Applications for the Spring 2026 – Fall 2026 cohort will be open from October 1-15, 2025.

To submit your application, please have ready the following:

1. Resume

2. Personal Statement: Why do you want to join the SLP? In 500 words or less explain why you are applying to this program. Your answer should address your interests in security issues, qualifications (e.g. skills, internship/ work experiences, relevant upper-level courses), and how the program fits your academic and career goals.

3. An unofficial copy of your transcript (this should show all grades received in completed courses)

4.Writing Sample:  a short (500 words or less) sample of your writing uploaded as a PDF.

5. An optional lived experiences statement

6. Two UGA professors to serve as references (no letter needed)

Please direct all questions to Dr. Maryann Gallagher ([email protected]), Director of the SLP.

In the first semester of the SLP, students enroll in INTL 4415: Practicum–Methods and Issues in Security Studies. In this seminar-style course, students practice the policy memo writing, analysis, and oral briefing skills necessary for careers in security, and put them to the test in a 2-week simulation of the US National Security Council. They are also introduced to grant writing and write a grant proposal to further the mission of CITS.

In the second semester, students enroll in INTL 4425R: Advanced Research in International Security Policy, where they complete a faculty-supervised independent research project on an issue relevant to national, international, or human security. All students present their research at an academic conference and many submit their research for publication in undergraduate journals. See the “Independent Research Projects” link below for titles of recent projects.

SLP fellows have the opportunity to attend the annual CITS in DC Spring Break trip alongside students from the Master of International Policy program. While the itinerary for the trip varies from year to year, past trips have included visits to meet with practitioners from security-relevant government agencies (Department of State, Department of Energy/NNSA, Department of Commerce, Department of Defense, FBI, and intelligence agencies), think-tanks (Center for Strategic &  International Studies, Brookings Institute, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, CNAS), and government contractors.

In addition to the skills focus of the SLP, students participate in a professionalization series intended to prepare their application materials for internships, jobs, and post-graduation opportunities. Students also meet with alumni and visitors throughout the year, and participate in events hosted by the Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security.

Vikram Bharadwaj

Vikram Bharadwaj is a third-year Honors student studying political science and health promotion, with additional studies in Japanese, public health, and international affairs. This past summer, he interned with the ACLU of Georgia in its Policy and Advocacy division and with the American Heart Association in its Policy division. His passion for analytical, policy-focused research has taken him from Havana to Tokyo: at SPIA’s Undergraduate Research Colloquium, he presented work on global governance, and in Japan he examined how top-down health policies shape the well-being of urban youth. He has also collaborated with the Centers for Disease Control, analyzing preventive public health policies in metropolitan areas. On campus, Vikram serves as Senior Editor and Treasurer for the Georgia Political Review and is an award-winning Model UN delegate. He plans to advance his expertise in public health policy after graduation, ultimately pursuing a career in law.

Tessa Butterworth

Tessa Butterworth is a fourth-year honors student at the University of Georgia majoring in International Affairs and Sociology, with a minor in Chinese Language and Literature and a Global Studies Certificate. At UGA, Tessa is involved with the Center for Global and Cultural Student Engagement as an Orientation Leader and serves as a Family Group Leader in the Asian American Student Association. Her passion for diverse cultures and global identity has taken her to Scotland, Italy, Korea, and Oxford for study abroad programs. In Scotland and Italy, she conducted independent research, utilizing literary analysis and qualitative methods to compose comprehensive research papers on Scotland’s sustainable practices and Women’s Rights in the EU. She is also an alumna of the UGA at Oxford and the Yonsei Summer School programs, where she studied international relations, psychology, and Korean. Tessa’s research interests are interdisciplinary, focusing on how identities are formed and negotiated across borders. She recently worked as a research assistant on a cultural sustainability project exploring sashiko, a traditional Japanese stitching method. This semester, she plans to further her research experience with the culmination of two theses: one focusing on international students, and the other examining Asian-American bicultural identity. She plans to pursue a PhD to further explore the overlap of identity, culture, and society.

Daniella Davydenko

Daniella Davydenko is a fourth-year Honors student from Marietta, GA, majoring in Economics with a concentration in Public Policy and Business Analytics, and a minor in Law, Jurisprudence, and the State. Last year, Daniella had the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy with the SPIA a Firenze program, where she took classes on religion, international affairs and the EU and engaged with local security issues. This past summer, she worked at Blasingame, Burch, Garrard and Ashley P.C. in Athens. Daniella is also a dedicated fellow of the UGA Law Undergraduate Fellowship program, reflecting her commitment to exploring the intersections of law, public policy, and global affairs. After graduation, Daniella plans to pursue a Juris Doctor, focusing on International Law, and hopes to blend her experience in economics, law, and international affairs to advance global human security.

Nupur Desai

Nupur Desai is a third-year International Affairs major at UGA from Marietta, GA. She is minoring in International Human Rights & Security, as well as pursuing her Master in International Policy through the DoubleDawgs program. This past summer, Nupur interned at British Standards Institute (BSI) as a Research Associate for the Middle East and Africa region, and she is continuing this internship for the 2025-26 school year. She has also participated in the GLOBIS Ireland Study Abroad Program, studying human rights and post-conflict societies through the lens of the Irish Troubles. Her study abroad sparked her interest in human rights so she continued what she had learned in the GLOBIS Human Rights Research Lab. At UGA, Nupur is set to earn the Undergraduate Certificate in Data Analytics in Public Policy, which provides enhanced training in data collection, data management, data visualization, and data analysis and interpretation with respect to public policy. In her free time, Nupur dances as a member of UGA Asura, a Bollywood-fusion dance team here at UGA. She is also a student in the Jere W. Morehead Honors College, where she is a member of the DEI committee of the Honors Student Council. Concurrent with her studies, she also interns with the Human Rights Measurement Initiative (HRMI), where she aids in the translation of their annual survey to languages like Spanish and Portuguese so that the survey can reach a wider audience. Her research interests include physical integrity rights abuse, state-sponsored terrorism, grassroots propaganda, and intrastate conflict resolution. After graduation, Nupur hopes to pursue a career in national security, specifically pursuing a career in the intelligence field.

