Megan Barry

My name is Meg Barry and I am a proud New Englander from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. In the area of politics my primary interests surround gender politics and feminist theory, especially in relation to developing areas of the world. I hope to examine the ways in which political theory influences practical politics, also in connection with human rights policy. Outside of my academic studies I am the Senior Resident of Brown College and a big sister through the Young Women's Leadership Program. I also participate in the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, University Democrats, and Undergraduate Research Network. In my spare time I enjoy running, Bikram Yoga, reading, cooking, and watching films.

Kadeem Andre Cooper

I am from Brooklyn, NY (currently living in Apopka, FL). I am interested in studying the role of multilateral institutions and domestic public opinion on political decisions in international relations. Although that is my main focus, my interest in foreign affairs is wide and vast. Outside of the classroom, I am privileged to serve as the vice president of my class and as a member of the University Guide Service. I also participate and enjoy student theater at the University and, more generally, the performing arts. After graduation, I hope to pursue a career that deals intimately with issues of war and peace, either as a lawyer or public official.

Anna Jacobs

I am originally from New Orleans, Louisiana and have lived all over the southeast United States. I attended high school in New Kent County, Virginia just outside of Richmond. My interests within the realm of politics include human rights, globalization, and development in sub-Saharan Africa, with a special focus on the current issues in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe. I am also aspiring to complete a double major in French. Here at the University I work for the Nation and World News at the Cavalier Daily, serve as the Public Relations Chair for Amnesty International, and work on the external relations committee for the Global Development Organization. I enjoy playing tennis, riding horses, campaigning for the up coming presidential election, and working with the Charlottesville Therapeutic Riding Association through Madison House.

Benjamin Nava

My name is Ben Nava and I am a first-generation Argentine-American from Arlington, Virginia. My academic interests center on political theory as well as the political economy of developing nations. I have enjoyed studying and traveling throughout Latin America including the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru and Argentina. Outside of the classroom I am involved with the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship and the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. I enjoy an active lifestyle consisting of swimming, racquetball, squash and basketball. I currently work as an intern for the Department of Homeland Security and I hope to one day become a lawyer

John Nelson

I am from Bethesda, Maryland and attended school in Washington, DC. In addition to the politics honors program, I am majoring in economics. I am particularly interested in economic policy and political participation. This past summer, I studied the compulsory voting system in Australia. I have also worked on tax policy and other economic policy as a research intern at American Enterprise Institute. Outside of the classroom, I serve as vice president for administration on Student Council, and a senior advisor in Honor. I am also a member of Third Year Council, the Public Service Fellows,and St. Elmo Hall fraternity.

Benjamin Schildkraut

I am from Tenafly, New Jersey and a double major in Music. My current political interests are the Arab-Israeli conflict, cultural and normative approaches to International Relations, and methods of debt relief to impoverished countries. Apart from academics, I am involved in a microfinance organization, Lendforpeace.org, One in Four sexual assault peer education, our University’s concert committee, and play guitar in a local band. This past summer, I worked for Americans for Peace Now and the American Task Force on Palestine in Washington D.C in their efforts to see a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

Kate Feldman

I am from Oak Hill, VA and was home-schooled until coming to U.Va.  My interests in political science lie primarily in political theory and comparative politics.  I plan to focus on how the United States has exported democracy abroad, where and when it has been successful, and the impact that its international efforts have had on its own classical liberal conception of freedom.  In the University Community, I am actively involved in Swing Club at U.Va., Alpha Delta Pi, and Reformed University Fellowship.

James Linville
I was born in New York City and lived there until coming to UVA. My interests in the realm of politics include theory, urban and environmental policy, and global development and poverty relief. I am also a competitive triathlete. Most of my extracurricular time is consumed by training and racing, but I am active in the Jefferson Society,am an RA in first-year dorms and race with the UVA Cycling team. Currently, my plans for the future are tentatively in academia.

Lauren Lessard

I attended high school in Virginia, but have lived in a number of locations. I possess a variety of interests in the realm of politics; I am mainly interested in focusing on relationships of power, both at home and abroad, and their implications on the political process.  I am also working on a minor in Anthropology.  Outside of academics, I am a counselor for UJC and Issues Subcommittee Co-chair, and a member of Agape Christian Fellowship and Sexual Assault Peer Advocacy.  I volunteer at the Shelter for Help in Emergency (the domestic violence shelter in Charlottesville), and am a Resident Advisor (RA) for first year dorms.  This past summer I was fortunate to have the opportunity to work as a substitute teacher for local elementary schools and study Environmental politics and Spanish in Ecuador. In the future I would like to work in an advocacy position.

Sarah Peterson

I grew up in Burke, Virginia in Fairfax County.  My main academic interests surround environmental policy, particularly on the international level.  In addition to politics, I am working toward a second major in Environmental Science, as well as a minor in Art History.  During the summer of 2008, I interned in Senator Dianne Feinstein's office on Capitol Hill.  There, I worked with her aides on energy and environmental issues, specifically in developing a federal bottle recycling bill.  This past summer, I did research on forest dynamics and composition at UVa's Mountain Lake Biological Research Station.  I also play trombone in the Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra and race on the UVa ski and snowboard team. 

Stuart Stump

Sarah Ulmer

I am from Richmond, Virginia. Within Honors Politics, I am interested in the American government system, particularly the judicial branch. I would like to explore the judicial branch in relation to public opinion in both the United States and abroad. Outside of the program, I am interested in receiving a minor in Art History. I am proud to be the Vice President of the Inter-Sorority Council Judiciary Committee, the Recording Secretary of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, and an investigator for UJC. On the weekends I enjoy watching movies and going to various art performances around grounds. After graduating I hope to attend law school and eventually become a federal judge.