INTERNS
As part of our commitment to mentoring, Women's Foreign Policy Group welcomes three to five exceptional interns into its office each semester. Learn more about our internship program
Fall 2024
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Summer 2024
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SPRING 2024
Emily Blair is a recent graduate from American University, where she earned her MA in strategic communication. She previously received her BA in history and international relations from King’s College London. Her interest in the Women’s Foreign Policy Group stems from a lifelong passion for international studies and a desire to support and learn from women in leadership roles. Her academic interests lie in Cold War history, propaganda studies, and intercultural relations. Before her internship with WFPG, Emily worked as a freelance writer, a middle school instructional assistant, and a yoga instructor. She is excited to learn more about nonprofit management and to continue honing her communications skills this semester.
Debbie Kwak is a junior at George Washington University in the University Honors Program, majoring in International Affairs with a minor in Korean Language and Literature. She currently serves as a student representative at the GWU Undergraduate Admissions Office, the Public Relations Director for the GW Vibes Acapella group, and the Membership Director for Generic Theatre Company. Previously, Debbie conducted research with the Elliott School of International Affairs focused on international development and the historically changing definition of nationalism. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in international diplomacy, advocacy, and foreign policy. She is passionate about promoting women and girls’ education in developing countries and looks forward to growing her knowledge of foreign affairs as a communications intern at WFPG.
Spring and Summer Interns Annika Bateman, Cyrena Kokolis, Ellie Webb, Annika Bateman is a rising senior International Affairs and French Studies double major at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR. Prior to her internship at the WFPG, Annika was a member of the Steering Committee for the Lewis & Clark International Affairs Symposium, the oldest student-run symposium in the United States. She has also been an Editorial Board member for The Meridian Journal of International & Cross-Cultural Perspectives. In the future, Annika plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master's degree in international development and humanitarian assistance. Cyrena Kokolisis a junior at The George Washington University majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict Resolution and minoring in Geographic Information Systems and French. Prior to her current position, she completed an internship with the Foreign Policy Research Institute, where she contributed to the Institute’s study of misinformation efforts regarding the 2020 presidential election. In addition to interning at WFPG, she works as a Peer Writing Preceptor for international politics courses at GWU. She is also a member of the Elliott School of International Affairs Dean’s Scholars Research Program, where she is currently conducting a study on the generational legacy of Rwanda’s post-genocide gacaca community court system and its impact on interpersonal trust between Rwandan youth. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in the Foreign Service. Maggie Sparling is a rising junior History and Economics double major and Foreign Affairs minor at the University of Virginia. In addition to interning at the WFPG, she is the Managing Editor at the Virginia Review of Politics, the incoming Editor-in-Chief at the Seriatim Journal of American Politics, and a researcher with the Global Inquirer podcast. Her academic interests include EU policy, energy security, conflict-resolution, and Cold War history. After graduation, Maggie plans to attend graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in public policy. Indigo Stegner is a junior at The George Washington University, majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict Resolution and minoring in Spanish and Cross-Cultural Communication. Prior to her current position, she served as a legislative intern for Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), focusing on education policy and assisting with constituent services. She spent last fall studying abroad at the Queen’s University of Belfast through the GW Global Bachelors Program, focusing her studies on the Northern Irish Peace Process. On campus, Indigo is the Left-Wing Vice-Chair of the GW Bipartisan Women’s Supper Club and is a member of the Club Rowing Team. After graduation, she hopes to enter the Foreign Service or go to law school to study international human rights law. Through her studies and internship with WFPG, she hopes to learn more about the intersections of feminism and foreign policy and women’s role in peacebuilding. Ellie Webb is a junior in Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, majoring in International Politics and Security Studies with a minor in French. Prior to her current position with WFPG, Ellie conducted research for a new book on Impact Investing in Emerging Markets. She spent last summer virtually tutoring Vietnamese students in English through Better Life Vietnam, an organization seeking to promote language education in rural Vietnam. At Georgetown, Ellie is engaged with the Georgetown University Prison Outreach Program and is a board member of the Georgetown University Farmers’ Market and the Georgetown University Eating Society. After graduation, Ellie will attend law school to pursue a career in international humanitarian law. She looks forward to furthering the WFPG’s mission of creating programming to advance and promote the participation of women in foreign policy.
![]() Mariana Gusdorf is a senior majoring in International Politics and minoring in French at Georgetown University, where she just completed a year abroad studying European Politics at the Institut d’études politiques in Lyon, France. Prior to her internship with the WFPG, Mariana interned with the Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor in the office of Policy Planning and Public Diplomacy. At Georgetown, Mariana has worked as a web production assistant with Information Services, is a member of the Jesuit honor society Alpha Sigma Nu, and participates in the Women’s Ultimate team. ![]() Fiona Hines is a senior double majoring in Comparative Politics and Critical Gender Studies at the University of California, San Diego. She is interested in the intersection of women's empowerment and international development. Previously, Fiona helped create programming for UC San Diego's Women's Center, fundraising for campus chapters of She's the First, and organizing leadership development workshops for Girl Scouts. She has studied abroad in Russia through the State Department's NSLI-Y program and in Spain, and plans to spend her next semester in Argentina. In the future, Fiona hopes to study how gender mainstreaming impacts economic development, security, and public health and to find policy-based solutions for issues that disproportionately affect women.
Isabella Paternostro is a China & Asia-Pacific Studies major with a minor in International Relations at Cornell University. She is studying Mandarin Chinese and beginning to learn Russian. Prior to her internship at the WFPG, Isabella interned at the State Department’s Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs in their Office of Maritime Southeast Asia. She also works for the China & Asia-Pacific Studies program at Cornell. Isabella hopes to one day pursue a career at the Department of State. Cameron Allen is a Politics & International Affairs and Women’s Studies double major at Wake Forest University, where she recently completed a semester abroad in Vienna, Austria. Her academic interests lie at the intersection of human rights, social justice, and development. Her current research is focused on the contemporary Afro-German Movement, for which she was awarded the Richter Scholarship to pursue independent research in Berlin, Germany. Prior to interning at the WFPG, Cameron served as an intern for the City of Winston-Salem Human Relations Department and is an active volunteer for the Career Center of the Carolinas. President of the Kaitlyn-Carter Technology Scholarship, Cameron is working to expand access to technology for high school seniors in her home state of North Carolina. After graduation, Cameron plans to attend law school to pursue advocacy law. Katie Dames is a junior majoring in International Studies with a minor in Italian at the University of Mississippi. Katie’s interests lie in conflict studies, particularly in the involvement of marginalized groups and women in peace processes and transitional justice. Through her position as the Chair for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement for her student senate, she passed legislation to implement bias training for senators and to remove a confederate statue from her university’s campus. She writes weekly opinion columns for the Daily Mississippian about social justice and international affairs as they intersect with university life. Before joining WFPG in the Spring, Katie studied at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Italy for a semester, where she tutored Italian high school students in English. After graduation, Katie hopes to attend law school and pursue a career related to human rights and peacebuilding. Mia Harris is a sophomore majoring in Political Science with a minor in Public Policy at the George Washington University. She is particularly interested in the Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically with regard to democratization and modernization in the region today. Prior to joining WFPG, Mia worked as an intern at the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center where she assisted the development and grant department, supporting survivors across the Chicago-land area. At GW, Mia is an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Phi chapter and HerCampus, an online women’s magazine, authoring weekly articles focused on the intersection of women and politics. Mia is pursing her interest in political science and international affairs as she plans to study at the London School of Economics next year. In the future, Mia hopes to attend law school and pursue a career that helps empower women and democracy globally.
