Hometown: New Jersey
Education: Alum, Fordham University (International Political Economy)

Jenya Polavarapu was born and raised in New Jersey and traces her South Asian heritage to Andhra Pradesh, India. In May 2024, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Political Economy with minors in Philosophy and Latin American Studies from Fordham University. While a student, she was involved in community organizing and advocacy, focusing on human rights issues and drawing from anti-imperialist principles.

Now working at a legal nonprofit, she supports political prisoners and their families, advocating for their rights and challenging unjust narratives within the U.S. criminal justice system. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, looking at the stars, and scouring for vintage finds.