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Our Summer 2026 cohort is the largest and most diverse group we've welcomed to date, coming from a wide range of backgrounds, universities, skill sets, and interests. Together, they embody the spirit of BFI's interdisciplinary work.
Over the course of the summer, the scholars will collaborate with city agencies, community stakeholders, and one another to build civic technology. They'll network with local leaders, get to know the most pressing issues facing the modern built environment, and learn to use technology to address them. By the end of the program, the scholars will produce several high-impact deliverables: a ridership forecasting model for VIA Metropolitan Transit, an impact report on SA Digital Connects, and research into city policy on AI literacy and data governance. We can't wait to share what they create in the months ahead and what they discover about themselves along the way.
University of Texas at San Antonio; San Antonio, TX — B.S. Computer Engineering
Esther Adedipe is a Computer Engineering student at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she is a Terry Scholar, Honors College student, and member of the President’s Student Advisory Council. She is passionate about using technology, data, and community engagement to solve real-world challenges and create meaningful impact. Esther enjoys leading collaborative initiatives, managing projects, and working across teams to turn ideas into actionable solutions. As a Better Futures Scholar, she is excited to contribute to operations, community research, and data-driven projects that improve people's lives and strengthen communities.
University of Texas at San Antonio; San Antonio, TX — B.B.A. Business Analytics
Ramiro Cavazos is a junior at the University of Texas at San Antonio studying Business Analytics. A dedicated leader, he serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the UTSA Business Student Council, where he champions professional development and collaborates with university stakeholders to impact students across diverse backgrounds. At the Better Futures Institute, Ramiro is seeking to continue the work on creating tools for civic agencies and stakeholders, continuing to better the community that he grew up in. Outside of professional life, Ramiro is a fan of Formula One and the San Antonio Spurs, and he serves as a debate coach with the National Hispanic Institute.
University of Texas at San Antonio; San Antonio, TX — B.B.A. Cybersecurity
Adam Daoud is a Cybersecurity student at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) with a passion for leveraging technology to address real-world challenges and strengthen communities. His academic interests include cybersecurity, data analysis, and the broader impact of technology on society. Adam is interested in exploring how technology can improve accessibility, foster community engagement, and support innovative solutions to complex social issues. Beyond his studies, he is passionate about the role that public spaces and community-centered design play in creating meaningful connections and improving quality of life. Through his education and professional development, Adam hopes to contribute to building secure, effective, and people-focused technological solutions.
Northwest Vista College; San Antonio, TX — B.A.T. Cloud Computing
Orlando is a student at Northwest Vista College studying Cloud Computing with a strong background in mechanical engineering and robotics. Through building robotics projects independently and alongside peers, he discovered a deep interest in software development and emerging technologies, which ultimately led him to pursue cloud computing. Growing up in San Antonio has inspired his commitment to building technology that creates meaningful opportunities and improves quality of life for the community. Orlando is passionate about connecting people through innovation, promoting emerging technologies, and developing solutions that make a positive and lasting impact on others.
The University of Texas at San Antonio; San Antonio, TX — B.A. in Psychology
Christina Hinojosa is a recent graduate from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she pursued a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Anthropology and Neuroscience. She has a background in consulting, behavioral research, social advocacy, and human-centered design, and hopes to use these to support initiatives at the intersection of civic technology and digital inclusion. She is eager to join BFI to collaborate with others to build communities in the South Texas Triangle where everyone can meaningfully participate in the digital world. She currently aims to deepen her experience in community-centered work and technology design before pursuing graduate study in Human-Computer Interaction. Outside of her professional life, Christina enjoys backpacking, cooking new food, music festivals, and painting.
The University of Texas at San Antonio; San Antonio, TX — B.S. Computer Science
Born and raised in Kigali, Rwanda, Clarisse Iradukunda is a rising sophomore at the University of Texas at San Antonio studying Computer Science with concentrations in Data Science and Cloud Computing. Building software solutions for government institutions, startups, and private-sector organizations sparked her interest in how technology can be used to improve public services and create civic impact. At the Better Futures Institute, Clarisse is excited to contribute to data-driven projects that address real community challenges and improve the lives of those they serve.
University of Texas at Austin; Austin, TX — B.A Design
Saulo Jimenez is a senior at UT Austin pursuing a B.A. in Design. Previous to BFI, he worked as Product Design Intern at REGA, where he helped build and design social media blocking user flows to help those struggling with excessive screen time. Saulo is committed to designing tools to improve public services, expand access to technology, and positively impact the San Antonio community through tech and design. On campus, he led design efforts as a UX Design Lead at Longhorn Developers and a Texas Convergent UX Designer, where he collaborated on interdisciplinary projects that connect design, technology, and social impact.
