as at the St. Louis juvenile detention center. Outside of academics, she enjoys swimming, drawing, and reading. In the future, she hopes to apply her scientific knowledge to improving the lives of underserved populations in her community.

Suzan Clinton

Suzan is a freshman studying biology and public health. She hopes to become a physician and policy advocate in the future. She is passionate about economic and environmental justice and how structural inequities shape health outcomes in marginalized communities. Through Pathways to Progress, she seeks to better understand how economic policy influences access to healthcare, housing, and environmental safety. She looks forward to this program as her introduction to the world of policy and as an opportunity to explore intersectional strategies that promote health, environmental, and economic equity. 

Raegan Jinson

Raegan Jinson, from Jefferson City, Missouri, is a senior at SLU studying economics with a minor in philosophy. She is passionate about advocacy and justice, and wants to better connect to individuals across a large spectrum of identities and backgrounds. Following her undergraduate graduation, her biggest aspiration is to pursue law school in the fall.

Adara Joiner

Hello, my name is Adara Joiner, and I am currently a first-year student at Saint Louis University. Pursuing a bachelor's degree in political science on the pre-law track. My current academic interest is international politics and American politics. I want to use my political science knowledge to travel and learn in different places. I look forward to gaining more experiences outside of my hometown to help me learn directly about policy change and political work.

Mark Park

My name is Mark Park, and I am a business technology management student with experience across the consulting space through multiple internships. I am especially interested in how technology, strategy, and data can be leveraged to drive impactful decision-making. I have a strong passion for civic engagement, particularly within the economic space, and I am motivated by work that creates sustainable, community-level impact through thoughtful policy and innovation.

Raghu Penugonda

Hello! My name is Raghu Penugonda, and I am a sophomore majoring in exercise science on the pre-med track. On campus, I am involved in Overground Railroad to Literacy, Labre, MLK Scholars, and Policy Pods. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, throwing around a football, and listening to music.  My interest in policy and institutional reform stems from my involvement in the healthcare policy pod, where I have advocated and learned about prior authorization reform at Jefferson City and organized events educating students on the opioid epidemic. Through Pathways to Progress, I look forward to developing as an advocate and collaborating with my cohort to promote meaningful change.

Kevin Stokes-Bonnett

Kevin Stokes-Bonnett is a third-year economics student at Saint Louis University committed to advancing equity, opportunity and economic justice.  He also serves as a financial education insight intern for the Scholarship Foundation St. Louis, where he evaluates and compares financial literacy platforms, builds an assessment framework focused on usability, instructional quality, accessibility and measurable student outcomes and develops recommendations to support student success. Additionally, he has served as a policy fellow with The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, advancing equitable higher education policy priorities across institutional, state and federal contexts. In that role, he researched financial and systemic barriers to college access, supported public policy campaigns and advocacy efforts, and collaborated with student teams to design initiatives focused on affordability and well-being. Across these experiences, he brings a practical, impact-driven approach to turning research and community insights into actionable solutions.

Jade Williams

I am a passionate student, writer and advocate committed to advancing social justice through education, storytelling and community engagement. I am especially interested in addressing inequality, representation and the lived experiences of marginalized communities, particularly Black women in professional and creative spaces. Through academic research, artistic expression and open dialogue, I work to challenge harmful systems and amplify underrepresented voices. I believe meaningful social change begins with understanding, empathy and accountability. This program will help me strengthen my voice, expand my perspective, and develop the tools needed to create lasting impact in my community and beyond.

Johnny Yeung

I’m a senior at Saint Louis University majoring in finance and international business, and I was born and raised in Hawaii. Growing up in a place shaped by global trade, tourism and cultural diversity sparked my interest in how markets and public policy impact everyday life. My academic work focuses on economic development, data analysis and understanding the role institutions play in shaping long-term outcomes. I’m especially interested in the ethical side of business and how policy decisions affect different communities. I hope to pursue a career in consulting or finance with a strong international and policy-oriented focus.

Bobbylynne Zinnah

I am a sophomore majoring in criminology and criminal justice and minoring in African American studies. I am interested in law, public service, and civic engagement. I am excited to participate in the Pathways to Progress Program and the Washington, D.C., immersion experience. I want to learn more about how policy, advocacy and government institutions impact marginalized communities. Through this program, I hope to learn how to advocate for people like me who are directly impacted by these systems and to bring what I’ve learned back to my communities in St. Louis and Kansas City and apply it to my future in legal work.