Manaal Ali is a double major in Government & International Affairs and Sociology with a minor in Biology at Augustana University. Prior to WFPG, Manaal has worked as a lab scientist for Sanford Research, an immigration assistant for Lutheran Social Services, and a GOTV coordinator for the nonprofit LEAD. She is involved in leadership on campus through the Muslim Students’ Association, International Club, Diversity and Inclusion Board, and her own organization, HAPPY, which provides free menstrual products to students on campus. Last summer, Manaal spent time in Norway as a Nobel Peace Prize Scholar and uncovered a passion for the nexus of international security, conflict resolution, and gender parity. Ultimately, Manaal aspires to establish a women-led peace institute within the U.S. She hopes her time at WFPG will equip her with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to reach this goal. Paxton Lambright is a recent graduate from the University of Southern California where she double majored in Global Studies and Middle East Studies with a minor in Arabic. During her undergraduate career, Paxton was heavily involved in extracurricular activities that revolved around international affairs and encouraging women’s leadership at all levels, including Delta Phi Epsilon, a foreign service fraternity, and USC OWN IT, a women’s leadership summit. During the spring of 2017, she studied abroad in Jerusalem through the Dynamics of the Middle East Program where she focused on developing nuanced understandings of the Israeli Palestinian conflict. As a result, her honors undergraduate thesis focused on women’s participation in Palestinian Civil Society and its role in the conflict. In the future, Paxton plans to return to graduate school to further support her plans to work on developing women-centered policies in conflict and post conflict situations. Ellie Sweezy is a senior at Duke University majoring in political science and minoring in Russian. Her academic interests include Eastern Europe, gender, and diplomacy. During the fall semester of 2018, she studied Russian in Saint Petersburg. She also spent time in Belgrade, Serbia where she volunteered with a NGO that combats human trafficking. Previously, she interned for the College of International Security Affairs’ Joint Special Operations Master of Arts program at Fort Bragg. At Duke, she sings in the Chapel Choir, is a member of the foreign policy-focused Alexander Hamilton Society, and works for the Department of Music. She hopes to one day pursue a career in diplomacy.
Samantha Newman is a recent graduate from the University of Virginia where she majored in Cognitive Science and Bioethics. She concentrated in Cognitive Psychology and specifically studied eyewitness testimony and the cross-race effect for her Distinguished Majors Thesis. Prior to her internship at the WFPG, Samantha worked at Thought Catalog and published countless articles on their website. She is particularly interested in gender studies, women’s reproductive rights, and sexual health. At the WFPG, Samantha hopes to learn more about international feminist movements as well as policies that will protect women across the globe. In the future, Samantha will attend law school where she will continue to advocate for women and their access to safe health and reproductive services. Kelly Pengelly has 25 years of international higher education and student development experience. Her expertise ranges from developing human rights-based intercultural competence, student and young professional leadership, global exchange, events, and service learning. She earned a BA in Communication from Roberts Wesleyan College and MA in Higher Education and Student Development from Taylor University. She called Costa Rica home where she served domestic and national university students and social justice organizations. The highlights were mentoring young emerging professionals, serving teenage girls rescued from human trafficking, and visiting the Guayami tribe. She directed international student programs at Columbia International University and at Taylor University, and currently volunteers as a consultant on the strategy team of ICC Global, a non-profit start-up. Kelly is a certified Qualified Administrator for Intercultural Development & Conflict Style and an ally for underrepresented populations. Sydney Rowell is a sophomore in the School of International Service at American University with a thematic focus in National Security and a double minor in Mandarin Chinese and Asia Studies. She is particularly interested in global security and human rights as it relates to U.S. - Asia relations, and hopes to continue learning more about diplomacy in the Eastern Asia region. Prior to interning at the WFPG, she served as an intern in the Office of Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, and a media intern for The Hill Newspaper. She is involved in leadership on campus through the Kennedy Political Union, American University College Democrats, and the student newspaper. This summer she will study in Tainan, Taiwan with the Taiwan - U.S. Sister Alliance Global Ambassador Scholarship Program. Alexandra Teisan is a senior at American University where she studies International Relations, with a specialization in foreign policy, national security, global governance, and European affairs, with a minor in Art History. Alexandra is particularly interested in great power politics and the shifting global order. Prior to her time with the WFPG, she interned at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, the U.S. Department of State in Milan, Italy, and for her Senator on Capitol Hill. After graduation Alexandra is entering the Peace Corps. She will be teaching English in Cambodia for two years.
Kayla Bright is a senior at the University of Texas at Tyler studying political science and public relations. She is particularly interested in US-Latin American relations, Middle Eastern politics, and intersectional social policy, and is interning with WFPG as a Bill Archer Fellow with the University of Texas System. Kayla has previously worked with Democratic Women of East Texas, Smith County League of Women Voters, and on a number of political campaigns on the local, state, and national levels. After graduation, she plans to attend law school at the University of Texas at Austin and pursue a career in civil rights law. Margaret Chappell is a senior at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service studying Science, Technology and International Affairs with a Global Health concentration. She is particularly interested in sustainable development, health systems strengthening, and diplomacy. Margaret spent her junior year abroad in Strasbourg, France and Gaborone, Botswana. She has previously interned at Abt Associates, the Human Rights Campaign, and Tahirih Justice Center. Outside of WFPG, she is the president of the School of Foreign Service Academic Council. After graduation, Margaret plans to get a Masters in International Relations and aspires to enter the Foreign Service. Michaela Downey is a senior at American University studying international relations and focusing on peace, global security and conflict resolution and European affairs. She is particularly interested in Anglo-Irish relations, British and Irish politics, and the conflict in Northern Ireland. She also serves as an editor at Politics Unmasked, where she oversees coverage of European conflicts and writes on the state of the conflict in Northern Ireland. She previously interned at New Blue Interactive, The Borgen Project, and NextGenVest; and spent last semester studying abroad at the National University of Ireland. Michaela aspires to pursue graduate studies in the United Kingdom and conduct in-depth research on key political issues in the British Isles. Nikki Oestreicher is a graduate student studying philosophy and social policy at American University. Her studies meet at the intersection of philosophy, ethics, political theory, and civic engagement. Nikki currently serves as the lead regional coordinator for the annual DC High School Ethics Bowl, an event that promotes respectful, supportive, and rigorous discussion of contemporary ethical issues among hundreds of high school students across the DC Metro Area. Prior to interning at WFPG, Nikki was a federal IT management consultant to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and a research consultant to the Texas Freedom Network. She previously served as chapter president of the National Political Science Honor Society at her alma mater, the University of Mary Washington.
Catie Hutchison is a senior at College of Charleston studying political science and international studies. She is particularly interested in international and comparative politics, law, theory, and the intersection between academia and policy. Catie has studied abroad in Estonia and the Netherlands, as well as in Scotland at a Fulbright US/UK Summer Institute. Prior to interning at WFPG, Catie was a Program Officer at the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy and a Project Liaison for College of Charleston and Communities in Schools. She is also currently working her senior thesis, which is focused on the different ways in which we understand borders. Kirsten Walters is a senior at Carleton College studying political science, international relations, and history. Kirsten is particularly interested in urban studies, political economy, and Russia and Eastern Europe. She is channeling these interests into a senior thesis about the moral geographies of street art and graffiti. Outside of interning at WFPG, Kirsten leads her college’s Model United Nations team, spreading awareness of the United Nations and facilitating discussions about pressing international issues. She also works for Carleton College’s Institutional Research and Assessment department, preparing reports and visualizations to simplify college data. In the future, she hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy.
Karla Infante is a sophomore at GWU double majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in International Politics and Comparative Political, Economic and Social Systems, and majoring in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. After her service trips in Bolivia and Haiti, Karla became interested in advocating for women's rights and combating domestic sexual violence. She organized several fundraisers to fund girls' educations and provide resources to orphan children in Haiti. She currently serves as the Director of Membership for GWU's Organization of Latino American Students and is a Peer Educator for GWU Students Against Sexual Assault. In the future, she hopes to go to law school and specialize in international law and human rights. Telesha Mahadeo is a first year graduate student in the Security Policy Studies program in the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. Born in Guyana and raised in Queens, NY, Telesha was surrounded by cultural, economic, and political diversity, which greatly influenced her decision to pursue her BA in International Affairs and Economics at her alma mater, Northeastern University. She has also completed three co-ops, studied in Peru, and conducted research on disarmament and international humanitarian law at the United Nations in Geneva. After graduation, Telesha hopes to combine her interests in security, diplomacy, and economic development with her passion for women empowerment and contribute to advancing gender equality. Karuna Nandkumar is a sophomore at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She intends to major in the Ford School of Public Policy with a concentration in International Affairs. At the University of Michigan, she is the Vice President of Membership for the Michigan Foreign Policy Council, a student-run research organization. She is particularly interested in international human rights and security issues. Her passion for foreign policy stems from her background as a second generation Indian-American. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career in diplomacy or international law. Tayler Scott is a third-year International Studies student with a minor in Asian Studies and a functional track in Culture, Societies, and Values at the University of San Francisco. In the semester prior to interning at the WFPG, she studied abroad for a semester at Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea with a focus in Global Korean Studies and International Politics. Tayler has also traveled to Colombia on a week-long immersion trip focusing on education and safety in impoverished areas surrounding the capital. At her university, she is an Employer Relations Assistant at the Career Services Center as well as a participant and peer mentor of the Muscat Scholars Program. She is passionate about human rights and cultural anthropology, and has researched the treatment of minority groups in both Colombia and the Philippines.
