2023 Cohort

Selah Aberle is a senior from Oologah, Oklahoma majoring in Political Science and minoring in Religion and Rhetoric and Public Discourse. She has previously interned for Axiom Strategies, Rep. Kevin Hern’s DC office, Rep. Hern’s District office, Rep. Hern’s campaign, and Rep. Pete Sessions’ campaign. Selah has served as the Chair of Baylor College Republicans and was elected Policy Director for the Texas Federation of College Republicans. She is also a member of Alpha Phi sorority, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and Alexander Hamilton Society. This fall, she is interning with Sen. Ted Cruz. She will graduate in December 2024 and plans on working as an aide to a member of Congress. 

Manha Asrar is a sophomore from Plano, Texas, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with minors in Business Administration and French at Baylor University. Born and raised in India, Manha brings a deep understanding of South Asia’s political, cultural, and economic complexities to her academic and professional endeavors. She is actively involved in Baylor’s Student Government, and is a member of Baylor’s Model United Nations team, where she has earned recognition for outstanding policy papers. Manha is also an Engage Fellow and a Global Scholar, with research interests in Indo-Pacific relations, economic development, and sustainable policies. This spring, Manha is interning with AEI in Washington, D.C., and plans to pursue a career as a policy analyst after graduation. 

Noah Aune is a senior from San Antonio, Texas, studying political science and religion. Noah is a rewarded writer and debater through the Baylor Model Organization of American States program, and will serve as a chair for the spring 2025 Model in Washington D.C. He is interning with the Trinity Forum. After graduation, Noah hopes to get a position relating to public policy or national security.

"The support that I have received from the Baylor in Washington Program has significantly impacted the Reuniting Families Project. I founded the program at Baylor in 2003 and worked for over a decade with little effect at the national level. We received quite a bit of media attention through the years but were not effective at communicating with our elected representatives or influencing policy.

Through our Baylor in Washington initiative, I was able to present our work along the border to elected officials as well as non-governmental human rights organizations and other important entities. As a result, I was able to help secure funding for revision of the Department of Justice, National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) that will better accommodate our cases of undocumented border crossers. One outcome of these D.C. efforts is the creation of the National Institute of Justice, NamUs Missing Migrant Working Group, which includes the FBI, INTERPOL, International Commission on Missing Persons, Washington Office on Latin America and others such as myself.

Lastly, the result of a greater connection to D.C. has given me the opportunity and credibility to have meetings with Congressmen that would have not been possible under other circumstances. As a result (of a recent meeting), Senator Cornyn included language in the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill that would provide support for the forensic work along the southern border. These breakthroughs for me are monumental, as I have worked for so long seemingly in a vacuum. I look forward to seeing the impact these opportunities will have on other Baylor programs and collaborations. It seems a very direct way to have a significant global impact." 

“The Baylor in Washington Program was a life changing experience, professionally and personally. The program and my internship pushed me to challenge myself in ways I had not done so before. The people I met and the work I performed during the program were crucial in placing me where I am today.”

Josh Barry, a junior from Tyler, Texas, is pursuing degrees in Political Science and Philosophy on the Pre-Law track. He previously worked as an administrative assistant for Charles L. Levy, a lawyer in Waco, Texas. Currently, Josh serves Baylor's student body as a student representative on the Student Life and Services Committee and is an active member of The Alexander Hamilton Society. This spring, he is interning for Senator Ted Cruz. Josh is set to graduate in May 2026 and plans to pursue a J.D. after graduation.

Aron Basurto is a Junior from El Paso, Texas studying Medical Humanities and minoring in Business Administration. He has previously worked with Waco Family Medicine as an intern and research assistant. His research focused on the impact Centering Programs at Federal Qualified Health Centers have on pregnancy and childbirth. Aron serves as a Student Senator in Baylor’s Student Government, President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon – Texas Theta Chapter, Teaching Assistant and office worker for the Medical Humanities Department at Baylor University, and has recently been named as a 2024-2025 Provost Scholar. Aron was also named as the 2022 Fraternity Man of the Year for his leadership skills, advocacy, and pivotal role in dramatically increasing the service opportunities across campus. In the summer of 2022, Aron studied abroad at Christ Church in the United Kingdom where he developed his interest in healthcare policy. After graduation in May of 2025, Aron plans to pursue a graduate program in the United Kingdom in Medical Humanities/Healthcare Policy before returning to the United States for medical school.  

Victoria Beede is from Salem, Oregon. She is a senior majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Legal Reasoning and Analysis on the Pre-Law track. Previously, she has interned as the Legal Advocacy Intern at the Family Abuse Center, a domestic abuse shelter in Waco. She is passionate about advocacy work with survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence and her volunteer work with Unbound Waco and Journey to the Streets has experience working in this field even more. She is thrilled to intern with the Center for Public Justice this summer as a part of the Baylor in Washington Summer Fellowship for Religion and Social Life.

"The Summer Fellowship for Religion & Social LIfe program was absolutely formative in my pursuit of a human rights career. The opportunity to converse daily with those who have a strong sense of their vocation taught me an indescribable amount about how I conceptualize myself and my future as well as provided me with a strong professional network!"

Shea Berthelot is a senior from McKinney, Texas. She is studying American studies, International studies, and Military studies on the Pre-Law track and is a member of the Honors Program and the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. In the summer of 2022, she interned with the Non-Commissioned Officer’s Association’s legislative office and assisted in efforts to pass the Honoring Our Pact Act which provides active-duty troops and veterans with necessary healthcare support. Her main areas of interest are advocacy, legislation, civil rights, and most specifically voting rights. Shea serves as the Director of Policy for Baylor University’s Student Government. She has previously served Student Government as the Director of Extra-University Relations and as a freshman senator. Shea has also served as public relations chair of the Pre- Law Society at Baylor. This summer Shea is interning at Thrive Architects, a consulting firm. She is writing an undergraduate honors thesis on voter suppression, and she is a member of the inaugural cohort of the Baylor in Washington Summer Fellowship for Religion and Social Life. After graduating in May 2024, Shea plans to pursue a career in advocacy in Washington D.C. and obtain a graduate degree in either public policy or law.

"The Summer Fellowship for Religion and Social Life was an incredible privilege to be a part of. I learned so much about many different topics, how to converse meaningfully with others, and more about myself. The summer fellowship was the opportunity of a lifetime that has forever changed how I think about myself, others, and my relationship with God."

Matthew Blankenship is from San Antonio, Texas, and expects to graduate from Baylor University in December of 2024. He is an honors prelaw student majoring in political science and minoring in criminal justice. He is currently in the Honors Program as well as the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, and he serves as the Senior Executive Editor of the Baylor Undergraduate Law Review. This summer, Matthew will be working as a Policy Intern at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, which serves as the public policy wing of the Southern Baptist Convention. In the past, he has worked and interned at various law firms in San Antonio and Waco, ranging from criminal defense to immigration and personal injury. He also tutors and advises students at the Baylor University Writing Center as an Undergraduate Writing Consultant. As a student intent on pursuing law school in the near future, Matthew is especially passionate about issues of constitutional and criminal law.

Jackson Boone is a junior from Calvert City, Kentucky with a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Political Science. This spring, Jackson is a legislative intern with Congressman James Comer. At Baylor, He is involved with the Baylor Ambassadors, Crane Scholars Program, and the Baylor Engaged Fellows Program. His interests include workforce policy, rural economic and education opportunity, American history of any and all kinds, and college basketball. Post graduation in Spring 2026, Jackson plans on attending law school and seek a legal career where he can combine his knowledge of engineering with his interest in policy. 

Josh Browder is a junior from Norman, Oklahoma. Josh is studying international studies with a minor in Japanese, and will also graduate with an Honors Degree as a part of the University Scholars program. Josh hopes to pursue a career related to foreign policy, and is excited to be interning with the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations this Spring. At Baylor he advocates for higher education funding for students as a part of Baylor Ambassadors, and enjoys competing in any and all intramural sports leagues. After graduating, Josh plans to pursue a master's degree in global policy studies before looking towards a career in the foreign service.  

Avery Bulsiewicz is a junior from Houston, Texas planning to graduate May 2025. At Baylor, Avery is studying Professional Writing and Rhetoric and is minoring in both Political Science and Great Texts on the Pre-Law Track. On campus, she is in the Honors Program and works as head of the Public Relations Board for the Honors Residential College. During the academic year, she works for the Baylor University Writing Center and J. H. Hines Elementary School. She has a deep passion for helping students grow more comfortable in their academic pursuits, with a special concentration on helping underprivileged or disabled students grow in their rhetorical skills. After graduation, Avery plans to attend law school and hopes to go into disability or advocacy law. This fall, she will intern at Becket Law Firm.

Bella Burns is a junior originally from Waco, Texas. Bella is majoring in business fellows, economics, and professional writing and rhetoric with a minor in political science on the pre-law track in the honors program. This summer, Bella will be interning at the Religious Freedom Institute as a research assistant. Bella had the opportunity to study abroad in the summer of 2023 in Singapore where she developed a passion for free speech and religion. Bella has served within Baylor’s Student Government as a two-year senator and has spent one year on the Senate Executive Council as the Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Bella is also involved in her sorority Chi Omega, Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor society, and pre-law society. After graduation, Bella plans to attend law school.

Nicole Cage is a Junior University Scholar studying Great Texts, Philosophy, and Political Science in Baylor’s Honors College. Nicole participated in the Spring 2023 Baylor in Washington Cohort. While in D.C, she interned at the Religious Freedom Institute and the Ethics and Public Policy Center. At Baylor, Nicole is the Editor and Chief of The Standard, an independent student newspaper dedicated to honesty, civility, and hope. She is an active member of her sorority, Chi Omega. During her free time Nicole loves reading, watching movies, and having her friends over for meals together. After Nicole graduates in May 2025, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in academia.

