Current Students

Co-chairs:

Committee Members:

Leonidas Boutris (2027)

I am a rising junior at Wesleyan University majoring in Government with an interdisciplinary focus in comparative politics. My academic interests center on the intersection of international relations, political theory, and economic development, with particular attention to how institutional structures and government regulations impact the economy, public and private. I have interned in financial services for two summers at Morgan Stanley and will be interning at K&L Gates for summer 2026.

Patrick Brady (2027)

I am a rising Junior concentrating in American Politics under the Government Major. I am also completing the Data Analysis and Planetary Science minors. My specific interest is to pursue policy and regulation as it intersects with space exploration and commercial launch companies, and I have been enjoying classes in the government department that have taught me about policy writing and research of public opinion. I am also very interested in the government at large and care about local communities. Last semester I joined the Wesleyan Institute for Policy and worked with fellow government majors on a project to help River Valley Transit make changes to their network. I also spend time tutoring Middletown Students through a program with the JCCP, and am joining the Wesleyan Writers Room as a writing tutor this semester. 

Tiana Cabrera (2027)

I am a member of the Class of 2027, concentrating in International Relations and East Asian Studies. I am originally from Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. territory in the Pacific, and I am of Chinese, Chamorro, and White heritage.

This past semester, I studied abroad in London at Queen Mary University, where I took a course on British Politics and gained first-hand insight into comparative political systems. This summer, I interned for my home district in the U.S. House of Representatives, where I developed media projects to help our Congresswoman King-Hinds engage with constituents back in the Marianas and highlight her work in the community. I aim to leverage my experience to foster a more collaborative and engaging community within the Government Department, involving students and faculty members. 

Soha Chowdhury (2028)

I am a Government major with a concetration in International Relations and Human Rights minor at Wesleyan University and have experience in congressional casework, civic engagement research, human rights fieldwork, and immigrant and refugee services.

Saul Ferholt-Kahn (2027)

I am a senior double majoring in Government (with a concentration in American Politics) & the College of Social Studies, with a minor in Film Studies. On campus, I am a Research Assistant Lead at the Wesleyan Media Project, where I contribute to our database of TV and digital political advertising by and for federal and gubernatorial candidates. I also proudly serve as Chair of the Wesleyan Student Assembly's Community Committee and organize with the United Student-Labor Action Coalition. Back home, I've worked on several local political campaigns, leading fundraising, digital communications, organizing, and research efforts. I am always happy to talk about political organizing, musical theater, and where to eat in NYC!

Anabel Goode (2027)

I am in the Class of 2027 and a Comparative concentration. I am studying abroad at Oxford this Fall, doing tutorials in Imperial History and Russian Politics. At Wesleyan, I am a News Editor for the Argus and I help with admin work at the Center for the Study of Guns and Society.

Lila Greenberg (2027)

I am a senior double-majoring in Government and American Studies, with coursework focused on comparative politics, including women in politics and Russian politics, plus a semester in Copenhagen studying European counterterrorism and democratic backsliding. Outside the classroom, my focus has been elections and civic engagement: I am an Election Accessibility Intern with the Maryland State Board of Elections, a Research & Analysis Fellow with the Wesleyan Political Action Initiative, and I was a Democracy Summer Fellow on Rep. Rosa DeLauro's campaign last year.

Montana Gura (2027)

I am a rising Junior majoring in Government and minoring in Human Rights Advocacy (with a potential additional minor in environmental studies or planetary science). Presently, I work as a Legislative Intern for Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro in her Washington, D.C. office. I am deeply passionate about community organising, political engagement, social justice and environmental advocacy, and all things music. At Wesleyan, I serve as a WSA Senator on the Equity and Inclusion Committee, an Editor for the Wesleyan Human Rights Policy Review, the Financial Manager and an Event Coordinator for The Shed, and I lead Uproar Collective. Additionally, I work for the Office of Residential Life as a Residential Advisor and for the Office of Student Involvement as a member of the Concert Committee. Further, I work as a Live Sound Engineer for Sound Co-Op, a driver for the WesGo community rideshare service, and as a childcare provider. Concurrently, I volunteer for political campaigns, write/play/perform/record/mix/release music with my band montana&thescarf (among other bands, and individually), and host a radio show as a DJ on WESU 88.1 FM Middletown. In all of my work, I dedicate myself to upholding the values of universal design, equity, empathy, creativity, and curiosity.