Megan Bright graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, minoring in German Studies. She is particularly interested in foreign policy, human rights and law. She spent her third year of college at the Freie Universität Berlin studying German politics, history and language, as well as EU Foreign Relations. During her last years at university, Megan promoted studying abroad as a peer ambassador, which she sees as an important opportunity for students to become globally aware and connected citizens. Next year, Megan will be pursuing a law degree in California. Ana Cicenia is a senior at NYU Shanghai, studying Economics, with a minor in Political Studies. Born in Venezuela and raised in the United States, she is especially interested in international trade, sustainable development, law, diplomacy and the intersections between these fields. Ana hopes to one day attend graduate school in pursuit of a career in international trade, a career she feels would satisfy both her affinity for economic issues and her interest in foreign policy. Previously, she has interned at Wald, Castillo, Wald P.A. law firm. Ana has been heavily involved in student organizations such as NYU Global Ambassadors, where she organized a fundraiser for refugee children in Florence, Italy. Last semester, she studied at NYU Washington DC as a Global Leadership Scholar. Jacqueline Stein graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) with a Master of Science in Human Rights. Outside of graduate courses, Jacqueline was a research assistant for the European Institute at the LSE. She also mentored newly arrived migrant and refugee children in the United Kingdom, with an organization called Salusbury World. During her undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Jacqueline triple majored in History, Political Science and French Studies. She was the recipient of the Margret J. Talle Award, allowing her to study abroad for an academic year in Montpellier, France. She wrote her undergraduate history thesis on rescue efforts in France to shelter Jewish refugees during World War II. Maribel Torres graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, double minoring in Labor and Workplace Studies and Entrepreneurship. Following her belief that women’s presence in the political sphere is essential, she developed interests in international affairs, law, diplomatic relations and the contributions women have made in each. As a third year she studied abroad in Paris, Brussels, London, Amsterdam, Argentina, and Chile. Studying foreign politics and human rights helped her discover the importance for global awareness and effective diplomatic relations. Along with her internship this Fall semester, she was accepted to study at the UCDC Center. Maribel plans on pursuing graduate school for her J.D., to satisfy her intersectional interests in legal studies, government, politics and business.
Ana Cicenia is a junior at NYU Shanghai, studying Economics, with a minor in Political Studies. Born in Venezuela and raised in the United States, she is especially interested in international trade, sustainable development, law, diplomacy and the intersections between these fields. Ana hopes to one day attend graduate school in pursuit of a career in international trade, a career she feels would satisfy both her affinity for economic issues and her interest in foreign policy. Previously, she has interned at Wald, Castillo, Wald P.A. law firm. Ana has been heavily involved in student organizations such as NYU Global Ambassadors, where she organized a fundraiser for refugee children in Florence, Italy. This semester, she is studying at NYU Washington DC as a Global Leadership Scholar. Valentina Fernandez is a sophomore at American University (AU), double majoring in Political Science and Public Relations, with a minor in International Studies. Born in Venezuela and raised in Florida, Valentina is especially interested in domestic politics and relations with Latin America. Valentina serves on AU’s Board of Trustees as the Student Trustee. Valentina has been involved as a campus leader through student government, college democrats and as a constitutional law teaching assistant. Before joining WFPG, she interned at the US Senate and Witeck Communications. In the future, Valentina hopes to pursue a career in government and public affairs, helping to increase the representation of minorities in politics. Valentina is also interested in STEAM education policies and improving its reach to low socioeconomic communities. Rabiya Imran is a sophomore at NYU Abu Dhabi. She is currently spending a semester at NYU Washington DC as a Global Leadership Scholar. She is originally from Pakistan and she is majoring in Political Science, with minors in Legal Studies and Arabic. She is extremely interested in women’s rights, especially women’s education in Pakistan. She plans on attending law school after completing her undergraduate studies. She has previously interned with NYU Abu Dhabi’s Office of Community Outreach and spends her time volunteering with children with special needs at the Future Rehabilitation Center in Abu Dhabi. She aims to combine her passion for education and policy, working towards providing better education opportunities for women and girls in Pakistan. Suge Zhang is a junior at the Silver School of Social Work at NYU, double majoring in Social Work and Dramatic Literature. She is currently studying at NYU Washington DC as a Global Leadership Scholar. Born in China and raised in America, Suge’s immigrant experience has developed into a career aspiration in social services, with a concentration in refugee and immigrant integration. Last summer, she worked at Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services as an intern, facilitating summer education and recreation programs for newly arrived refugee families. Growing up in an era of rapid growth in China, Suge is particularly interested in the social impacts of urbanization and industrialization on migration and social mobility in within the Greater China region. In the future, she hopes to enhance services for Chinese migrant workers and their children.
Elizabeth Tchagalidze is a senior at American University, majoring in International Studies with a thematic focus on the global economy and US foreign policy and a regional focus on Europe. She recently completed a semester abroad in Brussels, Belgium, where she studied the European Union and NATO. Her specific interests lie within international security and relations between Russia and the West. Elizabeth also attends Middlebury College during the summer, where she is enrolled in the graduate program in the Russian language. She is going to pursue a Master’s degree in Russian at Middlebury College after her undergraduate studies. She has previously interned at the Women in Parliaments Global Forum (WIP) in Brussels, and the America-Georgia Business Council in Washington, DC. Elizabeth plans to work at a non-profit organization or a think tank focusing on international affairs. She is fluent in English, Georgian, and Russian, and speaks French and some Spanish. Christine Bangum is a senior at the University of Oslo majoring in Political Science with a minor in Economics, and she is currently in the Washington Semester Program at the American University studying Foreign Policy. She is particularly interested in European politics, climate change and the US Presidential Elections. Christine is on the National Executive Board of the Norwegian Green Party`s youth organization and has been an active member of the Student Parliament at the University of Oslo. She is also part of a board which decides on applications for Norwegian government funding for international projects in Eastern Europe. Christine wishes to pursue a career in academia, politics or diplomacy, and she hopes to work internationally. Claire Chun is a junior at New York University double majoring in Politics and Social and Cultural Analysis with a focus on Asian/Pacific/American Studies. She is currently studying at NYU Washington, DC as a Global Leadership Scholar. She is particularly interested in learning how international legal institutions and foreign policy are mobilized as arenas for structuring, challenging, and transforming gendered and racialized norms, identities, and roles. She has previously interned for Amnesty International USA and her passion for human rights and social justice is exemplified through her extensive involvement with the student-run organization, Freedoms for North Korea, as a member on the executive board. Having travelled to Japan and Korea every year since she was a child, Claire has a deep interest in East Asian politics and refugee/migrant and women’s rights issues within the Asia-Pacific region. Claire hopes to pursue a career in international law and ultimately work for an international NGO. Kiera Johnsen graduated Magna Cum Laude from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame IN with a Bachelor’s degree in political science and communication studies. In the spring of her sophomore year she studied abroad at the National University of Ireland at Maynooth (now called Maynooth University). She has additionally traveled to Australia, Malta, England and Northern Ireland, France, Mexico and Italy. Kiera’s interests are in journalism and media, civic engagement, war and peacetime violence and women’s rights. For her senior thesis she conducted a quantitative research project on news media’s influence on the political participation of college students and young adults. She was a member of the Student Advisory Board for the Saint Mary’s College Belles against Violence Office. While there she also chaired the Green Dot Committee, a program which serves to educate students on preventing power-based violence. She is interested in pursuing a career in human rights advocacy with a NGO, think tank or non-profit and attending graduate school. Jessica Jordano is a sophomore at George Washington University, majoring in journalism and mass communication with minors in Economics, Art History, and possibly International Affairs. Jessica is especially interested in the global economy, national security, cybersecurity, and combatting terrorism. Last summer, Jessica was the communications intern at Harris Corporation, an engineering company that creates mission-critical technologies. She aspires to be a foreign policy correspondent or an economics writer for a news platform. In addition to her interest in economics and foreign policy, Jessica participates in frequent volunteer work in the DC area with the community service co-ed fraternity on campus, plays for the club field hockey team, and is also a fashion blogger.