Michael Chapple, Jr. is a junior from Jones, Oklahoma pursuing degrees in Political Science and Philosophy with a pre-law designation. A member of the Honors College, Michael is a student in the Honors Program and Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. On campus, he serves as President and Chief Executive Editor of the Baylor Undergraduate Law Review, Associate Justice of the Baylor University Student Court, and holds membership in the Baylor Pre-Law Society, Pi Sigma Alpha, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Golden Key International. He is also a William Carey Crane Scholar through Baylor’s Institute on Faith and Learning. Previously, he interned for the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Judicial Conference, Oklahoma House of Representatives, and worked as an undergraduate assistant at the Baylor Law School. He currently serves as the Chief Compliance Officer for Limitless Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to promoting health equity among underserved populations, and is an active member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. As an inaugural fellow for Baylor in Washington’s Summer Fellowship for Religion and Social Life, Michael will serve this summer in Washington, D.C. working for The Trinity Forum and Redeeming Babel. Following graduation, Michael hopes to attend law school and become an attorney.

Lindsay Chatman is a Junior from Houston, Texas who will graduate in December of 2025 with a major in Political Science with a Pre-Law Concentration and minors in Economics and Italian. This spring, Lindsay is excited to be interning with Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (TX-24). Previously she has interned at the Callahan and King Defense Law Firm in Waco, Texas, and the Harris County District Attorney's Office. At Baylor Lindsay is an active participant in Baylor’s Pre-Law Society as well as Italian Club. After Graduation, she plans on attending Law School with an interest in governmental affairs. 

This summer, I interned with the Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) on their Public Policy and Education task team. RFI’s is a non-profit whose mission is working to achieve broad acceptance of religious liberty as a fundamental human right, a source of individual and social flourishing, the cornerstone of a successful society, and a driver of national and international security. As an intern, I got to research religious freedom issues both domestically and internationally.

Through this internship, I attended multiple Congressional hearings to take notes and write reports, participated in international religious freedom roundtable discussions, and wrote briefing reports to be circulated within leadership of the organization. I was able to hone the skill of case-briefing, as I helped brief the leadership team following the release of the recent Supreme Court decisions of 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis and Groff v. DeJoy. I also learned about the inner functioning of non-profit organizations. Due to the smaller nature of the organization, I was often pulled onto projects that did not originate from my specific task team. I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity, as it allowed me to experience all facets of RFI’s operations and truly gain a well-rounded understanding of all the different avenues of protecting religious freedom. 

I am so grateful for the Mayborn Scholarship for making my summer in D.C. financially possible. Because of this program, I was also able to earn credit for a Political Science course over the summer and further advance my degree. As I pursue a law degree in the future with the goal of practicing constitutional law, I will take these formative, unforgettable experiences with me. It was an honor to represent Baylor in Washington D.C., and I absolutely would recommend a D.C. internship summer to anyone!  

Hailey Coates is a junior from Scottsdale, Arizona studying political science, great texts, and poverty studies in social justice. Hailey has a variety of policy interests including social security, immigration, child and family services, foster care, and adoption. On campus, she is involved in the Trailblazer Scholars Program and holds a position on the diversity, equity, and belonging committee of her sorority, Chi Omega. In her free time, Hailey enjoys volunteering in youth ministry. She has worked with Mount Hermon Camps, Scottsdale Bible Youth Ministry, and Harris Creek Baptist Church Youth Ministry over the past six years. This spring she is thrilled to be interning on Capitol Hill in the office of her representative, Congressman David Schweikert.

Isabella Cosio is a senior originally from San Antonio, Texas but has lived in Mexico with her family since her junior year of high school. She is currently majoring in International Studies with minors in Business Administration and Nutrition Sciences and is set to graduate in December of 2025. By growing up in a bi-cultural environment she is deeply interested in international and foreign affairs particularly the ways in which different cultures, political systems, and global dynamics intersect. She is thrilled to spend the semester in D.C., to intern with Rep Henry Cuellar (TX-28), and to experience all the city has to offer! 

Alyssa Craig is a senior originally from Fort Worth, Texas. Alyssa will graduate from Baylor University in December 204 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, minoring in history. This fall, she is interning at America First. Her past experiences include interning for Information Discovery Services this past summer. She is a member of Pre- Law Society on campus and an avid volunteer at an equitherapy organization. After graduation, Alyssa plans to attend law school to pursue a career in international law. Alyssa is excited to spend this semester in Washington, D.C., and cannot wait to learn and experience new things in our nation's capital.

Jack Crowell is a senior from Eugene, Oregon, majoring in Accounting, Finance, Economics and minoring in Political Science. This spring, he will be interning at Cornerstone Government Affairs as a Policy Intern. Over the summer, Jack interned in the district office of Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-5). This fall he worked as a finance intern for the City of Waco. Previously he has worked as an undergraduate economic research assistant in the Baylor Economics Department. After graduation, Jack is planning on pursuing graduate studies in accounting or working in legislative affairs. 

"The February 22, 2016 event with Greg Jones was remarkable. It allowed Baylor (through IFL) to partner with Christianity Today in hosting a significant conversation about how a Christian vision of social innovation might help to deepen how Christians engage culture and institutions. Jones’ presentation was a powerful example of how Christians might think constructively about culture; that the event was held before a standing room only crowd in the nation’s capitol demonstrates the potential for Baylor to play a role as a keystone institution of higher learning in the days ahead." 

John Austin DeLozier is a junior from Orange County, California studying political science, sociology, great texts, and classics at Baylor University. He has previously worked as an investigative legal intern for the Kanawha County Public Defender’s office, a research assistant to Dr. Christopher Pieper, and a tumbling and acrobatics coach. His areas of interest are wide and varied: he has accomplished significant research on the social and national security implications of new spatial computing technologies, liberation theology’s influence on pro-democracy movements in Haiti, and gender dynamics in Hesiod’s cosmos. He enjoys cross-disciplinary conversations and community-building. On campus, he is a member of Eta Sigma Phi (the national classics honor society), the Pulse Undergraduate Research Journal, and a Community Leader (residential assistant). He is excited to experience Washington D.C. for the first time this summer.

John Austin DeLozier is a junior from Orange County, California studying political science, sociology, great texts, and classics at Baylor University. He has previously worked as an investigative legal intern for the Kanawha County Public Defender’s office, a research assistant to Baylor’s Undergraduate Sociology Program Director, and a tumbling and acrobatics coach. To his delight and distress, he has many interests. For example, he is a contributor to a monograph examining the social implications of new spatial computing technologies, is working on a conference paper regarding Haitian Liberation Theology, and has published several poems in various literary magazines. He enjoys cross-disciplinary conversation and community-building. On campus, he is an officer in Eta Sigma Phi, the Pulse Undergraduate Research Journal, a super-secret Dead Poets Society, and a Residential Assistant.

Erin Eldridge is a senior from Houston, Texas. Erin will graduate in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, minoring in history on the Pre-Law track. She will also be graduating with an honors degree as part of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. Erin is interning with the Becket Fund this fall. Previously, she has interned with the Law Office of Erica Jeffcoat, P.L.L.C. where she gained experience in the practice of business, real estate, and probate law. At Baylor, Erin has worked as an undergraduate research assistant for the Department of Political Science and as an associate editor for the Baylor Undergraduate Law Review, where she was published in Vol. 2 of the Winter Edition. She is also a member of the Baylor Chamber of Commerce, serving as the public relations chair and on the internal disciplinary review board. She intends to attend law school in the fall of 2025 with an interest in constitutional law and government affairs.

Joely English is a senior from Spring Branch, Texas. Joely will graduate from Baylor in December 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, minoring in corporate communication. This fall, she is interning at the Twenty First Century Group. She has previously been a grant-funded research assistant, studying congressional campaign rhetoric in the Early Republic era. Joely serves as Vice President of the senior class in Baylor’s Student Government and has served as a member of the Senate Executive Council and an elected senator in years prior. She has also volunteered her time as a member of Baylor’s Student Foundation, a co-ed service organization aimed to serve Baylor’s past, present, and future. After graduation, Joely plans to attend graduate school and continue working on research, publication, and teaching. 

I couldn't be more grateful for my time in the Baylor in Washington program. Through a full-time internship, challenging coursework, and helpful networking opportunities, I gained the experience and confidence necessary to pursue a successful career in Washington, D.C..

Vicky Estefani is a rising Junior from Miami, Florida concentrating in Religion, Philosophy, and Educational Psychology through Baylor University’s Honors Program. Within this academic focus, she is particularly interested in the topics of religious extremism and the Roman Catholic Extraordinary Form. To meet her vocational goals of becoming a religious educator at a Catholic high school, she intends on matriculating into graduate school to obtain her Master’s in Theology upon completing her current degree. A testament to these goals, Vicky presently serves as the Christian Ministry Team Communications Liaison for Baylor University’s Catholic Center and as a religion tutor with the Student Athlete Center for Excellence. 

