Our Alumni
Class of 2023
Michael Angeloni
Ian Archbold
Kion Bordbar
Yusuf Can
Abigail Carlson
Lindsey Levy
Evan Mann
Owen Myers
Alexandra Orellana
Maryam Rayed
Sammy Saleh
Kenza Sandi
Molly Sweet
James Venslauskas
Class of 2022
Joshua Allen- Fellow, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security
Saskia Brain- Policy Fellow at Foreign Policy
Janelle Clausen- Program Associate at International Republican Institute
Rebecca Harris- Amazon Rainforest Conservancy
Marianna Jardim- Center for Strategic and International Studies, Equipe Paulo Gontijo 2022, Associação Comercial do Rio de Janeiro – ACRJ, LIVRES
Savannah Jones- International Republican Institute
Alexander Mayer- United States Institute of Peace
Nicholas “Coty” Novak- Democracy International
Wagner Rodrigues Horta- International Republican Institute, Red Five
Taylor Williams-
Class of 2021
Nicholas Albano
Education: B.A. BYU-Idaho
Interests: Conflict and Democracy Relationship, Ethnic Conflict and Peace, Democratic Backsliding, Nonviolent Movements, Peacebuilding
Alexander Baker
Education: B.A. Political Science & International Studies, University of Kentucky
Interests: Democracy Assistance, Populism in Europe, and Media Development
Maeve Edwards
Education: B.A. Political Science, Minor in Economics, Mary Baldwin University
Interests: Authority, Government, and Political Economy
Marianna Jardim
Education: B.A. Social Communications — Journalism and Minor in International Politics, PUC-Rio
Interests: Electoral Systems, Democratization, Comparative Politics
Augusto Ceasar Pedro Jo
Education: B.A. Philosophy at Arrupe Jesuit School of Philosophy and Humanities – Harare
B.A. Theology at Institut de Théologie de la Compagnie de Jésus ITCJ – Abidjan
Interests: African Politics and Governance
Ruby Karki
Education: B.A. Farleigh Dickinson University
Interests: Civil Society engagement, Political Theory, Development, and the Philosophy of Classical Antiquity.
Joe Laposata
Education: B.A. Government, Minors in Theology and Performing Arts, Georgetown University
Interests: Electoral Fairness, Voting Systems, Democratic Backsliding
Bowen Qi
Education: B.A. Political Science, University of California Irvine
Interests: State Failure, Post-conflict peacebuilding, Rise of Populism & Populist constitutional reform
Michael Bongani Reinders
Education: B.A. Law, University of Pretoria, L.L.B. Honours in Political Science, University of Pretoria L.L.M., University of Pretoria
Interests: Southern African politics, Education policy Reformation, Social justice advocacy, Decolonization
William Ritchey
Education: B.A. Political Science & International Affairs, Minor in History, Certificate in LGBT and Gender Studies, Northern Illinois University
Interests: Conflict and Democracy Relationship, Ethnic Conflict and Peace, Democratic Backsliding, Nonviolent Movements, Peacebuilding
Isabella Wilkinson
Education: BSc International Relations & History with Mandarin Chinese, London School of Economics
Interests: Local Governance, Political Development & State-Building
Class of 2020
Hannah Akuiyibo
Education: B.A. in Political Science, Bob Jones University
Interests: African Politics, U.S.-Africa Policy, Subnational Democratization, Elections, and Public-Private Partnerships
Henry Atem
Education: M.A. Electoral Policy and Administration, School of Advanced Studies, Pisa – Italy. Graduate Certificate, Election Administration, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota
Interests: Strengthening the integrity of election administration
Chris Comer
Education: B.A. Political Science and Entrepreneurship, Miami University
Interests: Southeast Asia, Civic Education, Social Entrepreneurship
William Condon
Education: B.A. Political Science, Sonoma State University, USMC The Basic School, USMC Ground Supply Officer Course, USMC Marine Corps Advisor Course
Interests: Latin America, Corruption, Military Support for Democratic Institutions
Asma Ghribi
Education: Faculté des Lettres, des Arts et des Humanités- Manouba University
Interests: Democratic transitions, Human rights and religious freedom in the Middle East and North Africa region
Yuchu He
Education: B.A. Government and International Relations, BNU-HKBU United International College
Interests: Asia and the Middle East; Democratization; Foreign Policy; Public Opinion and Civil Society
Joe Cho-Han Hsiung
Education: B.A. Political Science, National ChengChi University
Interests: East Asian politics, Cross-strait relations, Democratization, Political parties
Matison Hearn-Desautels
Education: B.A. Political Science & International Studies, Bryn Mawr College
Interests: Middle East and African politics, States and Human Rights
Grayson Lewis
Education: B.A. Political Science, Certificate in History, Minor in War and Society, Virginia Tech
Interests: US National Security Process, Disinformation, Political Parties
Ben Lynch
Education: B.A. Philosophy & Political Science, concentration in International Relations, Rice University
Interests: Technology and Governance, Democratic Transitions, Post-Conflict and Failed States, Political Theory
Hashim Pasha
Education: B.A. International Relations & Arabic, Tufts University
Interests: Diplomacy, Negotiation, Anti-Corruption, Elections, South Asia, Middle East
James Placius
Education: B.A. In International Politics, Penn State University
Interests: International Security, U.S. foreign and defense policy, Democracy and Post-conflict reconstruction policies
Habiba Shebita
Education: B.A. Political Science & Middle Eastern Studies, Minor in International Relations, Rutgers University
Interests: Middle East, U.S. Foreign Policy, Transitional Governments, Democratization, and Human Rights
Class of 2019
Riaz Akbar
Education: Forman Christian College
Interests: Democracy promotion and the politics of South Asia and Middle East.