Anjelica Jarrett is a senior at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, and recently completed a semester abroad in Montpellier, France. She is double majoring in French and International Relations, with a focus on ethics. She is specifically interested in social movements, media, women’s rights, and social justice. Anjelica is an alumna of the Bard Globalization and International Affairs program, where she studied the practical implementation of counterinsurgency and non-state actors in international affairs. She has previously interned at the Global Justice Center, and she has also worked on a recent Massachusetts gubernatorial campaign as an Organizing Fellow. Anjelica is interested in pursuing a career in law, academia, or human rights advocacy. Diana Kelley is a senior at Bryn Mawr College majoring in International Studies with a concentration in economic development. She is particularly interested in international development and the effects of regime change on political stability. Her current research project involves a comparative political analysis between Haiti and the Dominican Republic; including an examination of policy decisions, participation in the international economy, and the efficacy of anti-corruption measures. She is interested in pursuing a career in diplomacy and aspires to work for the Foreign Service. Diana is the captain of Bryn Mawr’s Varsity Lacrosse team and will be interning at Profugo, a Philadelphia based international development non-profit in the fall. Hannah Salem is a sophomore at Boston University studying Public Health and International Relations on a regional politics and cultural anthropology track. Her focus is on Asian diplomacy, and she is particularly interested in cross-strait relations. She speaks French and Chinese, and plans to travel abroad to Paris next fall to study and work in the hub of French culture. Hannah hopes to join the Peace Corps after her undergraduate years, and aspires to eventually pursue a career in foreign policy. In addition to her interest in international relations, she is an Admissions Ambassador at BU, and engages in community service work through her school’s public health service group. Stephanie Verganza graduated from the University of California, Irvine with Bachelor’s degrees in economics and international studies. She spent her senior year in Brazil as a 2014 Boren Scholar studying Portuguese. She has also previously travelled to Guatemala, Mexico and Peru. As an undergraduate, Stephanie conducted research on U.S. counter-narcotics policy in Central America and wrote her honors thesis on security and development in Guatemala. She participated in the Public Policy and International Affairs fellowship at Princeton University, the Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference, and was a junior fellow at the Pacific Council on International Policy in Los Angeles. Additionally, she has volunteered with the Los Angeles Chapter of the US National Committee on UN Women. Stephanie plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Public Policy and eventually work at a think tank or government agency focused on foreign affairs.
Emily Beaudoin is a junior at the University of Notre Dame majoring in Gender Studies with minors in International Development Studies and Peace Studies. She is particularly interested in the education of girls and the role of women’s empowerment programs in international development. Previously, she interned for the Foundation for Sustainable Development at Sneh Girls Shiksan Sansthan, a school for girls located outside of Jaipur, India. On campus, Emily is involved with the Notre Dames, a club that seeks to promote the female voice on campus, in the community, and around the world. Emily aspires to one-day work for UN Women. Rebecca Laden is a junior at New York University where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy with a minor in Spanish. Rebecca spent the last year as a campaign organizing intern on the National Water Campaign at Corporate Accountability International, where she will continue as a senior intern this summer. Rebecca has just returned from studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she also interned with a think-tank to document the impact of global urbanization on the metropolitan regions of Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to interning at the WFPG, Rebecca is currently a Global Leadership Scholar at NYU Washington, DC. Rebecca is thrilled to be interning at the WFPG and looks forward to learning from passionate female leaders in public service and international relations. Rebecca is fluent in Spanish. Rudra Kapila has an interdisciplinary PhD, combining the fields of Earth Science and International Relations from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Her expertise is in clean energy technology and its application for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. Rudra's research focused on India's energy system, which is facing increasing pressure due to development needs, and she has a particular interest in energy and climate security issues. In parallel to her PhD, Rudra worked as a Parliamentary Researcher at the Scottish Parliament, specializing in energy and environmental policy. Rudra is a strong advocate for female leaders in science, technology and foreign policy; she is keen to begin her career in Washington, DC. Ellee Watson is a junior at George Washington University, majoring in international affairs with minors in French and journalism. She is interested in pursuing a career in international journalism, focusing on European and Eurasian affairs. Last fall, she spent the semester in Paris, France in a study abroad program which enabled her to achieve fluency in her second language. In addition to interning at WFPG, she is an honors program student and a varsity student-athlete, serving as coxswain for the GW men’s rowing team. She has been named to the Dean’s List for the Elliott School of International Affairs at GW, the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA) All- Academic Team, and the GW Athletic Academic Dean’s list. Amy Van Zanen is a senior at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and will graduate in May 2016 with a double major in social science group and Spanish. Amy’s interests include advancing women’s economic status worldwide, the care economy as well as reproductive rights. Her honors thesis focuses on the economic theories of household labor division. She has worked as a general research assistant in her college’s library as well as for a Calvin College professor through the McGregor Fellows Program. In the Spring of 2014, Amy studied Spanish and international development in La Universidad Pedagógica in Tegucigalpa, Honduras which inspired her to intern at the Michigan Migrant Legal Aid Project where she worked to protect the rights of migrant farmworkers. Amy hopes to pursue a degree in public or international policy in order to continue advocating for women’s rights.
Blair Allan is a recent graduate of New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service where she received her Masters of Public Administration in Public and Non Profit Management and Policy Studies, specializing in international development. She also received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Politics at NYU’s College of Arts and Science. Her interests include gender in international affairs, public policy, anti-human trafficking initiatives, and women and children’s rights. Blair was the Vice President of NYU’s Anti-Child Trafficking Student Coalition, as well as the event planner for the Wagner Women’s Caucus. During her Master’s degree project, she focused on gender mainstreaming initiatives in Tanzania at the University of Dar es Salaam. Blair aspires to have a career in the field of women’s leadership in international affairs. Grace Bennett is a junior at Georgetown University majoring in Government and minoring in Justice and Peace studies. Grace is particularly interested in the role of female empowerment, including educational and economic opportunities, in generating effective international security policy. She is also interested in diplomacy, and its role in the modern international system. Grace is a volunteer at Georgetown University’s women’s center, as well as a blog editor for Georgetown Women in Leadership. Camilla Ertresvaag is at her final year in her degree in Development Studies at the University of Oslo, Norway. She has a concentration on Political Science and is currently studying Foreign Policy at American University’s Washington Semester Program. She is planning to take a Master’s Degree in Political Science after she graduates, and hopes for a career within foreign policy, with a focus on international development. She is especially passionate about human rights, political development and gender equality and has a special interest in Asia. Sirjana Shakya is a recent graduate from Hampshire College where she completed a self-design major in International Relations. Having completed her senior thesis on the politics of justice and reconciliation in post-genocide Rwanda, Sirjana is particularly interested in understanding the repercussions of war, the human experience in times of conflict, post-conflict nation-building, and issues of transitional justice. In addition to her interest in peace and conflict studies and having had experience working with Nicaraguan migrants living in Costa Rica, she has a great interest in learning more about the plight of migrants and refugees globally. She hopes to join UNHCR and the UN in the future. She is originally from Nepal. Lauren Watson is a first year candidate for a Masters in International Affairs at the George Washington University’s Elliott School. Before studying at the Elliott School, Lauren served as an AmeriCorps member at the American Red Cross in Philadelphia and later taught English in southern Thailand. She received her Bachelor of Arts at Temple University in German and Visual Anthropology. She is currently studying Conflict and Conflict Resolution and hopes to pursue a career in Human Rights and aspires to enter the Foreign Service.
Megan Nieto is a third-year student at the University of Virginia majoring in Foreign Affairs and minoring in Spanish. Next semester, she will be studying abroad at St. Andrews University in Scotland where she will study international relations. She is passionate about sexual violence prevention and is a member of One Less at UVa, a sexual assault prevention and peer education organization. She is interested in policy surrounding sexual violence on college campuses, as well as how sexual violence impacts displaced populations and women and girls in refugee camps across the globe. In the future, Megan hopes to work at an international NGO focused on gender-based violence or at a government agency where she can work on policy related to women’s issues. Samantha Stroman is a rising sophomore at Yale University double majoring in Political Science and Spanish. She is particularly interested in international security issues, as well as cultural and public diplomacy. She hopes to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country during her undergraduate years. In addition to pursuing her interests in foreign policy in her studies, Samantha is a member of Yale’s International Relations Association, through which she is particularly involved in Model United Nations. Amy Sullivan is a rising senior at Vassar College pursuing a degree in Political Science and Russian Studies. As a liberal arts student, her interests lie in analyzing the various borders that constrain individuals and nations through the lens of US relations with Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. She plans to complete a senior thesis related to the effect of the collapse of the Soviet Union on the politics of the 1990s in the former communist states of Eastern Europe. She has studied Russian language, history, and culture at the European University in St. Petersburg, Russia, and has traveled abroad in Eastern Europe. Amy aspires to have a career in foreign policy or diplomacy in the future. Katherine Wang is a first year candidate for a Masters in International Affairs and Economics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Her areas of interest include nation-building, political risk, and business and good governance. She studied one year in Bologna, Italy, and she enjoys traveling around the world. Before studying at SAIS, Katherine majored in Political Science and Economics at the University of Pennsylvania and worked as a Senior Project Analyst at a boutique consulting firm. Upon obtaining her masters, she is interested in starting a career in political risk consulting while further developing her passions in art, graphic design, and storytelling.