Aiden Duffy

Aiden Duffy is a fourth-year student from Marietta, Georgia majoring in Political Science and International Affairs with a minor in Design and Media. Outside of the classroom, Aiden enjoys pursuing his passion for law and public speaking through a variety of extracurriculars. He is an active member UGA’s undergraduate Mock Trial team, serving as a captain and competing across the nation, where UGA has placed as a top fifteen school. Aiden also enjoys working as the creative director of the Defender Advocate Society, helping students understand their rights and opportunities when placed in UGA’s conduct violation process. Through UGA’s Office of Sustainability, Aiden enjoys having a creative outlet in his work as a graphics lead for the strategic communications department. Other recent work includes a summer internship with a criminal defense firm, helping prepare cases at the local level and shadowing litigation in municipal and circuit courts. Upon graduating, Aiden hopes to attend law school, and build upon his experiences at UGA to work in the fields of international law of policymaking.

Samir Handa

Samir Handa is a third-year student from Marietta, Georgia majoring in Biomedical Physiology with minors in Spanish and International Affairs. On campus, he serves as an outreach coordinator for Camp Kesem at UGA, Events Director for the Biomedical Physiology Society, and a student mentor for Thomas Lay After School Programs. He also serves as a legislative fellow for the Representative Spencer Frye Fellowship, a Public Service and Outreach Student Scholar, and a William C. Crane Memorial Scholar. Beyond campus involvement, Samir is a member of the Harbor Lights Lab conducting research on bone tissue engineering for the purpose of better understanding and treating breast cancer bone metastasis. He also volunteers at Athens Heart Center, a local cardiology clinic, and Casa de Amistad. His research interests include emerging biosecurity threats and terrorism. After graduation, Samir hopes to either further pursue his interests in health policy and biosecurity or attend medical school.

Iman Khan

Iman Khan is a fourth-year student majoring in International Affairs, Spanish, Political Science, and Global Languages & Leadership. She is also pursuing minors in Law, Communications, and Human Rights. At UGA, Iman is involved with the Pakistani Student Association, founded and leads a chapter of WCAPS (Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation), and served as a SPIA Ambassador at UGA. Last semester, she was fortunate enough to be a part of the GLOBIS Human Rights Research Lab, where she studied the relationship between native-language instruction and the acquisition of human rights concepts, as well as coding death penalty and digital repression data. In addition to her academic work, Iman serves as a Lead Peer Learning Assistant (PLA), supporting other students in their coursework and academic development. She has also been volunteering as a literacy mentor with Books for Keeps and is currently volunteering in ESOL elementary classrooms this year to support multilingual learners. Additionally, she participated in the GLOBIS study abroad program in Florence, Italy, where she explored issues of food security and women in politics. Iman plans to attend law school after graduation. She hopes to pursue work at the intersection of language, literacy, education, human rights, and law.

Emma Krdzalic

Emma Krdzalic is a fourth-year student at the University of Georgia triple majoring in International Affairs, Political Science, and Russian.  Emma has participated in several study abroad programs, including the SPIA Verona program, where she explored European politics and culture, and Georgia and Armenia in the summer of 2024 as a part of the Russian Flagship Program at UGA, where she advanced her Russian language skills while studying the political dynamics of the Caucasus. She also spent a semester in Washington, D.C. as part of the Washington Semester Program, interning with the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC). At AFPC, she contributed research on Russia, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, with a focus on foreign policy challenges and regional security. Her professional experience also includes an internship with the McCain Institute, where she worked on issues related to political prisoners and human rights advocacy. Most recently, Emma interned with KPMG in Dallas in the Trade and Customs practice, where she gained experience in international business and compliance. She will return to KPMG as a full-time associate in 2026. Through her coursework and internships, Emma has developed a strong interest in the intersections of international security, trade, and human rights, and she plans to continue building a career that combines these fields.

Mikayla Lachowicz

Mikayla Lachowicz is a fourth-year student at the University of Georgia from Falmouth, Massachusetts, pursuing a degree in International Affairs with an emphasis in Security and minors in Spanish and Aerospace Studies. Her topics of interest include terrorism and counterterrorism, military intervention, and the intersection of gender in combat roles. As such, she has presented research, “Interstate Rivalries and State-Sponsored Terrorism: An Overlooked Link in the Study of International Conflict” at the SPIA URC and is looking to study the impact of women in counterinsurgency efforts for her independent research this semester. She currently serves as the Cadet Training Wing Commander for UGA’s Air Force ROTC program, overseeing all training operations and acting as liaison between 75+ cadets and commanding officers and personnel. The Air Force ROTC program recognizes her for outstanding performance and continued commitment to integrity, service, and excellence, earning her a prestigious Commendation Award for Spring 2025, L.G. Hardman Jr. Scholarship Award, and most recently, the 9th Air Force Association’s Memorial Scholarship. Most excitingly, she has received her pilot selection from the U.S. Air Force to commission as a second lieutenant and attend Initial Flight Training upon graduation.

Hannah Lee

Hannah Lee is an international affairs and public relations double major from Newnan, GA. This past summer, she was an undergraduate fellow at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. Through the program, she engaged in nonproliferation and disarmament lectures and conducted research on nuclear waste management. Hannah will continue her study in fall 2025 and hopes it will add insight to the U.S.’s efforts to site a permanent repository. Additionally, she codes Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation for a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded project to build a database addressing FOIA resource challenges. In fall 2025, Hannah began work as a research assistant on a PNNL project looking at the economic impacts of strategic trade controls (STC) for Indonesia. She seeks to understand the benefits of STC systems and their role in nuclear materials security. At UGA, she serves as the managing editor for the Georgia Political Review and is the civic engagement coordinator for the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Political Alliance. Hannah hopes the skills gained through the SLP will help her impact nuclear policy in a public service career.

Francesca Mariano

Francesca Mariano is a fourth-year International Affairs and Political Science double major with a minor in Italian and a certificate in Applied Politics from Atlanta, GA. She serves as the Fellowship Director for the Representative Spencer Frye Fellowship, the Athens-Clarke County Liaison for the Student Government Association, and works as an Office Assistant for the Office of Global Student Engagement. This past summer, Francesca worked as a Legislative Intern in Senator Warnock’s Washington, D.C. Office. Previously, she was a SPIA Ambassador and held roles at an immigration law office and a foreign credential evaluation firm. Francesca hopes to become an elected representative in the future, looking to serve her constituents with comprehensive and intersectional policy that makes a difference in our world.

