Entering Graduate Class for 2009-2010

Aaron Brantly
brantlya@gmail.com
Ph.D. Track - International Affairs

Degree:
Master of Public Policy, American University, Washington, D.C. (2008)

Interest Areas:
International Relations, specifically Eurasian security.

Grants:
Presidential Plan for Emergency AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Grant; Small Project Assistance Grant, Kivsharivka Youth and Community Activity Organization; Two Regional Youth Journalism Grants, Kupensk Region, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine; Small Project Training Grant, Boguslav, Kyiv, Ukraine

Work Experience:
Manager/Coordinator, Watson Mulhern LLC, Washington, D.C.; International Republican Institute, Washington, D.C. and Kyiv, Ukraine; Peace Corps Youth Development Volunteer, Ukraine; Counselor, Youth Community Action Network, Kyiv/Kharkiv, Ukraine; Director/Founder, Kupensk Youth Journalism Project NGO, Ukraine; Director/Founder, Kivsharivka Youth and Community Activity Organization, Ukraine; Media Representative, Peace Corps, Ukraine; Registered Journalist, World Trade Organization

Volunteerism:
Reach Out and Read Book Collection Project, Savannah, GA; USA Tennis Youth Clinics for Inner City Youth; Florida Department of Health; Orphanage Development Project San-Miguel De Allende, Mexico; Camp Rah-Rah Youth Community Action Network; UN-AIDS Project; U.S. Ukraine Foundation; AU School of Public Affairs Graduate Council Community Service Committee; Graduate Public Affairs Council, Washington, D.C.

Matt Clary
mclary@uga.edu
SPIA Assistantship/Ph.D. Track- International Affairs

Degree:
Political Science, MA, University of Georgia, Athens, GA (2009)

Interest Areas:
International Relations and Comparative Politics

Teaching/Research Experience:
Instructor, Duke Talent Identification Program, Athens, GA; Teaching Assistant for Political Science 1101, University of Georgia

Work Experience/Volunteerism:
World Security Institute: China Program, Washington, D.C.; Furman University Study Abroad in China Program; Furman University Chinese Language House; President, Furman University Model United Nations Team; Vice President, Furman University Political Science Club; Volunteer, Greenville Literary Association, Greenville, SC

Conference Papers:
“Growing Up Democratic Prematurely: Democracy Promotion and Consolidation in Struggling and Failed Democracies.” Midwestern Political Science Association (MPSA) Conference, Chicago, IL, 2009

“Unintended Escalation: The Role of Attribution Errors in Sino-American Crises.” Annual Meeting of the Georgia Political Science Association, Savannah, GA, 2008

“Overcoming the Security Dilemma in U.S.-China Relations: Prescriptions for Mitigating the Specter of Conflict.” Annual Meeting of the South Carolina Political Science Association (SCPSA), 2006

Degree:
Philosophy, concentration in Environmental Ethics, B.A., University of Georgia (2008)

Interest Areas:
Law and Courts and American Politics with an interest in political and environmental philosophy

Honors/Awards:
First Honor Graduate (for maintaining a 4.0 during his entire undergraduate program); Two-time Presidential Scholar Award Recipient (2005-2006); Lavonia Chamber of commerce Scholarship Recipient (2005); Hope Scholarship; Honors Program; Golden Key; and NSCS.

Experience/Volunteerism:
Student Conservation Association Summer Internship (2008); UGA Study Abroad Program in New Zealand and Fiji (2007)

Stephen Fowler
sfowler85@gmail.com
MA Track- International Affairs

Degree:
Political Science, BA, Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD (2007)

Interest Areas:
International Relations and Public Policy

Honors/Awards:
Academic All-American; Salisbury University Athletic Department Academic Achievement Award; Capital Athletic Conference Academic Achievement Award; Distinguished Honors List for 4.0 GPA; Dean’s List.