Catherine Antosh is a junior at James Madison University pursuing a degree in International Affairs with a concentration in the Middle East and a double minor in Arabic and Middle Eastern Communities and Migrations. Her interests include national security and diplomacy and she is currently beginning work on a senior honors thesis on the effects of sectarianism on political violence. She has studied intensive Arabic in Amman, Jordan and received a scholarship to attend the 2014 INU Student Seminar in Hiroshima, Japan to discuss refugee issues. Catherine hopes to pursue a career abroad after graduation and aspires to enter the Foreign Service. Michelle Aoun is a fourth year student at the University of California, Santa Barbara majoring in Global and International Studies with a minor in Applied Psychology. She is particularly interested in the ways in which foreign policy and international relations affect identity and self-perception. Michelle has explored this interest by studying abroad for a quarter in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and studying the Latin American Debt Crisis from both an American perspective as well as a South American perspective. She currently works at UCSB’s Multicultural Center as well as being a Research Assistant for the UCSB Psychology Lab centered on early intervention programs for high school students showing symptoms of onset mental illnesses. She hopes to pursue a career in clinical psychology and to take her passions to an international level, either through living and practicing abroad or through working with immigrants, both documented and undocumented, within America. Erin McGown is a first year candidate for a Masters in International Affairs at the George Washington University’s Elliott School. During her undergraduate career at the University of Idaho, she participated in the Model United Nations conference and conducted research on NATO’s role in Afghanistan. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a double major in International Studies and German, she worked in City of Boise Mayor’s Office and South Sound YMCA in Olympia, Washington. Erin has studied in Germany, Wales, and Austria, and loves to travel to new places. Erin is interested in a career in foreign policy or diplomacy. Sydney Perlotto is a senior at the University of Maryland, College Park pursuing a major in Global Social Change and Development, with an emphasis on Latin America, and a minor in International Development and Conflict Management. Her areas of interest include gender, human rights, and the intersection of conflict and development. She studied social and environmental change in Costa Rica in the spring of 2014 and has also traveled abroad to Chile and El Salvador for short-term programs. Previously, Sydney has interned at the National Peace Corps Association and the ICONS Project of the Center for International Development and Conflict Management. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in international gender policy and women’s rights. Katie Schaper is a sophomore in the School of International Service at the American University. She is majoring in international relations with a concentration in conflict resolution, justice, and human rights, and minoring in statistics. Her interests lie in political development and US relations with Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Previously, she has completed a year-long study in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and next semester will study foreign relations in Russia. She is currently an English language and American citizenship tutor on campus, and is involved in the Department of Energy’s Council on Women and Girls STEM Mentoring Program. Ella Zauner is a final year International Relations student from Bond University, Australia, specializing in diplomacy. Having recently completed a law degree, Ella is interested in the interaction between culture, politics, and the law, and how this is reflected in international relations. As well, Ella is interested in national security, international development, and women’s rights. Ella enjoys travelling and learning about foreign cultures first hand, having previously worked in the UK, studied in Switzerland, and lived in Austria. Upon completing her International Relations degree, Ella hopes to begin her graduate career in a law firm, specializing in intellectual property, technology, international law, and administrative law. In the longer term, Ella hopes to pursue a political career in foreign policy or diplomacy.
Clara Fisher is a first year candidate for a Masters in International Affairs at the Elliott School at the George Washington University. Originally from California, she completed her undergraduate degree in International Affairs at Lafayette College where she studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, and wrote an honors thesis on the growth of Spanish democracy and minority rights. After college, Clara worked as Donor Communications Coordinator for the World Wildlife Fund. She hopes to pursue a career working in human rights with a focus on women’s rights. Katherine Hall is a graduate student at American University’s School of International Affairs pursuing an MA in Global Governance, Politics, and Security. Prior to graduate school, she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science from the University of La Verne in Southern California, where she completed a thesis on women and ethnic conflict in Myanmar, as well as studied abroad in the at University College London in the United Kingdom. In the past she has worked for the California State Assembly, and hopes in the future to pursue a career in international development and conflict resolution. Erin McGown is a first year candidate for a Masters in International Affairs at the George Washington University’s Elliott School. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Idaho with a double major in International Studies and German, she worked in City of Boise Mayor’s Office and South Sound YMCA in Olympia, Washington. Erin has studied in Germany, Wales, and Austria, and loves to travel to new places. Erin is interested in a career in foreign policy or diplomacy. Liam O'Brien is a recent graduate from the United Kingdom, having studied history and international affairs at the University of Essex in England and also completed a year studying in Washington DC at the Catholic University of America. His interests lie in terrorism studies, the UN Millennium Development Goals, Russia and the changing role of defense and security in the 21st century. Liam has previously been a member of the Model United Nations, the British Army Reserves and interned for the nuclear weapon abolitionist group Global Zero. His future career ambitions include working for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office or a non-governmental organization such as NATO or the United Nations. Archana Vasa is a sophomore in the Elliott School at the George Washington University majoring in International Affairs, concentrating in International Politics and Conflict Resolution, and minoring in French. Her particular interests are in international law and political development in the Maghreb region. Previously, she has interned with Congressman Bill Enyart and with Margie Wakefield’s campaign for Congress in the second district of Kansas. On campus, she is the Events Chair of ONE GWU, an organization that helps combat global poverty. She has also participated in the International Politics cohort of the Women’s Leadership Program at George Washington.
Shanna Cole is a senior in the Elliott School at the George Washington University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs, concentrating in International Politics, with a minor in Women’s Studies. She is especially interested in the relationship between politics and culture, development and aid policy, and negotiation processes. Shanna studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa in the spring of 2014, where she completed courses on issues of multiculturalism and human rights and field research on women’s economic empowerment in Cape Town. Previously she has interned with Congressman Bruce Braley of Iowa’s 1st District and with the Cancer Support Community Headquarters’ Education and Outreach Department. Katherine Kirk is a native of the Washington, DC metropolitan area and a rising sophomore at Yale University intending to double major in Theater Studies and Global Affairs with a focus on international security. Her international interests lie in security issues in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. In addition to pursuing these interests in her studies, Katherine is a member of Yale’s International Relations Association, which hosts international issues events with guest speakers including ambassadors, journalists, and visiting professors. Jennifer Schrock is a recent graduate of the University of Ottawa where she received an honors degree in International Development and Globalization. She is particularly interested in development policy, post-conflict democratization, and the intersection between politics and culture. Jennifer has completed four internships in Ottawa with the Government of Canada, including the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development and Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. She also interned with a non-governmental organization in South Africa in the summer of 2012 and studied abroad in South Korea in the fall of 2013. Upon graduation, Jennifer hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in International Affairs and continue her career in foreign policy and public affairs. Liam O'Brien is a recent graduate from the United Kingdom, having studied history and international affairs at the University of Essex in England and also completed a year studying in Washington DC at the Catholic University of America. His interests lie in terrorism studies, the UN Millennium Development Goals, Russia and the changing role of defense and security in the 21st century. Liam has previously been a member of the Model United Nations, the British Army Reserves and interned for the nuclear weapon abolitionist group Global Zero. His future career ambitions include working for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office or a non-governmental organization such as NATO or the United Nations. Samantha Sherman is a senior at Dartmouth College majoring in Government and Spanish. Samantha was selected as a Fung Scholar by the University of Hong Kong and has worked for an international development non-profit in Shanghai, China. She has studied Government at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and has also studied Spanish at the Universidad Argentina de la Empresa. At Dartmouth, Samantha is a War and Peace Fellow, a Presidential Scholar Research Assistant in the Government Department, and the Global Health Education Coordinator of the non-profit organization GlobeMed.