Nishat Nayla

Nishat Nayla is a fourth-year student from Atlanta, Georgia, pursuing degrees in Economics, International Business, and International Affairs. She is a Georgia Commitment Scholar and currently serves as Chief of Staff for the Student Government Association, where she directs strategic initiatives across the university’s largest student-led organization. Nishat serves on the Student Philanthropy Council within Terry College, has formerly served as a Legislative Fellow in the Representative Spencer Frye Fellowship and spent 5 semesters as a Public Relations Intern with the Georgia Museum of Art. This past summer, Nishat worked as a Forensic and Litigation Consulting Intern in FTI Consulting’s Healthcare Risk Management and Advisory practice. Over 10 weeks, she utilized SQL to analyze high-volume patient and provider datasets to surface compliance risks, assisted with due diligence on healthcare organizations actively involved in regulatory disputes, and developed briefing materials for deposition testimony. Nishat has studied abroad twice, first in Florence through SPIA a Firenze (May 2024), focusing on European politics and religion, and later in Scandinavia (May 2025) with Terry College’s Entrepreneurship Program, where she examined Nordic innovation economies by studying how policy, culture, and institutions foster scalable ventures in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. Her research interests center on the evolving regulatory response to AI-enabled ransomware and how International Financial Institutions influence outcomes in global security. Upon graduation, Nishat aspires to either work in trade compliance or further her education by pursuing a career in law.

William Pace

William Pace is a fourth-year student from Donalsonville, Georgia, pursuing degrees in International Affairs and Russian. As a committed student in UGA’s Russian Flagship Program, he has been deeply engaged in the study of Russian language, culture, and geopolitics since his freshman year. In Spring 2024, William participated in the UGA Washington Semester Program, where he gained hands-on experience in public service and policy-making while interning in the office of U.S. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop. William also contributes to the UGA community as a tour guide for the UGA Visitors Center, where he combines his passion for storytelling and his love for the university to provide engaging campus tours to prospective students and their families. William’s research interests include Russian affairs, American foreign policy, and political disinformation. After graduation, he plans to pursue either further education or a career in the intelligence community.

Mary Wahn

Mary Wahn is a fourth-year student from Marietta, GA, pursuing a dual degree in international affairs and public relations. Last year, Mary had the opportunity to study at the University of Oxford’s Keble College and in Florence, Italy, where she took classes examining political institutions and human security. This past summer, she worked as an intern for The Carter Center’s Rule of Law Program, where she worked on projects around gender equality, the decriminalization of poverty, transitional justice, and more for civil society and government actors in The Gambia and Sierra Leone. On campus, Mary serves as the executive director of the University Judiciary where she acts as an Advisor/Advocate and assists students throughout all stages of the university conduct process. Mary is also the editor-in-chief for Loch Johnson Society’s WIRE, where she edits weekly pieces on current events from around the world. After graduation, Mary hopes to gain experience abroad in West or Central Africa, continue her education in international relations, and eventually pursue a career in journalism.

Alex Whirley

Alex is a fourth-year student from Alpharetta, Georgia, pursuing dual degrees in Political Science (AB) and International Affairs (AB). He is also completing a minor in International Human Rights and Security and a Certificate in Global Studies. Through the Double Dawgs program, he is earning his Master of International Policy (MIP). In the summer of 2024, Alex studied abroad in Ireland and Northern Ireland with UGA’s Center for the Study of Global Issues (GLOBIS), where he explored post-conflict studies and human rights in the context of The Troubles. On campus, he serves as the Director of Communications for UGA’s Alexander Hamilton Society, a non-partisan, student-led organization that promotes constructive debate on foreign policy. Beyond academics, Alex is a section leader in the University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band, where he plays drums. Alex’s research interests include state repression tactics, foreign policy, and security studies. He plans to combine his background in international affairs and policy to pursue a career advancing global human security post-graduation.

Mark Zimmer

Mark Zimmer is a third-year Honors student from Carrollton, GA with majors in Political Science, Economics, and International Affairs. Mark is a member of the Dean William Tate Honor Society. Mark codes demographic data for judiciaries across the world for an NSF-funded project under the guidance of Dr. Gbemende Johnson. Outside the academic sphere, Mark is the Director-General of the UGA Model United Nations Conference, organizing 700 high school students in a weekend-long international policy-based simulation every January. Additionally, Mark is a competition delegate for the UGA Model United Nations Team, awarding in competitions across North America. He is the Executive Director of Engagement for the UGA Student Government Association, organizing events for students and faculty on campus.  Mark recently finished a summer internship in the Office of the District Attorney of the West Georgia Judicial Circuit. Mark is fluent in Spanish, and is excited to conduct research across language barriers in the SLP. In his free time, Mark loves to watch football, soccer, baseball, and the Simpsons. He enjoys an intense game of pickleball and intramural soccer, traveling, and cooking new foods. After graduation, Mark hopes to attend law school with specializations in criminal and constitutional law.

Jack Abreu

Jack Abreu is a fourth-year student at the University of Georgia from Suwanee, Georgia, pursuing a degree in International Affairs with an emphasis in Security. Jack is currently a member of the Chi Psi Fraternity and a cadet in the Air Force ROTC program, where he now serves as the Cadet Deputy Training Group Commander. In Summer 2024, Jack graduated from Field Training, a rigorous three-week military encampment, with the Warrior Spirit Award, an honor given to one cadet per flight. Jack is also a recipient of the You Can Fly scholarship, which has supported his pursuit of aviation training. He has logged over 20 hours in the cockpit. In Summer 2025, he returned to Field Training leading efforts to deliver individualized feedback to over 1,300 trainees. Jack was recently selected for a pilot slot through the Air Force Rated Board and will commission as a second lieutenant into the United States Air Force following his graduation from UGA.