Rick Ferreira
Education: B.A. Political Science, University of Florida, Certificate of specialization in International Relations.
Interests: International Relations, Political Theory, Security, Sino-Russian Politics, Russo-Japanese Politics, Historical Evolution, Democratic Diffusion, Populism.
Han Wool Jung
Education: B.A. International Political Economy, Pennsylvania State University
Interests: Effect of corruption on the process of international democracy. Future of political relationship between Asia and the Western world.
Abby Parish
Education: B.S. in Political Science and Cultural and Global Studies; Middle East and Islamic Studies, Central Michigan University.
Interests: Democratization of the Middle East, Authoritarianism, Rule of Law, Elections, and Human Rights.
Avram Reisman
Education: Colby College 2013- political philosophy.
Interests: Democratic stability, democracy as development, civil strife.
Allison Schlossberg
Education: B.A. International Affairs from The George Washington University.
Interests: Corruption, Electoral Reform, Political Parties/Institutions, Latin America.
Katie LaRoque
Education: B.A. Political Science & Government, Mount Holyoke College
Interests: International development, business development, democratic transitions, Eurasia, elections, competitive authoritarianism
Class of 2018
Manuel Ayulo
Education: B.A. Political Science and Government, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
Interests: Contentious Politics, Corruption, Natural Resources, Institutionalization
Ryan Bennet
Education: B.A. Political Science/ International Relations, UC San Diego
Interests: Elections, civic engagement, conflict resolution, disinformation, regions: Asia-Pacific, Europe and Eurasia.
Evan Chiacchiaro
Education: BA in International Relations, Tufts University
Interests: American democracy, democratic transitions in the Middle East, global authoritarianism and populism
Kate Kizer
Education:
B.A. Middle Eastern and North African Studies, UCLA
Interests:
Accountability and Justice, Intersection of Political Violence and Governance, U.S. Foreign Policy
Dessy Raufiana Pramit
Education: Bachelor of Political Science, Universitas Indonesia, MA in Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University
Interests: Asian Politics, Elections, Political Parties, Ethnic Politics, Corruption
Emerald Litke
Education: B.A. Political Science, Minors: French and German, University of Mississippi
Interests: U.S. Foreign policy, International Government Relations, Democratic and Authoritarian Processes, Human Rights, U.S. Military Relations
Class of 2017
Monica O’Hearn
Education: B.A., Romance Languages and Literature, University of Notre Dame
M.A., Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2016)
Interests: Transparency and Anti-corruption, advocacy, Civil society strengthening, Social accountability
Sundar Ramanu
Education: B. Tech in Electrical Engineering, Shiv Nadar University, India (2015), M.A. in Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2017)
Interests: Role of constitutions and courts in shaping rule of law and the political economy, political institutions, immigration.
Yufei Zhang
Education: B.A. Theatre Arts and Filmmaking, Hainan University, China (2010) M.A. Media, City University of Hong Kong (2011)
Interests: Political Institutions, Quantitative Data Analysis, Macro-economics
Class of 2016
Lauren Burke
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL
Interests:
Entrepreneurship, Local democracy
Tyler Knarr
Education:
B.A. Government, Arabic and a Certificate in Arab Studies, Georgetown University
Interests:
Democratization, political transitions and development, politics in the Middle East.
Sam Maynard
Education:
B.A. Political Science (Honors), Manmouth University, New Jersey
Interests:
Argentine politics and party institutionalization, democratic transitions, and authoritarianism.
