Leadership

Zaid Rami Sahawneh

Zaid Rami Sahawneh is a third-year student studying Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies. In addition to serving as President of the Political Science Students Association, Zaid is a Research Assistant in the Political Science Department, International Law Chair for the Columbia Red Cross, and writes for the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review. He has excelled as a top performer in numerous legal, government, research, and analytical work experiences and internships.

Melody Luo

Melody is a sophomore in Columbia College studying Financial Economics and Political Science. Having lived in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing, and Silicon Valley, she is particularly interested in multicultural affairs and their crossover with international relations and economic development. In her free time, you can find her trying out new restaurants and baking with friends.

Caroline Alpi

Caroline is a senior majoring in Political Science. She is passionate about gender equality and previously worked as an intern at a company that coaches women lawyers on how to succeed in big law firms. She plans to attend law school next year where she hopes to continue to explore her interests in political justice.

Julia Shimizu

Julia is a senior at Barnard College studying Political Science and Economics. Julia is interested in American political behavior, international politics, and political economy. On campus, Julia is a Research Assistant in the Barnard Political Science Department, Senior Editor for the Columbia Political Review and a Speaking Fellow. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, dancing, cooking, and exploring New York.

Alexa Masseur

Alexa is a senior in Columbia College majoring in Political Science and concentrating in History. Alexa is interested in political consulting and campaign management, and recently has been working for a student-run campaign management firm in Massachusetts. In addition to PSSA, Alexa is an editor for the Journal of Politics and Society. Off campus, she is a frequent customer at the Hungarian Pastry Shop. She intends to go to law school and study constitutional law.

Andrea So

Andrea So is a junior in Columbia College studying Political Science and English. Originally hailing from Hong Kong, Andrea attended boarding school in New Hampshire before coming to New York. Having interned at Fordham Law and various human rights organizations in Hong Kong, she is particularly interested in how modern politics can address current human rights issues on the global stage.

Maya Lameche

Maya Lameche is a senior in the Dual BA between Columbia University and Sciences Paris. She majors in both Political Science and Sustainable Development. She has different experiences in environmental policy and public affairs; and is interested in lobbying as well as in political consulting. In her free time, she enjoys going to jazz bars and learning languages.

Erin Buckley

Erin is a senior in the Dual BA Program between Trinity College Dublin and the Columbia School of General Studies majoring in European Studies and Political Science. At Trinity, she was a committee member of the College Historical Society, the world’s oldest collegiate student society, and primarily helped with freshmen engagement. She currently interns with the Department of Defense Logistics Agency in their Energy Sector. She is interested in American Politics and hopes to pursue a career in policymaking. Outside of class she enjoys knitting, baking, and drinking copious amounts of coffee.

Amelia Aleman

Caroline Alpi

Bekim Bruka

Bekim is a senior in the School of General Studies majoring in Political Science. Born in Albania, Bekim is currently serving as the President of the Columbia University Albanian Society and the Partnerships Chair of the Columbia European Society. In his free time, he enjoys reading history and politics, watching soccer, and working out. He plans to go to Law School, specializing in International Law or Human Rights Law.

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.

Sarah Chagares

Sarah is a first-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.

Claire French

Claire French is a junior at Barnard College who intends on majoring in Political Science. Specifically, she is passionate about American and international elections as well as technology related law. In addition to being a member of the Political Science Student Association, she is also a Print Editor on the Columbia Undergraduate Law Review, a participant in LionLaunch, and a member of the Columbia Tennis Club. Over the summer, Claire worked on the Shaun for NYC mayoral campaign. From this experience, she learned to appreciate engaging with voters about their needs and hopes for New York City. Off campus, she enjoys walking in Central Park.

Julia Fu

Julia is a first-year at Columbia College studying Economics with a minor in History. Julia grew up in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, with a strong background in debate and politics. She is interested in the intersection of economics and history, particularly in the way it affects modern politics. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, crocheting, and trying new restaurants.