Josie Bond

Josie Bond is a third-year student from Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in International Affairs and minoring in Criminal Justice. Josie is pursuing a career in international criminal investigative work. In order to support this goal, beyond her coursework, she has completed an internship with the US military’s African Command (AFRICOM). She worked with the Office of Public Affairs for AFRICOM, studying DOD policy on the continent and writing reports analyzing emerging security issues for supervisors. Additionally, she has participated in two study abroad programs to further her studies and broaden her worldview. Josie was part of the UGA Paris program in 2024, where she took a course on Global Terrorism and completed research on Western media coverage of terrorism and how it frames public perception of terrorism and spreads islamophobia. This past summer, Josie participated in the GLOBIS Stellenbosch study abroad program. In this program, Josie travelled around South Africa and completed courses on Repression and Dissent (focusing on Apartheid) and Women in Politics. Josie hopes her experience in the SLP will provide her with the practical skills necessary to succeed in her future career.

Garvey Cornick

Garvey Cornick is a third-year student from Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in International Affairs and Political Science with a minor in Swahili. Garvey has spent time interning for USAID in the Office of Acquisitions and Assistance in Kenya and Somalia, gaining hands-on experience in development and regional security. Furthermore, Garvey also interned at the United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs, working in the non-immigrant visa section in Nairobi, where he gained experience with the bureaucratic and systematic processes involved in immigration security. At UGA, Garvey is a member of the UGA Model African Union, where he spends time debating and discussing how to make a more secure and stronger Africa for the future. Garvey was also a presenter at the SPIA Undergraduate Research Colloquium, where he presented research on propaganda in apartheid South Africa. Garvey has also spent time on the UGA GLOBIS Stellenbosch study abroad program, learning about repression and dissent and women in politics. Garvey hopes the SLP will help him continue with his interest in African affairs and a career helping to navigate the future of a complex and nuanced continent.

Liam Evans

Liam Evans is a third-year student from Cumming, Georgia, majoring in International Affairs and History with minors in Spanish and Law, Jurisprudence, and the State. This past summer, Liam had the opportunity to research pending federal legislation and FARA (Foreign Agents Registration Act) litigation as a public policy intern at Dentons through UGA’s Honors in Washington program. On campus, Liam is an assistant editor for the Georgia Political Review, the current Secretary of the Demosthenian Literary Society, and a research assistant for Dr. Gbemende Johnson, where he codes FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) litigation and investigates the role of judge demographics within the federal judiciary. In Spring 2025, Liam also participated in UGA’s GLOBIS Human Rights Lab, where he supported research related to global death penalty practices and conducted independent research related to digital repression. After graduation, Liam plans to attend law school and pursue a career in domestic human rights law.

Britton Hare

Britton Hare is a third-year student from Memphis, TN majoring in linguistics and international affairs with a certificate in global studies at the University of Georgia. During his time at UGA, Britton has studied human rights at the University of Oxford and repression and dissent at Stellenbosch University in South Africa. His research interests extend across disciplines, as he plans to investigate the language of nuclear discourse and genocide. With strong interests in discourse analysis, human rights, and nuclear security, Britton plans to apply underutilized linguistic frameworks to national security analyses. He has worked on numerous projects within the Department of Linguistics through the Second Language Acquisition and Cognition Lab, and he is currently working on a project centered around authoritarian persistence in Cameroon. On campus, Britton is involved in several student organizations, including UGA MathCounts Outreach, where he serves as a tutor, and the Loch Johnson Society, where he acts as a staff writer. He also serves as an Honors Teaching Assistant instructing incoming students in an honors seminar and serving as a peer mentor through the Morehead Honors College in addition to being a Franklin College Ambassador. As a member of the SLP, Britton will continue to strengthen his research skills and further his understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of national security issues. After graduating, Britton plans to attend graduate school and pursue a PhD in linguistics.

Emily Hwang

Emily Hwang is a third-year student from Suwanee, GA pursuing degrees in International Affairs and Political Science with a Korean Language minor. In her first year at UGA, Emily was the recipient of the 2023 Global Perspectives Scholarship, which is awarded to six university students around the world. That year, Rustic Pathways received over 4,000 submissions for the scholarship. During the summer of 2024, she had the opportunity to study at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, where she took classes examining the history of colonialism in Korea and the politics of national division. Emily currently codes demographic data for judiciaries in North Carolina for a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded research project under the guidance of Dr. Gbemende Johnson. At UGA, she is serving her second term as the Public Relations Chair for Model United Nations while also traveling as a Competition Delegate, awarding in conferences across the U.S. and internationally. Her other campus involvements include the University Judiciary, where she serves as a Justice on formal hearing panels, and the Georgia Political Review, where she recently earned a position as the Communications Manager. Previously, Emily served as a legislative fellow for the Representative Spencer Frye Fellowship program, contributing to school safety research within the Education Policy Group. Through the Security Leadership Program, Emily hopes to explore her research interests in the application of sports to international diplomacy, as well as their role in advancing human rights.

Chinelo Ireh

Chinelo Ireh is a senior at the University of Georgia majoring in International Affairs and Political Science with minors in Law, Jurisprudence, and the State and Film Studies. She is excited to be apart of the 2025-2026 cohort of the Security Leadership Program and develop as a national security scholar. She is involved with multiple university organizations within the School of Public and International Affairs and across campus. She will serve as an ambassador for the college and as a Senior Editor for the Georgia Political Review, UGA’s premier, non-partisan political journal. With CURO, she also conducts independent, faculty-mentored research with the International Affairs department under the guidance of Dr. Ryan Powers. This research seeks to explore the relationship between popular cinema and Gen Z’s perception of global conflicts. She is also a delegate of the Model African Union and won the Best Vice Chair award at the 2024 Southeastern MAU Conference. Outside of her academic extracurriculars, she will serve as the President of the Black Theatrical Ensemble as it celebrates its 50th year on campus and volunteers with Georgia Daze. Her interest in policy and public service extends to her professional development as well. She has served in the US House of Representatives and the Georgia General Assembly as a legislative intern to develop bipartisan solutions to a myriad of issues. Prior to that, she interned at the Douglas County Douglasville Water Sewer Authority in its communications department and learned the importance of natural resource management. Currently, she works as a paralegal intern for Hillpointe Property Management and is preparing to attend law school.