Jazmine Fajardo is a sophomore from Cape Coral, FL majoring in Political Science with minors in International Studies and Philosophy on Baylor’s Pre-Law track in the Honors and Baylor Interdisciplinary Core Programs. She has previously worked as a paralegal assistant at Avard Law Offices in Southwest Florida and as a Congressional Liaison Specialist for the Congressional Office of Representative Byron Donalds. On campus, she serves as Executive Editor of the Baylor Undergraduate Law Review for the committee on Immigration and International Law, and holds membership in the Baylor Pre-Law Society, Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Sigma Tau, Model United Nations, and Hispanic Student Association. As a resident of the Honors Residential College, Jazmine leads the community as a College Council Chair for the Academic Committee and serves as a Political Science Mentor. She is also an avid volunteer at “La Puerta”, a local Waco community ministry where she teaches the Hispanic/Latino community in ESL, GED and citizenship classes. As an inaugural fellow for Baylor in Washington’s Summer Fellowship for Religion and Social Life, Jazmine will serve this summer in Washington, D.C. Following graduation, Jazmine hopes to attend law school and pursue International Law. 

Emma Firminger is a junior from Seattle, WA. She studies philosophy, religion, and professional writing and rhetoric. Her professional focus is on the intersection of ethics and expression. This summer she is interning with the Oversight Board, the independent Facebook free speech review board. Emma has previous editorial and program strategy experience working as a marketing manager for a medical clinic and communications associate for international non-profit CureJM. At Baylor she is part of the University Scholars program and serves on Honors Residential College leadership within the academic committee. After graduation, Emma hopes to either work in D.C. or attend law school while establishing a supplemental writing career.

Alejandra Flores is a senior from Houston, Texas. Alejandra will graduate from Baylor University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science with minors in criminal justice and forensic science. She previously worked as an administrative assistant at Nexus Disposal before interning at Pakis, Giotes, Page, & Burleson P.C. Law where she served as a legal intern. She is a part of Red Cross at Baylor, a service-based organization on Baylor’s campus, where she became the Administrative Officer. She is also a part of the Hispanic Student Association at Baylor, a cultural social based organization where she served as the Chaplain. After graduation, Alejandra plans to attend law school to pursue a career as a probate attorney. This semester Alejandra will intern for Rep. Pete Sessions.

Aubrey Gilliam is a senior University Scholar studying political science, international relations, and Great Texts in Baylor’s Honors College. She has previously interned with the United States Department of Defense, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, and the Hudson Institute's South and Central Asia Program. Additionally, she was a 2022 Political Studies Program Fellow with the Hertog Foundation and a semester study abroad student in the Netherlands. Aubrey is currently a Provost's Scholar for Baylor's Office of Engaged Learning, and she has previously participated in the National Model United Nations conferences in New York and Washington, D.C. After graduation, Aubrey plans to attend graduate school and hopes to pursue a career in public service.

My name is Olivia Gray and I am entering my senior year at Baylor University. I plan to earn a B.A. in University Scholars with a secondary major in Political Science and minors in History and International Studies. Originally from Palos Verdes, CA, I spent the summer on the opposite coast with support from Baylor University and the Frank W. Mayborn Scholarship.

Throughout the Summer of 2023, I served as a Contracting Officer Intern becoming wholly knowledgeable on the procurement lifecycle including acquisition planning, source selection, and contract management. I simultaneously familiarized myself with the federal government at large, refined personal leadership skills, and built professional expertise. Taking advantage of the various training opportunities of my office and other student programs, I absorbed the tradecraft of colleagues and mentors across employment positions. Working in a facilities-oriented office allowed me a unique perspective above all workings toward requirements.

With its significant financial assistance, the Frank W. Mayborn Scholarship allowed me to focus entirely on the opportunities in D.C.. The ability to live in the city allowed me to easily connect with Baylor associates in the city, attend Congressional hearings, volunteer weekly with a local church, spend time working in the Library of Congress, and gather qualitative data for my Honors Thesis on human trafficking prevention policy. The History minor in me loved easily walking to the National Mall Smithsonian museums after work! I recommend spending time in D.C. to all students and remain blessed to represent Baylor University and the Mayborn Scholarship.

Dr. Allen C. Guelzo is the Senior Research Scholar in the Council of the Humanities and Director of the Initiative on Politics and Statesmanship in the James Madison Program at Princeton University. He is the author of Abraham Lincoln: Redeemer President, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America, and Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates That Defined America. His book on the battle of Gettysburg, Gettysburg: The Last Invasion, was a New York Times bestseller in 2013. His articles and essays have appeared in scholarly journals, and also in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Atlantic, and Los Angeles Times. From 2006 to 2012, he was a member of the National Council on the Humanities. His newest work on the Civil War era, Robert E. Lee: A Life, was published in September 2021.

"The Department of Film & Digital Media strongly supports the notion of a sustained Baylor presence in Washington, D.C. for the following reasons: It enables us to support and cultivate relationships with Baylor alumni in key positions in that area (US Department of Energy, FEMA, etc.); It enables us to continue and strengthen long relationships we have already established with industry organizations and professionals in the area as well as build new ones, such as the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), US delegation to the Department of State, and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA); It allows us to showcase the groundbreaking research and production work that we do to all of the above connections and to legislators, producers, corporate executives and more. Our research track includes management of technology, diffusion of innovations, and social impact of media. The Washington DC program provides us with rich opportunities to cultivate policy research." 

Reagan Havel is a junior from Dallas, Texas studying communication, political science, and professional writing and rhetoric as a University Scholar in the Honors College. This fall, she will be interning for Rep. Kevin McCarthy. She has previously worked as an intern in the Waco district office of Congressman Pete Sessions, a student assistant at Baylor Law School, and a field representative for a political consulting firm. On campus, she is a member of the BRH Choir and Alpha Phi. After graduating from Baylor, Reagan plans to work for a few years before attending graduate or law school in preparation for a career in government affairs or public policy.

Morgan Hesters is a junior from Bellville, Texas majoring in Economics with a minor in International Studies. She is also studying in the Honors College as a member of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. This spring, she is interning with Twenty First Century Group, a bipartisan consulting firm specializing in Federal Government affairs. Morgan’s previous experience includes roles as a Compliance and Governance Intern with Precision Drilling (NYSE:PDS) and as a Junior Analyst with Strategic Insight Group, a private intelligence firm. Morgan has served as a Peer Instructor within the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, supporting first-year students in foundational courses. She is also active in Delta Delta Delta’s Beta Tau chapter and Baylor Ambassadors, a student organization that travels to Austin and D.C. to advocate for higher education funding. After graduating in May 2026, Morgan plans to enroll in graduate school or gain professional experience before obtaining a master’s degree. She is interested in intelligence, national security, and policy, particularly their intersection, which she aims to explore in her future academic and professional endeavors. 

Dr. Thomas Hibbs is currently J. Newton Rayzor Sr. Professor of Philosophy at Baylor where he is also Dean Emeritus, having served 16 years as Dean of the Honors College and Distinguished Professor of Ethic and Culture.  Hibbs has a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame and served as tutor at Thomas Aquinas College, Full Professor and Department Chair of Philosophy at Boston College, and President of the University of Dallas. At Baylor, Hibbs has also served as Director of Baylor in Washington, D.C.

Joshua Hillman is a junior hailing from Killeen, Texas. Joshua will graduate in the spring of 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. This spring, Joshua is interning for the Victims of Communism Foundation. He has already gained experience with business management and event planning through volunteering for Net Impact and their Up to Us program. Post-graduation, he aims to work for local or state political organizations and eventually secure a position in the Nation's Department of State. 

Keegan Hunt is a sophomore at Baylor University, originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, majoring in Political Science with a minor in International Studies. A former five-year competitor in speech and debate with the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association (NCFCA), Keegan learned valuable skills in public speaking, policy analysis, and government, sparking a deep passion for civic engagement. Growing up in a military family, Keegan traveled extensively, fostering a profound appreciation for diverse cultures and global perspectives. Driven by his commitment to public service and his Christian faith, he is dedicated to advancing his understanding of government and sharing the gospel in meaningful ways. This spring, Keegan is interning with the Committee on Homeland Security in the U.S. House of Representatives, under Congressman Mark Green (R-TN 7), through Baylor in Washington. He is eager to contribute to enhancing national security while gaining firsthand experience in legislative processes. An active Army ROTC cadet at Baylor, Keegan plans to serve in the U.S. Army after graduation. Following his military career, he aspires to continue serving the American people as a dedicated public servant, leveraging his experiences to make a lasting impact on government policy and security.

Nicholas Imo is a junior from St. Louis, Missouri majoring in environmental studies with a minor in legal reasoning and analysis on the pre-law track. With a deep passion for environmental justice, he aspires to become an environmental lawyer after graduation. At Baylor, Nicholas has held the executive position of Historian in his fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, where he strengthened alumni relationships and created monthly newsletters, he has also been a part of Students for Environment and Wilderness Protection a club that brings sustainable awareness to campus. This fall he will be interning for Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Tasha Jacquez is a junior originally from Misawa, Japan, and currently from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Tasha will graduate from Baylor University in April 2026 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, minoring in business administration, legal reasoning and analysis, and American sign language. Tasha has volunteered as a leader within Peak City Church and as a special needs tutor at Air Academy. After graduation, Tasha intends to attend law school and a master's in public policy before pursuing a career in foreign affairs in Washington, DC.

Jay Jasti is a senior originally from Hyderabad, India. Jay will graduate from Baylor University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science on Baylor’s Pre-Law track, a Bachelor of Arts in economics, and a minor in Legal Reasoning and Analysis. This summer, Jay will intern at the International Religious Freedom Roundtable in Washington, D.C. Jay’s past experiences include serving the Rutgers University Police Department as a student officer on campus in New Brunswick, NJ, working as a fundraising manager at the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, a Hindu religious non-profit in Hyderabad, India, and as an admissions recruiter at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Jay is a part of the National Political Science Honorary Society, Pi Sigma Alpha. Jay is also a member of the Pre-Law Society on campus and is a leader and volunteer at a local Church in Waco, where he mentors and serves college students. After graduation, Jay plans to attend law school to pursue a career as a lawyer.