Nargis Hussain (2027)

I am a rising junior majoring in Government with a concentration in International Relations and minoring in Human Rights Advocacy. I plan to study abroad in the spring semester, either in Lisbon, Portugal, or Athens, Greece, to fulfill requirements for my Human Rights Advocacy minor. In addition to my academic focus, I work as a Marketing Assistant for Wesleyan University’s Resource Center, where I help develop and implement strategies to promote events and initiatives across campus. I am also a member of the Wesleyan Institute for Policy Research, where I participate in the Social Core. This experience has strengthened my ability to think critically about policy challenges while also honing my skills in teamwork, communication, and applied research. I see this work as deeply connected to my Government major and Human Rights Advocacy minor, as it allows me to bridge academic study with real-world applications.

 Jake Karmin (2027)

I am a rising senior majoring in Government (American Politics) with a minor in History. This past summer, I interned at a personal injury law firm (Steinger, Greene & Feiner). On campus, I serve as the standing chairman of our Community Standards Honor Board. For my junior year, I was away from campus, studying and researching political science at Dartmouth College. I will be graduating early this fall and working in New York City for a Private Equity Firm — Bregal Sagemount — as an analyst working primarily in DD. 

Elena Kim (2028)

I am a junior double-majoring in Government (International Relations concentration) and the College of East Asian Studies. As an international student, I grew up across Asia, living in Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong before spending eight years in Korea. This shaped my interest in how regional expertise and IR theory intersect. I currently work as a research assistant for Professor Joan Cho, studying Korean megachurches and political polarization, and I spent this past summer in Seoul conducting fieldwork for that project. 

Cynthia Lei (2027)

I am an incoming junior who recently declared in Government, hoping to concentrate in comparative politics. I am minoring in the College of East Asian Studies and serves as the outreach chair for the Wesleyan Asian American Student Collective. I enjoys bouldering, binging sitcoms, and a good smoothie. 

Amal Mallick (2027)

I am a Government major with a concentration in International Relations, minoring in Data Analytics and Global Engagement. I have been actively engaged in the Government Department through my research work with Professor Kolby Hanson on his book and my ongoing project with Professors Dancey and Grillo in the Government and Civic Engagement Department. These experiences have given me the opportunity to collaborate closely with faculty members which is valuable in liaising between students and professors. My passion for Government, especially in International Relations, extends beyond campus. I am currently interning with the United Nations Permanent Mission of Pakistan as a Policy Adviser, where I contribute to policy analysis and attend high level diplomatic meetings. 

Bethzy Mejia Jaime (2028)

I am a Government major (Ameriacan Politics) with minors in Global Engagement and East Asian Studies, passionate about justice, public policy, and cross-cultural understanding. As a Judicial Intern at the Superior Court of Los Angeles County under Judge Shelly Torrealba, I have gained firsthand exposure to courtroom operations and judicial reasoning. Through the USINDO Summer Studies program, I researched refugee livelihoods and policy in Yogyakarta and studied how religion, politics, and social dynamics shape Indonesian governance. I have also volunteered with IRIS and Cultural Connections supporting refugee and immigrant communities. 

Trevor Mangus (2028)

I am a member of the class of 2028 concentrating in International Relations and pursuing a major in Economics and a minor in Data Science. This summer, I worked as an intern on Luke Bronin's congressional campaign in Connecticut's First Congressional District, where I helped lead a project writing letters to the editor and op-eds. Last spring, I worked as a course assistant for MATH132. In addition, last fall I joined the Wesleyan Institute for Policy's Social Core and worked on a research project on behalf of the Community Foundation of Middlesex County. In the future, I hope to apply the skills and experience I gain from my Government major to work on congressional campaigns, in a congressional office, or in policy research. 