David Kleinrock

David Kleinrock is a third-year honors student from Decatur, Georgia, majoring in International Affairs and Finance. This past summer, David interned at the U.S. Treasury Department in the Office of Trade and Investment Policy, supporting work on tariff investigations, bilateral trade negotiations, and multilateral development projects. Over the past year, David has interned with TradeSecure, an international trade advisory firm, maintaining a database covering the customs laws, export controls, and compliance guidelines of more than 80 countries. He is passionate about artificial intelligence policy, international trade policy, and national security, and is particularly interested in fields where these issues intersect.

Aaron Knapp

Aaron Knapp is a third-year student from Athens, Georgia, majoring in International Affairs and minoring in International Human Rights and Security. This past summer, Aaron volunteered as a counselor for Camp Kesem, a summer camp for kids of parents with cancer. He gained many valuable experiences and memories from camp and cannot wait to return next summer. Aaron also works as a Peer Learning Assistant for UGA and enjoys helping new students find their interests in international affairs. For the upcoming year, Aaron hopes to continue his independent research into cults in Japan and participate in the SPIA Undergraduate Research Colloquium. He is passionate about international relations and hopes to gain valuable skills from the SLP.

Bridget Peach

Bridget Peach is a fourth-year honors student from Wilmington, Delaware. She is majoring in International Affairs and Russian with a minor in Spanish. At UGA, Bridget is involved with the Georgia Political Review, Loch Johnson Society, SPIA Ambassador Program, UGA Miracle, and the Honors College. She is a Critical Language Scholarship Alumni Ambassador for Russian, having completed the virtual program in the summer of 2023. Bridget is also a student in the Russian Flagship Program, through which she has taken intensive language courses and studied abroad in Riga, Latvia, in the summer of 2024. Most recently, Bridget participated in both the Washington Semester Program and Honors in Washington, interning at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress and the American Chemistry Council, respectively. This fall, she is interning with BSI Group Consulting on the Europe Team. Upon her graduation, Bridget plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in the intelligence community using her language skills.

Claire Scafidi

Claire Scafidi is a third-year student from Kennesaw, Georgia, majoring in International Affairs, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Spanish with a minor in Studio Art. Under the guidance of Leigh Askew Elkins, she serves as a Carl Vinson Research Fellow, examining how Latinx cultures can be reflected in the architectural landscape of the Atlanta Highway Corridor. Claire also works as a SPIA Ambassador and an Honors Teaching Assistant, and she writes and edits for the Loch Johnson Society covering various human rights issues. In Spring 2025, Claire studied abroad at the University of Oxford through the UGA at Oxford program, where she took tutorials in Human Rights and War and Human Security. In Summer 2024, she participated in the Cultural Psychology Program in Cuba to study how Cuban culture influences thought, behavior, and emotion. Claire hopes the skills gained through the SLP will help her explore her research interests in human security and After graduation, she plans to pursue higher education and a career in the non-profit sector.

Mia Shaw

Mia Shaw is a fourth-year student from Roswell, GA, studying International Affairs and Spanish with minors in German and TESOL. In Spring 2025, she participated in the UGA in Washington program, serving as a Research Intern with the American Foreign Policy Council. Most recently, she interned for the International Rescue Committee, working closely with refugee students in Atlanta looking to further their education and/or careers. On campus, Mia represents UGA as a Tour Leader, sharing her passion for the university with prospective students and families. Following graduation, she aspires to continue working with organizations dedicated to advancing international human rights, with a particular focus on education and refugee advocacy. Her academic and professional experiences demonstrate her interest in advancing international human rights, particularly education and refugee advocacy. After graduation, she hopes to continue working with organizations dedicated to promoting these topics on a global scale.

Bridget Sheridan

Bridget Sheridan is a fourth year student from Fairfax, Virginia studying International Affairs and German with minors in History and Music and a Certificate in Global Studies. Bridget spent the summer of 2025 in Washington, D.C. interning in the office of Congresswoman Ann Wagner, where she interacted with constituents, attended briefings and hearings, and learned about the federal policymaking process. She is a recipient of the UGA Presidential Leadership Scholarship and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in Spring 2025. She previously served as a SPIA Ambassador and studied abroad in Freiburg, Germany learning about sustainable development and improving her German language skills. Bridget is heavily involved in instrumental music at UGA, serving as a section and rank leader in the Redcoat Marching Band and playing in the UGA Wind Ensemble as well as chamber ensembles. She is a founding member of the UGA chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, a service-oriented music organization that works to develop leaders and empower women in the music field. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in international trade.

Lily Thomas

Lily Thomas is a senior from Eatonton, Georgia majoring in International Affairs with a Certificate in Sustainability. While at UGA, she has studied abroad at Oxford University studying the works of Shakespeare and in New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji completing graduate coursework in Forestry and Natural Resources. She participated in the Washington Semester Program in fall 2024 as the US Policy and Advocacy Intern for CARE International and a Chambliss Scholar, and in the summer of 2024, she served as a Governor’s Correspondence Intern at the Georgia State Capitol. She has served as Editor in Chief of the Georgia Political Review, Eco Chair for the acapella group Eco Tones, and is the current President of Rural Students Igniting Success in Education at UGA. She served as a student worker in the Georgia 4-H State Office in the Press & Public Relations Department and as an Environmental Education counselor at Wahsega 4-H Center, teaching forest and stream ecology classes. She completed undergraduate research on adopting electric mobility technology in rural areas through CURO and presented projects on the environmental impact of the music industry and the role of gender in waste management policy at the SPIA Research Colloquium. Through the Security Leadership Program, Lily hopes to explore her interests in the role language plays in advancing bipartisan goals, specifically pertaining to the environment and foreign assistance.

Jacob Weiszer

Jacob Weiszer is a fourth-year honors student from Athens, Georgia, majoring in International Affairs and Management Information Systems. This past summer, Jacob interned with the Clarke County Probate Court, helping implement a new online search tool for public record searches. Additionally, Jacob has studied abroad twice to gain new global perspectives and experiences. In the United Kingdom, Jacob learned about ecotourism and sustainable business practices while studying at Cambridge University and exploring the Scottish Highlands. This past spring, Jacob was a part of the Verona, Italy study abroad program where he engaged in simulations to devise innovative solutions to the biggest threats the European Union is currently facing. On campus, Jacob serves as a Student SPIA Ambassador, is a crisis delegate for UGA’s Model United Nations Team where he has competed across the country, and is a writer for the Georgia Political Review. In the SLP, Jacob hopes to learn more about the use of Artificial Intelligence as a weapon to spread disinformation. After graduation, Jacob hopes to further is academic pursuits by attending law school.