Work Experience:
Crew Chief, Maryland Beach Patrol

J. Perry Joiner
pjoiner1@uga.edu
Funded through Faculty NSF Grant/M.A. track- Political Science

Degree:
Political Science, B.A., University of Georgia (2008)

Interest Areas:
Law and Courts and Formal Theory

Honors/Awards:
Presidential Scholar Award Recipient; Hope Scholarship;

Experience/Volunteerism:
Undergraduate Research Assistant for Dr. Trey Hood; Software Development and Implementation for AGO Solutions, LLC, Partner; Vice President of Board of Advisors for Tau Kappa Epsilon – Xi Lambda Chapter

Melanie Kolbe
mkolbe@uga.edu
SPIA Assistantship/MA Track- International Affairs

Degree:
English and North American Studies, BA, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany (2008)

Interest Areas:
Comparative Politics and Political Theory

Work Experience/Volunteerism:
Intern, Electoral District Office and Parliamentary Office of MP Eckhardt Rehberg; Intern, Department for the European Union at the Deutsche Bundestag; Incoming-Exchange Coordinator, AIESEC Rostock; CEO/Editor, heuler-Studentenmagazin, University of Rostock; University of Rostock Student Council

Jennifer E. McDermott
jenmcd@uga.edu
SPIA Assistantship/M.A. track- Political Science

Degree:
Political Science, with a minor in Management, B.A., Georgia Southern University (2009)

Interest Areas:
American Politics and Public Administration

Honors/Awards:
Honors Program; Delta Epsilon Iota

Experience/Volunteerism:
SOAR Leader, GSU; Conversations with Professors participant; Political Science Club; Phi Alpha Delta; Spanish Club; Tele-counselor for Georgia Southern University office of Admissions

Cameron Merrill
bigcam58@uga.edu
MA Track- International Affairs

Degree:
International Affairs, BA, University of Georgia, Athens, GA (2009)

Interest Areas:
Comparative Politics and Political Theory

Honors/Awards:
University of Georgia President’s List; University of Georgia Kicklighter Grant Recipient for Study Abroad in Erlangen, Germany

Melinda Moore
melin28@gmail.com
Ph.D. Track- International Affairs

Degree:
Masters of Social Work, University of Georgia, Athens, GA (2007)

Interest Areas:
International Relations and Comparative Politics

Honors/Awards:
International Scholarship of Engagement Grant, Vice President’s Office for Public Service and Outreach, University of Georgia

Work Experience:
Program Coordinator, Carl Vinson Institute of Government; Coordinator, Child and Family Policy Initiative statewide research conference; Staff, Governor’s Mental Health Service Delivery Commission; Resource Development Associate, Division of Family and Children’s Services, Barrow County, GA; Family Support Worker, Prevent Child Abuse Rockdale, Conyers, GA; Youth Intervention Worker, The Bill Wilson Center, Santa Clara, CA; Child Assault Prevention Specialist, YWCA Rape Crisis Center, Palo Alto, CA

Publications:
“Legislating Juvenile Sex Offenders: Impact for Clients,” in Children’s Law Manual Series, 2008 ed., National Association of Counsel for Children, 2008.

Conference Papers:
“Juvenile Sex Offenders and the Impact for Your Client.” Co-presenter, National Association of Counsel for Children 31st National Juvenile and Family Law Conference, Savannah, GA, 2008

“The Business of Human Trafficking – In Our Own Backyard.” Women and Girls in Georgia Conference, Athens, GA, 2007

“Safety Planning for Drug Endangered Children.” Co-presenter, Child Placement Conference, Augusta, GA, 2006.

