You are here: American University The Civic Life Student Fellows

Back to top

The Civic Life Student Fellows (2024-2025)

The Civic Life Student Fellows are part of a selective leadership program within the Civic Life initiative at American University. The program is designed to empower students with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead and facilitate critical discussions on complex issues within our community and beyond.

Maria Ardila Rangel

Maria Paula Ardila SIS/MA ’26, International Development

  • Graduate Student
  • Bogotá, Colombia

“As a Fulbright Scholar, I am excited to bring my international (Latin American) perspective to civic life, fostering connections between local and global development agendas to drive meaningful change.”

Esperonto Bean

Esperonto Bean SOC/MA '25, Strategic Communications

  • Graduate Student
  • Baltimore, Maryland

"I’m excited about being a Civic Life Fellow because it empowers me with the skills and knowledge necessary to be an active participant in social change on American University’s campus and in my community."

Tina Brimo

Tina Prashad Brimo SOE/EdD ’27, Education Policy and Leadership

  • Graduate Student
  • Queens, New York

“I’m thrilled to be a Civic Life Fellow because it offers an opportunity to leverage my lived experiences and further develop my professional expertise to strengthen our community through meaningful civic engagement.”

Tyler Brown Dewese

Tyler Brown-Dewese SPA/BA ’25, Political Science

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Middletown, New York

“I am enthusiastic about my role as a Civic Life Fellow because I passionately believe that in today’s challenging climate, it is crucial to listen to one another.”

Tyler Eliades

Tyler Eliades SPA/MA ’25, Political Science

  • Graduate Student
  • Long Island, New York

“I am excited about being a Civic Life Fellow because I want to be a leader on campus and work with faculty and students to continue to make AU a space for everyone.”

Brodie Gardner

Brodie Gardner SPA/BA ’28, Interdisciplinary Studies: Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Cleveland, Ohio

“I hope to learn more about the political attitudes of those not only on my campus, but those throughout the DMV area and beyond, as I seek to apply what I learn towards my own goal of figuring out why so many Americans are dissatisfied with the status quo.”

Samuel Gilio

Samuel Gilio SPA/BA ’27, Political Science, CAS/BA ’27, Economics

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Emmaus, Pennsylvania

“I’m so excited to work with the fellows in this program to help foster productive dialogue on campus.”

Amishai Goodman-Goldstein

Amishai Goodman-Goldstein SPA/BA ’25, Political Science SPA/SOC/MA ’26 Political Communication

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Boston, Massachusetts

“I'm eager to help the AU community be better at tackling controversial issues collaboratively and move away from simplistic narratives on campus.”

Carla Grinstead

Carla Grinstead SIS/MA ’25, International Peace and Conflict Resolution

  • Graduate Student
  • Manassas, Virginia

“I passionately believe that cultivating understanding, fostering meaningful communication, and mastering the art of active listening are among the most transformative tools for achieving enduring peace and resolving conflicts with resilience.”

Ethan Han

Ethan Han SOE/MA ’25, Teaching

  • Graduate Student
  • Guangzhou, China

“I am glad to finally see civics at AU, when the school needs it most.”

Sean Hanley

Sean Hanley SIS/BA ’25, Global International Relations

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Apex, North Carolina

“I am excited about being a Civic Life Fellow because I believe it is essential for the university’s health that students can disagree with each other, even on divisive issues, and still engage in meaningful conversations.”

Marilys Jn-Baptiste

Marilys Jn-Baptiste Kogod/BS ’28, Accounting, CAS/BA ’28, Philosophy

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Cutler Bay, Florida

“I find that the Civic Life Fellowship’s objective of encouraging comprehensive dialogue on various topics equitably is heartening and commendable work for individuals seeking higher education like myself to engage in and positively contribute to society.”

George Kagler

George Kagler SPA/BA ’25, Political Science

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Hudson, Ohio

“I believe that we can all become better citizens and community members by engaging with a wide variety of perspectives in-depth and in earnest.”

Geoff Kelly

Geoff Kelly CAS/BA ’25, History

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

“I have been relatively apolitical all my life but after witnessing the abysmal state of civic values and community dialogue at AU, I felt the need to become a Civic Life Fellow to help heal the wounds left by our polarized world. I am particularly excited to help facilitate respectful dialogue on the Israel-Palestine conflict.”

Laila Kirkpatrick

Laila Kirkpatrick SPA/BA ’28, Interdisciplinary Studies: Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics and Government

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Cleveland, Ohio

“I am super excited to be a Civic Life Fellow because being a fellow allows me to work collaboratively with my peers and faculty to understand issues within the AU community.”

Kuleema Kutah

Kuleema Kuteh SIS/MA ’26, Global Governance, Politics, and Security

  • Graduate Student
  • Atlanta, Georgia

“I believe it is important to support all underrepresented communities whose voices may not be heard and to draw attention to disparities. I hope to embody the motto: ‘In order to change the systems, we must first sit at tables for change.’”

Katie Lewis

Katie Lewis SPA/BA ’25, Political Science

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Rancho Palos Verdes, California

“I am excited to be a Civic Life Fellow because promoting civic engagement and dialogue is an amazing way to build community and communication skills for the future.”

