Josefina Manetta Ewins, MPA (she/her) is a social justice and education advocate.  As a South Jersey Native, Currently, she serves as a Policy Analyst at the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (OSHE). In this capacity, she supports various policy team initiatives that address student basic needs, transfer processes, and degree completion. Josefina centers equity within her work, ensuring that all students in New Jersey are provided with the necessary resources and opportunities to achieve, excel, and complete their higher education goals. Prior to her role, Josefina graduated cum laude  from Rutgers University–Camden (‘22), and completed her Masters in Public Administration (‘23), concentrating on policy and public/non-profit management. In terms of racial justice and advocacy, her focal point, Josefina led multiple projects and spoke nationally and internationally surrounding the uplifting of marginalized groups, regarding historical preservation and education, and civic engagement. She believes deeply in the uplifting of community voices to understand what the space needs to flourish in the best capacity. 

The quote Josefina continues to live by comes from Audre Lorde, being: “I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood.”