2 ASU alumni selected for prestigious Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Fellowship
Anthony Emilio Silviano Martinez, one of the two ASU alumni chosen for the 2025–26 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals program — a U.S. Department of State-funded fellowship that sends Americans to Germany for a year of exchange — says he’s particularly eager to explore Germany’s leadership in renewable energy, urban planning and sustainable infrastructure. Photo by Nedim_B/iStock
The Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement has announced that two Arizona State University graduates have been selected for the 2025–26 Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals program, a U.S. Department of State-funded fellowship that sends emerging American leaders to Germany for a year of academic, professional and cultural exchange.
Anthony Emilio Silviano Martinez and McKenzie Woodhead will join a cohort of just 65 Americans selected from a nationwide applicant pool of more than 400. As CBYX Fellows, they will spend two months in intensive German language study, take university courses in their professional field, complete internships and live with host families throughout Germany — all while serving as citizen ambassadors to promote mutual understanding between the U.S. and Germany.
“This fellowship provides an extraordinary opportunity for young professionals to explore how their fields operate globally while building relationships that strengthen transatlantic collaboration,” said Kyle Mox, associate dean for national scholarships. “We’re proud to see our students representing ASU and the United States on the international stage.”
Martinez earned a Bachelor of Science in economics from ASU in 2023. His academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of public service, transportation systems and climate-conscious economic development. He brings experience as a legislative intern in both the Arizona House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, as well as time spent teaching in the Tempe Union High School District and working as an accounting clerk. These experiences have shaped his perspective on public policy and governance.
During his fellowship, Martinez will study at the Technical University of Munich. He says he’s particularly eager to explore the country’s leadership in renewable energy, urban planning and sustainable infrastructure.
“For me, economics isn’t just theory; it’s about how policy decisions actually impact people’s lives — that’s what drives my interest in public service,” he said. “Germany sets the bar high in public transit and renewable energy, and I want to learn from those systems to bring fresh thinking back home.”
Woodhead, a 2025 graduate in economics with a minor in sustainability, brings a diverse background that bridges public policy, data analysis and wellness. She has held internships with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, where she worked on agricultural trade, policy communication and community outreach. At ASU, she also served as a research aide in the Department of Economics and as a program manager and instructor at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex, teaching yoga and barre classes.
“My goal is ultimately to communicate valuable economic ideas and policies in a way that is relatable and clear,” Woodhead said. “As a CBYX Fellow, I will continue to progress towards this career goal through communications classes at Leipzig University and an economics internship. I'm also eager to utilize my time in Germany to gain a better understanding of how public policies can balance economic prosperity and climate action.”
Now in its 42nd year as a joint program of the German Bundestag and U.S. Congress, CBYX for Young Professionals provides 65 American and 65 German young leaders the opportunity to spend up to a year in each other’s countries studying, interning and living with host families. The fellowship is open to candidates in all career fields between the ages of 18½ and 24 who are interested in a year of academic, professional and cultural exchange. CBYX also offers opportunities for high school students and individuals interested in vocational training.
ASU has a strong record of CBYX participation. Previous recipients include Pacey Smith-Garcia and Huong Emma Dang (2024–25) and Jordan Harb, Michelle Ailport and Katherine Ciaramello in prior years.
Applications for the 2026–27 CBYX cohort will open in September 2025. Current ASU students and recent alumni interested in applying are encouraged to contact ONSA at [email protected] or visit exchanges.state.gov/cbyx.
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