Our Current 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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.