"The Summer Fellowship for Religion and Social Life strengthened my purpose of serving God. The program taught me the role of Christianity in the past and its importance today. I had the opportunity to discern my vocation, meet inspiring Christians, and see what abiding in Christ looks like. Above all, I learned to love God and love others."

Calli Jennings is a junior from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a double major in Corporate Communications and Religion. She is also minoring in Political Science and Business Administration. Calli loves to learn and has a broad range of interests, shown in her studies and various internships in nonprofits, human resources, marketing, and church settings. At Baylor, she is actively involved in her sorority Chi Omega and served as the Philanthropy Executive this past year helping raise over $30,000 for Make a Wish. She is excited to see her love for people, faith, and justice intersect during her time in DC as a Global Innovation & Design Intern at International Justice Mission. Calli will graduate in May 2026, and is interested in pursuing a career in international development or non-profit work. 

Malaïka John is a senior from Bentonville, Arkansas double majoring in Business Management and Professional Writing & Rhetoric. A lifelong writer, she has won several writing contests and been published in multiple publications, including literary magazines and a newspaper. She is self-employed as an online clothing merchant and her success garnered her an invitation to a national conference for clothing merchants. At Baylor, she was a member of the Mock Trial Team for three years, during which she qualified to the first round of the American Mock Trial Association's national tournament. She is also deeply interested in advocacy and as part of the Baylor2Baylor Law Program, plans to attend law school.

Chandler Johnson is a student from Argyle, Texas, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Political Science on the Pre-Law track at Baylor University. She is minoring in Religion and Legal Reasoning and Analysis. She has gained professional experience as a Marketing Coordinator at Quicksands Solutions. On campus, she serves as a Student Senator in the Baylor Student Government. She is an active participant in the Pre-Law Society, Pi Beta Phi sorority, and the university Club Tennis team. She plans to graduate in May 2027 and aspires to pursue a career in law or public service. Chandler is interning with Congressman Pete Sessions during her semester in Washington. 

Shelby Johnson is a senior political science major minoring in economics and legal reasoning and analysis. She is originally from Phoenix, Arizona and plans to graduate from Baylor University in December 2023. This fall, she will be interning in Sen. Bill Hagerty’s office. Shelby’s background is in analytical writing and public speaking. She was an editorial intern for a conservative news outlet based in Arizona, The Western Journal. At Baylor, she was a mock-attorney for Baylor’s Mock Trial team and served Baylor’s Turning Point USA chapter as the Social Media Director in 2021 and later as their Vice President in 2022 and 2023. Shelby served the Alpha Phi International Fraternity as their Director of Programming and Events, and she was an athlete on Baylor’s club triathlon and gymnastics teams. Shelby has a passion for working with children and is a volunteer in her church’s youth ministry, where she leads mentorship groups and works as a Bible School teacher. Shelby plans to attend law school and pursue a career in legal counsel or legislative affairs.

Tori Jones is a junior from San Antonio, Texas studying International Relations, Arabic, and Legal Reasoning and Analysis on Baylor's Pre-Law track in the Honors Program. She has previously worked on the Meals-to-You program with the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty and studied Arabic at a local institute in Amman, Jordan. At Baylor, Tori is a member of Model United Nations, participating in conferences in Washington D.C. and New York City, and will serve as the assistant head delegate upon her return to campus in the spring. She is an officer in the Alexander Hamilton Society and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. This fall, Tori is interning at the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

Lilia Kasten is a junior Baylor Business Fellow from Milwaukee, Wisconsin majoring in Economics and International Studies and minoring in French and Political Science. Lilia joins the cohort after a semester of immersion in Paris at the Sorbonne Faculté des Lettres. This spring she is interning with the U.S. Department of State in the Office of Foreign Missions. Her previous experience includes working in brand management for Docson Brands, the brand behind the TV show The Incredible Dr. Pol, and as a research assistant on the topics of medieval French Bibles and video game pedagogy. On campus, Lilia is involved in International Justice Mission and Model United Nations, where she’s served as Public Relations chair and won awards at international conferences for her research and committee work. She is interested in international migration and humanitarian crises and plans on attending graduate school after graduating in 2026.  

Isabel Kau is a senior from Valparaiso, IN in the Baylor Honors College as a University Scholar studying environmental science and political science with a minor in Environmental Humanities. Previously, Isabel has worked with city government in her hometown, Meridian, ID, as a commissioner on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission and a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council officer. She has also worked for the City of Waco Department of Housing and Community Development doing housing vacancy research and as an intern for Urban REAP in Waco, TX. This fall, she is working with the Center for Public Justice as an advocacy intern. Her interests include city planning, sustainable solid waste management, alternative energy, policy, and environmental justice. After graduation in spring 2025, Isabel hopes to attend graduate school for Environmental Science and Policy before pursuing a career supporting environmental policy in the government or non-profit sectors.

Logan Lee is a senior from Nacogdoches, Texas studying political science and pursuing a secondary major in corporate communication with emphasis in legal reasoning and analysis. Logan is interning for Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and working in the House Republican Conference. His main areas of interest include public policy, foreign defense, and human rights advocacy. Logan previously studied as a Baylor in Washington Summer Fellow for Religion and Social Life in the inaugural cohort, where he interned at Religious Freedom Institute in the Middle Eastern policy office. At Baylor, he is a member of Student Government, Student Foundation Alumni Relations, Baylor Ambassadors, Alexander Hamilton Society, and a contributing writer for The Standard Newspaper. Logan has previously served as a student senator where he held the position of Finance Chair for the Senate Executive Council for Baylor Student Government. He is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha national political science honor society and works on campus as a tour guide for the admissions department. After graduation, Logan hopes to obtain a graduate degree in public policy or international relations with plans to return to Washington to work in foreign policy or in the non-profit sector advocating for human rights.

"The Baylor in Washington program gave me the most impactful personal and career development opportunities I have had during my time at Baylor. The professional network, internship experience, as well as the mentors and friendships I was able to cultivate during my semester in D.C. have proven invaluable to me, and I would not be the same person I am today without the program."

Nathan Lee is a junior year Political Science major with a minor in Legal Reasoning and Analysis on the Pre-Law track at Baylor University and will graduate in December 2024. He is from Eastvale, California, and interned during the last fall semester as a part of the Baylor in Washington Semester Program with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Last summer, Nathan studied at the American Enterprise Institute’s Summer Honors Program during David French's seminar on "American Unity and the Promise of Pluralism" and interned with Assemblymember Bill Essayli. Nathan is involved in Model United Nations, the William Carey Cranes' Scholars Program, the Alexander Hamilton Society, and the AEI Collegiate Network where he recorded an episode of the Campus Exchange Podcast with Senior Fellow Zack Cooper on China and Competition in the Indo-Pacific. Nathan is also a part of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, as well as the Honors Program, where he is currently writing his senior undergraduate thesis on a case study of Employment Division v. Smith and its relation to the Founding Fathers’ conception of religious liberty.

Nathan Lee is a junior year Political Science major with a minor in Legal Reasoning and Analysis on the Pre-Law track. He is from Eastvale, California, and will intern this semester with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. This past summer, Nathan studied at the American Enterprise Institute’s Summer Honors Program during David French's seminar on "American Unity and the Promise of Pluralism". Nathan is also a part of the Baylor Undergraduate Law Review, William Carey Cranes Scholars Program, and the political science honors society, Pi Sigma Alpha.

Yuval Levin is the director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he also holds the Beth and Ravenel Curry Chair in Public Policy. The founder and editor of National Affairs, he is also a senior editor at The New Atlantis, a contributing editor at National Review, and a contributing opinion writer at The New York Times. In addition to being interviewed frequently on radio and television, Dr. Levin has published essays and articles in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Commentary. He is the author of several books on political theory and public policy, most recently A Time to Build: From Family and Community to Congress and the Campus, How Recommitting to Our Institutions Can Revive the American Dream (Basic Books, 2020).

Emma Lischka is a rising senior from Bellville, Texas studying political science and history on the pre-law track. Emma will graduate from Baylor University in May 2025 with plans to attend law school and become a practicing attorney. During her time at Baylor, Emma has studied in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core (BIC) in the Baylor Honors College. This program is an interdisciplinary approach to liberal arts that fosters research, critical thinking, and communication skills. She currently serves as a Peer Instructor in World Cultures. Additionally, Emma spent a semester in D.C. through the Baylor in Washington Program where she interned with the Department of Education’s Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs where she worked on the K-12 team. Emma is a member of Delta Delta Delta, Baylor Ambassadors, and is a Hatton F. Sumners Foundation Scholar. Previously, Emma has worked on the Pete for America Campaign and as a Legal Assistant at the Bunger Law Firm.

Laurel Lormand is a senior from League City, TX, who will graduate from Baylor University in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, minoring in German. This fall, she is participating in the Baylor in Washington Semester Program. At Baylor, she is part of the College Republicans Intervarsity and has studied abroad in Germany during the summer of 2023 at the Goethe Institute. She was a volunteer student athletic trainer for her high school's football and wrestling teams in Brentwood, TN, and participated in Donations For Education. After graduation, Laurel intends to work in communications and public policy within the Formula 1 industry or become a political analyst within the federal sector. Laurel looks forward to being part of this spectacular program, meeting new people, seeing the nation's capital during the presidential election up close, and making great connections. This fall, she is interning with Congressman Ronny Jackson.

"The Baylor in Washington program allows Baylor University yet another national stage from which we can promote our brand. This allows us to assemble topical panels in Washington, D.C. that we could never assemble in Waco. Further, it allows us access to a fundamentally different audience than might travel to Waco as well. The Baylor in Washington program allows us the opportunity to connect national voices with high-level audiences on a faith-centered topic of our choosing. It also allows us to connect to a new donor pool." 