Abby Wright

Abigail (Abby) Wright is a third-year student from Fayetteville, Georgia, majoring in International Affairs with a minor in Public Policy and Administration at the University of Georgia. She brings professional and leadership experience from her work as a Legal Administrative Assistant at a local business law firm and her service as President of the Creswell Community Council in University Housing, where she oversaw community programming and resident engagement initiatives. Currently, Abby serves as the Fundraising Executive for the Politalk Society, coordinating events that promote nonpartisan dialogue on campus, and as a Peer Learning Assistant in the Department of International Affairs. In summer 2025, she participated in a study abroad program in South Korea and Japan, examining the relationship between nutrition, culture and their respective impacts on societal development. This experience deepened her understanding of East Asian political and cultural dynamics, the region where her foreign policy interests primarily lie. In her studies, Abby seeks to answer two core questions: how culture informs diplomacy and how to balance ethics with security. She hopes to leave the SLP with new perspectives and experiences that will shape the way she approaches these questions throughout her career.

Spring 2025

Isabel Bland – “A Security Perspective on Women’s Reproductive Health and Employment”

Mackenzie Buck – “Planting Seeds of Survival: Biodiversity, Indigenous Rights, and Anti-Biopiracy Policies in Latin America”

Valerie Cobb – “Fortifications and Conversations: Missile Defense Systems and Nonproliferation Negotiations”

Piper Duncan – “Progress or Profit? Tourism FDI and Women’s Labor Rights”

William Gonzalez – “Criminal Architecture: The Role of Cartel Structure in Shaping Authoritarian Responses”

John Gooden – “Losing Their Minds: Public Spending and Human Capital Flight”

Evelyn Hunter – “Beyond the Ballot: The Erosion of Tolerance and the Escalation of Political Violence”

Melanie Kim – “Does the U.S. Strategically Impose Biotechnology Controls?”

Zach Leggio – “Shaping Perception: Chinese Influence and Media Trust in Africa”

Katie Moebes – “Creating a Paradigm Shift in the Military One Female Leader at a Time”

Scott Stein – “Sub-Standard Security: The Narco-Sub Threat to U.S. Waters”

Lauren Thacker – “Investment Wars: Great Power Competition through Foreign Aid”

Ana Valencia – “Checks for Migrants: U.S. Aid as Migration Prevention from the Western Hemisphere”

Ryan Varma – “The Benefits of a Third Wheel: Third Party Mediators Influence on Ceasefire Negotiations”

Grace Walton – “Resource Wealth and Institutional Persistence: Understanding Extractive Legacies in the Middle East”

Lindsay Weinmann – “Close to Chaos: How Proximity to Rogue States Shapes Foreign Policy”

Fall 2024

Mark Adams – “The Sahelian Great Game: Sponsored Counterterrorism and its Soft Power influence”

Mercedes Bengs – “Mixing LAWS and Laws: An Analysis of Current U.S. and International Policy on Lethal Autonomous Weapons”

Frances Brantley – “The Dichotomy of Political Confucian Harmony: How Does Religion Affect Foreign Policy Decision Making?”

Grey Cohen – “Friends with Benefits: How Security Partnerships Influence U.S. Human Rights Reporting”

Justin Cohen – “Field Trip Foreign Policy: How International Congressional Delegations Affect Legislative Output”

Nicole Cortes – “Climate Denialism a Man Made Threat: International Law and the Question of State Responsibility”

Madelyn Fackler – “Democratic Erosion: Or How Authoritarians Learn to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb”

Kristalee Gonzalez-Perez – “Virtual Worlds of Influence: The Role of Role-Playing Video Games in Shaping Soft Power”

Christopher Haswell – “Unmasking an Artificial Industry: An Empirical Examination of the United States’ Post-AI Military Industrial Complex”

Mayukh Keelar – “Shed Some Light: Public Perceptions of Government Efficacy, Corruption, and Democracy”

Ashley Orlet – “Climate Finance and Conflict: Turning Down the Heat on Insurgency”

Sophie Radke – “When Soldiers do Drugs and Non-State Actors Sell them: An Analysis of War and Illicit Drugs”

Daniela Sanchez – “From Reactors to Reporting: How Reliance on Nuclear Energy Shapes Media Discourse”

Jessica Sobieski – “Warring with Wagner: Policy Solutions for Russia’s Use of Private Military and Security Companies as a Tool for Grand Strategy”

Adam Starks – “Lost Voices in Cultural Preservation: Cultural Heritage and the Broader Protections of Ethnic Minority Rights in Asia”

Elizabeth Trumpfheller – “Friends in High Places: How Great Power Security Assurances Effect Regional Military Conflict”

Spring 2024

Kiana Bussa, “Do States with Greater LGBTQ Inequality Engage in More Conflict? ’Gendered Conflict’ Revisited”

Scott Butterfield, “Alternative Framing as a Strategy for Successful Clean Energy Policy”

Clemencia El Antouri, “Tourism and Gender: Western Women’s Role in Middle Eastern Tourism”

Emily Ezratty, “Balancing Acts: The Unintended Consequences of Export Controls on Human Development”

Austin Fabritius, “Do Terrorist Organizations Employ Different Strategies When They Kidnap Different Victims?”

Julian Fortuna, “Do Bipartisan Statements Reduce Political Violence? A Real World Analysis”

Avery Jainniney, “‘Daddy Issues’: An Evaluation of Institutional Fatherhood Policies”

Matthew Lombardo, “A Comparative Analysis of the Political Resource Curse in Oil and Mineral Exporting States: Industrial Effects on State and Human Security”

Allie Maloney, “Women and Warheads: Human-Centered Approaches to Nuclear Security”

Sean Manning, “A Press-ing Presence: Evaluating Great Power News Media Investment Strategies”

Madison Park, “Navigating Dynamics of Cooperation and Contestation: China’s Revisionist Agenda”

Devi Patel, “Are Far-Right News Outlets Less Likely to Report on Women’s Physical Violence and Abuse?”