Mark E. Owens
mowens1@uga.edu
http://www.markowens.org/
SPIA Assistantship/Ph.D. track- Political Science

Degree:
Government, M.A., John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD (2007)

Political Science with minor in Environmental Students and Organizational Leadership, B.A., University of Florida (2006) Magna cum Laude

Interest Areas:
American Politics and Public Policy

Employment/Experience:
Policy Coordinator (2007-2009), Republican Main Street Partnership, Washington, D.C.; Legislative Intern, Office of Congressional Affairs (2007), National Wildlife Federation, Washington, D.C.; Congressional Fellow, U.S. Senate, Office of Senator Bill Nelson (2005), Washington, D.C.; Grant Researcher, Economic and Workforce Development (2004), Tallahassee Community College

Conference Presentations:
“Squish”ed Out? The Future of Centrist Republicans. Paper Presented at the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Political Science Association.

Volunteerism:
Board Member and Founder, Youth Factor, DeLand, FL; Regional Alumni Coordinator, Education Foundation, Pi Lambda Phi International Fraternity; Youth Professionals Group, National Wildlife Federation (2008).

Campaign Experience:
- Dave Foster for Attorney General, 2009. Virginia state wide primary, Grassroots Coordinator.
- John McCain for President, 72 hr GOTV Coordinator, Western Prince William County, Virginia.
-Hon. Doug Ose for Congress, California Republican Primary, June 2008
-Congressman Wayne Gilchrest for Congress, Maryland Republican Primary, February, 2008.

Stephen S. Pettigrew
stephenp@uga.edu
Honors Program AB/M.A. track- Political Science

Degree:
Pursuing B.A. degrees in Political Science and History, University of Georgia (expected 2011)

Interest Areas:
American Politics and Comparative Politics

Honors/Awards:
UGA Charter Scholarship; HOPE Scholarship; Presidential Scholar; Pi Sigma Alpha; Alpharetta High School PTSA Scholarship; Eagle Scout

Experience/Volunteerism:
Students for Environmental Awareness, Treasurer (2008-present); UGA Young Democrats; Bobby Saxon for Congress; UGA Students for Barack Obama; UGA Amnesty International.

Ashley Reidy
amerrei@yahoo.com
SPIA Assistantship/MA Track- International Affairs

Degree:
Political Science, BA, Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA (2008)

Interest Areas:
Comparative Politics and International Relations

Honors/Awards:
Grant Research Participant, Adrian Tinsley Program; Phi Sigma Alpha; Commonwealth Honors Program, Bridgewater State College; Departmental Honors, Bridgewater State College; Summa Cum Laude, Bridgewater State College

Work Experience/Volunteerism:
Research Assistant on a Department of Homeland Security Grant, Institute of Regional Development, Bridgewater, MA; Tour Guide, Bridgewater State College Admissions Office; Residential Honors Coordinator, Bridgewater State College Residence Life and Housing; Legal Secretary, Law Office of Michael S. Cahill; Campaign Worker, State Representative Kathleen Teahan

Daniel Rivkin
danrivkin@yahoo.com
Honors Program AB/M.A. track - Political Science

Degree:
Pursuing B.A. degrees in Political Science and International Affairs, University of Georgia (expected 2011)

Interest Areas:
Law, Courts, & Judicial Process and International Relations

Honors/Awards:
UGA Foundation Incentive Scholarship (2008); UGA STARS Scholar (2008); UGA Charter Scholarship (2007-2011); HOPE Scholarship; UGA Presidential Scholar for Spring (2008); National AP Scholar (2007); Perfect Paper Award on the National Latin Exam (2007); French Grand Concours and French week competition multiple awards (2004-2007)

Experience/Volunteerism:
Freshman Forum; Demosthenien Literary Society; Intern at the UGA Office of International Education (2008); Volunteer at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (Summer 2006); Assistant Counselor at Camp Isidore Alterman at MJCC of Atlanta (Summer 2005)

Elliot A. Slane
e-slane@hotmail.com
SPIA Assistantship/Ph.D. track- Political Science

Degree:
Political Science, M.A., University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia (2009)
Political Science, B.A., University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama (2006)

Interest Areas:
Political Theory and Comparative Politics

Honors/Awards:
Mekis Scholarship Recipient for the Study of Political Theory (2007) at UGA; Magna Cum Laude, Pi Sigma Alpha; Political Science Senior Elite, Dean’s List, President’s List, Freshman Honors Scholarship Recipient (2002-2006) at Montevallo.

