2022 Policy Fellows
Aja McCoy - State Policy Fellow
Aja McCoy (she/her) is a third-year law student at Saint Louis University School of Law located in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2018, Aja graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science in political science and a minor in professional writing. She leads as a State Policy Fellow with the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis and the League of Student Advocates for the second year in a row. In September 2021, Aja, alongside three Policy Fellows, published a report finding Missouri’s four scholarship programs poorly designed and functionally inequitable. Since her earliest years, Aja dovetails her compassion, hunger for knowledge, and decisiveness to reach her goal of becoming an attorney. She is a powerful force and is inspired daily by the love and support of her family. Aja is set to graduate from Saint Louis University School of Law in spring 2022.
“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find the meaning in the suffer.” - DMX
Alisson Morales - Immigration Policy Fellow
Alisson Morales (she/her) is a seasoned advocate and storyteller. She graduated as the first in her family with a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville in spring 2020. Alisson enters her fourth year as an Immigration Policy Fellow with the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis and the League of Student Advocates. She has advocated throughout Missouri on the importance of equal access to postsecondary opportunities for undocumented students. Her work was recognized on KMOX The Voice of St. Louis’ St. Louis Talks. Alisson continues to dedicate her time and passion to immigrants’ rights and educational rights for undocumented and DACA students. Born in El Salvador, Alisson proudly carries her roots and heritage as she perseveres and keeps working towards her dreams.
“El ambiente uno lo hace.” - Mom
Anne Marie Crane - Federal Policy Fellow
Anne Marie Crane (she/her) is a multifaceted leader and creative. She leads as Federal Policy Fellow with The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis and the League of Student Advocates for the second year in a row. In June 2021, Anne Marie and three Policy Fellows authored an op-ed for the St Louis American regarding COVID-19's impact on college students. In summer of 2021, she accepted an internship in Washington D.C. with Court Appointed Special Advocates of DC as the Commitment to Learning Intern. At Truman State University, Anne Marie was appointed by her peers as President of Tau Lambda Sigma Sorority in fall 2021. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and French and plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master's in educational policy and leadership in summer 2022.
“Si vous voulez la paix, créez l'amour” - Victor Hugo
Translation: If you want peace, create love.
Candice Clossum - Federal Policy Fellow
Candice Clossum (she/her) is a St. Louis native currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at the University of Missouri Saint Louis (UMSL). Candice joins The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis and the League of Student Advocates as a first-year Federal Policy Fellow. In 2018, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in social work from UMSL. On campus, she was selected to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program, served as an UMSL Orientation Leader and Secretary of Associated Black Collegians. Candice also served as STEM educator for Girls Inc. of St. Louis, and it was there that her passion for advocacy was sparked. She is currently direct case manager with BJC Behavioral Health in St. Louis where she advocates with and for 50 clients. First in her family to earn a master’s degree, she is set to graduate spring 2023 and intends to start a nonprofit focused on health care and authentic advocacy work.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. - Maya Angelou
Charlotte Fox - Campus Policy Fellow
Charlotte Fox (she/her) is an authentic leader and entrepreneur currently in her senior year at Saint Louis University. Charlotte joins The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis and the League of Student Advocates as a first-year Campus Policy Fellow. She has previous experience as a marketing and planning intern with Schnucks and HLK. In those posts, she originated content strategies to strengthen client relationships. A mental health and social justice advocate, she is passionate about well-being and access to postsecondary education for undocumented students. One of four daughters, she understands the art of connection and communication, and hopes to give back to the community that continues to uplift her dreams. Charlotte is set to walk across the stage with a Bachelor’s in marketing in December 2022.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
Haylee Hughes - Immigration Policy Fellow
Haylee Hughes (she/her) is a proud first-generation student from Lonedell, Missouri attending Webster University. She is majoring in international studies with an emphasis in Latin America and international development. Haylee is an Immigration Policy Fellow with the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis and the League of Student Advocates fighting for tuition equity and college affordability. During this first year as a Policy Fellow, she hopes to learn more, connect with the community, and advance policy related to education, immigration, & women's health. In her spare time, Haylee enjoys learning Spanish and creating seasonally-fresh classic cocktails.
"I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own." - Audre Lorde
Lonette Lowery - Campus Policy Fellow
Lonette Lowary (she/her) is a St. Louis born and bred daughter who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s in international studies with an emphasis in East Asian studies from the University of Missouri. Lonette joins The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis and the League of Student Advocates as a Campus Policy Fellow. In this first year as Policy Fellow, she hopes to study and advocate for student-serving policies on college campuses. Her own obstacles motivate her to be a force for change in her community and life. Lonette combines her love of activism, history, and culture to be a voice in international discussions. When she’s not engaging in important dialogue, Lonette spends time writing and serving as her cat’s personal pillow.
"They say the best blaze burns brightest when circumstances are at their worst." - Howl's Moving Castle
Roniyah Harris - Campus Policy Fellow
Roniyah “Niyah” Harris (she/her) is a first-generation student dedicated to being the resource she had throughout her college journey. Currently in her junior year, she is studying communication, culture, and change and African American studies at Fontbonne University located in St. Louis, Missouri. On campus, Niyah serves as the President of Black Student Union and is a Student Success Intern in the Department of Student Success, working closely with university leadership. A passionate leader, she is committed to social change that will provide more equitable opportunities for students of color. With plans to enroll in a higher education master’s program, she hopes to start a nonprofit that will assist students through the entirety of their college experience. Niyah will proudly be the first in her family to graduate in May 2023.
“If you're tired, learn to rest, not to quit.” - Anonymous
Sara Rutherford - Strategic Data Fellow
Sara Rutherford (she/her) is a sharp leader who believes that learning is never finished. Sara recently graduated from Saint Louis University with a Bachelor of Science in international business with a minor in leadership & change management. Sara enters her fourth year as a Policy Fellow with The Scholarship Foundation and The League of Student Advocates, leading as the Strategic Data Fellow. In September 2021, Sara and three Policy Fellows, published a report finding Missouri’s four scholarship programs poorly designed and functionally inequitable. Early on she originated and developed a formula that carried the data analysis utilized in the report. Sara continues to refine her skills and leadership to advocate through effective data analysis and storytelling. Originally from a rural town in northern Missouri, she currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri earning a dual-degree JD/MBA at Saint Louis University School of Law and Chaifetz School of Business.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” - Benjamin Franklin