Brooke Sanders, “The Impact of Far Right Women in Party Leadership on Women’s Rights”

Feben Teshome, “AI and Elections: Assessing the Impact on Public Trust in Africa”

Ansley Whitlock, “Behind Closed Doors: Investigating the Shadow of Public Misogynistic Violence in Private Spaces”

Thomas Wilkerson, “Partisan Influences on Social Media Governance: Examining Hate Speech Regulation”

Spring 2023

Luke Caggiano, “The Russo-Ukrainian War and Support for European Defense Integration among EU Public Officials”

Sudhan Chitgopkar, “Trusting Zero-Trust: How Public Trust in State Financial Institutions Affects Cryptocurrency Adoption Rates”

Alex Drahos, “The Space Race: Examining Terrorist Attacks in Urban Public and Private Spaces”

Jacqueline Ganun,”Do Women Editors Lead News Teams to Report More on Sexual Violence During Conflict?
A Study of War Reporting in Ukraine and Tigrey, Ethiopia”

Sahar Joshi, “Sticks and Stones: Words as Modern
Warfare”

Daniel Klein, “Who Gets to Be Innocent? The Role of Gender in Civilian Casualties and Public Support for Military Action”

Riley Mied, “Does Ideology Influence the Perpetration of Domestic Abuse by Extremists”

Thompson Miles, “Inside the Mind of Whistleblowers”

Sofia Mohamed, “Forced Migration And Infectious Disease:
How Does Conflict Increase The Spread Of Infectious Disease?”

Alexis Nash, “Energy Catalysts: Are Women Driving the Energy Transition”

Shekina Shindano, “Invisibility is Not Superpower:
Intersectional Invisibility and Black Women in National Security”

Connor Stockenberg, “Democracy’s Rising Fever:
Democratic Erosion and the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Abby Then, “Education with Conditions: Analyzing the
U.S. Strategic Use of Foreign Aid”

Kevin Vega, “Dangerous Economies: The Environmental
Costs of Organized Crime”

Spring 2022

Olivia Bauer, “Insurgencies or Gangs: An Analysis of Service Provision by Criminal Organizations”

Dan Doss, “How Should Energy Security Influence Investments in Alternative Energy?”

Catherine Fender, “Terrorist Outbidding: The Effects of Leadership Decapitation on Terrorist Group Recruitment”

Haley Gamis, “A Chain Reaction: Evaluation of the Security Threat to Global Supply Chain Chokepoints posed by the Belt and Road Initiative”

Jeanelle Garcia, “Sexual Violence and the Welfare of Women in ICE Detention Facilities”

Hayley Hunter, “How NATO Has Used Environmental Security as a Strategy of Engagement”

Elizabeth Howell, “Kidnapping in Terrorist Groups: Money, Power, and Recruitment”

Patrick Jackson, “Comparative Analysis of UN and NATO Authorizations for Use of Force”

Sonia Kalia, “The Radical Right & Violence Against Women in Politics”

Julie Kettle, “The Yassification of the Radical Right: The Use of Homonationalism for Gender Diversification in Radical Right Support Bases.”

Simi Kolodka, “Lock her Up: A Gender Analysis of Violence Against Women in Politics & Extreme Right Recruitment Tactics”

Sophia Macartney, “Naming and Shaming: How Does Regime Type Affect Terrorist Organization Designation?”

Ashni Patel, “The Sexy Side of Development: Sex Industries and Global Development Projects”

Hannah Skinner, “Not Just a Man’s World: The Rise of Women’s Incarceration in Latin America”

Joshua Walker, “The Bit about BITs: Bilateral Investment Treaties and the Black Market”

Spring 2021

Ayah Abdelwahab, “Friends or Foes: An Analysis of Individuals Sanctioned Under the Global Magnitsky Act”

Mennah Abdelwahab, “Dangerous Women: Analyzing the Securitization of Female Protesters during the Egyptian Revolution”

Albert Chen, “Reforming United States Financial Regulation to Secure Economic Influence in Asia”

Annabelle Cochran, “Cannabis and the War on Terror: A Qualitative Report on the Impacts of Legalizing Marijuana on Counter-Terrorism Strategies”

Kendall Embry, “Slavery & Security: Preventing Sexual Enslavement in Terrorist Organizations”

Xzavior Goeman, “Insurgent Groups’ Bureaucracy and Intelligence”

Jonathan Lauria, “National Security Risk Management: Applying the Framework of Enterprise Security Risk Management to the National Security Context”

Audrey Park, “Reforming U.S. Countering Violent Extremism Programs through a Mental Health Framework”

Sahana Parker, “The Mind and the Military: Defense Applications for Emerging Functional Neuroimaging Technology”

Lindsey Rhyne, “From the Frying Pan into the Fire: Solutions for the US Asylum Seeker Immigration Process in the COVID-19 Pandemic”

Christopher Rosselot, “Health of the Nation or Health of the Nation? Analyzing State Intentions Behind Discriminatory COVID-19 Vaccination Plans”

Nate Shear, “How Should the US Approach High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium Fuel?”

Addie Sparks, “Rebel Leader Goals and Indiscriminate Killing”

Kat Symons, “The U.S. Army’s Attempt at Creating Lethal Combat Machines: An Analysis of the ACFT”

Andrew Zach, “‘Send Lawyers, Guns, and a Dispersal Notice’: An Analysis of the Insurrection Act of 1807 and Its Application to the January 6th Capitol Riots”

Fall 2020

Zainub Ali, “Tracking the Presence of Protest in Oil Wealthy Rentier States from 2014-2015 with the Existence of ‘Weather the Shock’ Economic Policies”

Ian Allen, “American Export Controls as Counter-China Trade Weapons”

Miranda Bourdeau, “A New Space Race: Space Weaponry of the United States, Russia, and China”

Adrina Bradley, “Sexual Violence & Disasters”

Mariah Cady, “The 2015 European Refugee and Migrant Crisis: Press Coverage Across Germany and the United Kingdom”

Nia Evereteze, “Female Recruiters for Terrorist Organizations”

Alex Fabre de la Grange “How Gender Impacts Equity in Terrorism Cases”

Alexa Hernandez, “Online Recruitment by Far-Right Groups”