Javier Pena
Education:
B.S. International Politics, Georgetown University
Interests:
Human Rights, Latin America, and Religion
Sibghat Ullah
Education:
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.), University of The Punjab, Certificate in Policy and Program Development, Johns Hopkins University
Interests:
Democratization of sub-national level governance bodies, formal recognition and modernization of existing traditional civil society institutions.
Cabell Willis
Education:
B.A. History, minors in Writing, French, and Philosophy, Virginia Military Institute.
Interests:
Education and democratic development, religion and government, freedom of press, speech, and thought; political parties; civil society
Class of 2015
Ugur Altundal
Education:
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2015)
Political Science and Public Administration, Middle East Technical University,
Interests:
Democratic theory, political legitimacy, and multiculturalism
Matthew Mainuli
Education:
B.A. English Literature and French, Trinity College
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2015)
Interests:
Democratic transitions, Middle East and North Africa, political philosophy.
Kellen McClure
Education:
Political Science, University of Vermont
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2015)
Interests:
Africa, civil society development, U.S. democracy and governance policy, ethical leadership
Maria Regina Reis
Education:
Law – UnB, Universidade de Brasília, Brazil
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2015)
Interests:
Corruption
Weiyi Wang
Education:
B.A. Politics and Administration, China University of Political Science and Law
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2015)
Interests:
Civil society in China and Sino-EU relations
Class of 2014
Jonathan Evans
Education:
B.A. Music, Brigham Young University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2014)
Interests:
European Integration, United Kingdom, Democracy and Governance
Kaitlyn Creegan
Education:
B.A. Rutgers University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2014)
Languages:
English
Claire Robertson
Education:
B.A. Political Science & International Relations, University of Pennsylvania
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2014)
Interests:
Civil Society, Political Parties, Local Government
Kate Krueger
Education:
B.A. Political Science, International Affairs & Italian Studies, Saint Louis University (2012)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2014)
Languages:
English
Meagan Moody
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Wellsley University (2012)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2014)
Interests:
National Security, Women’s Leadership, Education Reform
Adam Peterson
Education:
B.A. Anthropology, St. Mary’s University (2006)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2014)
Languages:
English, Spanish
Erika Hernandez
Education:
B.A. International Relations, Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City (2006)
ICPSR program in Quantitative Methods of Social Research (2014)
Interests:
Democracy Promotion, Civil Society, Research Methods
Class of 2013
Josh Linden
Education:
B.A. International Affairs, James Madison University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2013)
Interests:
Elections and electoral systems, transitional states, Africa, innovative tools for social organizing and citizen advocacy.
Eli Lovely
Education:
B.A. International Relations, Wheaton College (MA)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2013)
Interests:
Political risk analysis, economic and political development, US-Turkey relations.
Andrea Murta
Education:
Social Communications and Journalism, Federal University of Minas Gerais
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2013)
Interests:
U.S. foreign relations, Middle Eastern politics, political science, journalism.
Rachel Santos
Education:
B.A. International Relations, African Studies, University of California – Davis
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2013)
Interests:
Post-conflict reconstruction, institution-building and civil society, Africa.
Patrick Sell
Education:
B.A. Political Science, University of Florida (2007)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2013)
Languages: English
Stephany Warner
Education:
B.A. Political Science, English, SUNY Binghamton
Interests:
The impact of religion on civil society and governance.
Trishna Velamoor
Education:
B.A. Political Science (Law, Societies, and Justice), University of Washington
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2013)
Class of 2012
Genève Bergeron
Education:
B.A. Government, Georgetown University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
Arabic, English
Shuang Bin
Education:
B.A. Philosophy, Wuhan University, China
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
Chinese, English
Ayesha Chugh
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Scripps College
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
English, French, Hindi
Robert Colvin
Education:
B.A. Political Science, History, Washington University in St. Louis
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
Arabic, English, French
Linsey Crisler
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Brigham Young University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
English, Spanish
Imara Crooms
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Rutgers
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Kevin Dunlevy-Wilson
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Philosophy, Colorado State University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georget
Languages:
English, Spanish
Santiago Edwards
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Public Policy, Universidad Diego Portales
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
English, Spanish
Drew Gripp
Education:
B.A. International Relations, History, University of Delaware
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
Arabic, English, German
Chris Jackson
Education:
B.A. Government and Politics, University of Maryland – College Park
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
English, Italian
Sookyung Koo
Education:
Political Science, Ewha Womans University (Korea); American University in Washington, D.C.
