Leadership

Skylar Young

Skylar Young is a junior at Columbia University, double majoring in Political Science and Sociology on a pre-law track. As a first-generation student from rural Indiana, she is dedicated to fostering a vibrant community that encourages student engagement with political issues on campus and beyond. In addition to her role as President of the Political Science Students Association, Skylar also serves as Co-President of IGNITE, empowering young women to achieve their political, professional, and advocacy goals. She is a tour captain on the Undergraduate Recruitment Committee, a Free the Facts ambassador, and a member of the Columbia Lions cheer team. With a strong background in administrative and legal support, highlighted by her internships at the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Spencer County Circuit Court, Skylar is excited to continue developing PSSA and lead the club into another impactful year after serving as secretary last year.

Jack Greenspan

Jack is a senior in the Trinity College Dublin dual BA program. Born in New York City, he was raised in Scarsdale, NY. After graduating high school, he took a gap year to work full time for the Joe Biden campaign in Columbus, Ohio, and later become the field director for Eric Dinowitz's winning elections to the NY City Council in 2021. Jack's very interested in the politics and economics of the post-Soviet nations, and he speaks broken Russian. Outside of academics, Jack loves playing soccer and is a diehard fan of Scottish soccer team Glasgow Celtic.

Sarah Chagares

Sarah is a third-year in Columbia College majoring in Political Science and History. Sarah grew up in Wyckoff, New Jersey. She is passionate about the Renaissance in European history and American history as a whole. On campus, Sarah is an engaged and highly involved member of the Columbia community. Sarah is a part of the Columbia Journal of History, Columbia College Student Alumni Association (SACCA), Peace by PEACE, among other activities. Off-campus, she has worked with the New Jersey Re-Entry Court and the Working Group on Immigrant Representation in New Jersey. She enjoys reading, traveling, trying new restaurants in New York City, visiting museums, and spending time with family and friends.

Viviana Flores

Viviana Flores is a junior in Columbia College from Danbury, CT. She is studying Economics and Political Science and hopes to attend law school after graduation. She is particularly interested in American politics and economic development. Apart from PSSA, Viviana is a Resident Advisor and Vice President of Ignite, UN Columbia, and the Columbia Women’s Club Basketball team. She is also on the E-Board for Mentoring Youth NYC, a volunteer organization that partners with a local high school to mentor students on college admissions. In her free time, Viviana enjoys going to the gym, reading, and binge watching Friends.

Chinh Le

Chinh is a second-year in Columbia College studying Economics-Political Science with a minor in East Asian Studies. He is originally from Vietnam but have been living in Houston for almost a decade. Chinh is incredibly passionate about political reform, especially towards structures against underrepresented minorities. On campus, Chinh is a part of Columbia Political Union, Pi Lambda Sigma, and the Vietnamese Student Association. He has also worked with Harris County in Houston and multiple nonprofit organizations such as MiFamiliaVota. When not studying in Butler, you can find him going to concerts, exploring new cuisines, and rating matcha places over NYC.

Amelia Aleman

Amelia is currently a junior at Columbia College studying Economics and Political Science with a minor in Psychology. She was born and raised in Managua, Nicaragua where she experienced first hand the importance of political stability and democracy due to the current authoritarian regime in the country. Her love for politics has also progressed into an interest in law and hopes to attend law school after college. She is interested in corporate, immigration or entertainment law! PSSA has helped her narrow down her interests due to the availability of internships and members stories whom she has been able to get inspired by.

Samantha Tarlowe

Samantha is a Sophomore from Sammamish, WA. She attends GS/JTS studying Political Science and Jewish Studies. She is interested in law, government, and politics. She is on the Columbia Cheerleading team, part of SDT, and is involved in various other clubs on campus. She has a desire to attend law school and is particularly interested in American Politics. She hopes to work in DC at some point and is excited to meet other political science students!

Lizzy Carpenter

Lizzy Carpenter is a sophomore at Columbia College studying political science and public health. She is involved in several public health organizations on campus and spent last summer at the Mailman School of Public Health analyzing health policies and interventions in Ghana to improve maternal health outcomes. In her free time, she sings in an acapella group and tries new restaurants around NYC. After graduation, she hopes to get her MPH and then go to law school to work in health policy.

Matthew Rambo

Mathew is a senior at General Studies studying Political Science and Latin American and Caribbean Studies and is the president of the Military Veterans of Columbia University (MilVets). He is interested in international relations, security, and the Spanish language and culture. In addition to PSSA, he is involved in veteran mentoring and works within the DOD. Matthew enjoys traveling the world, spending time outdoors, and experimenting with different cooking styles in his free time.

Shivani Rajagopalan

Shivani Rajagopalan is a Computer Science student with a minor in Political Science at Columbia University. She is interested in how technology intersects with politics and its potential impact on policy and governance. Her experience in AI and project management has given her a practical understanding of these topics, and she is eager to explore how technological advancements can influence political strategies and public discourse. She looks forward to contributing to discussions and initiatives that bridge the gap between technology and politics.