Teaching/Research Experience:
Research Assistant to Dr. Daniel Kapust and Dr. Alex Kaufman (2008-present); Guest Lecturer POLS 4020 – Hobbes to Nietzche, “Karl Marx and The Communist Manifesto (2008); Teaching Assistant for Political Science 1101 (2007-2008).

Conference Papers:
“Ethnic Elite Continuity in Post-Colonia Sates” with Brandon C. Gorman. Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) Conference, Chicago, IL, 2009.

“Loving the Laws: Rousseau as a Totalitarian Philosopher.” Southern Political Science Association (SPSA) Conference, New Orleans, LA, 2009.

Rachel L. Snyder
rnyder@uoregon.edu
Ph.D. track/Fasttrack- Political Science

Degree:
Political Science, B.A., University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon (2009)

Interest Areas:
American Politics

Honors/Awards:
McNair Scholar; 2007 Top 100 Juniors Mortar Board Junior Scholar Award; 2007 Student Paper Award; Who’s Who Among College Students; Pi Sigma Alpha; Graduate with Honors Distinction

Experience/Voluntarism:
Human Resources Director, Venture Data L.L.C. (2000-2009)

Tyler E. Suggs
tsuggs@uga.edu
M.A. Track- Political Science

Degree:
Political Science, B.A., University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia (2009)

Interest Areas:
American Politics and Political Theory

Honors/Awards:
Outstanding Political Science Student, Gainesville State College (2007); Clark Theodore Outstanding Traditional Student, GSC (2007); President’s Leadership Scholar, GSC, (2005-2007); Member of the National Dean’s List, GSC, (2007); Phi Theta Kappa; The Politically Incorrect Club Service Award, GSC, (2007)

Evan Tighe
eptighe@gmail.com
MA Track- International Affairs

Degree:
Social Studies Education, B.S.Ed., University of Georgia, Athens, GA (2008)

Interest Areas:
International Relations and American Politics

Honors/Awards:
Dean’s List, University of Georgia; University of Georgia Recreational Fields Staff Person of the Year; HOPE Scholarship Recipient

Work Experience/Volunteerism:
Substitute Teacher, Morgan County Board of Education; Recreational Fields Manager, University of Georgia Department of Recreational Sports; Lifeguard/Pool Manager, USA Pools, Roswell, GA; University of Georgia Army ROTC; Scholarship Chairman, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity; Member, National Council for Social Studies

Xiaosi Yang
yxsruc@yahoo.com.cn
MA Track- International Affairs

Degree:
Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management, BA, Renmin University, China (2009)

Interest Areas:
Comparative Politics and Methodology

Honors/Awards:
First Class, “Creativity Cup” of Students’ Extracurricular Studes; First place, “Xinnong Cup” of Students’ Extracurricular Studies, School of Agriculture Economics and Rural Development; Third Class Scholarship for Excellent Students

Work Experience/Volunteerism:
National Innovative Experiment Project of University Students, Renmin University; field work on the popularization of energy saving techniques in highly polluted industry in Xi’an, Shanxi Province, China; Summer Vocation Social Practice Program, Xiangfan, Hubei Province, China; Kyushu University Exchange, Japan; Member, Student Association of the School of Agriculture Economics and Rural Development; Member, Young Volunteer Association of Renmin University of China

Publications:
“Addressing Nutrition Problems in China’s Migrant Schools” (co-writer). Stanford-Renmin Bing Overseas Study Joint Teaching Program: Health and Education in China’s Economic Development

“Foreign Experience on Culture and Art Construction” (co-writer). National Social Science Funds Project: Research on Culture and Art Construction of the New Countryside

