Program Intern Aysia Dukes supports ECMC Foundation’s Strategic Response team by contributing research, analysis, and project management to initiatives that expand postsecondary opportunity.

Prior to joining the Foundation, Aysia worked with the YMCA of the North’s Center for Social Impact, where she supported young people involved in the juvenile justice system and foster care, as well as families living in low-income housing. Passionate about advancing equitable policies and programs for marginalized communities, Aysia brings experience in policy analysis, community engagement, and program evaluation to her role at ECMC Foundation. 

Aysia holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Justice from the University of Minnesota, where she also minored in family social science and family violence prevention. Aysia is currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, with an expected graduation in Spring 2026.