Meet the 2025-26 GID Lab Design Assistants and Interns

The GID Lab Internship shifted to a multi-quarter opportunity in Fall 2025, to allow for year-long training in human centered design and for students to apply skills in user research, documentation, and facilitation, to their own peer-led workshops. 

Interns join Design Assistants who are recruited for specific project support and who boost the learning experience through their industry knowledge. Design Assistants are typically early career, seeking to expand their design thinking skills and community connections through the many projects undertaken by the GID Lab. Interns often graduate and return to the Lab to seek employment as Design Assistants!

Here’s a look at the Summer-Fall 2025 GID Lab Design Assistants and Interns:

DESIGN ASSISTANTS

Kele Isibor is passionate about advancing racial justice, civic engagement, and progressive policies. She currently works as office manager for the Washington State Democrats. Kele earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Texas State University and a Master’s of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz College. Kele says “My favorite moments during the GID Lab workshops were during the prototyping stage. I found it insightful to observe leaders in governmental and philanthropic organizations think through big problems and learn what tools and processes they use when considering possible solutions.”

Jack Cheung is an artist and aspiring UI/UX designer who recently graduated from UW Tacoma with a degree in Information Technology. They previously interned with the GID Lab during their junior and senior years. Jack says, “My favorite moments over these last couple of months were getting to hear the conversations happening in the workshops! A lot of the activities sparked really productive and energetic conversations about very imperative problems our local communities are currently facing, and big changes that could be made to help them. Seeing people bounce off each other's ideas in real time (and also helping document them) was intense, but incredibly inspiring, and I'm glad I got to play a small role in recording them.”

Maria Villa is a 2025 graduate in Writing Studies from the University of Washington. Her minor and passion are global innovation and design, which entail language access and user research. She strives to innovate solutions and create opportunities for a brighter future through research and attention to detail. Maria says, “I love working with the GID Lab; it is always buzzing with energy and potential to help others build and shape bold and bright ideas. Unity is a cornerstone I appreciate from the Lab, recognizable from my previous years working with the Lab. The Lab encourages thriving and growth in a comfortable environment I love to contribute to.”

2025-26 GID Lab Interns

The GID Lab Internship shifted from a quarterly to annual cycle in 2025-26. Students are awarded $750 per quarter and receive training in human centered design and design thinking, and assist with community projects, while creating their own peer workshops. Meet this year's interns:

Jessica Sellers is a senior double-majoring in IT and Psychology with a minor in Innovation and Design. Her interests include UX/UI design, traveling, and photography. Jessica says, “I chose to work in the GID Lab because my career goal is to hopefully enter into the field of UX/UI design, and I think that working on projects with the GID Lab will provide me with valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to learn from experts in the field... Overall, I believe that this internship opportunity will provide me with invaluable hands-on experience and networking opportunities that will set me up for success in the design industry.”

Madmadkaif (Kaif) Ghanchi is pursuing a degree in IT. In his free time, enjoys working on cars, exploring new places and doing photography. Kaif says, “My favorite moment this month was organizing and setting up our intern space so it feels comfortable and productive for the three of us—Jess, Simi, and me—since we’ll be using it most of the time. It was rewarding to apply what we learned from the Design Thinking principles, especially about creating an environment that meets the needs of the people directly impacted by the design process.”

Simrat (Simi) Chhokar is an Information Technology major with a Business Administration minor. In her free time, she loves baking and also enjoys watching movies. Simi says, “I joined the GID Lab to learn real-world design skills and grow through creative, hands-on work.” 

We love seeing so much action in the GID Lab and we’re looking forward to a full year of collaboration and creativity with our new interns!