Krystal Lindsey

Krystal Lindsey SOE/EdD ’26, Education Policy and Leadership

  • Graduate Student
  • Dallas, Texas

“I am excited to be part of the inaugural cohort for the Civic Life Fellowship as it aligns with my interdisciplinary work focused on coalition-building by fostering informed, authentic dialogue that ‘nourishes the robust exchange of ideas’ and supports healthy dynamics through growth and change within the AU community and beyond.”

Claire McCafferty

Claire McCafferty SPA/BA ’26, Political Science, CAS/BA ’26, Philosophy

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

“I am excited for the opportunity to be a Civic Life Fellow because I believe our country is approaching a crossroads where the deep schisms in society can no longer go unspoken, and having tough conversations about the daunting future can bring understanding, progress, and hope in the face of uncertainty.”

Michael McGee McCoy

Michael McCoy CAS/BA ’27, American Studies, CAS/BA ’27, African American and African Diaspora Studies

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Denver, Colorado

“The Civic Life Fellowship provides me with the opportunity to engage with one of the most vital measures of progress in any society: civic engagement. In times like these, this is more essential than ever.”

England Meadows

England Meadows SPA/BA ’27, Political Science

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Atlanta, Georgia

“Where policy meets compassion and data intersects with human experience, I stand poised to challenge systemic inequities. The Civic Life Fellowship is not merely an opportunity, but a pivotal moment to dismantle barriers and reimagine the potential of community-driven solutions that can reshape the very foundations of public well-being.”

Khang Nguyen

Khang Nguyen CAS/BA ’25, Philosophy

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Annandale, Virigina

“One exciting thing about being a Civic Life Fellow is the ability to offer a nuanced perspective or question that challenges real-world principles, fostering independent and creative thinking that helps shape my future career in philosophy and advocacy.”

Lily Nuckolls

Lily Nuckolls Kogod/BS ’25, Finance

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Raleigh, North Carolina

“I’m excited to engage in meaningful discourse and promote civic engagement at American University as a Civic Life Fellow.”

Caroline Pirrone

Caroline Pirrone SPA/BA ’26, Political Science

  • Undergraduate Student
  • South Jersey, New Jersey

“I am excited to be a Civic Life Fellow to assist in creating an engaged community both at AU and outside, and because I believe disagreement and dialogue are necessary for a rounded educational experience.”

Beverly Popoola

Beverly Popoola Kogod/MS ’26, Sustainability Management

  • Graduate Student
  • Texas

“I am excited about being a Civic Life Fellow because of my years leveraging my communications and engagement skills to meet people where they're at. I value engaging with critical dialogue as I believe it's the cornerstone of better understanding one another and hopefully creating change.”

Ridha Rayani

Ridha Rayani SPA/BA ’28, Justice and Law, SOC/BA ’28, Public Relations and Strategic Communications

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Tampa, Florida

“Being a Civic Life Fellow allows me to reflect deeply on the ways both I and the AU community engage in civic life, and how we can actively contribute to positive change.”

Julie Remy

Julie Remy Kogod/BS ’28, Finance

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Naples, Florida

“I decided to become a Civic Life fellow because I am very passionate about helping my community and being a part of change.”

Kari Jones Shapley

Kari Jones Shapley WCL/MLS ’25, Legal Studies

  • Law Student
  • Woodsfield, Ohio

“I’m excited to be a Civic Life Fellow for the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skillset to effectively lead and contribute to civic discourse.”

Tom Snyder

Tom Snyder SPA/BA ’27, Political Science

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Denver, Colorado

“I’m excited to be a Civic Life Fellow because it offers the opportunity to engage deeply with my community, drive meaningful change, and develop skills to address pressing societal challenges.”

Morgan Spencer

Morgan Spencer SPA/BA ’27, Political Science, SPA/BA ’27, Legal Studies

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Traverse City, Michigan

“I am excited to be a Civic Life Fellow to help facilitate dialogue about topics between people with different viewpoints and help them find common ground.”

Janos Szani

Janos (Johnny) Szani SIS/BA ’25, International Studies

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Los Angeles, California

“I am excited to learn more about bipartisan dialogue and working alongside fellow like-minded students.”

Luc Thomas

Luc Thomas SPA/BA ’27, Political Science, SIS/BA ’27, International Studies

  • Undergraduate Student
  • Mount Olive, New Jersey

“I am excited to be a Civic Life Fellow because it offers the opportunity to develop my leadership skills, collaborate with passionate changemakers, and have the difficult yet necessary conversations to create meaningful impact within my community.”

Sharon Wanyana

Sharon Wanyana Kogod/MS ’26, Analytics

  • Graduate Student
  • Mukono, Uganda

“The Civic Life Fellowship provides an opportunity for me to foster meaningful connections, amplify diverse voices, and contribute to building equitable systems, drawing from my experiences as an international student and working with marginalized communities.”

Daniel Zuzovsky

 

Daniel Zuzovsky SPA/BA ’28, Political Science

  • Undergraduate Student
  • San Francisco, California

“I am excited to fulfill my role as a Civic Life Fellow because there is no place more polarized than a college campus, and we need voices connecting students, rather than driving them apart.”