We are excited to welcome you to our 2025 Mandela Washington Fellowship Public Management Institute! The Leadership Institute at ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø State University will provide a well-rounded public management curriculum and support an enriching learning experience for all our Fellows. All our staff and members of the campus community are looking forward to engaging with you.
Members of the team include:
- Dr. Jakari Griffith, Institute Leader and Administrative Director
- Dr. Mia Ortiz, Academic Director
- Dr. Jibril Solomon, Academic Director
- Mr. Shawn Flynn, Common Leadership Curriculum Coordinator
- Ms. Susan William, Mandela Financial Coordinator
- Mr. Ismael Kahiu, Program Coordinator
- Ms. Sasha Link, Communications Coordinator
- Ms. Irina Carvalho, Logistics Coordinator
- Ms. Savannah Lavigne, Program Assistant
- Mr. Samuel Korda, Program Assistant
- Mr. David Lopes, Program Assistant
- Mr. Kendall French, Part-time Photographer
About the Mandela Washington Fellowship's BSU Team
Dr. Jakari Griffith
Institute Leader and Administrative Director
Dr. Jakari Griffith is the Assistant Provost and Senior International Officer at ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø State University. He oversees international operations at the university and directs the Mandela Washington Fellowship Institute. He can be reached at jgriffith@bridgew.edu.
Dr. Mia Ortiz
Academic Director
Dr. Mia Ortiz is Professor of Criminal Justice and Continuing Studies Coordinator in the Department of Criminal Justice at ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø State University. She oversees the academic component of the program. She can be reached at mortiz@bridgew.edu.
Dr. Jibril Solomon
Academic Director
Dr. Jibril Solomon is an Associate Professor of Social Work in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences. He oversees the academic component of the program. He can be reached at j1solomon@bridgew.edu.
Mr. Shawn Flynn
Common Leadership Curriculum Coordinator
Mr. Sean Flynn is Director of Employment Services in Human Resources at ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø State University. He can be reached at s3flynn@bridgew.edu.
Mr. Ismael Kahiu
Program Coordinator
Mr. Ismael Kahiu is the Program Coordinator responsible for overseeing residence life and fellow support. Mr. Kahiu can be reached at ikahiu@student.bridgew.edu.
Ms. Sasha Link
Communications Coordinator
Ms. Sasha Link is an interdisciplinary part-time faculty member in the English, Communication Studies, and Political Science departments at ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø State University and the Staff Assistant for Marketing in the Minnock Institute for Global Engagement. She can be reached at slink@bridgew.edu.
Ms. Susan Williams
Mandela Financial Coordinator
Ms. Susan Williams assists with managing the financial logistics for the program, along with overseeing the budget. She can be reached at swilliams@bridgew.edu.
Ms. Irina Carvalho
Mandela Logistics Coordinator
Ms. Irina Carvalho manages logistics for the summer institute. She may be reached at icarvalho@bridgew.edu.
Mr. Kendell French
Part-time Photographer
Mr. Kendell French is an alumnus of ϡȱÁÔÆæÍø State University and serves as photographer on a part-time basis. He can be contacted at k1french@student.bridgew.edu.