RRI Launches the Myrka S. and Esteban René Gonzalez Civic Fellowship
- The Ramos Research Institute
- Dec 17
- 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Five university fellows from across the United States to advance civic leadership, dialogue, and democratic engagement
CLIFFSIDE PARK, NJ – DECEMBER 17, 2025 — The Ramos Research Institute (RRI) is proud to announce the launch of the Myrka S. and Esteban René Gonzalez Civic Fellowship, a national fellowship program designed to empower the next generation of civic leaders to shape democracy at home and abroad. The inaugural cohort of five university fellows has already begun their work, engaging in a year-long program centered on civic education, leadership development, and public engagement.
Running from November 2025 through July 2026, the fellowship brings together students from across the United States to explore six core themes: global democracy, systems thinking, Courageous Dialogue, civic innovation, civic media, and media literacy. Fellows will engage in structured learning, applied research, and hands-on civic work, including hosting campus roundtables at their home universities to foster thoughtful dialogue and democratic participation among students.
The fellowship will culminate in June 2026 with a student-led panel at the International Media Literacy Research Symposium (IMLRS) in Rome, followed by the publication of a national synthesis report later that summer capturing insights from campus engagement, research, and international dialogue.
Meet the 2025–2026 Civic Fellows
· Josephine Hall, Global Democracy Fellow — San Diego State University
· Sophia Portillo, Systems Thinking Fellow — University of California, Los Angeles
· Anya Mateu-Asbury, Civic Innovation Fellow — Northwestern University
· Sophie Stewart, Media Literacy Fellow — University of California, San Diego
· Mia Rubiera, Civic Media Fellow — Denison University
Each fellow will pursue a focused line of inquiry aligned with their fellowship theme, contributing to a broader national conversation on civic education, democratic participation, and the role of media and institutions in public life.
“The Civic Fellowship program is an exciting opportunity to take a closer look at the mechanisms influencing modern-day politics and civic engagement,” said Sophie Stewart. “As the Media Literacy Fellow, I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing analysis of echo chambers within digital media and the ways in which modern technology can be used to create or mend political division.”
The fellowship is named in memory of Myrka Serafina (Aparicio) and Esteban René Gonzalez, Cuban immigrants who built a life for their family in the United States through perseverance, hard work, and opportunity. After emigrating from Cuba, they established themselves professionally, becoming business owners within a few years of arriving. Together, they raised three children—René, Maria, and Lourdes—each of whom went on to serve their communities in distinct ways. René became a business owner, Maria served in the United States Navy before continuing a career of public service in leadership roles within the United States Postal Service, and Lourdes has built a successful career in the hospitality industry. Their family’s story reflects the promise of civic freedom and the enduring impact of education, work ethic, and public service across generations.
“This fellowship is named in loving memory of our parents, Myrka and Esteban René, who believed deeply in family, education, and the freedom to think, speak, and grow without fear,” said Lourdes Gonzalez, on behalf of the Gonzalez family. “As Cuban immigrants, they understood both the loss of liberty and the responsibility that comes with it. Our mother was a teacher by profession and by spirit, and our father instilled in us the importance of discipline, responsibility, and self-improvement. Our family is honored to support a program that encourages young leaders to engage critically, respectfully, and courageously with democracy.”
The fellowship is convened by Alejandro J. Ramos, RRI’s Executive Director.
“At a moment when civic trust and democratic engagement are being tested, it is essential that we invest in young people who are prepared not just to participate, but to lead,” said Ramos. “This fellowship reflects our long-term commitment to empowering the next generation of civic leaders to shape democracy at home and abroad. Through campus engagement, public dialogue, and international collaboration, these fellows will help model what thoughtful, responsible citizenship looks like in practice.”
For more information about the Ramos Research Institute and its research initiatives, please visit www.ramosresearchinstitute.org or contact us at press@ramosresearchinstitute.org.
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About the Ramos Research Institute:
The Ramos Research Institute (RRI) is an emerging research institution dedicated to original research, polling, and policy analysis focused on addressing today’s most complex societal challenges. Founded by Alejandro J. Ramos, RRI produces rigorous, relevant, and accessible research across key areas including civic education and engagement, media literacy, democratic resilience and renewal, education policy, and the voting behavior of minority communities. Through evidence-based inquiry and public-facing scholarship, RRI seeks to generate insights that strengthen democratic culture and inform policy and practice.
Contact:
Nafisa Ruponty
Director of Public Relations
Ramos Research Institute
Cliffside Park, NJ 07010