The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) today announced Sofia Gross as its inaugural John S. McCain Democracy Fellow. Gross most recently served as head of Social Impact and Policy Partnerships at Snap Inc. where she led civics and democracy efforts that helped 1.2 million Snapchatters register to vote and over four million Snapchatters learn more about running for local office. She was recognized as a Forbes 30 under 30 for Policy and Social Impact and recently commissioned as a public affairs officer in the Navy Reserves.
As the John S. McCain Democracy Fellow, Gross will work closely with the McCain Institute’s staff to continue to design, expand and implement an Arizona democracy project. Gross’s project includes three primary tactics: a poll focused on the views of young people, town halls, and young leader convenings at ASU. Gross will host workshops, panels and forums at ASU to ensure student voices are included in conversations about the future of democracy and help increase the number of young people who consider running for local public office. The John S. McCain Democracy Fellow is part of the McCain Institute’s larger effort, the American Democracy Project, to focus on the United States.
“We are excited and proud to welcome Sofia as our first-ever John S. McCain democracy fellow. She embodies the McCain Institute’s dedication to democracy preservation, character-driven leadership and putting ‘service above self’,” said McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas. “This announcement could not be coming at a more crucial time, and we are very thankful to have such a talented young leader like Sofia on board and in the arena with us.”
“I am so honored to serve as the inaugural John S. McCain Democracy Fellow, said Sofia Gross. “In this critical time, our country needs more courageous leaders and I’m thrilled to help build programming that inspires the next generation of American Mavericks to continue honoring and shaping the legacy of John S. McCain.”
As a great-granddaughter of a holocaust survivor, Gross understood from a young age the importance of defending freedom. She met Senator McCain as a student at the University of Chicago and was inspired to dedicate her life to public service. To view Gross’ full bio, click here.