Rowan Arquette is a 24-year-old Native American from the Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation in New York. While navigating the foster care and juvenile justice system, he witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by marginalized youth. This stoked his passion toward higher education, mentoring, and the success of system-involved youth. He dedicates his time to working for a non-profit that has him in a rural school district, assisting his student cohort ranging from middle school up to college freshmen in college and career readiness. Rowan is set to start his Master’s of Public Affairs degree this coming fall.  

Rowan Arquette channels his passion into action through NFYI, focusing on higher education and mentorship. Outside of NFYI, he is also involved in the NYS Office of Children and Family Services Youth Advisory, the Opioid Affected Youth Initiative, the Foster Youth Success Initiative, a NYS team member for the Forum For Youth Investment and he is a grant consultant for Canary Impact. These experiences stand testament that one  “..alone cannot change the world, but can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples”. 

Through the Congressional Leadership Academy, he hopes to gain a more robust understanding of the legislative process and apply it to ensuring our system affected youth are given ample support to achieve their goals.