The University of Texas at San Antonio; San Antonio, TX — B.S. Computer Science
Victoria Johnson is a rising junior at The University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in Computer Science with a concentration in AI & Data Science. She has worked as an LLM intern at Pandesco and conducted research through UTSA CAREAI, where she developed a passion for building data-driven solutions that serve underrepresented communities. Victoria believes technology should be transparent, ethical, and accessible to everyone, and this summer, she's excited to put that belief into practice through civic tech work with the Better Futures Institute.
American University; Washington, DC— B.S. Political Data Science
Hudson Locke is a Political Data Science student at American University in Washington, D.C., where he studies the intersection of quantitative methods and public policy. He is excited to be joining the Better Futures Institute, a role that unites his two passions of technology and local politics. Through his work at BFI, Hudson hopes to apply data-driven approaches to the civic challenges facing communities like San Antonio. He brings a strong interest in workforce development, civic technology, and using research to inform meaningful local change.
Savannah College of Art and Design; Savannah, GA— B.F.A. User Experience Design
Ellen McCanless is a junior at the Savannah College of Art and Design pursuing a B.F.A. in User Experience Design. Originally from San Antonio, she is passionate about using design and technology to create accessible, impactful solutions. As a Product Design Intern at Better Futures Institute, Ellen is exploring how human-centered design can improve public services and strengthen communities. On campus, she has served as a Co-Project Lead for a Deloitte Sponsored Course and a Website Intern for the SCAD Production Office, collaborating on projects that connect design, technology, and real-world impact. Outside of design, she enjoys helping on sets with film production, traveling the globe, and spending time with her cats.
Bowdoin College; Brunswick, ME — B.A. Economics, B.A. Computer Science
Coming from Maine, Will is a Computer Science and Economics student at Bowdoin College interested in using data analysis and technology for social change. His academic interests center on applying quantitative and computational tools to real-world policy questions and community impact. At Bowdoin, he is involved in student government and supports community focused organizations through his work on student funding and campus initiatives.
Georgetown University; Washington, DC — B.S. Computer Science, A.B. Mathematics
Born in South Korea and raised in the DMV, Jake Park is a rising sophomore at Georgetown University, majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics. Living at the intersection of technology and public life in Washington, D.C. sparked his passion for civic impact — driving him to the Better Futures Institute, where he applies his data science and machine learning expertise to projects with real community stakes. He is eager to grow alongside civic innovators who believe that the most powerful algorithms are the ones built in service of the public good.
Stanford University; Stanford, CA — B.S. Computer Science
Lucas is a student at Stanford University. Passionate in using technology to improve governmental infrastructure and processes, Lucas is eager to join BFI in order to directly collaborate with governmental and industry leaders in order to develop civic tech solutions to structural, community-based issues.
Texas State; San Marcos, TX — B.S. Digital Media Innovations
Itzel Pulido is a recent graduate from Texas State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Digital Media Innovations. She is passionate about bridging the gap between creativity and technology and aims to make digital products have a meaningful, accessible experience for everyone, while simultaneously looking polished and clean. She is a lover of all-things-aesthetic and enjoys seeing how design fits into her everyday life outside of work.
San Antonio College; San Antonio, TX— B.B.A Business Management
A student at San Antonio College, AJ Rodriguez is excited to intern with Better Futures Institute, gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of urban issues and technology. Outside of professional and academic pursuits, AJ is an avid golfer and can often be found at La Cantera Golf Resort enjoying the strategic discipline of the game.
Cornell University; Ithaca, NY— B.S. Public Policy
Born and raised in San Antonio, Alana Treviño is a Public Policy student at Cornell University whose work focuses on public outreach, economic empowerment, and data-driven policy analysis. Alana combines research, advocacy, and public speaking to help close the gap between government officials and the communities they serve. Through leadership roles with Debate Matters and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, she has worked to promote equitable access to public affairs and advocacy. She is excited about converging data, AI, and public service to build stronger communities and sustainable cities.
The Better Futures Institute is a San Antonio-based AI research and product lab dedicated to addressing urban and social challenges through the intersection of technology, data, design, and workforce development. We collaborate with community leaders and city agencies to build digital tools that help cities better understand, govern, and serve their communities. We also conduct urban research through community conversations and convenings, fostering the regional connection and understanding needed to shape a more resilient and innovative future.
Our Better Futures Scholars internship program offers participants a distinctive opportunity to explore the convergence of data science, software development, policy design, and community research, examining how digital systems shape the urban landscape and how data can inform the way we plan and manage our cities.
Ellen McCanless is a junior at the Savannah College of Art and Design pursuing a B.F.A. in User Experience Design. Originally from San Antonio, she is passionate about using design and technology to create accessible, impactful solutions. As a Product Design Intern at Better Futures Institute, Ellen is exploring how human-centered design can improve public services and strengthen communities. On campus, she has served as a Co-Project Lead for a Deloitte Sponsored Course and a Website Intern for the SCAD Production Office, collaborating on projects that connect design, technology, and real-world impact. Outside of design, she enjoys helping on sets with film production, traveling the globe, and spending time with her cats.