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
English, Korean, Chinese
Jungmin Lee
Education:
Political Science and Diplomacy, Pukyong National University (Korea)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
English, Korean
Yuan Li
Education:
TV Production, Communication University of China
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
English, German, Mandarin
John Morrill
Education:
B.A. Political Science, University of California-Irvine (2006)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
English, Thai
Liza Prendergast
Education:
B.A. History, The George Washington University (2005)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Languages:
English, French
Daniel Steiman
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Bucknell University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2012)
Class of 2011
Colleen Bickel
Education:
B.A. Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University
Languages: English
Deborah Brown
Education:
B.A. Political Science/Human Rights, Barnard College, Columbia University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2011)
Languages:
Arabic, English, French
Maggie Brown
Education:
B.A. Politics, The Catholic University of America
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2011)
Languages:
English, French
Marcelo Buitron
Education:
B.A. Political Science and Economics, Vassar College
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2011)
Languages:
English, Italian, Spanish
Elizabeth Cutler
Education:
B.A. Politics, Occidental College
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2011)
Languages:
English, Spanish
Osama Eisa
Education:
B.A. Political Science and History, Rochester Institute of Technology
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2011)
Languages:
Arabic, English, Japanese
David Jandura
Education:
B.A. Political Science, North Carolina State University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2011)
Languages:
Arabic, English, French
Mariel McKone Leonard
Education:
B.A. International Relations and Religion, College of William & Mary
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2011)
Languages:
English, French
Zvisinei Sandi
Education:
Political Philosophy, University of Zimbabwe
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2011)
Languages:
Arabic, English, French, Shona
Meghan Stringer
Education:
B.A. Sociology, Hamilton College (2007)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2011)
Languages:
English, French, Japanese
Samuel Tadros
Education:
B.A. Political Science, International Relations, The American University in Cairo
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2011)
Languages:
Arabic, English
Guillermo Vallejo
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Loyola University Chicago
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2011)
Languages:
English, Italian, Spanish
Class of 2010
Lara Alameh
Education:
B.A. Middle East Studies, George Washington University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2010)
Languages:
Arabic, English
Deborah Alimi
Education:
B.A. Humanities Studies, Sorbonne (2007)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2010)
Languages:
English, French, Spanish
Denis Cosgrove
Education:
B.A. Politics, The Catholic University of America (2004)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2010)
Languages:
English, Italian, Spanish
Dylan Diggs
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Johns Hopkins University (2008)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2010)
Languages: English
Melinda Haring
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Grove City College
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2010)
Languages:
English, Russian
Kitty Kaletsky
Education:
English Literature, Oxford University
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2010)
Languages:
English, French
Christopher Knox
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Stetson University (2006)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2010)
Languages: English
Danielle Pearl
Education:
B.A. International Affairs, University of Georgia (2006)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2010)
Languages:
English, French, German
Lindsay Robinson
Education:
B.A. Political Science and International Relations, Dickinson College (2008)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2010)
Languages: English
Andrea Salerno
Education:
B.A. Management of Public Administrations, Università Commerciale ‘Luigi Bocconi’ (2004)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2010)
Languages:
English, Spanish
Emily Siedlak
Education:
B.A. Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs, Miami University (2008)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2010)
Languages:
English, Spanish
Class of 2009
Mohammed Al-Ghanim
Education:
B.A. Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies, Tufts University (2008)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2009)
Languages:
English, Arabic
Ellen Magnarelli
Education:
B.A. Political Science and Government, Le Moyne College (2006)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2009)
Languages:
English, French, Italian, Spanish
Austan Mogharabi
Education:
B.A. Political Science and Government, Claremont McKenna College (2007)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2009)
Languages: English
Ieva Notturno
Education:
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2009)
Languages: English
Jack Santucci
Education: B.A. Political Science, McGill University (2005), M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2009) Ph.D. Government, Georgetown University (2017)
Languages: English, French, Italian, Spanish
Ruici Tio
Education:
B.A. Political Science, The University of Chicago (2005)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2009)
Languages:
English, German, Spanish, Indonesian
Anand Varghese
Education:
B.A. English Literature, Media Studies & Psychology, Christ College, Bangalore, India (2005)
B.A. Journalism & Mass Communication, Arizona State University (2007)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2009)
Languages:
English, Hindi, Malayalam
Andrew Vasile
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Boston College (2006)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2009)
Languages:
English, Spanish
Miki Wilkins
Education:
B.A. Government, Georgetown University (2001)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2009)
Languages:
English, Arabic, Greek, Spanish, French, Turkish
Johanna Womer Benjamin
Education:
B.A. Political Science, Boston University (2005)
M.A. Democracy and Governance, Georgetown University (2009)
Languages: English
Class of 2008
Daniel Adams
Caitlin Helfrich
Jennifer Hollinger
Kyle Layman
Andrew Mandelbuam
Christopher Neu
Evan Smith
Erin Spitzer