Conference Papers:
“The Sugarcane Ethanol Industry in China: Present Situation, Potentiality, and Trend in Future.” International Symposium for Food Safety and Risk in Agriculture, Resources, and Environment in East Asia

Frances Worley
fgworley@gmail.com
MA Track- International Affairs

Degree:
International Affairs, BA, University of Georgia, Athens, GA (2006)

Interest Areas:
Comparative Politics and International Relations

Honors/Awards:
Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society; Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society; Presidential Scholar; Dean’s List; UGA Honors Program Graduate

Work Experience:
Administration Associate, Center for International Trade and Security, Athens, GA; Senior Administrative Assistant, Oncology Solutions, LLC, Decatur, GA; Canvass Organizer, Working America, Portland, OR; English Language Assistant, French National Department of Education

Volunteerism:
Friends of the Library, Multnomah County Library; Mercy Corps, Central Asia Program; Habitat for Humanity, University of Georgia Chapter; UGA Student Academic Honesty Council

Hongyu Zhang
hongyu.zhang@sciences.po.org
Ph.D. Track- International Affairs

Degree:
European Politics and Societies, MA, Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, France (2009)

Interest Areas:
Comparative Politics and Methodology

Honors/Awards:
Grant Recipient, THESEUS Summer School for Young Leaders, Brussels, Belgium; Grant Recipient, European Forum Alpbach, Tyrol, Austria

Work Experience/Volunteerism:
Research Assistant, Center for European Studies, Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, France; High School Teacher, Yanchi High School, Ningxia, China; Founder/President, Xiamen University Mountaineering Association; Organizer, environmental protection awareness campaign, Xiamen, China

Publications:
“Energy Security Relations between Europe and China: Tensions and Cooperation” (co-author). Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris

Weiqi Zhang
weiqi.zhang@hotmail.com
SPIA Assistantship/Ph.D. Track- International Affairs

Degree:
International Business and International Affairs, MA, University of Kentucky (2008)

Interest Areas:
International Relations and Public Policy

Honors/Awards:
Patterson Academic Fellowship, University of Kentucky

Work Experience/Volunteerism:
Research Assistant, Provost Office of the University of Kentucky; Intern, Merrill Lynch, Lexington, Kentucky; Tutor, Club Z! Home Tutoring, Lexington, Kentucky

Rebecca A Zotti
abbotrk@hotmail.com
SPIA Assistantship and Fellowship/Ph.D. track- Political Science

Degree:
Masters of Laws, University of Kent, Brussels School of International Studies, Brussels, Belgium (2009)

Juris Doctor, Loyola University, New Orleans School of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana (2004)

Political Science, B.A. Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi (2000)

The Fund for American Studies, Summer Program, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (1998)

Interest Areas:
Law and Courts and American Politics

Honors/Awards:
William Crow Senior Scholar, Loyola University award to top ten percent of graduating law class; Reid and Cynthia Bingham Award in Political Science, Millsaps College; John F. Kennedy Award in Political Science, Millsaps College; Phi Beta Kappa, Millsaps College

Teaching/Research Experience:
Adjunct Faculty, Political Science Department (taught Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties), Millsaps College; Teaching Assistant, Loyola University New Orleans School of Law (Moot Court); Teaching Assistant, Political Science Department (American Government), Millsaps College; Research Assistant for Professor Dennis Rousseau, Loyola University New Orleans School of Law (Agency and Partnerships); Business & Professional Women/USA, Washington, D.C., Public Policy and Legislative Affairs Intern (1998)

Work Experience/Volunteerism:
Associate Attorney, General and Commercial Litigation, Forman, Perry, Watkins, Krutz & Tardy, LLP, Jackson, Mississippi; Summer Law Clerk for the Honorable Carl J. Barbier, United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, New Orleans, Louisiana; Volunteer for Stewpot Homeless Shelter, Habitat for Humanity and Mississippi Disaster Legal Assistance.