Marigrace McDowell is a senior at Baylor majoring in Medical Humanities and minoring in Philosophy and Political Science. At Baylor, Marigrace was a leader in the Baylor Laparoscopy Lab, a Community Leader Mentor (RA equivalent), and a Michael E. DeBakey Scholar in the Medical Humanities Department. She is also a co-editor for an upcoming undergraduate journal on poverty studies and she has published several poems in Baylor's literary magazine. She has previously interned with the Kanawha County Public Defender Office; the City of Waco’s Department of Housing and Community Development; and Leu & Peirce, a law firm in Plano, Texas. After graduation, Marigrace will pursue a joint Juris Doctor and Master of Public Health before pursuing a career in healthcare policy. This fall, Marigrace will intern at the Twenty First Century Group.

Danielle Miller is a sophomore studying Political Science, Philosophy, International Studies, and Economics. This summer, she is interning with the Religious Freedom Institute. She belongs to Baylor’s most selective honors program: the University Scholars interdisciplinary major. At Baylor, Danielle coordinates speaking events on international affairs as an officer in Baylor’s chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society, and has won awards as an attorney on Baylor's mock trial team. Additionally, she works as a policy debate coach for high schoolers, and is contracted to write policy research briefs at a debate sourcebook. In the summer of 2023, she interned with the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation in DC. After graduating, she hopes to work on policy research at a think tank. She enjoys reading C.S. Lewis, discussing political philosophy, and learning from everyone she meets.

Sophie Miller is a junior from Longmont, Colorado. She is a Junior Baylor Business Fellow majoring in Finance and minoring in Chinese and Political Science. Sophie will also be graduating with an Honors Degree from the Baylor Honors Program. This spring, Sophie will be an intern with the National Right to Life Committee. This coming summer she is also looking forward to completing an internship with JP Morgan on their Global Finance and Business Management team. At Baylor, Sophie gained organizational and relational skills as the Assistant for Student Recruitment for the Honors college.  She also greatly enjoyed her summer internships with a Dignity Hospice, learning the ins and outs of running and managing a small business with big impact on the community. Sophie is excited how her experiences, both in Washington and beyond, will shape her career and future goals. 

My name is Joseph Molokwu, and I am a senior International Studies major from Lagos, Nigeria. I plan to pursue a master's degree in either Agricultural Economics or International Development upon graduation.

On campus, I serve as Audit Captain for the Visit Experience Team, an executive with the Baylor and Beyond Living and Learning Center and the Alexander Hamilton Society, and a member of the Sigma Iota Rho Honors Society and the Global Business Connect Club.

This summer, thanks to the Mayborn scholarship, I had the privilege of serving as the inaugural intern for the U.S. Dairy Export Council. The U.S. Dairy Export Council represents the global trade interests of U.S. dairy producers, proprietary processors and cooperatives, ingredient suppliers, and export traders. My responsibilities with USDEC were divided into four teams: Market Access and Regulatory Affairs, Cheese Marketing, Strategic Insight and Sustainability, and Multilateral Affairs. My work was varied and included market snapshot papers, research on sustainability efforts by dairy farmers, metadata categorization, updating our database records on Free Trade agreements and taxation rates for dairy products in foreign nations, and comparing foreign technical requirements for food safety.

In addition to my primary responsibilities, I attended networking sessions hosted by the DC Agriculture intern network, traveled to Illinois and Indiana to meet with fellow dairy industry interns, and attended lunch and learns to discuss the farm bill and policy developments surrounding our industry. The most memorable activities from my internship include attending the inauguration of Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Torres with the CEOs of USDEC and the National Milk Producers Federation and watching the Fourth of July celebration from the capitol steps.

Dana D. Nelson is a professor of English at Vanderbilt University and a prominent progressive advocate for citizenship and democracy. She is notable for her criticism—in her books such as Bad for Democracy—of excessive presidential power and for exposing a tendency by Americans towards presidentialism, which she defines as the people's neglect of basic citizenship duties while hoping the president will solve most problems. Her scholarship focuses on early American literature relating to citizenship and democratic government.

Jonathan Niece is a senior from Plano, Texas studying history and political science on the Pre-Law track. He has worked as a legal clerk in the office of Scheef & Stone a civil litigation firm based in Frisco, Texas. Jonathan is an active member of several student organizations on Baylor's campus. He is in the Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society and is also in the Korean Student Organization. This semester, Jonathan is interning for Rep. Michael McCaul. After graduation in May of 2024, Jonathan plans to pursue a career in Washington before attending law school.

Ella O'Brien is a junior from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Ella will graduate from Baylor University in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, minoring in news-editorial. At Baylor, she is the practice coordinator for the Baylor Women's Lacrosse Team, and has held various leadership roles in the sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. Previously, Ella worked as a member of the Event Staff for the New York Giants as well as an aide at Excel Physical Therapy. This fall, Ella is interning with the Academic Programs team at the American Enterprise Institute.

Griffin O'Neill is a junior from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In May 2026, he will graduate with majors in both History and Political Science along with a minor in Legal Reasoning and Analysis. This fall, he is interning with the United States Attorney's Office of DC. During his past 2 years, Griffin has been an active member in various Baylor clubs, including the Alexander Hamilton Society and Baylor's Undergraduate Mock Trial Team. His previous service includes an internship with his local Congressman, Garret Graves (LA-06) and volunteering at La Puerta, a Waco organization which offers services to recent immigrants. After college, Griffin plans on attending Law School to pursue a career in criminal prosecution.

Maura Okula is a junior at Baylor University from Long Island, New York. She is majoring in history, minoring in political science and studying in the Baylor Honors College. This fall, Maura is interning on Capitol Hill in the office of Representative Michael Cloud. On campus she is actively involved in various student organizations such as the Catholic Student Association and Baylor Club Tennis, as well as local theatre and outreach programs throughout the Waco area. After graduation in May 2026, Maura plans on pursuing her passions in the fields of public history and politics. 

Elizabeth Oldfield is an experienced leader, speaker, coach and consultant. She cares deeply about helping people and organizations grow in connection (with each other, with their unique purpose and with their audiences) clarity, and courage. Since 2017 she has hosted The Sacred, a podcast, events and visual content brand which creates space for a wide range of guests to reflect on their deepest values. For ten years she was Director of Theos, the UK’s leading religion and society think tank, where she was obsessive about building a healthy and human team culture alongside a commitment to excellence. She was repeatedly accredited by Best Companies as a 3* (world class) manager. She was the Chair of the Board of Directors of Larger Us, an organization working to help change-makers bridge divides rather than deepening them, transform relationships rather than defeat enemies. 

Mike Ortiz is a Junior from Kerrville, Texas, double majoring in University Scholars and Political Science, with a minor in Philosophy. He was raised in San Juan, Porto Rico, where he went to high school. Mike plans to graduate in 2025 and pursue a PhD in Political Philosophy. At Baylor, he is an Honors College student, a William Carey Crane Scholar, the Chief Justice of the Baylor University Student Court, and a research assistant for Dr. Matthew P. Whelan. Mike is currently writing his undergraduate thesis with the supervision of Dr. David D. Corey, focusing on the theological grounds for the origins of political legitimacy under liberalism, and the contrasting political theology of counter-revolutionary thinkers like Joseph de Maistre and Juan Donoso Cortéz.

Olivia Shelldazlo Persinger is a Senior from Raphine, Virginia. She is studying Philosophy with a Medical Concentration major on the Pre-Law track with a double minor in Political Science and Corporate Communication. She is a Ronald E. McNair scholar, Provost Scholar, and a Departmental Honors student. In the McNair and Departmental Honors programs, she has conducted original quantitative research on how intergovernmental relations and the Indian Gaming Association affect Native American rights. She is passionate about her research due to her indigenous heritage and will be continuing to develop her research as she participates in the Baylor in Washington program. Olivia was honored to be the first Baylor University Pillar Scholarship recipient. She also received The War of 1812 Award of Merit during her time in Baylor’s Army ROTC program. She hopes to attain a Ph.D. in Political Science/Government alongside her completion of a Juris Doctor. Her future goal is to be a practicing attorney. This semester she will be interning at Capitol Associates Inc.

Grace Pfanstiel is a junior from Overland Park, Kansas studying English and Psychology on Baylor’s Pre-Law track in the Honors Program. This summer, Grace will be interning with the National Center on Sexual Exploitation as a research intern aiding in investigation and analysis of data at the NCOSE Research Institute. On Baylor’s campus, she is a member of Pre- Law Society, Baylor’s Triathlon Team, the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and a leader on the social committee of Baylor’s Honors Residential College Council. After graduation, Grace plans to attend law school to pursue a career as a family lawyer to aid children in the Foster Care system or to join the FBI to be a part of the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force. Grace is looking forward to the opportunity to spend the summer in our nation’s capital in order to better understand and appreciate our legal system and the legislative process.

"The Baylor in Washington Program was the most impactful, illuminating, and challenging part of my broader Baylor experience. This program sanctioned incredible growth in my writing, research, and communications skills, while also allowing me to form priceless relationships with coworkers, mentors, and friends."

Grace Pixton is a rising senior at Baylor University, originally from Portland, Oregon. She is a dual major in religion, with a concentration in theology and ethics, and professional writing and rhetoric, and is minoring in history. This summer, Grace will be interning with The Center for Public Justice as their Shared Justice editorial intern. Her past experiences include working as a research and transcription assistant for Baylor Oral History, interning with Lifeway Christian Resources as the content and editorial intern for adult ministries, and serving as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion chair for the Baylor chapter of Chi Omega. Grace has a passion for the intersection between faith, social justice, and politics which she hopes to explore in her future professional endeavors. Following graduation, Grace plans to attend seminary and earn her Master of Divinity. 

