Past Scholarship Recipients
Josephine Blatny, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Sean Lopez, Stockton University
Kent Ninomiya, University of Texas at Austin
Susie Saleem, Union College
Zachary Welch, Wheaton College (Illinois)
Rebekah Vaughn (Gardner-Webb University)
Shay Hafner (Monmouth College)
Mary Brantley (Stony Brook University)
Sydney Redford (Towson University)
Elizabeth Sheridan (University of Massachusetts Amherst)
Clara Cullen, Brigham Young University
Target Point Consulting
Elizabeth Sharpe, Meredith College
Marzulla Law
Joshua Chun, Temple University
APAICS Congressional Internship
Sandi Abdelshehed, University of South Florida
The Washington Center
Shay Hafner, Monmouth College
The Fund for American Studies
Kevin Angell (University of Notre Dame)
PhD Program, University of Chicago
Maria Guadalupe Partida (St. Mary’s University, San Antonio)
Master’s Program, University of Texas – Austin
Ariana Scott (Seton Hill University)
Master’s of International Development Program, University of Pittsburgh
Natalie Smith (Rhodes College)
PhD Program, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Gabriel Kelvin (University of California, Berkeley)
Master of Public Policy Program, Harvard Kennedy School
Griffin Petty, Valdosta State University
Office of Congresswoman Dina Titus
Margie Albizures, Marquette University
Society of Public Health Education
Saher Shafiq, Hofstra University
The Washington Center
Sophia Gerth, Elon University
National Immigration Forum
Veronica Uribe-Kessler, Smith College
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Christina Walker (Oakland University)
PhD Program, Purdue University
David Westby (Tufts University)
PhD Program, University of Chicago
Lyndi Tsering (Wheaton College)
MA Program, Georgetown University
Margaret Poulos (Macalester College)
MPP Program, Duke University
Not awarded.
Sarah Aldrige (Appalachian State University)
MA Program, American University
Jessica Budlong (Cornell College)
MA Program, University of Denver
Michael DeBarge (Providence College)
MA Program, London School of Economics
Ghazi Ghazi (Oakland University)
MA Program, Harvard University
Sean Jankowski (Valdosta State University)
PhD Program, University of Georgia
Abby Korb (Ripon College)
MA Program, American University University
Daniel Soucy (Saint Joseph’s University)
MA Program, Tufts University
Anna Weissman (Tufts University)
PhD Program, University of California, Berkeley
Abby Korb, Ripon College
Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues
Summer 2019
Brooke Marie Hebb, Oakland University
Office of Senator Gary Peters
Summer 2019
Sara Oros, Gannon University
The Washington Center
Fall 2019
Kaitlyn Steinhiser, Valparaiso University
Office of Rep Peter Visclosky
Fall 2019
Caitlyn Kelleher, Adelphi University
TWC
Fall 2019
Kadijatou Diallo (Temple University)
MA Program, Harvard University
Aleana R. Smith (Brigham Young University)
PhD Program, Stanford University
Daniela Rojas Medina (Penn State University)
MA Program, Georgetown University
Sydney D. Samples (Simpson College)
MA Program, Middlebury Institute of International Studies
Austin Barraza (California State University, Fullerton)
PhD Program, Northeastern University
Richard Williamson, Oakland University
Office of Senator Debbie Stabenow, Summer 2018
Joseph Nolan, Hartwick College
Amanda Leigh Botts, Oklahoma State University
Lillian Clark Haddock, Middle Tennessee State University
Alexander Johnson, Utah State University
House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federal Lands, Summer 2018
Amy Benner, University of South Florida
Zoe Bouras, Illinois Wesleyan University
Joshua Koss, Oakland University
Jennica Saunders, Morgan State University
Alexander Trubowitz, Tufts University
Maryam Sarhan, Stockton University
Office of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Summer 2017
Katie Deutsch, Wichita State University
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Summer 2017
Amy Gilmore, Walsh University
iACT (student activism organization), Fall 2017
Kiana D. Daw, Texas Christian University
Office of Congressman Marc Veasey, Fall 2017
Courtney Blackington, College of William & Mary
Rachael Houston, Coastal Carolina University
Will Freeman, Tufts University
Emma Keiski, St. Olaf College
Luka Klimaviciute, University of Richmond
Sierra Bulson, Grand Valley State University
Office of Congressman Dan Kildee, Summer 2016
Soren Schmidt, Brigham Young University
Office of Senator Jeff Blake, Summer 2016
Charlotte Nichols, University of Mississippi
Office of Senator Lamar Alexander, Summer 2016
Lea Carroll, Walsh University
The Washington Center, Fall 2016
Makayla Cheyenne DePoy, Valparaiso University