Sam Lombardo, “How Regime Type Affects the Management Type and Zone Identification of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Latin America and the Caribbean”

David Mustard, “Exploring China’s COVID-19 Health Assistance Patterns in Latin America”

Natalie Navarette, “Russian Holistic Investment in Latin America: A Counter to the Security Interests of the United States”

Isaac Parham, “Running Down the Clock: How IGOs Are Addressing the Impending Climate Catastrophe”

Rehna Sheth, “A Comparative Analysis of Intra-state and Inter-state Violent Conflict on Education Enrollment and Completion Rates”

Emma Traynor, “Combating Illicit Firearms Trafficking from the U.S. to Mexico”

Micha Wallesen, “Nuclear Material Transportation Security”

Participants on the 2020 (top) and 2022 (bottom) CITS DC Spring Break Trip

Each year, students of the SLP and the MIP travel to Washington, D.C. during spring break to visit various security-related organizations, including government agencies and think tanks, and to network with UGA and SLP alumni.

This trip is made possible by the generous support of the Richard B. Russell Foundation, Mrs. Robin Benson, the UGA Parents Leadership Council, and alumni who donate to the CITS Student Fund.

2024-2025 Senator Sam Nunn Scholars

Congratulations to Valerie Cobb, Evelyn Hunter, Lauren Thacker, and Ryan Varma for being named the Spring 2025 Senator Sam Nunn Scholars for their grant proposal for CITS to develop an AI Bootcamp for GA Highschool students.

2024-2024 Senator Sam Nunn Scholars

Grey Cohen, Ellie Trumpfheller, Frances Brantley, and Daniella Sanchez were awarded the Senator Sam Nunn Security Leadership Scholarship for Fall 2024. The team received the award for their grant proposal, “Mission Possible: An Educational Escape Room to Teach Nuclear Nonproliferation,” a program to educate high school students in Georgia about nuclear nonproliferation.

2023-2024 Senator Sam Nunn Scholars

Scott Butterfield, Sean Manning, Austin Fabritius, and Kianna Bussa were awarded the Spring 2024 Senator Sam Nunn Security Leadership Scholarship for their project “Developing the Future of America’s Energy Workforce.”

2022-2023 Senator Sam Nunn Scholars

Congratulations to Alex Drahos, Sahar Joshi, and Riley Mied who are the recipients of the Spring 2023 Senator Sam Nunn Security Leadership Scholarship. They were awarded the scholarship for their proposed plan of a nonproliferation summer program for ACC high school students called “Fission Forward”.

Learn more about Sara Beth Marchert from the Fall 2016 SLP Cohort.

Learn more about Valerie Tucker from the Fall 2015 SLP Cohort.

Learn more about Austin Gignilliat from the Fall 2017 SLP Cohort.

Learn more about Kathleen Nisbet from the Spring 2015 SLP Cohort.

Learn more about Jack Slagle from the Fall 2011 SLP Cohort.

Learn more about Emily Threlkeld from the Fall 2019 SLP Cohort.

This past November, students in the Center for International Trade and Security’s (CITS) Richard B. Russell Security Leadership Program (SLP) spent two weeks in a simulation of the US National Security Council (NSC). This capstone of the first-semester practicum course of the SLP had each student assigned to play a member of the NSC, including the President of the United States, the National Security Advisor, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and regional advisors. The members of the NSC, were required to make decisions on several “ripped-from-the-headlines” foreign policy issues including a crisis stemming from Chinese aggression towards US Navy surveillance ships in the South China Sea, to a crisis in the Mediterranean potentially undermining NATO, to democratic protests in the Gulf region. In addition to these known situations, the members of the NSC had to respond to several unexpected crises, including a looming environmental disaster off the coast of Yemen. The crises were selected to challenge the members to consider the tensions between US strategic interests and values, to weigh long-term and short-term goals, and to experience the pressure of “drinking from the fire hose” as policy makers are expected to juggle numerous ongoing crises at once.

In addition to developing a rich understanding of each situation, members of the NSC became adept at writing policy briefs and memos with short turnaround time and briefing colleagues on developing issues.  Simi Kolodka, who served as President, said, “everyone was challenged to push themselves to not only understand and have the capacity to explain to others complex and nuanced topics, but to be confident enough to come up with solutions and defend [them] whilst cooperating with others to make said solutions better.” The individual research, rigorous debate, and teamwork led by President Kolodka and National Security Advisor Sophie Macartney, culminated in 4 presidential memoranda responding to the crises. Finally, the NSC also wrote a National Security Strategy for the Kolodka administration. This ensured the members would be conscious of long-term goals for the administration while responding to acute crises. When asked about the skills she developed, Ashni Patel, Advisor on Asia, said, “The NSC simulation taught me problem-solving, briefing, and communication skills. With numerous problems being thrown at us day-to-day, I, along with my peers, had to think creatively and quickly about solving issues.”

The 20th anniversary celebration of the Richard B. Russell Security Leadership Program (SLP) took place on Friday, September 20, 2024 at CITS.  The 20th anniversary of SLP was celebrated by CITS students, alumni, professors, and professionals and included panel discussions, round tables, and lots of good food and laughter. The program from the celebration along with pictures from the events are located below.

Program: 

Thursday, Sept 19

7-9pm Dinner hosted by Gary and Joan Bertsch

Friday, Sept 20

9:15 – Breakfast

9:30- Welcome

10-11 – Round Table 1 – Strategic Trade, Nonproliferation, and Diplomacy

Student Moderator: Maddie Fackler

Alumni Panel: Jack Slagle, Savannah Blalock, Chris Tucker

11:15-12:15 Round Table 2 – Emerging Security Issues

Student Moderator: Adam Starks

Alumni Panel: Tricia White, Jacquelyn Harms Whitlow, Mennah Abdelwahab, Ayah Abdelwahab

12:30 – 2:15 Lunch & Keynote Address: Dr. Amanda Murdie, Head of the Department of International Affairs, Georgia Athletic Professor of International Affairs

2:30 – 3:30 SLP Future Security Leaders Round Table

Alumni Moderator: Mariah Cady

Student Panel: Alex Drahos, Sean Manning, Grey Cohen, Ashley Orlet, Jessica Sobieski

4pm Reception – The Globe