The political science and human rights major received FosterClub's 2026 Outstanding Young Leader Award, one of 50 young advocates recognized nationwide this year.
Kayla Febus '27 (CLAS), a political science and human rights major, presented research on Puerto Rico and ethnocide at the UConn Humanities Undergraduate Research Symposium in April 2025. (Contributed photo)
From helping Connecticut residents navigate state government to advocating for students at UConn, senior Kayla Febus '27 (CLAS) is putting her drive to help others and her studies in political science and human rights into practice.
Febus is currently a constituent services intern in Gov. Ned Lamont's office, where she helps Connecticut residents find resources and address concerns affecting their communities. Her work builds on her academic interests in international politics, policy analysis, and critical genocide studies, as well as her involvement in student government at UConn.
"Any constituents from Connecticut can call my office, and either myself or another intern will pick up," says Febus. "They can express any concerns they have, and I will give them the resources to help or will find people who can help them."
Febus's work in the governor's office builds on her commitment to community engagement and public service, interests she has continued to develop through her time at UConn. Her dedication to public service and leadership have also earned her national recognition.
This October, she was one of 50 young people nationwide to receive FosterClub's 2026 Outstanding Young Leader Award, which recognizes outstanding young people with foster care experience who are leading change in their communities and across the country.
"Receiving an award that recognizes the work that I've been doing, despite feeling alone and self-supporting, feels relieving, and I feel like I am no longer alone," says Febus. "Knowing that people are seeing the work that I'm doing to make an impact in the community is honestly hard to put into words."
When Febus entered UConn as a double major in physiology and neurobiology and psychological sciences, she planned to pursue a career as a neurologist. But as she explored different subjects through her coursework, she found herself more drawn to current legal cases than her biology textbooks. That shift led her to political science and human rights, where she found new ways to pursue her interest in helping others.
"The combination of political science and human rights feels like it was made for me," says Febus. "I have deep passions across several other disciplines, but I know that human rights work is what I want to pursue for the rest of my life."
Febus has always been an active member of the UConn community. Now, in her internship, she has drawn on her studies and experience with the UConn Undergraduate Student Government Judiciary to help address the recent concerns surrounding the blue light system at UConn Storrs.
"Being involved in different organizations on campus allows me to hear students' needs and bring those concerns to local and state government," says Febus. "As a constituent services intern, I can help connect students with resources, work toward possible solutions, and build a stronger relationship between the university and the state."
Her interest in public service is also reflected in her academic work. In the fall of her junior year, she began publishing with the Undergraduate Political Review, where she explored topics related to international conflict and human rights. Her first article examined the Israel-Palestine conflict through a civilian perspective, while her second explored how the definition of genocide could be broadened, drawing on cases involving the International Criminal Court.
Her writing built on what she learned in Human Rights and Armed Conflicts, a course taught by Michael Rubin, assistant professor of political science and human rights. Febus says that the course and Rubin's guidance, along with her continued research in critical genocide studies with Ph.D. student Bianka Adamatti, helped shape her academic and professional journey.
After researching the International Criminal Court, Febus immersed herself in the court system through a summer internship with the Connecticut Judicial Branch's JD Clerk's Office at Rockville Superior Court. There, she learned how cases move through the judicial process.
Febus has also gained experience beyond Connecticut.
As a sophomore, Febus pursued her interest in other cultures through a six-week study abroad experience at Yonsei University in South Korea, where she studied Korean language, history, politics, and law.
"I studied abroad because I love learning new cultures and languages, and I believe that by learning those things, it brings communities together," she says.
Febus views these experiences as steppingstones that have helped shape her journey.
While her time at UConn has opened opportunities in academia and public service, her path has not always been easy. She says that navigating the challenges of foster care has shaped her perspective and the determination she brings to every experience.
As she prepares to graduate in May 2027, Febus hopes to pursue graduate studies in international relations and global studies. She is especially interested in pursuing a master's program that combines human rights and history, interests she has developed through coursework and conversations with Hana Maruyama, assistant professor of history.
Febus also hopes her experiences at UConn will encourage others to look beyond their circumstances and recognize their own potential.
"I hope that this recognition shows other kids in similar situations that you can get through it. My past does not define who I am, I am the only person who defines who I am," says Febus.
