The Dinah F. B. Cohen Fellowship Program aims to provide college students and recent graduates with disabilities with professional skills and leadership opportunities.
Let’s introduce our Fall 2025 cohort and learn a little more about them!
Ali Abdulhadi, age 23, is a resourceful peer support professional with experience in mental health counseling, crisis intervention, and community advocacy. Recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, he has a proven record of supporting individuals facing homelessness, addiction, and disability challenges. Ali excels in empathetic listening, case management, and outreach. He has contributed to accessibility initiatives, veteran support programs, and peer counseling environments, prioritizing equity and client well-being. Bilingual in Arabic and English, he is skilled at building trust across diverse communities. Aspiring to pursue a career in legal or social work, Ali enjoys reading, sports, investing, and advocacy.
Alexandria Bibbs, “Lexi” (she/her) graduated cum laude from the University of Northern Iowa in 2020 with a bachelor’s in criminology, Psychology, and Spanish. After being employed as an Emergency Dispatcher, she enrolled at the University of Iowa in 2023. She is currently writing her master’s research paper in Sociology and pursuing her PhD in Criminology. Lexi’s career goal is to advocate for underrepresented populations. Some of these areas involve over-punishment of Black girls, lack of accessibility for those with disabilities, and anti-poaching and trafficking for endangered wildlife. When not in class, Lexi enjoys horror movies and outdoor hikes.
Marlene Brockington holds a Bachelor of Arts in multimedia journalism from Rider University. She is passionate about improving the lives of people with disabilities by amplifying their voices in the media and everyday life. Brockington serves on the board of the Progressive Center for Independent Living and is a graduate of the 2020 Partners in Policymaking program. Her advocacy work includes projects with The Boggs Center and Children’s Specialized Hospital. In addition, she is a Fellow of the Fall 2025 cohort of the Dinah FB Cohen Fellowship.
Oriana Cappella (she/her) “Ori” is a senior at Stonehill College pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with minors in Criminology and Communication Sciences & Disorders. She has experience in advocacy, community engagement, and mentorship. One of Ori’s passions lies in advancing disability justice, where she has focused her research and work on exploring perceptions of neurodiversity and mental health across diverse communities. She plans to pursue a master’s in social work and use her degree to work in community engagement, nonprofits, or the education field. In her free time, Ori enjoys traveling, concerts, and spending time with family, friends, and three dogs.
Jack Costa is a sophomore at the University of California, San Diego, studying political science with a concentration in public policy. Diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency at a young age, he has since volunteered for the Immune Deficiency Foundation and lobbied in D.C. to members of Congress on key policy issues affecting immunocompromised populations such as Medicaid coverage and federal research grants. Through this work, he has developed a strong passion for involvement in and advocacy for disability communities, interested in researching and fighting for their unique policy needs to build a more inclusive world. In his free time, he enjoys playing multiple instruments and staying involved in the UCSD music scene, playing tennis, and hiking with friends.
Felix Menges (he/him) is a senior at the University of Iowa studying Business Analytics and Information Systems. Felix is expected to graduate in December 2025 and plans to attend grad school next year to pursue a master’s in urban planning. As a public transit enthusiast, his career aspiration is to use his passion for data to help reduce barriers to public transportation and make transit more accessible. In his free time, he enjoys cooking and watching old movies and TV shows.
Jevon Okundaye (he/him) is a Black autistic self-advocate. He graduated from Tufts University in 2019 with majors in Africana Studies and English. He works part-time at Massachusetts Advocates for Children (MAC) as the Racial Equity and Access Program (REAP) Assistant. At MAC, he advocates for people of color with disabilities and writes blog posts and about the intersection of race and disability. Here is a link to his blog posts: Jevon’s Blog Posts – Massachusetts Advocates for Children. In his free time, he enjoys creative writing and playing baseball.
Jamila Singleton is a junior at Southern New Hampshire University, pursuing a B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development. As a holistic childcare provider, yoga teacher, and devoted mother, Jamila is dedicated to helping children grow through developmentally aligned care that integrates Montessori-inspired methods with yoga practices to foster resilience and emotional intelligence. In addition to childcare, Jamila is a behavioral technician and NAMI advocate, passionate about creating inclusive environments for individuals and families from all walks of life. In her free time, she enjoys learning new languages, practicing yoga, and reading.
Faria Tavacoli (she/they) is a student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas pursuing a degree in Public Health and Neuroscience. Born and raised in Las Vegas, they plan to pursue a career that would focus on community health practice, research, and policy, focusing on youth accessibility, equity, and addressing systemic disparities impacting diverse communities. Faria is passionate about storytelling, advocacy, and building youth led support systems that center healing and survivorship. In their free time, they enjoy writing, connecting with the community, spending time outdoors, and attending local arts and cultural events.
Leah Triana (she/her) is a junior at Whittier College double majoring in Psychology and Criminology with a minor in Child Development. She is passionate about mental health advocacy, community engagement, and creating spaces where every individual feels valued and supported. On campus, Leah serves as Captain of the Whittier College Dance Team, DEI Ambassador, and President of the Black Student Association.
We can’t wait to see the work this cohort does through the Fellowship. Stay tuned for updates!