Shan Then

Shan Then is a second-semester freshman in GS double majoring in Political Science and Economics. Born and raised in Singapore, Shan served in the Singapore military for two years as an Intelligence Officer. Shan is the founder of Meraki, an event and talent management startup, aimed at spotlighting undiscovered local talent. Currently working as a Legislative Assistant for a Singapore politician, Shan is deeply passionate about the study of state structures and systems, notably the relationship between institutions and the individuals that form them. In the future, he hopes to be involved in policymaking to advocate for greater societal equity, ensuring that nobody is allowed to fall through the cracks in our communities. Outside of that, Shan is a big fan of jazz music, soccer, and Chinese history.

PJ Sonnen

Aum Desai

Aum is a first-year student at Columbia College studying Political Science and Economics with a concentration in Public Health (Pre-Law Track). He is super passionate about cultivating political and civic engagement on campus through civil discourse and advocacy. Before coming to campus, Aum worked as the head political organizer for Energy Justice Network, a Philadelphia-based environmental justice group where he helped write and pass New Jersey's 2023 Clean Energy Act promoting renewable energy, and created his school's first diversity task force with an emphasis on political diversity! As a first-generation Indian-American student, Aum is also deeply dedicated to connecting with his cultural heritage through events and initiatives at Columbia' Hindu Student Organization (HSO). In addition to his role on the Administrative committee at PSSA, Aum is a staff writer for the Columbia Political Review, part of the Columbia Votes Democracy Fellowship Program, runs Track and Field and Cross Country, and is a part of Columbia's Louis Armstrong Jazz Performance Program. With a strong background in research-based legislative advocacy and civic engagement, Aum is excited to bring his interdisciplinary approach to PSSA and help blend the worlds of academia and advocacy to foster a politically enthusiastic Columbia Community!

Chané Jeter-Smith

Chané is a junior at Columbia University, majoring in Political Science on a pre-law track. With practical experience as a Judicial Case Manager and a Law Intern to a commissioner, she has gained a strong understanding of the legal system and its terminology while building valuable connections with judges, commissioners, attorneys, and legal staff. Driven by a passion for juvenile delinquency reform and prevention, Chané aspires to a career in government, aiming to shape policies that better support youth within the legal system. Her academic and professional experiences have deepened her commitment to driving meaningful change in the justice system.

Nathan Shurts

Nathan is a first-year at Columbia University in NYC studying Political Science and Statistics. Previously, he worked as editor of his school newspaper's opinion section, founded their satire newsletter, and wrote for a teen sexual health website through Rutgers called Sex Etc. Nathan is interested in everything from genetics and physics to music and performing arts. Most importantly, he sings a cappella with Columbia SHARP :)

Sophia Li

Sophia Li is a first-year student at Columbia College studying either Econ-Polisci or English, with the business concentration. She’s interested in reading & writing, public policy, the intersection of law & economics, and journalism. In her free time, she enjoys running, trying new foods, and traveling.

Chase Lane

Chase Lane is a junior in General Studies studying Political Science. He is very interested in International Politics as well as African-American studies. Upon graduation, he intends to pursue law school and continue towards his goal of a professional career in corporate law. In his free time, Chase enjoys soccer, basketball and spending time with his amazing family. He is excited and passionate about fostering a collaborative and welcoming environment within the greater Columbia Political Science community.

Saiyedul Hamid

Saiyedul Hamid is a junior at Columbia College studying political science. He specializes in American Politics and International Relations. On campus, he is involved in several initiatives and organizations, ranging from the Pre-Law Society to the Columbia Political Review. In his free time, Saiyedul enjoys playing basketball, visiting parks, and watching documentaries.

Leann Qadan

Leann is a sophomore at SEAS studying Industrial Engineering on the pre-law track. She is passionate about promoting youth involvement and leveraging technological innovations in policymaking and foreign affairs. As a proud advocate for women’s empowerment, Leann is dedicated to closing the gender gap in politics and other professional sectors. She enjoys learning new languages and is fluent in English, French, and Arabic, and is currently learning Hebrew. In her free time, Leann spends time biking and reading in Central Park.

Ishita Mishra

Ishita is a second-year student at Barnard College, double majoring in Political Science and Economics. Originally from the Bay Area, California, she is deeply passionate about the intersection of social equity and sustainable growth. During her time at The Borgen Project, Ishita lobbied for impactful legislation such as the Girls LEAD Act and the Keeping Girls in School Act, experiences that fuelled her interest in policy reform. She loves exploring New York City in her free time, especially by thrifting and discovering new spots to play spike ball with friends. Ishita also values spending time with her close-knit community of friends, always seeking new experiences and ways to grow.