AJ Elhossiani (he/his)

AJ Elhossiani is a passionate advocate for education, social justice, and legal reform. As a Political Science major with a minor in Education Empowerment at the University of Michigan, AJ is committed to addressing systemic inequities, particularly in education and the justice system. Coming from an Afro-Caribbean and Egyptian background and growing up in underprivileged communities, AJ has witnessed firsthand the challenges of intimate partner violence (IPV), underfunded schools, and the effects of mass incarceration. These lived experiences fuel his mission to create lasting change.

AJ’s dedication to education began with his work as an America Reads tutor, where he supported elementary school students in building literacy skills while mentoring youth beyond the classroom. This commitment deepened when he became a Teaching Assistant at Pattengill Elementary School, where he works primarily with 4th and 5th-grade students, providing intensive support to those with learning deficiencies. Through this role, AJ bridges academic guidance with mentorship, fostering both educational growth and emotional well-being in his students.

Beyond the classroom, AJ takes an active role in mentoring young people in his hometown of Woodbridge, New Jersey. He helps students navigate the college application process, ensuring they have the tools and guidance to access higher education. In a community where crime and lack of resources create barriers to success, AJ serves as a role model, showing youth that opportunities exist beyond their circumstances.

Recognizing the lack of structured education on IPV and healthy relationships in schools, AJ co-founded Project R.O.O.T.S. (Relationship Outreach and Offering Teen Support). After six months of development and advocacy through the Optimize Social Innovation Challenge, he successfully pitched a comprehensive high school curriculum focused on IPV prevention, boundary-setting, and healthy relationships—securing a $10,000 grant to bring the program to life. Launching in Southeast Michigan this upcoming academic year, Project R.O.O.T.S. will provide students with the knowledge and tools to identify and prevent abusive relationships through a trauma-informed and interactive approach.

His leadership extends to student organizing as well. As part of Students Against Domestic Abuse (SADA), AJ helped revive and grow the organization from three members to over thirty in just four months, creating a vibrant campus community dedicated to education and advocacy around intimate partner violence.

AJ’s work is shaped by his long-term vision of using the law and advocacy as a tool for empowerment. He plans to pursue a legal career focused on juvenile justice, education reform, and community-centered advocacy. Whether through curriculum design, direct mentorship, or systemic reform, AJ’s mission is clear: to uplift marginalized communities, drive meaningful policy change, and create a society rooted in justice, equity, and opportunity for all.