Griffin Quinn is a Senior from Frisco, Texas. He is working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance with a minor in Legal Reasoning and Analysis. He attended the Washington Semester program in the Fall of 2023 and was an intern for Representative Monica De La Cruz. At Baylor, Griffin has dedicated his time as an Actor, performing in multiple productions. He has also spent most of his time at Baylor as a member and secretary of the Theatre Student Society at Baylor University. After graduation, Griffin will attend the Disney College Program, hoping to attend law school after its completion.  

Griffin Quinn is a senior from Frisco, Texas. He will graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance, and a minor in Legal Reasoning and Analysis. This fall, he will be interning for Rep. Monica De La Cruz. His past experience includes being a tour guide for Baylor's campus, an Office Assistant for Campus Living and Learning at Baylor, and as an Assistant Trip Leader for Praying Pelican Missions. For the past two years, Griffin has served on the Baylor Theatre Student Society Executive Board. After graduation, Griffin plans to pursue a career in law, with the hopes of one day becoming a federal judge.

Garret Reeh is a junior from Kerrville, Texas, pursuing a double major in History and Political Science on the pre-law track. He has gained valuable experience through internships, including his role at Rep. Chip Roy’s district office in Kerrville and as part of Roy's 2022 reelection campaign. This spring, Garret is interning in Sen. Ted Cruz’s Washington, D.C. office, where he aims to contribute to policy areas such as Small Business initiatives, Veterans Affairs, Border Security, and Energy and Wildlife Conservation. On campus, Garret is an active member of Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity, where he serves as a committee chair overseeing events like Tailgate, Philanthropy, and New Member Education. He is also a delegate for Baylor’s Inter-Fraternity Council and participates in the Alexander Hamilton Society and the Club Tennis Team. In his personal time, Garret enjoys hunting, fishing, spending time with his dog, and restoring classic cars. Upon graduating in May 2026, he plans to attend law school or pursue a career as a legislative staffer in Washington, D.C. 

Bryce Ricker is a junior from Kenosha, Wisconsin studying political science and business administration on Baylor's Pre-Law track in the Honors Program. Last summer, he worked as an intern in Congressman Bryan Steil's district office. Bryce has experience serving as President of Baylor's Residence Hall Association, is a member of the Pre-Law Society, and is a member of Baylor Better Together, an interfaith group. Bryce is excited to begin his semester in Washington D.C. and looks forward to making valuable connections. He is interning at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with the Ranking Member, Sen. Jim Risch

"During my semester in Washington, I gained invaluable experience and knowledge from the program itself and my internship. The semester program helped me improve my resume, my professional skill set, and my character overall."

Rachel Royster is a senior from Houston, Texas, studying journalism news-editorial with a minor in French. She will be interning at the Hill Rag this fall after spending the summer at the Waco Tribune-Herald. Before that, Rachel served as the Baylor Lariat's Editor-in-Chief for a year. Her main areas of interest in reporting are social justice and investigative journalism. Outside of the news industry, Rachel is a member of the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta and enjoys playing trumpet in Baylor's Courtside Players basketball band. After graduation, Rachel hopes to work at a newspaper and eventually become an editor.

Emily Russo is a junior from Frisco, Texas, studying Sociology with minors in Criminal Justice, Legal Reasoning and Analysis, and Political Science on the Pre-Law track. This spring, she is interning on Capitol Hill in the office of Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01). At Baylor, Emily has been actively involved in various organizations, including the Pre-Law Society, Sociology of Undergraduate Lives (SOUL), and Alpha Phi sorority. Her professional experiences include internships at LaFleur Law, PLLC, and Ollennu Law, PLLC, as well as volunteer work with Mission Waco, Friends For Life, and Joel Petrazio’s campaign. Emily will graduate from Baylor University in May 2026 and plans to attend law school and pursue a career in corporate, family, or criminal law. She is eager to see how this semester in Washington, D.C. will challenge, inspire, and shape her journey.  

"The Baylor in Washington Semester Program and my internship at Center for American Progress gave me professional and political experience rarely available to undergraduate students. The guidance from mentors, colleagues, and friends I met through my BIW semester has been invaluable as I take new steps towards a career in policy and advocacy."

Philip Sargent is a rising senior from Beaufort, South Carolina, studying Economics with a minor in Philosophy. Philip is an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet within Detachment 810 at Baylor, where he has served as a Flight Commander and Cadet Wing Chaplain, and graduated AFROTC Field Training at Maxwell AFB, Alabama last summer. At Baylor, Philip has been a residential Community Leader, is involved in the Baylor Men’s Choir and Silver Wings, and he is on the leadership team for Reformed University Fellowship. This summer, Philip is an intern for the Department of the Air Force Office of Financial Management (SAF/FM) at the Pentagon. Upon graduation in May 2025, Philip will commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force, with the intent of classifying as a Force Support Officer. He would eventually like to pursue a seminary degree.

Josie Sawyer is a senior majoring in Eastern European Studies and Political Science. She participated in the Spring 2023 Baylor in Washington Cohort where she worked as a legislative and press intern for the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. She has interned in other Senate offices, both in-state and on the Hill. At Baylor, Josie is an active member of student government, Baylor Ambassadors, and mentors new political science students. During her free time, Josie volunteers through a non-profit to help Ukrainians improve their English language skills. She also loves reading, watching movies, trying new recipes, and rooting for the Boston Bruins. After Josie graduates in May 2024, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in public service.  

Lee Scheffe is a senior at Baylor and studies in the interdisciplinary Baylor Business Fellows program. He will graduate with majors in Business Fellows, economics, political science, and a minor in international studies. Mr. Scheffe has worked as an organizer for a number of political campaigns. He has also worked in the private nonprofit sector, lobbying on behalf of the real estate industry. He serves as the secretary of the Theta Nu chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. While in Washington, Lee interned with the Center for Public Justice. Upon graduation in May 2024, he plans to pursue a career in nonprofit advocacy.

The Baylor in Washington program was the single most important experience I had during my time at Baylor. Over the course of my semester in DC, I experienced tremendous professional and personal growth, catalyzed by the interesting programming, thoughtful staff, and wonderful internship experience. I left DC with a confidence and mindfulness I’m not sure I would have ever developed without the program. Because of DC, I graduated Baylor with a sense of purpose and the necessary qualifications which opened up a career in the nonprofit sector for me. I also made some incredible friends and memories that I will never forget. Thank you, Baylor in Washington!

Matthew Schreiner is a Senior from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina who is studying Economics and Philosophy on the pre-law track. As a member of Baylor's honors program, a BIC student, and CCM of Baylor's Honors Residential College, Matthew is highly invested in the success of his fellow honors students and is interested in many interdisciplinary realms of study. He has served as a legal intern for Jolley Law Firm in HHI, giving him the opportunity to learn how a firm works behind the scenes and increase his attorney-client relationship skills. This previous semester, Matthew began two major conference papers with the assistance of a professor in the communications department on the subjects of understanding judicial oligarchy through the rhetoric of James Kilpatrick and constructing an ideological response to the classism surrounding child labor laws in the United States. This summer, he will be interning with the Center for Christianity and Public Life in Washington, D.C. Matthew is currently writing a thesis for the honors program on the long-standing history between Stare Decisis and Originalism in the Supreme Court, and hopes to attend law school following his graduation from Baylor next year. This is the next step in his goal to one day become a constitutional lawyer.

DJ Scott is a senior from Houston, Texas, majoring in Political Science with a pre-law concentration and a minor in Philosophy. At Baylor, he is part of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, an alternative curriculum program focused on reading the primary sources of influential texts throughout history and engaging in conversation and analytical analysis. To support his interests, he is part of clubs like Model OAS, College Democrats of America, and Texas Rising, an organization focused on championing progressive ideas. After his time at Baylor, he plans on attending law school to get a degree that will lead to a career in advocacy or government relations. This fall, DJ will intern at the Baptist Joint Committee.

Chris Seifert is a senior from Reno, Nevada. Chris will graduate from Baylor University in December 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in international studies. His past experience includes serving as a delegate on Baylor's Model United Nations team, having had the opportunity to compete in New York, Washington D.C., and Kobe, Japan. Additionally, Chris has also worked to schedule large-scale events as a Program Manager with the Baylor Activities Council. Chris is an Eagle Scout and a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association. This semester, Chris is interning with Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto. After graduation, Chris plans to gain experience in the intersection between international affairs and environmental policy before pursuing a graduate degree in international affairs and sustainable development.

Bridget Sexton is a senior at Baylor University and is originally from Leawood, Kansas. She is studying biology, international studies, and military studies as a University Scholar in the Honors College. She has also studied Spanish and Chinese. Last year, Bridget spent a semester in Scotland studying at the University of St. Andrews. Previously, Bridget has worked as a private tutor and as a range associate at Frontier Justice. Bridget is broadly involved at Baylor and is a member of Baylor Catholic Student Association, Sigma Iota Rho International Studies Honor Society, and the Alexander Hamilton Society. Bridget was invited to be Baylor’s delegate to the U.S. Army War College International Strategic Crisis Negotiation Exercise and the Student Conference on National Affairs at Texas A&M University. This summer, she looks forward to interning at the National Security Institute at George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School. After graduation, Bridget plans to pursue a career in national security and biodefense.