Anne-Elisabeth Halbert recently graduated from the University of Mary Washington where she majored in international affairs and minored in security and conflict resolution. She is specifically interested in counter-terrorism strategies along with international aviation and port security measures and the international debate surrounding the possession of nuclear weapons. Previously, Anne-Elisabeth was an intern and research assistant at the Inter-University Center for Terrorism Studies at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. She also interned in Paris at the US Embassy and the World Monuments-Europe. Sarah Langer is a junior at Washington University in St. Louis where she is a double major in Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies and American Culture Studies and is pursuing a minor in Political Science with focuses in gender based inequality and political theory. Previously, she has interned with Democratic Whip, Steny Hoyer and is a member of the John B. Ervin Scholars Program. Sarah’s international interests include the cultural development of francophone countries and women’s rights. She speaks some French and plans to continue her study of the language by studying abroad in Morocco next fall. Angela McKinney is a recent graduate of Hobart and William Smith Colleges where she graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science and minored in Environmental Studies and Latin American Studies. She is particularly interested in international affairs and the economy with a focus on Latin America leading her to study abroad in Ecuador during her sophomore year of high school and in Ecuador/Peru during the spring of 2012. Her prior internship experience includes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Crowder Publications, and the Office of Congressman Michael Arcuri. Angela was born in Lima, Peru and speaks Spanish.
Kristyna Bronner is a rising senior at Hobart and William Smith Colleges where she is a double major in Writing and Rhetoric and International Relations and a minor in Asian Studies. She is particularly interested in political development and the economy with a focus on East Asia, which led her to study abroad in Hong Kong in the fall of 2012. Kristyna has studied Mandarin for two and a half years and hopes to continue her study of the language by returning to China in the future. She has interned with The Republican Newspaper in Springfield, MA and works in both the Communications Office and the Office of Advancement at her college. Kelsey Heroux is a rising senior at Wellesley College where she is pursuing a major in Sociology. Her extracurricular activities include positions as a Student Ambassador for the Wellesley Centers for Women and Events Chair for Blue Cancer Society. She traveled to London as a 2011 US-UK Fulbright Commission Summer Institute Participant. She currently holds a research assistant position for Professor Lee Cuba and an administrative position at the Wellesley Centers for Women’s Jean Baker Miller Training Institute. Kelsey is a 2013 Madeleine Korbel Albright Institute for Global Affairs Fellow. Her foreign policy interests include women’s leadership, foreign assistance, and social entrepreneurship. Charlotte Storch is a rising junior at Yale University, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, focusing on international law, transitional justice, and processes of democratization in the North African and post-Soviet spaces. She has interned with Congressman Paul Tonko of New York’s 20th District, and works with the Yale International Relations Association to plan Model United Nations conferences for high-school students from around the world. Charlotte speaks French and some Arabic and plans to study abroad in Paris next spring. Kathrine Tillman is a junior at the College of Saint Benedict and St. John’s University in Minnesota, where she is majoring in Political Science and German Studies. During the school year she works as a teaching assistant for the German Department and volunteers at the Institute for Women’s Leadership. This fall she will be studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria. Kathrine’s international interests include European politics and women’s rights.
Alexandra Eitel is pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, with a major in Comparative Studies of Asia and Western Europe in the School of Foreign Service. Alexandra’s academic focus is on Sino-American relations; she is proficient in Mandarin Chinese, in addition to speaking some French and Italian. Upon graduation this May, Alexandra hopes to move to Shanghai to work in Media or Communications. In addition to interning at WFPG, Alexandra is the Vice President of Delta Phi Epsilon Professional Foreign Service Sorority and acts as a Floor Supervisor at Georgetown Cupcake. Lauren Farello, an LA native, is a third year International Affairs student at The George Washington University. Her passion for International Law and Spanish led her to study abroad at the Universidad de Sevilla in Spain, where she recently completed a semester at the law school. Lauren's past works include a UN, UN Women & UNICEF joint publication that studies gender mainstreaming in Bosnia & Herzegovina and makes recommendations for the newly formed state of South Sudan, and a publication about the signing of international human rights treaties. She has interned with Betsy Butler, Assembly member of California’s 36th District, and has acted as a Student Board Member for i-ACT, a non-profit that promotes activism on behalf of displaced Darfur refugees. Lauren has also volunteered for La Universidad de Sevilla Amnistía Internacional group, Women for Women International, and the GW Global Gender Initiative. She currently works on social media for i-ACT’s partner organization, Stop Genocide Now. Elaine Li is a sophomore at Georgetown University, majoring in International Politics with a concentration in International Law. In addition to interning for WFPG, she is involved with the Diplomatic Ball Planning Committee, Asian American Student Association and Chinese Student Alliance on campus. Her interest lies in US-China relations and Latin America. She will be studying abroad in China this fall. Elaine’s long-term goal is to join the US Foreign Service. Olivia Snider holds a Master's in Writing from the National University of Ireland Galway and a Bachelor's in English from the University of Mary Washington. She has worked as an activist at home and abroad, earning national recognition for her fundraising efforts in aid of the Galway Rape Crisis Centre and establishing free STD testing at UMW’s campus clinic as a 2011 Young People For Fellow. Olivia interned at ON-A Arquitectura in Barcelona, Spain, where she built on her Spanish and HTML web design skills. Her work appears in Abandoned Darlings, ROPES, 300 Reviews, and Sans Serif. Olivia also works as a Staff Writer for the online music magazine Stereo Subversion. Meghan Wolfe is a senior at Drew University, where she pursuing a major in Women’s and Gender Studies and minor in Political Science. She is currently completing her honors thesis, which analyzes family planning and contraception policies in the United States. Last spring, Meghan spent a month in South Africa studying women’s contraceptive use and reproductive health policy. She plans to attend graduate school in the fall to study public policy with a concentration in health policy.
Rebecca Harris is a graduate student at American University’s School of International Service, pursuing an MA in International Affairs with a concentration in the Middle East and US foreign policy. She received a grant from Temple University in 2011 to complete her proposed undergraduate thesis entitled "Women's Rights and Gender Inequality in Saudi Arabia and Morocco Post 9/11". She is interested in exploring US foreign policy towards countries in the Levant and the Gulf and she speaks Arabic, Hebrew, and French. Rebecca hopes to pursue a career with the US Foreign Service. Carmen Nelsen is a junior at Grinnell College majoring in Political Science. At school, she is involved in career development activities for her fellow students and is a member of the women's cross country team. Carmen has a strong interest in political leadership development in Latin American countries and hopes to one day work in US-Latin American affairs. She will be studying abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina this spring. Sara Pudimat is a senior studying at American University majoring in International Studies and German, with a concentration in International Development. Last fall Sara spent the semester overseas in Berlin, Germany focusing on environmental and European studies. She is interested in studying sustainable development and food security abroad after graduation. Eventually Sara hopes to work in the Foreign Service or at a non-profit organization. Liva Karen Stang Rugsveen is a senior at the University of Oslo, Norway, where she is completing a major in History and minor in Political Science. This fall she is enrolled in the Washington Semester Program at American University where she is studying foreign policy. She has a strong interest for US-Russia relations and the Middle East, and hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University Oslo and eventually a career at the Norwegian Foreign Department. Danielle Tatchio is a graduate student at American University’s School of International Service, where she is currently studying United States Foreign Policy, focusing on National Security. In May 2012, she graduated from American University with a BA in International Studies specializing in International Politics, and with a minor in Economics. Danielle has studied abroad in the United Kingdom and traveled throughout Europe and Asia, having acquired language skills in both Spanish and Mandarin.
Vivian Lehecka Coyne is a senior at Columbia College majoring in International Relations. Concurrently with her final year of college, she will begin work on a MA in International Affairs with Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. At school, she is the vice president of the Political Science Students Association and has tutored at the Double Discovery Center. Vivian has a strong interest in US-China relations and hopes to one day work at the State Department or a think-tank. Lesley Harkins is a junior at Boston University majoring in International Relations with concentrations in security studies and the Middle East. She is most interested in exploring the role of Islam in Middle Eastern countries and how it influences politics in the region and internationally. Lesley is the secretary of the BU chapter of ALLIES, a club promoting dialogue between military and civilian leaders, and she hopes to study abroad in Morocco in the coming academic year. Kim Quarantello is a senior at Wellesley College where she is completing a major in Political Science and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. She is involved in residential life as well as the political science department at Wellesley and recently completed a fellowship with the Madeleine Albright Institute for Global Affairs. Kim eventually hopes to pursue a Master's degree in foreign policy and a career with the US Foreign Service. Elizabeth Sklar is a sophomore at Emory University. She intends to major in International Studies and minor in Environmental Studies. Elizabeth is interested in the Middle East, particularly in Israel’s role in the region, as well as the development of African governments in the post-colonial era. Arielle Spinner is a senior at the University of California, Berkeley where she is majoring in Sociology and minoring in Rhetoric. She is the executive director of Cal Women and Youth Supporting Each Other, a female mentoring organization, and is an active member of the Jewish community at Cal. She plans to attend law school after graduation, where she hopes to focus on advocacy law.