Center for American Progress, Fall 2016
Jia-Siang Leong, Jacksonville University
Kumar Ramanathan, Tufts University
Sean Leong, Rice University
Amanda Robinson, Hartwick College
Molly Lawrence, Temple University
Urban Institute, DC Tutoring and Mentoring Initiative, Summer 2015
Laura Rose Donegan, University of New Hampshire
Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition, Summer 2015
Catherine (Katie) Simons, Oakland University
National Association of Schools of Public Administration and Affairs, Summer 2015
Elizabeth Rilling, Adelphi University
Washington Center Internship Fall 2015
Briana Bills, University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina Washington Semester Program, Fall 2015
Joshua Cooper, Brigham Young University
Office of Senator Mike Lee, Fall 2015
Andew Podob, University of Maryland
Jamel Love, CUNY-John Jay College
Elizabeth McGuire, Brigham Young University
C. James Peranteau, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Madeleine E. Bailey, Texas Christian University
Henry “Cole” Hassay, John Carroll University
Intern, Office of Congressman Bill Johnson, Summer 2014
MacKenzie A. Gailey, Florida Southern College
Oksana M. Carlier, Winona State University
John Curiel, Ohio Northern University
Taylor Feenstra, College of William & Mary
KaLeigh White, University of Northern Iowa
Robert Puckett, Transylvania University
John Curiel, Ohio Northern University
International Economic Development Council, Fall 2013
Daniel Badalamente, Winona State University
Finance Intern, Office of Delegate Heather Mizeuer, Summer 2013
Brian Roberts, Adelphi University
Brody Garland, Montclair State University
Jose Torres, California State University, Fullerton
League of United American Citizens, Summer 2013
Michael Zeller, University of Louisville
Dana Berardi, Cabrini College
Patricia Donahoe, University of New Hampshire
Emma Land, Texas Christian University
Ani-Rae Lovell, College of William & Mary
Jacquelyn Rogers, Millikin University
Jacob Brown, Emory University
John DiIulio, University of Pennsylvania
Valeriya Kamenova, Ramapo College of New Jersey
Nicole Yadon, University of Michigan
James Gibbons, University at Buffalo
Ashley Holst, Drury University
Kristen Morrow, Adelphi University
Terez Varkonyi, Temple University
Talley Wood, Wake Forest University
David Anderson, Eastern Kentucky University
Caroline Sutliffe, Smith College
Seth Sykora-Bodie, Slippery Rock University
Michael Alilionis, Hofstra University
Kelly Lynn Boles, Vanderbilt University
Andrea Forward, SUNY Cortland
Fallon (Kortmann) Szczur, Rutgers University
Jessica Lamendola, SUNY Oneonta
Matthew Wiseman, Ohio Northern University
Cyrus Aghamolla, University of Maryland-College Park
Stefanie M. Costa, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Elizabeth M. Livengood, Emory University
Emily E. Toops, University of Pennsylvania
Bryan O’Brien, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth
Patrick Pratt, Middle Tennessee State University
Sally Anne Stenzel, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Benjamin Bohr, University of California-Irvine
Lesley Cole, Whittier College
Stephen Herzog, Knox College
David Waterman, George Washington University
Juli Digate, Ball State University
Samuel Michaelson, Towson University
Noah Schwartz, Vanderbilt University
Ryan Stillion, Capital University
Christina Chauvenet, Wake Forest University
Benjamin Pasquale, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ashley Pichon, Hofstra University
Joshua Potter, Creighton University
Timothy Ryan, Tufts University
Hollie R. Blake, Winthrop University
Erica L. Smith, Arkansas State University
Jonathan I. P. Yaseem, Northern Arizona University
Jordan Mosiah Bradley, Boise State University
Jessica Lynne Guiney, Fitchburg State University
Jaime Elizabeth Settle, University of Richmond
Ashley Pichon, Hofstra University
Adam Reiser, University of Utah
Devin Rhinerson, Emory University
Meggin Rutherford, Austin College
Luke Wake, Elon University
Stephanie Burchard, University of New Orleans
Kristen Hudak, Mercyhurst College
Michael Woodruff, Emory University
Matthew Fischer, Loyola College of Maryland
Mike Kung, University of California, San Diego
Mary-Kate Lizotte, Providence College
Medlir Mema, Utah State University
Andrea Morrison, University of Houston
FIRST YEAR
Ryan Thomas Balis, Mary Washington College
Daniel Mark Butler, Brigham Young University
Agnes Judit Csicsai, Knox College
Delynn Nicole Davidson, Austin College
Anna Marie Manasco, Emory University
SECOND YEAR
Sara Jackson, Emory University
Gönül Tol, Florida International University
FIRST YEAR
Francisco Manuel Gomes, Denison University
Emma Geismar Greenman, George Washington University
