2022-2023 Social Science Scholars

Sophie Barley

Sophie is a third-year student from Ponte Vedra pursuing a dual degree in Asian Studies with an emphasis on Business, and International Affairs with concentrations in Chinese and Economics. She is an Institute of Politics Undergraduate Fellow, the Involvement Chair for the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy’s Student Leadership Council, the Marketing Chair for the Student Council for Undergraduate Research and Creativity, and a Refugee Youth Mentor with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Sophie has a strong interest in human rights and Chinese culture. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Master’s in International Development Policy.

Emma Barrett

Emma is a second-year student from Tampa majoring in International Affairs and Political Science with a concentration in Anthropology. She is a Presidential Scholar and a member of the university’s Honors Program. In addition, Emma is an Honors Colloquium leader. Her academic interests include misinformation, political polarization and corruption, and the transparency of public institutions. She hopes to intern with the Department of State or a think tank in Washington, D.C., this summer. Following graduation, Emma aspires to enter either FSU’s Master’s Program in International Affairs or the Applied American Politics and Policy Program.

Jackson Boisvert

Jackson is a second-year student from Asburn pursuing a double major in Economics and Political Science. He currently serves as Undergraduate Seat #24 in the FSU Student Senate as well as Vice Chair of its Programming Allocation Committee. Jackson is also the Executive Vice President of FSU’s Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Director of its Risk Management Council. As the Chief Justice of the IFC Judicial Board, Jackson manages the approval process for all fraternity social and philanthropy events. Jackson has a strong passion for law and plans to attend law school. He aspires to eventually become an attorney, working at the federal level to develop sound legal policies.

Adam Bowling

Adam is a third-year student from Sanford majoring in International Affairs and Political Science, concentrating in History. He is Deputy Treasurer of FSU’s Student Government Association and Student Body Treasurer-Elect. Adam also is the Founder and President of the FSU Student Policy Forum, a non-partisan organization dedicated to researching legislation and advocating for students in the Florida Legislature. In addition, he is Service Chair for ENGin FSU, an English teaching organization that provides classes to Ukrainian refugees in Tallahassee. Following graduation, Adam hopes to work with the U.S. House of Representatives and, subsequently, prepare for a career in international development.

Andres Cubillos

Andres is a third-year Political Science and International Affairs major from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He serves as the Director of External Affairs for Student Government, as an advisory board member of the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition, as Vice President of Students Demand Action, and as a staff writer for the FSU Political Review. He also founded Florida PIRG Students at FSU, a student-led, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to find solutions for the biggest issues facing students. Following graduation, Andres aspires to work as a community organizer and, subsequently, attend FSU’s Law School.

Lydia Fertil

Lydia is a third-year student from Fort Lauderdale pursuing a dual degree in International Affairs and Cyber Criminology. Her passions are research, policymaking, and service to her community. Lydia has displayed her passions through her commitments to various campus organizations, including the Diversity and Inclusion Institute, the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), the Student Council for Undergraduate Research and Creativity, and the Powerof WE. Following graduation, Lydia hopes to enter a graduate program in either International Security or Computer Science.

Amanda Flynn

Amanda is a second-year student from North Lauderdale majoring in Political Science with a minor in Business and a certification in National Intelligence. She currently serves as Southern Scholarship Foundation’s ambassador, social chair, and media coordinator at FSU. She also is in Her Campus. Amanda is committed to expanding affordable housing and to revealing the true, and often obscured, costs of gentrification to urban communities. Following graduation, she intends to earn degrees in both law and business. Her long-term aspiration is to own an apartment complex to help meet the housing needs of low-income residents.

Kira Johansen

Kira is a fourth-year student from Fort Collins majoring in International Affairs and Religion and a minor in French. Kira has participated in numerous activities on campus, including the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, the Center for Global Engagement’s Global Exchange Program, and a Directed Individual Study with Dr. Sonia Hazard in the Department of Religion. She is currently completing an Honors in the Major project with Dr. Jimmy Yu, focusing on the lives of 65 Buddhist nuns in China who lived from the 3rd century to the 6th century. Her post-graduate plans include Chinese Buddhist studies, as well as working with one or more U.S. intelligence agencies.

Mitchel Karbachinski

Mitchel is a second-year student from Boca Raton majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in Public Administration and a certificate in U.S Intelligence. He is involved with FSU’s World Affairs Program and served as its Undersecretary General of Committees for NoleMUN II. Stemming from his Ukrainian and Russian background, Mitchel’s passion is international affairs and, specifically, U.S. policy toward Eastern Europe. This summer, he will work as a Foreign Service Intern with the U.S. Department of State in Washington. He aspires to become a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, working to promote peace and stability around the globe.