Danielle Skinner is a senior student at Baylor University, studying journalism, news editorial and double minoring in entrepreneurship and political science. Danielle grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada and moved to the United States to further her education and professional life. She was the captain of the Golden Girls (feature twirlers) at Baylor for three consecutive years, worked at the Baylor Lariat, and was involved in various organizations and clubs. Over the past few years Danielle has received Deans list in her academics, the most recent being in the Spring of 2023. Danielle intends to take her education and experience to law school, where she can become a legal correspondent. Her interests vary as well, as she also has a hobby in writing for PR, articles, and fictional stories. This semester, Danielle will enter for Rep. Keith Self.

“Baylor in Washington was a highlight of my student experience. My semester in Washington connected me with an expansive professional network that has opened doors I never thought possible before participating."

Ema Straser is a junior, Majoring in Economics, and minoring in Legal Reasoning and Analysis, on the Pre-Law track at Baylor University. Ema is excited to be interning at the United States Attorney's Office this semester. She hopes to have a career in law and participates in the Mock Trial team. During this time, Ema has won 3 awards on a collegiate level and took Baylor's team to National's after 6 years. Ema has assisted on Civil Cases with the Mission Waco Legal Clinic, helping on legal briefs, strategy meetings, and compiling complaints. She also interned with Waco Social Services, taking part of benevolence appointments, and helping Waco's marginalized and homeless population. Finally, she worked under Los Angeles County, as an instructor for the Los Angeles Unified School District, in impoverished communities to bring advanced rhetoric and research skills to over 100 students and work on closing the education gap seen in America.

Natalie Stratton is a sophomore from Chicago, Illinois. She is studying international studies with a minor focused on political science. Natalie is thrilled to be joining the fall 2024 Baylor in Washington cohort, as this program was the driving force behind her commitment to Baylor University. With a heart for service and a passion for the positive relations of our global counterparts, she eagerly steps into her role as an intern for Congressman Michael Cloud. Natalie has had the distinct honors to co-found a community wide charity organization for her hometown of Barrington, Illinois as well as serve as a Teaching Assistant in an English second language classroom in Waco, Texas. At Baylor, Natalie is a member of the Pre-Law society and aspires to pursue leadership roles in student government. Natalie has a passion for learning. In this passion she earned her Private Pilot’s License as well as her U.S. Sailing certification. Natalie hopes that these unique experiences will lead, motivate and inspire others to find their passions, just as she has.

Robert Talisse specializes in contemporary political philosophy, with particular interest in democratic theory and political epistemology. In addition, he pursues topics in pragmatism, analytic philosophy, argumentation theory, and ancient philosophy.

My name is Michelle Tasaki and I am a Senior Public Health major with a minor in Legal Reasoning and Analysis from Maui, Hawaii.  

This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to intern in the office of U.S. House of Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02). While there, I learned so much by attending hearings and briefings, sitting in on meetings, drafting meeting memos, writing constituent letters, and leading Capitol tours. Additionally, I created a membership tracker for outreach for the Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus, which was co-launched by Rep. Tokuda.  

The paramount experience of my summer internship was when I was able to present and brief the congresswoman on 5 bills. I researched bills that I believed would strengthen her record of support on core issues and evaluated them. Following my presentation, Rep. Tokuda signed on to cosponsor all of the bills I recommended.  

I am grateful to be a recipient of the Mayborn Scholarship this past summer, which supported my Washington D.C. journey with networking opportunities and financial assistance. Because I was able to receive class credit for my internship, this scholarship supported my academic goals and contributed to the completion of my minor. 

João Teixeira is a senior Political Science major at Baylor University with a multicultural background. He is a first-generation American with immigrant parents from Mexico and Brazil and grew up in a trilingual household. João has previously interned at the El Paso County 383rd Family Court. This fall, he will be a legislative intern in Senator Bernie Sanders’ office. With plans to graduate in December, João intends to spend time abroad after graduation, furthering his studies in Spanish and Portuguese to enhance his language skills and cultural knowledge. This international experience will complement João’s academic pursuits in graduate school and prepare him for a career in the foreign service or international organization that will allow him to bridge his academic background with his passion for cultural and social issues.

"Through the Baylor in Washington program, I was able to gain valuable work experience while creating lifelong connections and friendships with fellow students and alumni. I look back at my time in Washington with gratitude for such an incredible opportunity that gave me the skills needed to pursue my future career."

Curt Thompson weaves together an understanding of interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB) and a Christian view of what it means to be human — to educate and encourage others as they seek to fulfill their intrinsic desire to feel known, valued and connected. He understands that deep, authentic relationships are essential to experiencing a healthier, more purposeful life — but the only way to realize this is to begin telling our stories more truly. Curt’s unique insights about how the brain affects and processes relationships help people discover a fresh perspective and practical applications to foster healthy and vibrant lives, allowing them to get unstuck and move toward the next beautiful thing they’re being called to make.

"Sustained programming in Washington, D.C. is one key to showcasing our strengths. (In the fall of 2015), the Baylor Law School sponsored and hosted a panel discussion at the National Press Club entitled, "The Judge's Objective: Prediction or a Preferred 'Correct' Rule?" Along with Judge Ken Starr and Judge Tom Reavley, a senior judge on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the panel included Judge Sri Srinivasan of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

In the summer of 2016, we hosted in D.C., as part of the Viewpoints series, a panel discussion on the emerging issue of cyber security. In addition, we are planning an intellectual property focused mini-conference for the spring of 2017 as part of the Viewpoints series. The panelists for this event will include some of the most prominent judges and legal practitioners in this sector of the practice, many of whom are Baylor lawyers. Additionally, through our Leadership Development Program, we aim to create internship opportunities for our students in offices throughout the federal government and Washington, D.C."

Audrey Valenzuela is a junior at Baylor University majoring in Sociology and Public Relations. With a passion for understanding social systems and effective communication, Audrey aims to combine these fields to influence public perception and policy. After graduation, Audrey plans to attend Baylor Law School, pursuing a career in law with a focus on advocacy and justice. At Baylor, Audrey has developed strong research, writing, and analytical skills. Audrey is interning at the Trinity Forum during her semester in Washington.

“My time in Washington gave me the opportunity to gain real work experience, explore my career options, and build a network of invaluable connections. Beyond my busy work schedule, I still found time to explore the intricacies of a wonderful city that I hope to one day call home.”

Gabriela Vela is a senior from Fort Worth, Texas. She will graduate from Baylor University in the Spring of 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science with minors in legal reasoning and analysis and Spanish. She is a part of the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, Baylor Honors Program, and on the pre-law track. Previously, Gabriela interned in the House of Representatives under Congressman Mark Amodei and is excited to intern at the National Security Institute at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School this summer. On campus, Gabriela is involved with Student Government, served as Vice President for Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity, and currently serves as Associate Editor for the Baylor Undergraduate Law Review. She is also involved with Baylor University’s Institute of Faith and Learning where she was selected as a William Carey Crane Scholar. After graduation, Gabriela hopes to attend law school to prepare for a career in public policy and national security.

Isabella Vennare is a junior from Pennsylvania studying economics and philosophy on Baylor's Pre-Law track and is in the Honors College through the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core Program. At Baylor, she is a William C. Crane Scholar, an editor for the Baylor Honors College undergraduate research publication, and a Baylor Engage Fellow. Bella’s professional background includes internships in legal and real estate sectors, along with hands-on experience in small business management. She is deeply interested in the intersection between law, policy, education, and politics and plans to attend law school after she completes her undergraduate studies. This fall, she is interning at The Heritage Foundation as a researcher in their Center for Education Policy.

Zacarri Walker is a senior from Bowie, Maryland, studying International Studies on Baylor’s Pre-Law track in the Honors College. He works as a library assistant at Baylor’s law school in Waco, TX. Zacarri previously interned as a Student Federal Service Assistant. This fall, he is interning at the U.S. Attorneys’ Office in the Asset Forfeiture Division. Zacarri is driven by competition, adaptable, and resilient under pressure. He prides himself on being an innovative leader, receptive to feedback, and a dedicated worker devoted to the task at hand. After graduating in May 2025, Zacarri plans to pursue a career in law by furthering his studies in law school. Shortly after, he aims to secure a position as a JAG officer. In this role, he will have the opportunity to provide legal assistance, represent clients, and handle legal matters ranging from military justice to international law.

Nathan Weis is a sophomore from Leander, TX, pursuing a major in Political Science and minor in Military Studies. He is an associate editor of the Baylor Undergraduate Law Review and is in the Honors College. This spring he is interning with the Federalist Society. His current aspirations are to go to law school after graduation. 

Andrew Josef White IV is an International Studies major and Business Administration minor student at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. This fall, White is interning for Congressman McCaul. White has an interest in international affairs, in part, due to his time living and traveling abroad. White was born in Australia, lived in Singapore, and currently resides in the United States. White attended summer school for multiple years in South Korea (where his father lives). He also has strong family ties to the Ukraine, Germany, and in the Middle East, including Lebanon and Egypt, which also contribute to White's fascination with international affairs.

Ashton Willcox, a sophomore from Great Falls, Virginia, is pursuing a double major in political science and corporate communications at Baylor University. Ashton's academic journey began at another institution before taking a gap year to work as the Research Director and Youth Director for the Dr. Oz for US Senate campaign in Pennsylvania.  With the completion of the campaign, Ashton returned to the DC area to work on Capitol Hill as Staff Assistant for Congressman Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY).  He is passionate about mentoring others who are interested in DC and US politics to get involved and achieve their ambitions. Following graduation, Ashton hopes to return to Capitol Hill and contribute to the political arena as a communications staffer.