Jennifer Lee Gullingsrud, University of Idaho
Sara Jackson, Samford University
SECOND YEAR
Michael G. Findley, Utah State University
Jim Kessler Tomtania, East Carolina University
FIRST YEAR
Lisa Marie Carroll, Purdue University
Todd Patrick Fox, Le Moyne College
Anna Maria Krasniewska, University of the South (Sewanee)
Neelesh Laxmikant Nerurkar, University of Oklahoma
Heather Louise Ondercin, Eastern Michigan University
SECOND YEAR
Cara Lynn Allison, Maxwell School/Syracuse University
Sarah Elizabeth Croco, University of Michigan
Cara Allison, Mary Washington College
Mark A. Lynch, Illinois State University
Asher Rivner, University of Georgia
Bethany Lynn Spencer, Capital University
Brent Whitaker, Stephen F. Austin State University
Gladys Annette Ganiel, Providence College
Aaron Zachariah Hale, Texas A&M University, Commerce
Jennifer Lee Hildreth, University of Notre Dame
Neil G. Ruiz, University of California, Berkeley
Daniel Andrew Weiss, University of Pittsburgh
Benjamin Deufel, Wabash College
Kirk Greer, Kenyon College
Magda Hinojosa, University of Texas at Austin
Wesley Hussey, University of California, Irvine
Rachel Seher, The College of William and Mary
Susan L. Blewett, University of Louisville
Justin M. Harrison, West Virginia University
Laura B. Jaworski, Syracuse University
Kevin M. Scott, University of Oklahoma
Anthony L. Zuco, Hofstra University
Erin Kaheny, New Mexico State University
J. Quin Monson, Brigham Young University
Marie A. Witting, Purdue University-Calumet
Allison Spitzer, Florida Atlantic University
2021 Best Undergraduate Honors Theses
FIRST PLACE:
The Impact of Institutions on Access to Voting on US Reservations and Tribal Lands
Sela Dragich, Georgetown University
RUNNER-UP:
Social Capital and Disasters: A Study of Post-Hurricane Behavior & Attitudes in the United States
Lee Hughes, University of Vermont
Instrumental vs. Expressive: A Study of Voter Behavioral Models Through the Lens of Identity in the 2016 Presidential Election
Kaitlyn Fales, Bryant University
2021 Best Undergraduate Paper
FIRST PLACE:
Violence Against Journalists in Mexico
Dillon Schweers, University of Mary Washington
RUNNER-UP:
Fiscally Floundering or Credibly Conscientious? Are the States Living Within Their Means?
Christopher Alhorn, University of Alabama in Huntsville
Implied Consent: A Review of Judicial Process and Constitutional Law
Brendon Camp, Lamar University
2017 Best Undergraduate Honor Theses
FIRST PLACE:
To Trust or Not to Trust? Is That the Question?
John Miller, Georgetown University
RUNNER-UP:
Exploring ‘The Compassion Gap:’ An Analysis of Gender and Support for Foreign Assistance in Congress
Emily Breakell, College of the Holy Cross
Dixiecrats and Republicans: The Changing Political Landscape of the Florida Panhandle
Georgia Pevy, University of South Florida
2017 Best Undergraduate Class Papers
FIRST PLACE:
A Curious Trinity: War, Media, and Public Opinion
Laura Olson, US Air Force Academy
RUNNER-UP:
Ideological Magnetism, or Recoiling” Are Votes Influenced by Alignment or Opposition
Eric Burgess, Oakland University
A Comparison of Female Conscription: Israel versus the United States
Kendall Parker, University of Mary Washington
2016 Best Undergraduate Honor Theses
FIRST PLACE:
When Does Counterinsurgency Work? An Analysis of Counterinsurgency Campaigns After 1945
Maryum Alam, Hofstra University
RUNNER-UP:
Flip-Flopping Politicians: How Voters Punish and Reward Changing Opinion
Sophie Laing, Tufts University
Exploring ‘The Compassion Gap:” An Analysis of Gender and Support for Foreign Assistance in Congress
Mallary Taylor, Furman University
2016 Best Undergraduate Class Papers
FIRST PLACE:
Why Intervene: Influences on US Military Intervention
Elizabeth Kafer, Creighton University
RUNNER-UP:
Holding Culture Close: How Immigration Faciliates the Rise of the European Right
Christopher Dopuch, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Explaining the Emergence of Populism: Political Parties, the State, and the Crises of Representation in Venezuela and Chile
Will Freeman, Tufts University
2015 Best Undergraduate Honor Theses
FIRST PLACE:
User Not Found: The Dynamics of Egyptian Political Parties and Islamist Groups on Twitter
Dennis Quinn, Georgetown University
RUNNER-UP:
Uprooted and Unsettled: A Comparative Analysis of the Protracted Displacement of Azerbaijanis and
Palestinians
Matej Jungwirth, Beloit College
Explaining Support for Authoritarianism in New Democracies
Andrew Goss, University of Vermont
2015 Best Undergraduate Class Papers
Award not given
2009 Best Undergraduate Honors Thesis
FIRST PLACE:
Beyond Modernization Theory: Democracy and Development in Latin America
Peter Johannessen, University of Vermont.