Isabella Cazier is a recent graduate from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, where she studied Anthropology and Russian and received minors in International Studies and Comparative Literature. She spent her junior year fall semester studying in Auckland, New Zealand. Over the summer she worked in Oaxaca, Mexico with the non-profit organization Amigos de las Americas and will travel to Ecuador this coming summer as their associate project director. She is interested in women’s rights and hopes to become a public diplomacy officer in the Foreign Service. Maryam Hassan is a recent graduate of The College of William and Mary, where she double majored in International Relations and Middle Eastern Studies. Before joining WFPG, she spent the summer and fall working in the Governance Programme at UNDP Somalia, in Nairobi, Kenya. She is interested in governance, capacity building, and project management. She hopes to pursue a career working in international development, specifically on programs in the Middle East and East Africa. Maryam is fluent in Somali and proficient in multiple Arabic dialects. Kelly Recker is a recent graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, where she earned her BA in Political Science, with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Women’s Studies. During her junior year, she focused on strategy issues and international organizations while studying abroad at Sciences Po Paris. She is interested in national security and defense, and hopes to continue her career in foreign policy as she pursues her Master’s degree in security studies. Michelle Sands is a recent graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, where she earned her BA in Economics with a minor in Legal Studies. She spent her junior year studying political science and international affairs at Sciences Po Paris. Last summer she gained research experience as an intern for think tank analyst Dr. James McGann. Michelle is interested in domestic and foreign policy and she eventually hopes to pursue a JD/MA in International Affairs. FALL 2012
Victoria Cwyk is currently a graduate student at American University, studying International Communication. In May 2010, Victoria received a BA in International Relations from Mount Holyoke College. She also spent a year studying at Université Paul Valéry in Montpellier, France. She is interested in pursuing a career in public diplomacy. Mary DiAngelo is a graduate of Washington College where she earned her BA in English with minors in Creative Writing and French. Most recently she taught conversational English at the Université d’Artois in France. Mary hopes to work for the Department of Health and Human Services where she would like to specialize in women’s health. Reilly Everaert is a junior at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, where she is majoring in Political Science. For the fall semester of 2011, she participated in the International Law and Organizations program through the Washington Semester at American University. In the spring of 2011, she is participating in a study abroad program in Galway, Ireland. She eventually hopes to attend law school and focus on international relations. Anna Littlefield >is a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she studied History and Political Science and was a member of the Commonwealth Honors College. She spent her junior spring semester studying in Florence, Italy. This past summer, Anna interned for the Martha’s Vineyard Museum and lived on the island. She is interested in human rights and history and hopes to continue with non-profit work. Ann Mangold is a graduate student at American University's School of International Service, where she focuses on international politics, security issues and Middle East studies. Prior to graduate school, Ann earned her BS degree in Journalism from West Virginia University and spent nine years working in the corporate communications industry in New York City. Following graduate school she hopes to pursue a career in the US Foreign Service or work as a foreign affairs correspondent.
Ashley Bazzarone is a rising junior at Brigham Young University where she is on the soccer team. She plans to major in French and minor in International Relations. This summer she returned to Haiti with an NGO called the Lavelle Alliance to try and help rebuild the homes and schools that were destroyed by the earthquake. Sarah Craig is a sophomore at Princeton University, planning on majoring in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and minoring in Near Eastern Studies as well as Environmental Studies. She is particularly interested in human rights, Near Eastern history, and international development. She eventually hopes to attend graduate or law school to study international relations/law. Victoria Cwyk is a recent graduate of Mount Holyoke College, where she studied International Relations and French. She spent her junior year of college studying French language and politics at Université Paul Valéry in Montpellier, France. This fall, Victoria will begin a master's degree program in International Communication at American University. She is passionate about public diplomacy and hopes to one day work at the State Department. Nida Vidutis is a senior at Columbia University double majoring in Political Theory and Anthropology. At school she is on the board of Amnesty International, President of the Political Science Student Association, and research assistant for the Political Science Department. Nida is particularly passionate about intersections between social and political theory in North African and Middle Eastern societies, and hopes to attend law school after graduation. Yuhe (Faye) Wang is a junior at Pomona College, pursuing a joint major in Gender & Womens Studies and Economics. Her interests include the intersection of labor, migration, and diaspora as analyzed through the lens of gender and the role of media in promoting social and political movements. She hopes to eventually pursue non-profit work after graduation.
Mary Feitz is a sophomore at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign majoring in Political Science. She is studying in DC as part of the Illinois in Washington program. She has a strong interest in international women's issues, especaially health and education in Central Asia. In the future, she looks forward to going to graduate school and exploring careers in both governmental and non-governmental human rights organizations. Julie Frasco is a recent graduate of the Schreyer Honors College at The Pennsylvania State University where she studied Political Science, International Studies and minored in Spanish. She spent her junior year working abroad in Argentina with an international human rights organization, then in her senior year she completed research on Gender and Politics. Upon graduating, she is excited to explore areas of the economic development field through both the non-profit and for profit sectors. Aurora Nou is a senior at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service where she is majoring in International Politics with a focus on International Law with a certificate in Women's and Gender Studies. Aurora is passionate about women's rights and international affairs, a combination which drew her to the Women's Foreign Policy Group. She hopes to make an impact in these fields in the future. Michelle Walton is a sophomore in the Honors College at the University at Albany, State University of New York. She is majoring in Political Science, concentrating in Global Politics, and double minoring in History and Economics. She intends to enter the combined BA/MPA program at the University at Albany. Her current research is focused on Islamic Finance and international finance crises. After completing her MPA, she aspires to pursue another Master's in International Business Diplomacy.
Elizabeth Deal is a sophomore in the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University, majoring in International Affairs and double concentrating in International Development and Conflict and Security. She hopes to continue her education with post-graduate work in linguistics with an emphasis on Arabic and eventually work in diplomatic translation. She has been a WFPG Student Member since 2007. Elyssa Feder is a senior in the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University, where she is double majoring in Women's Studies and International Affairs with concentrations in European and Eurasian Studies and Conflict and Security. She intends to pursue her doctorate in political science with a focus on gender and security in ethno-national conflict. Elisabeth Springer is a senior at Georgetown University where she is majoring in Government with a focus on International Relations and minoring in Chinese. After spending her junior year abroad, in China for the fall and in Ireland for the spring, she hopes to travel back overseas after she graduates to work. She is particularly interested in Conflict Resolution studies and its relation to international development. Andrea St. Pierre is finishing her Master's degree in International Relations/Political Science from Suffolk University in Boston. After receiving her Bachelor's in International Political Economy from Fordham University in New York City, she worked as a business analyst and consultant prior to entering graduate school. She is hoping to transition her career into international development or government consulting once she completes her degree in December. She is particularly interested in development and political economy issues, as well as women's human rights.
Maya Babla is completing her undergraduate degree in Communication and her master's degree in Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California. She is particularly interested in the role of international organizations in world affairs, women's leadership in politics, and the development of effective educational systems. Her future goals include teaching abroad and traveling immensely. Ashley Bazzarone is a rising sophomore at Brigham Young University where she is on the soccer team. She plans to major in French and minor in International Relations. This summer she will be traveling to Haiti with an NGO called the Lavelle Alliance to try and help rebuild the homes and schools that were destroyed by the earthquake. Jill Berardini is a junior at Princeton University, majoring in the Woodrow Wilson School for Public and International Affairs and minoring in Global Health and Health Policy as well as Contemporary European Politics. She eventually hopes to attend graduate school to study European economic integration and Eastern European development. Erin Greene is a second-year master's student at the School of International Relations at the University of Southern California. Her recent research projects have focused on gender and military recruitment as well as the post-conflict reconciliation efforts in Rwanda and Cambodia. A Red Cross International Services Ambassador, she hopes to spend time teaching English in Japan and working for the Red Cross Disaster Services abroad before pursuing a Ph.D. in International Relations. Jenna Zhu is the WFPG Communications Intern this summer. She is a rising junior at Swarthmore College, where she is double-majoring in Political Science and Psychology. She plans on studying abroad in the spring at the Institut d'tudes Politiques de Paris and she hopes to pursue graduate studies in the future.
