Amaya Solar is a Housing and Development Intern at Smart Growth America, where she supports ongoing projects through qualitative and quantitative analysis, policy writing, and administrative coordination across teams. She contributes to programs including the Zoning for Equitable Solutions and Thriving Communities (ZEST) initiative, the Center for Zoning Solutions, and Counties for Housing Solutions with the National Association of Counties.

As Bonner Civic Scholar at Rutgers University – Camden, Amaya interns with the District Council Collaborative Board, supporting public safety and community well-being initiatives. On campus, she is the Co-Founder and Vice President of MujeRes, a student group that uplifts Latina and women students, serves as a peer mentor in the Honors College, and writes for the student newspaper.

Amaya is a rising junior majoring in political science and urban studies with a minor in Spanish. Her interests focus on how local governments can address inequality through policy in housing, education, and economic development. Originally from Boston and now based in Maryland, she is a recipient of the Phi Beta Kappa Key into Public Service scholarship, awarded to students pursuing careers in government.