Jack Lobel

Jack is a first-year at Columbia College studying Political Science. As press secretary for Voters of Tomorrow, Jack frequently speaks to youth voter trends in national and international publications. A native New Yorker, Jack previously served as a communications director in the New York State Assembly, digital director for the Manhattan Borough President, and youth advisor to his hometown congressman. On campus, Jack writes for the Columbia Political and Undergraduate Law Reviews, and just south of campus, he’s a regular at Koronet Pizza.

Melody Luo

Melody is a first-year at Columbia College studying Financial Economics and Political Science. Having lived in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing, and Silicon Valley, she is particularly interested in international politics and multiculturalism. In her free time, she enjoys trying out new restaurants, visiting museums, and baking for her friends.

Sophia Macomber

Sophie is a senior studying Political Science and History, specializing in International and American Politics. On campus, she is an active member The Remedy Project where she helps incarcerated peoples seek relief against prison abuse. While she currently loves being a student, she hopes to someday work in multilateral diplomacy and conflict resolution and is looking forward to exploring the world.

Julia Orientale

Julia is a senior at Columbia College studying Political Science and Art History. She is interested in international affairs and art restitution. In addition to PSSA, she is involved in Women in Law and Politics, POLIS, Columbia Art Market Society, Meet Me at the Museum, Alianza, and Camp Kesem. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the city, visiting museums, and hiking.

Matthew Rambo

Mathew is a junior at General Studies studying Political Science and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. 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.

Ava Teasdale

Ava is a freshman at Columbia College hoping to study Political Science and Economics. She is interested in environmental justice, political activism, and public policy. Last spring and summer, Ava worked as a research assistant at Washington University’s Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy, a job that she will continue this summer. In her free time, Ava enjoys running outside, listening to podcasts, and drinking coffee.

Charla Teves

Charla is a sophomore at Barnard College studying Political Science and Anthropology. Charla plans to attend law school after undergrad, but until then, she is committed to her work in activism. She continues to tackle the issues of gun violence and childhood hunger, specifically in her home state of Hawaii. In her free time, she enjoys collecting vinyl records, exercising, and reading.

Nicolas Thiel

Nicolas is a senior in the Dual BA between Columbia University and Sciences Po studying Political Science.

Sai Vadnerkar

Sai is a first year at Barnard College studying Human Rights and Political Science. She is interested also interested in Gender Studies and non-profit work. Prior coming to Barnard, she spent time doing service work with Phoenix community homes in her home state of Arizona. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing in parks, visiting museums, and trying new food.

Katherine Wang

Katherine is a senior in Columbia College majoring in economics and political science. She is interested in the intersection of law, economics, and international relations and intends to go to law school and study criminal and corporate law. Currently, she is interning in the Treasury Department in the Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes office and has previous worked at the International Trade Administration and her state's Attorney General's Office. On campus, Katherine is also involved with the Undergraduate Recruitment Committee and the Columbia Corporate Law and Business Association, and she loves to explore museums and watch football in her free time.

Skylar Young

Skylar Young is a first-year student at Columbia College majoring in Political Science-Economics and intends to apply for a concentration in Business Management. On campus, you can find Skylar cheering on the sidelines at football and basketball games and involved in various organizations such as CU Academic Success Program where she is an Ambassador and member of the Social Media and Alumni Committees, CU Sign, Furnald Hall Council, and as an Ambassador for CU Admissions Rural Recruitment Committee. As an intern for her county judge last summer, Skylar developed a love of criminal justice and government policy. She intends to attend law school after graduation to use her education to serve low-income communities. In her free, Skylar likes to explore the city and host game nights with her friends.

Jillianne Zhang

Jillianne is a sophomore at Columbia College studying Political Science and Mathematics. Her upbringing in Hong Kong has fostered her interest in International Relations, specifically Sino-American relations, and she hopes to pursue that in the future. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, pilates, and shopping.