Bianca Lee

Bianca is a second-year student double majoring in Political Science and Religion from Lauderhill, Florida. Her main academic interests are Afro-Caribbean religious practices and privacy, surveillance, and human rights in the U.S. She plans to do an Honors in the Major thesis on Obeah, which are African-derived mystical practices from Guyana. Bianca is involved with the Black Female Future Attorneys Association. She is interning with Diamonds in the Rough, a nonprofit that aims to increase students’ academic performance and financial literacy through mentorship. Upon graduation, she plans to earn a Master’s in Theological Studies and, subsequently, a law degree focused on human rights.

Eli Mckown-Dawson

Eli is a third-year student from Boca Raton majoring in Political Science with minors in Statistics and Philosophy. He is an Undergraduate Research Fellow with the LeRoy Collins Institute, a Research Intern with the DeVoe L. Moore Center, a contributor at YouGov, and President of the Student Council for Undergraduate Research and Creativity. His research on public opinion and political behavior has been published by the LeRoy Collins Institute, YouGov, and the MIT Election Data & Science Lab. After graduation, Eli plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Political Science and to expand his research on U.S. elections and voting behavior.

Sarah Nemeth

Sarah is a third-year student from Marco Island pursuing a dual degree in International Affairs and Economics with a minor in Social Welfare. She is passionate about community building and has been involved with numerous organizations, including the Student Government Association’s Student Senate, ForwardFSU, the Nineteen Ten Honorary, Phi Alpha Delta, Zeta Tau Alpha, and the Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. Sarah aspires to become a public interest lawyer, specializing in human rights and economic equity. She is excited to be exploring her interests and developing her leadership skills alongside “such a diverse and inspiring group of Social Science Scholars.”

Angelina Perera

Angelina is a third-year student from Memphis majoring in International affairs with a focus on Public Administration and minoring in General Business. She is a member of the University Honors Program and has earned a certificate in National Intelligence Studies from FSU’s EMHS program. She also works with the International Rescue Committee as a refugee resettlement intern. Having studied for a semester at FSU’s campus in Valencia, Spain, Angelina believes international and intercultural experience is crucial to understanding the complexity of the world’s challenges. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a graduate degree in International affairs and then travel worldwide.

Gabe Pfeuffer-Ferguson

Gabriel is a third-year student from Pensacola double majoring in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences (with a focus on Urban Studies) and Human Rights & Social Justice. He currently serves as the Chair of the Presidential Scholars Program, President of the Academic Recruitment Organization, Treasurer of Power of WE, Vice President of Public Relations and President-Elect of the Garnet and Gold Key Leadership Honorary, Vice President of Public Relations for Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc., a University Ambassador, and an intern in the Division of Student Affairs. Upon graduation, Gabe plans to earn a Master’s in Higher Education Administration at FSU.

Arath Salazar

Arath is a third-year student from Fort Lauderdale with majors in Biology and in Public Health’s combined MS/BS Program. His main academic interests are infectious diseases and epidemiology. As a participant in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), Arath conducted research under the supervision of Dr. Ronald Doel in the History Department. Outside of academics, Arath is involved in a number of activities. In addition to participating in the Global Scholars Program, he is Treasurer of NuRhoPsi, a neuroscience club, and serves as Public Relations Officer for the University’s Swing Club. He also is a UROP Mentor and member of the Hispanic Honor Society and Multiplayer Mondays.

Alison Roush

Alison is a third-year student from Pepperell double majoring in International Affairs and Linguistics and Languages. She also is minoring in Arabic and hopes to earn a certificate in U.S. National Intelligence Studies. Alison serves as the Director of Amnesty International and Membership Coordinator of the Arabic Honor Society. She also is part of the FSU Honors Program, Phi Beta Kappa, and the FSU Flying High Circus. Her academic interests focus on the intersections of feminist social movements with religion and culture, human rights, and foreign policy issues centered in the Middle Eastern and North African regions. After earning her bachelor’s degree, Alison plans to pursue higher education in the social sciences.

Elena Villamagna

Elena is a third-year student from Largo majoring in Public Health and minoring in Anthropology and Statistics. She is passionate about perinatal health and committed to changing birth culture in the U.S. to make it a more empowering, holistic, and safer experience for women. Her passion led her to become a doula over the year she spent in New Zealand under the auspices of FSU’s Gap Year program. There she became interested in the anthropological side of birthing and, specifically, Māori birthing traditions and practices. After earning her bachelor’s degree, Elena plans to pursue a Master’s in Midwifery.

Delaney Williams

Delaney is a third-year student from Lake City majoring in Political Science and International Affairs with a minor in Data Analytics. She is involved in FSU’s Power of WE as its Student Director, University Housing as a Resident Assistant, the Academic Recruitment Organization, the FSU Honors Program, and the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program. She also is a member of the Garnet and Gold Key Leadership Honorary. Delaney’s interests include political polarization and domestic terrorism, human rights, and social justice. In the future, she plans to earn a Master’s in International Relations while continuing to study Russian and working as a policy analyst.