RUNNER-UP:
Manly Women: A Look at the Effects of Masculine Qualities on Women’s Political Progress
Audrey Curtis, Dominican University of California.
The Bench or the Benjamins: An Analysis of Judicial Recruitment and the Effects of Inadequate Compensation on the Federal Judiciary
Joseph Hack, Georgetown University.
2005 Best Undergraduate Honors Thesis
FIRST PLACE:
UnderstandinG Civil Liberties Judgments after September 11: An Experimental Study
Chase Samples, Furman University
RUNNER-UP:
Affecting Citizen Satisfaction: Transitions to Mixed-Member Electoral Systems in Latin America and the Effects on Citizen Satisfaction
Jason Eichorst, Texas A&M University
Amoral Liberals, Liberal Democrats, and Moral Republicans: Some Explanations for the Democratic Party’s Apparent Debility
Jacqueline Chattopadhyay, University of California-Irvine
2000 Best Undergraduate Class Papers
FIRST PLACE:
The Determinants of Labor PAC Allocation to Incumbent Congressional Candidates 1996-1998
Brandon Fitzsimmons, Creighton University
RUNNER-UP:
Political Women: Participation, Orientation and Party Identification
Sara Barokas, University of Mary Washington
A Breath of Fresh Air in Northeast Asia/A Proposed Revision to US-Japan Defense Guidelines
Cadet Guyton Lee Robinson, U. S. Military Academy
2000 Best Undergraduate Honors Thesis
FIRST PLACE:
The Silent Constitution: An Argument Toward Developing a Conception of our Silent Constitution
Christopher Joseph Roche, Johns Hopkins University
Better Bitch than Mouse: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Feminism, and VMI
Carey Olney, Centenary College of Louisiana
RUNNER-UP:
At the Will of the Party: A Study of Political Liberalization in China during the 1990’s
Michael Mell, Connecticut College
1999 Best Undergraduate Class Papers
FIRST PLACE:
Early Warning: A Collective Measure for the Prevention of Ethnic Conflict
Amy Nelson, Moorhead State University
RUNNER-UP:
Has the Shooting Begun? A Test of the Culture War Theory on the Issue of Gay Rights
Mari K. Bonthius, St. Olaf College
Gaining Support through Casework: A Quantitative Study of Contractors and the Support They Give Their Representative
Edwin W. Egee V, Mary Washington College
1999 Best Undergraduate Honors Thesis
FIRST PLACE:
A Living Past, a Dying Present: An Analysis of Nationalism, National Identity and Ethnopolitics in the Conflict between Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina
Jennifer L. Tate, Southwestern University
RUNNER-UP:
The Effect of Political Factors, Economic Conditions, and PAC Contributions on U. S. Senate Votes Concerning Chinese MFN Status in the Post-Tianamen Square Era
D. Michael Nardis, Georgetown University
Secular vs. Spiritual: The Development of the State in Medieval Political Thought
Julia Tyurina, University of Arkansas
1996
FIRST PLACE:
Responding to Hate Speech: The Appropriateness of Discriminatory Harassment Codes in College Communities
Mary Carolyn Harris, University of the South (Sewanee)
RUNNER-UP:
The Role of the Speaker, the Chair of the Education Committee, and Other Mechanisms Involved in the Legislative Journey of School Choice Through the North Carolina House of Representatives
Brian Christopher Castrucci, North Carolina State University
Breaking Gender Barriers: Women’s Committee Assignments in the House from the 90th to 104th Congresses
Shari Knoerzer, Nebraska Wesleyan University
1997
FIRST PLACE:
The Cultivation of the Soul and the Just Society: The State of the Self in Maslow and Plato
Michael Todd Sansbury, The University of the South (Sewanee)
RUNNER-UP:
Feminists and Conservative Women: From the Time of ERA to the Present
Anne E. Daugherty, University of Mary Washington
Educating Tomorrow’s Citizens
Iara Duarte Peng, Rollins College
1995
Need There Be a Taming of the News? How the Mass Media Affect U. S. Foreign Policy
David Campbell, Brigham Young University