Kathleen Effland will graduate this May from the University of Maryland in College Park with a BA in Government and Politics. She studied Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic and has also studied Spanish. Elizabeth Finan is a first-year master's student at The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs where she studies US Foreign Policy. She also holds a BA from Providence College, where she majored in Political Science and minored in Spanish. Between her degree programs, she spent almost two years teaching English in Japan. Christina Fiorentini will graduate this May from Georgetown University's Pubic Policy Institute with a Master's in Public Policy and a Concentration in International Policy and Development. Before beginning her Master's program, Chrissy spent four years working at the American Museum on Natural History in New York where she served as Special Projects Manager. She received her BA in History from Columbia College in 2003 and has studied in both India and Italy. Shannon Hosmer, the WFPG's Communications Intern, is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University where she majored in Fine Arts and minored in East Asian Languages and Cultures. She has spent three years working in Japan as an Instructor of English and Translator for the government of Akitakata City. Mona Rai graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2009 with a double major in Health & Societies and Modern Middle Eastern Studies and a minor in South Asian Studies. In 2009 she received a State Department Critical Language Scholarship to study Arabic in Morocco. She is proficient in Arabic and French. Anna Sarnek is a sophomore at The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. She speaks fluent Japanese and Polish and has also studied Italian and French.
Emily Hogan is a senior at Johns Hopkins University where she majors in Political Science and minors in History and Latin American Politics. She spent last fall studying abroad in Santiago, Chile and hopes to pursue post-graduate studies abroad. Mariko Koyamatsu is a senior at Mount Holyoke College, where she is double majoring in Politics and Asian Studies. She has studied abroad in Beijing and Shanghai, and has interned abroad in Shenzhen, China. Brooke Pearson is a first year Master's student in Global Communication and US Foreign Policy at George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. She recently returned from spending a year teaching English in Macau, China on a Fulbright grant. Shannon Hosmer is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University where she majored in Fine Arts and minored in East Asian Languages and Cultures. She has spent three years working in Japan as an Instructor of English and Translator for the government of Akitakata City. Rebekah Choate is a senior at American University studying International Studies. She spent last semester studying in Brussels, Belgium. Next year she is hoping to teach English in France and she will eventually be attending graduate school.
Caitlin Carroll is a senior at Brigham Young University studying Political Science and minoring in Women's Studies and International Development. She plans on attending graduate school in gender and development. Kiera Bloore is a senior at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. Kiera is majoring in Culture and Politics and pursuing a certificate in African studies. Last fall, Kiera studied abroad in Tanzania at the University of Dar es Salaam. Taylor Henninger is a recent graduate of New York University, where she focused on French and Politics. She has studied abroad in both Paris and Prague and is currently working as a Teach for America French teacher before pursuing graduate studies in international relations and security studies. Alyssa Teddy is a senior at the University of California, Davis where she will be receiving a degree in International Relations with a focus on health and human populations and North Africa and the Middle East. She just returned from a year abroad in Lyon, France where she studied Islam and Politics at l’Institut d'tudes Politiques de Lyon. Amy Withmory is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania where she is double-majoring in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), with a concentration in Political Science and Religious Studies. She plans on pursuing post-graduate studies abroad.
Caitlin Crotty is a junior at American University and is pursuing a dual degree in both Literature and International Studies, with a concentration in international development. She recently returned from studying abroad at Trinity College Dublin and is interested in gender issues and international health. Paula Katrina Drago is a senior at the George Washington University where she is studying International Affairs and minoring in History. She studied abroad last year in Florence, Italy. Kaitlyn Neuberger is a junior Culture and Politics major in the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. She spent last semester abroad in Africa, studying at the University of Cape Town and living with a family in Dakar, Senegal. Avni Mehta is a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, majoring in International Politics, focusing on International Security Studies. She is also an Asian Studies certificate candidate and will study abroad in Hyderabad, India, this fall. Katie Fricke is currently a sophomore at the University of California-Irvine where she is pursuing a degree in German Studies and Global Cultures. She has studied abroad in Berlin, Germany, and hopes to return for post-graduate studies.
Ashley Evans is a senior at American University's School of International Service, focusing on Islamic Studies, the Middle East, and Arabic. Last fall she studied abroad in Cairo, Egypt, and hopes to go back to the region after graduating in May 2009. Emily Rose is a junior at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, specializing in American foreign policy. After her time with the WFPG she will study abroad at King's College in London. Katie Kerl is a senior at Centenary College majoring in Global Studies and Political and Government Affairs. She is a participant of the International Law and Organizations section of the Fall 2008 Washington Semester Program at American University. Katie hopes to pursue a career in international law and diplomacy. Helah Robinson is a senior at Georgetown University, majoring in International Politics, focusing on International Institutions, Ethics and Law. She is also an International Development Certificate candidate and studied abroad last spring in Dakar, Senegal.
Andrea Gordon is a junior at Boston College, where she is studying International Studies with concentrations in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies. She also plans to minor in Italian and is studying abroad in Florence and Parma this fall. Courtney Stuckwisch graduated from the University of Virginia in May 2007 with majors in English and French and a Government minor. She is currently teaching high school English in New Orleans, La. as a 2007 Teach For America corps member. Molly Doran is an MA Candidate at American University, where she is studying human rights and international organizations. She completed her undergraduate degree at Illinois Wesleyan University in 2007, with a double major in International Studies and French and Francophone Studies. Maureen Lanigan is going to be a senior at Boston College, majoring in International Studies with a concentration in Political Science and a minor in French. She just returned from a semester abroad in Beijing, China.
Lauren March is a senior at Hope College, majoring in Political Science and French with a focus in international relations and women's issues. She is interested in a career in international affairs and international law. Namara Smith is a graduate of St. John's College in Annapolis, MD where she completed the "Great Books Program". She is interested in international development. Laiqah Al-habsy is originally from Oman and is a senior at George Mason University (graduating December, 2008). She is studying Global Affairs with a concentration on Inequalities and Responses and a minor in Women's Studies. Ainab Rahman is from Bangladesh and is currently a junior at the College of William and Mary, where she is pursuing a major in International Relations with a minor in Women’s Studies. She is also studying religion and French.
Rebecca Schevitz recently graduated from American University where she studied International Relations, Arab Studies, and French. Sarah Trumble is a junior at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is majoring in Global Studies with a minor in Spanish and will spend the upcoming spring semester studying abroad in Spain. Emily Brown is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, OH. Emily graduated cum laude with majors in Interdisciplinary Studies and Women’s Studies and a minor in Political Science.
Mollie Braverman is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania. She is majoring in History with a focus in Diplomatic History. She speaks French and is beginning to study Spanish. Becca Balis is a sophomore at the University of Pennsylvania. She is majoring in International Relations with a focus in Development. She is also studying French and Art History. Carly Rush is a senior at Brown University. She is majoring in Political Science, and just returned from a semester abroad in Prague
Claire Gallagher is a junior in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, where she is majoring in International Politics with a minor in International Development. She is from Dublin, New Hampshire. Kirsten Gilbert is a sophomore at Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University where she is studying International Affairs concentrating in South Asian Studies. A lover of languages, she studies French and Spanish and hopes to learn Tamil. Mari Inoue is a sophomore in the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University studying International Affairs, with an interest in International Development and Politics. She is fluent in Japanese and Spanish and also studies French. Emma Miller is a junior in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University where she is studying International Law and Politics with a minor in European Studies. Born in England, she recently became a US citizen.
Christine Elech is a senior at Miami University in Oxford, OH majoring in Diplomacy/Foreign Affairs with minors in Spanish and Latin American Studies. She later hopes to study International Law. Sarah Groninger is from the suburbs of Chicago, Wheaton, IL. She currently attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison majoring in Political Science, French, and International Studies. Emma Miller is a junior in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University where she is studying International Law and Politics with a minor in European Studies. Born in England, she recently became a US citizen. Jane Park is currently a sophomore at Yale University. She is majoring in Political Science and International Studies, and is particularly interested in international security issues. Jane is from Chicago, IL.
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