Through the Policy Fellowship program, Youth Policy Lab places early-career policy professionals in full-time roles within state and local agencies in Michigan. The Fellows provide technical assistance and strategic support to achieve specific and measurable improvements in social policies and state programs that impact Michigan's youth and their families. From their experience and context knowledge at their placement agencies, the Fellows are able to inform YPL's research and analysis work. In turn, the Fellows gain valuable and practical experience to advance their skills and knowledge and support them in their career paths.
Meet our Policy Fellows
Sophie Ordway
Sophie has been working with the Office of Prosperity at the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (MDLEO) to support efforts to improve economic outcomes for Michiganders impacted by the justice system. Sophie is a key contributor to the Michigan Poverty Task Force and helped develop recommendations to remove barriers to economic participation for justice-impacted individuals. In addition to reports on Michigan's reentry programs, Sophie designed, launched and currently manages a pilot grant program, Housing Access for Justice-Involved Individuals. Sophie has presented on this pilot at the National ALICE Summit, the Michigan Justice Fund Summit, the Michigan Community Action Conference and the Reentry United Conference. Sophie has also provided support for YPL's evaluation projects related to counsel at first appearance for juveniles with felony convictions and the Michigan School Cellphone Policy study.
Sam Owusu
As a Policy Fellow with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) Office of Early Childhood, Sam focuses on strengthening access, affordability, and quality within Michigan's early childhood system. His work has included (1) conducting a landscape analysis to inform the development of a comprehensive early childhood data collection system; (2) developing recommendations to improve data connectivity for a coordinated enrollment system; and (3) reviewing preschool and kindergarten curriculum and professional development resources to support improved transition from pre-K to kindergarten. Sam also provided technical assistance to improve data collection processes on projects such as the Early Educator Wage Initiative. In addition, he represented MiLEAP at the Michigan Community Action conference, Michigan Head Start Association conference, and National Research Conference on Early Childhood conferences this past year.
The following individuals completed their policy fellowships during this past year. We wish them all the best in the next phases of their career!
Dipita Das
Dipita completed her policy fellowship with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in December 2025. During her term, she worked with the Maternal Infant Health Program to strengthen agency capacity, address service gaps, and promote community-centered care. Following her fellowship, she took a position with the Wayne County Community College District.
Megan Jagolinzer
Until October 2025, Megan Jagolinzer served as a Policy Fellow in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. In this role, she engaged in key data collection and research activities on a youth mental health initiative. When Megan's two-year policy fellowship concluded, she transitioned to a new role as a Project Manager on the YPL team. She continues to engage in research on adolescent mental health as well as school cellphone policies and chronic absenteeism. Learn more about her work in her Fellowship Spotlight.
Dimitri Przeslawski
Dimitri completed his policy fellowship with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP), Office of Higher Education in April 2026. During his fellowship, Dimitri engaged in research, data analysis, data visualization, and report development to support the expansion of post-secondary educational opportunities for Michigan residents. Learn more about his work in his Fellowship Spotlight. Following two years in the MiLEAP Office of Higher Education, he was hired as a Data and Compliance Analyst on the same team.