Caroline Williams is an undergraduate junior, originally from Memphis, Tennessee, double-majoring in Economics and Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies. During her time in the Baylor in Washington Fall 2023 Cohort, Caroline served as a Legislative Intern in the Washington D.C. Office of Senator Ted Cruz. Additionally, she has previously been involved with the University of Mississippi’s Trent Lott Leadership program. At Baylor, Caroline is involved in Pre-Law Society, Chi Omega Fraternity, International Justice Mission, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Baylor Panhellenic, and serves as Vice President for the Women’s Lacrosse Team. Upon graduating in May of 2025, she plans to return to Washington D.C. with hopes to work with policy.

Caroline Williams is an undergraduate junior, originally from Memphis, Tennessee. She is majoring in Economics and Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies. Caroline has previously been involved with the University of Mississippi’s Trent Lott Leadership program. This Fall, Caroline will be interning for Sen. Ted Cruz. At Baylor, Caroline is involved in Pre-Law Society, Chi Omega sorority, International Justice Mission, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and serves as Vice President for the Women’s Lacrosse Team. Upon graduating in May of 2025, Caroline aims to attend law school.

Emelie Wong is a junior from Dallas, Texas, concentrating in English and Political Science and minoring in Legal Reasoning and Analysis. She has previously interned for ACT for Justice, a nonprofit organization based in Dallas. This spring, she is interning with Rep. Pete Sessions. Emelie works for the Baylor Law School in the Dean's Suite, volunteers at La Puerta, a Waco organization that offers services to Hispanic immigrants, and is a member of the Academic Committee at the Honors Residential College. After college, Emelie plans on attending law school with an interest in contract law.  

Claire Wroblewski is a senior from East Windsor, New Jersey majoring in Communication and double minoring in Legal Reasoning & Analysis and Child & Family Studies on the Pre-Law track. Previously, Claire has interned with a branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness where she produced a new podcast dedicated to normalizing mental health struggles. She enjoys volunteering with the children's group at Waco’s Family Abuse Center, which has further inspired her passion for child advocacy. Claire is also a Business Operations Shift Lead at the Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center where she has gained experience training a team of student workers in event planning, administrative tasks, and audio/visual operations. During her semester in Washington, Claire is interning with the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and with DC Appleseed. After graduating in May, Claire plans to pursue a Master of Social Work and eventually work as a medical social worker in a children's hospital.  

Sage Yassa is a junior from Plano, Texas. She studies Political Science, International Studies, French, and Great Texts as a University Scholar. She is a Baylor2Law Scholar and a member of the Baylor Pre-Law Society. Sage interned at the Religious Freedom Institute during the Spring 2022 semester. She also participated in the American Enterprise Institute’s Summer Honors Program and the Witherspoon Institute’s First Principles seminar in the summer of 2022. She is a member of Highland Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, and volunteers in the 6th-grade Sunday school classroom. She is also an Ironman 70.3 Finisher and a member of the Baylor Triathlon Team. Sage intends to work in the JAG Corps or pursue a career in domestic social policy.

Hunter Yoon has a strong passion for geopolitics, history, and language learning, and regularly attends events hosted by the Alexander Hamilton Society to deepen his understanding of international relations. His hobbies include studying Korean Chinese characters (Hanja), learning Mandarin Chinese, reading history books, staying informed on international affairs, and practicing calisthenics. Hunter aspires to build a career in intelligence, foreign affairs, or defense, where he can contribute to safeguarding American interests and ensuring national security in the face of emerging global challenges. This spring, Hunter is interning with Victims of Communism. 

My name is Isabella Zárate, and I am a Junior International Studies and Environmental Studies double major. I have a minor in Poverty Studies & Social Justice and am also a part of the Honors Program and Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. 

This summer, thanks to the Mayborn scholarship, I had the opportunity to serve as an outreach intern with Interfaith Power & Light, a D.C.-based non-profit organization whose mission is to bring together different faiths to unite against climate change through education and connect congregations and local leaders with feasible ways to bring solar energy to local neighborhoods. Through this internship, I was able to focus on community engagement, representation in Spanish-speaking communities, and educational advocacy to help the public learn about climate issues and related policies. Additionally, I was given the opportunity to take part in many meaningful experiences focused on community outreach and education, lobbying with legislators, and interacting with other local non-profit organizations to work with the Spanish-speaking community. Moreover, my favorite memory from this experience was when I got to travel underground from the US Senate to the House of Representatives on the subway system that congressional representatives typically use.

I am extremely grateful for the resources given to me through the Mayborn Scholar program, which allowed me to seek out an opportunity I would otherwise be unable to do.  As I continue my path at Baylor, I am eager to continue my pursuit of my career and am thankful to the Frank W. Mayborn Scholarship for making this summer possible for me. 

Jonathan Tran is a Christian theologian based at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, holding the position of Associate Dean for Faculty in the Honors College and serving as an Associate Professor for Theology within the Great Texts program. His research is centered on exploring the human experience through language and how this experience sheds light on God and the divine world. Recently, his scholarly pursuits have led him to delve into the realm of race and racism. His book, Asian Americans and the Spirit of Racial Capitalism, endeavors to present racism as a theological dilemma, a distortion of the divine economy within the realm of political economics, and a challenge that calls for the church's intervention to restore God's original revolution.

Sarah Coakley is an Anglican systematic theologian and philosopher of religion with wide interdisciplinary interests. Coakley received her PhD on Ernst Troeltsch from the University of Cambridge. She has taught at Lancaster University (1976–1991); Oriel College, Oxford (1991-3); Harvard University, in the Divinity School (1993–2007; Mallinckrodt Professor of Divinity, 1995–2007); and has been a visiting professor of religion at Princeton University (2003-4). In 2006, she was elected the Norris-Hulse Professor of Divinity at the University of Cambridge (the first woman appointed to this chair) and took up the position in 2007. In 2011 she became deputy chair of the School of Arts and Humanities with a four-year appointment on the General Board of the university. She is the Emeritus Norris-Hulse Professor and Emeritus Fellow at Murray Edwards College at the University of Cambridge.

Vincent Lloyd is Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University, where he directs the Villanova Political Theology Project. He is an authoritative voice on current issues and trends related to religion in politics as well as religion and race. He can comment on how religion influences these two areas to affect social change. Lloyd’s research focuses on religion and mass incarceration from various perspectives including religious thought regarding crime and punishment and religious movements in prisons. Lloyd’s publications include five monographs, including Black Natural Law (2016), written during his NDIAS fellowship, as well as five edited books, including Race and Secularism in America (co-edited with Jonathon Kahn, 2016), begun during his NDIAS fellowship. His most recent book, Black Dignity, was published by Yale University Press in November of 2022. He is the recipient of several grants from institutions that include the American Academy of Religion, the Louisville Institute, and the American Council of Learned Societies. He has also served as a Visiting Scholar at the James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference at Emory University (2010-2011) and as a Kingdon Fellow at the University of Wisconsin's Institute for Research in the Humanities (2015-2016).

Dr. Corey is a professor of Political Science focusing on political philosophy in the Honors Program at Baylor University.  He is also an affiliated member of the departments of Philosophy and Political Science.  He was an undergraduate at Oberlin, where he earned a BA in Classics from the College and a BMus in music from the Conservatory.  He studied law and jurisprudence at Old College, Edinburgh before taking up graduate work in political philosophy at Louisiana State University. He is the author of two books, The Just War Tradition (with J. Daryl Charles) (2012) and The Sophists in Plato’s Dialogues (2015).  He has written more than two dozen articles and book chapters in such venues as the Review of Politics, History of Political Thought, Modern Age, Interpretation: A Journal of Political Philosophy, and the Cambridge Dictionary of Political Thought. His current projects, Rethinking American Politics, and Liberalism & The Modern Quest for Freedom, examine the loss of healthy political association in the United States and offer strategies for reform. 

Rebecca McCumbers Flavin joined the Baylor faculty as a lecturer in Fall 2010 from the University of Notre Dame. Her dissertation, The Battle of the Unarmed Prophets: Religion and Republicanism in the Thought of Girolamo Savonarola and Niccolo Machiavelli, examines the similarities and differences between the models of church/state relations proposed by both thinkers. McCumbers Flavin has research and teaching experience in constitutional law, the history of political philosophy, and American politics, particularly in the area of religion and politics.

Hannah Wardell Metcalf is the Regional Director of Programing for the Baylor in Washington Program. Before Baylor, she worked as a Program Associate for the Executive Leadership Seminars Program planning and executing values-based, Great Books centered seminars for executive level leaders. She also spent time in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s Office, where she worked as a Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff and Scheduling Assistant, the Jack Kemp Foundation, and the American Enterprise Institute.

Originally from Colorado Springs, CO, Hannah graduated from Gordon College with a degree in Political Science. She lives in the Michigan Park neighborhood of Washington DC with her husband Jenson who works at the District Church.

Annelise Claire is the Program Manager for Baylor in Washington, supporting student programming, event planning, and communications.  She earned her undergraduate degree from Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina, where she majored in Arabic and Digital Studies. Before joining BIW, Annelise worked in international communications and events for Qatar Foundation International, a DC-based organization that supports Arabic language education in the US and Europe.

Sara Vickery serves as the Events and Operations Manager for Baylor in Washington. She is based in South Bend, IN, and works remotely to support BIW events and student programming. Prior to joining the Baylor in Washington team, she served as the Director of Conference Services for Bethel University. In this role, she coordinated all logistics for over 200 internal and external events each year, including multiday conferences, graduation, and admissions events. While living in DC, she worked as the Events Manager for the Religious Freedom Institute and served as the primary planner for the RFI Annual Dinner, student seminars, and panel discussions. She was a participant in the fall 2019 Baylor in Washington cohort and interned at the Religious Freedom Institute.