Alana Penoyer (2027)

I am a junior double majoring in Government, with a concentration in American Politics, and History. I'm born and raised outside of Portland, Oregon and have enjoyed my summer at home exploring new cafes and hiking spots. I recently wrapped up my internship with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden in his Portland office; the opportunity to learn under my representative, for a place I hold so close to me, has been such a formative experience. At Wesleyan, I am a tutor at Traverse Square, where I help kids ranging from ages three to twelve with their homework and connect with them through other recreational activities. I am also a member of the Wesleyan American Civil Liberties Union and play clarinet in the school's Chamber Music Ensemble. 

Zoey Possick (2028)

I am a junior Government major with a concentration in International Relations. My passion for government and advocacy goes beyond academics and is reflected in my extracurricular and professional experiences at Wesleyan and beyond. This year, I will serve as co-president of the Wesleyan ACLU. This past summer, I worked in the office of NYS Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, where I gained experience in constituent services and insight into current policy and legislative work. I am also particularly interested in how nonprofits interact with the government, which led me to intern with Habitat for Humanity and co-coordinate its campus chapter. Additionally, I served as a reproductive rights intern focused on policy and community engagement at NCJW-NY two summers ago. I am a Peer Career Advisor through the Gordon Career Center, working closely with our Law and Social Impact Advisor to organize programming for students interested in government-related careers.I will be studying abroad in Bologna, Italy.

SJ Schaeffer (2027)

I am a double major in Government and History. My academic interests center on political theory and the relationship between state power, liberty, and democratic participation. I am very interested in the aesthetics of politics in relation to fascism, as well as American cultural politics over the last 30 years. I am also interested in the intersection of politics and urban life, particularly how governance, space, and community identity interact. Outside the classroom, I will be involved with Wesleyan Business Review, helping recruit writers, coordinating communication between contributors and editors, and ensuring columns stay on track with deadlines. I am also a Co-captain of the Wesleyan Club Soccer Team, which I will resume in the spring upon my return to Campus. I will be studying abroad during the Fall 2025 semester in London at Queen Mary University.

 

 

 

Are there any specific courses I should take if I want to become a Government major?

No. To be admitted as a major, you must complete at least one government course with a grade of B- or better, and at the time you submit your major declaration, your General Education Report must show that you have already, by the end of your third semester at Wesleyan, completed Stage 1 of the General Education Expectations.

There are four introductory courses. Which one should I take?

Each of the introductory courses corresponds to one of the four concentrations (GOVT 151 corresponds to American; GOVT 155 to international relations; GOVT 157 to comparative; and GOVT 159 to political theory). You should look at the concentration descriptions on the website before making a decision. 

Do I have to learn statistics if I want to major in Government?

Taking a course in statistics is recommended, but not required, for the major. Political scientists use diverse quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The Government Department routinely offers courses in statistics and methodology. Many Government majors use knowledge acquired in such courses to improve their research projects.

How do I get AP credit toward the major?

The Government Department will not approve Advanced Placement credit toward the major or toward graduation.

Since I can remember, I’ve had a deep interest in coming to Kenya; I find the landscapes so beautiful, and for some reason, there’s just always been such a personal draw to this country in particular. Thus, it only made sense to study abroad here, and SFS Kenya seemed like an experience I would have a very hard time replicating elsewhere or at another point in my life. As a Government major and Human Rights Advocacy minor, choosing a program fully outside of my typical coursework also appealed to me as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

As of right now, one lesson I’ll take away from this program is to really lean into the Side Quest, especially if it’s personally challenging/safely scary. Choose the thing that’s going to blow Past-You’s mind, and that Future-You will be able to look back on with love, respect, and pride. I’m only halfway through my program, so I’m sure I’ll find many more lessons in my remaining time here, especially as we continue to travel and learn across Kenya and Tanzania.