"My internship confirmed that I was on the right academic and career path. During my internship in Washington, D.C., I worked long hours in the high-stress environment that is politics, but I enjoyed the experience so much that it did not matter. It made me realize the importance of setting high goals, even when they seem nearly impossible to accomplish. The internship also helped me become more confident and less intimidated by others. The U.S. Capitol is full of important and intimidating people, from senators to foreign dignitaries, but at the end of the day, they are all just people that you can have a conversation with on the elevator. The experience is something that I will remember for my entire life."

Hannah Bingham
B.A. ’17 Political Science, B.A. ’17 Economics, Summa Cum Laude
 

"My time in Washington, D.C., was incredibly meaningful because I was able to realize my dreams. I had always wanted to work in the city, but my understanding was limited to what I had learned in class, seen on the news, and read in books. Experiencing everything D.C. had to offer brought those lessons to life in a way I could never have imagined."

Londyn Marshall
B.A. ’17 Political Science, Peace Studies certificate

"My internship gave me access to the inner workings of the legislative process and the strategy behind the very public actions taken on Capitol Hill. I had learned about political science in theory from a distance, but being at the epicenter of it all allowed for an immersive, intensive learning experience. The Trunzo Scholarship made it possible for me to have the experience of a lifetime. I would not have had the opportunity to accept an internship in D.C. without the Trunzo Scholarship."

Patrick Mason
B.A. ’17 Political Science, B.A. '17 History, Summa Cum Laude

 

"The most rewarding aspect of my education abroad experience in South Africa was my work at Inyathelo, the South African Institute for Advancement. Education abroad changes the way you see the world. Before my trip, I took a course on the history of South Africa, so visiting the places I read about in textbooks, such as Nelson Mandela’s jail cell on Robben Island, was surreal. The summer I spent interning in South Africa only confirmed my desire to pursue a career in the legal field, fighting for human rights."

 

Kassandra Satterly Reardon
B.A. ’17 History, Summa Cum Laude

"One of the highlights of my career has been witnessing the student successes empowered by the Robert and Anne Trunzo Scholarship. This generous investment has enabled our political science and pre-law students to realize their dreams and launch careers that would have otherwise been out of reach. The real-world experience and confidence our students gain have a career-changing impact on their lives."

 

Clayton Thyne, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, College of Arts and Sciences 
Professor, Department of Political Science 

Trunzo Scholars
	Hadeel Abdallah (B.A. '19 Political Science, Summa Cum Laude) Hadeel interned at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation in Lenasia, South Africa. She was a Truman Scholar, and in 2019, was the first UK female student to be awarded the Rhodes Scholarship. Hadeel earned a Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Oxford University in 2020, and in 2021, she earned a Master of Public Policy from the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University. She founded the UK Bilal ibn Rabah Scholarship, which enables students from underserved backgrounds to obtain an advanced degree debt-free. She serves on the UK Political Science Alumni Board.
	Christine Argus (Political Science major, Class of 2024) Through the WilDCats in the Capitol Program, Christine interned at the office of Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, the representative for Texas’ 16th Congressional District in El Paso.
	Megan Sparrow Arnold (B.A. '19 Political Science, Cum Laude) Megan interned at the Frankfort office of State Senator Alice Forgy Kerr. She is a policy analyst at the Office of the Speaker, Kentucky House of Representatives.
	Jake Avetisian (B.A. '20 Political Science, Summa Cum Laude) Jake interned at the Frankfort office of State Senator Al Gentry. He obtained his law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2023 and is a law clerk at Kooperman Mentel Ferguson Yaross, in Columbus, Ohio.
	Alexander Baker (B.A. ’19 Political Science, B.A. ’19 International Studies, Magna Cum Laude)  Alexander interned at the office of State Senator Reginald Thomas. He is a program associate at the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiatives in Europe and Eurasia Division.
	Chloe Bales (B.A. '22 Political Science, Summa Cum Laude, Peace Studies certificate) Chloe interned at the office of U.S. Representative Sanford Dixon Bishop in Washington, D.C. She works at the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance.
	Bushra Bani-Salman (B.A. '20 Political Science, Peace Studies certificate) Bushra interned at the U.S. Department of State Foreign Services in Washington, D.C. She is an intake specialist for Louisville Forward, an economic and community development organization for the City of Louisville. Bushra is pursuing a master's degree at the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce.
	Dalton Barnett (B.A. '23 Political Science, Summa Cum Laude, Peace Studies certificate) Dalton was a first-generation college student. He attended Cornell University’s Pre-Law Summer Program and then completed legal internships in New York City. Dalton is a law student at the J. David Rosenberg College of Law.
	Allyson Fleming Beaton (B.A. '17 Political Science, B.A. '17 Economics, Summa Cum Laude) Allyson studied abroad in Spain and Morocco. In 2020, she earned her law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. She is a mergers and acquisitions associate at Jones Day, a law practice in Washington, D.C.
	Alyssa Bertoni (B.A. '17 Political Science, B.A. '17 International Studies, Summa Cum Laude, Peace Studies certificate) Alyssa was a first-generation college student. She interned at the Office of Homeland Security in Frankfort, and later at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. In 2019, she earned her master's in public policy (international security and economic policy) from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, and in 2023, she completed a master’s in defense and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Alyssa is a senior defense analyst at the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
	Hannah Bingham (B.A. '17 Political Science, B.A. '17 Economics, Summa Cum Laude) Hannah was a first-generation college student. She interned at the office of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell in Washington, D.C. Hannah earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 2020 and is an election law and government ethics associate at Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, D.C.
	Abbey Bowe (B.A. '18 Political Science, B.A. '18 Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies, Summa Cum Laude) Abbey studied abroad in Spain. She earned her law degree in 2021 from Harvard Law School and is an associate attorney at McDermott Will & Emery in Washington, D.C.
	DeMarea Brandy (B.A. '20 Political Science, B.A. '20 Psychology) DeMarea interned at the Frankfort office of the Deputy Chief of Staff of Communications for the House Majority Leadership. He is a recruiter at NRG Consulting Group in Washington, D.C.
	Ravi Brar (B.A. '19 Political Science, Magna Cum Laude) Ravi participated in the Kentucky Legislative Internship Program in Frankfort. He is an international education advisor at Campbellsville University.
	Mara Bravin (Political Science major, Class of 2024) Mara interned at Movimiento Para El Alcance de Vida Independiente in Arecebo, Puerto Rico. The nonprofit promotes independence and skill development for people with disabilities.
	Qwenton Briggs (B.A. '21 History) Qwenton interned at the Women in Bourbon Oral History Research Project. He is a law student at the J. David Rosenberg College of Law and expects to graduate in May 2025.
	Bear Brown (B.A. '19 Political Science, Summa Cum Laude) Bear was a research intern at the American Enterprise Institute through the WilDCats at the Capitol Program. He is a Political Science Ph.D. candidate at Ohio State University with a focus on American politics.
	Mafe Chaves-Bernal
	Erica Ashton Cherry (B.A. '18 Political Science, B.A. '18 Writing, Rhetoric and Digital Studies, Magna Cum Laude) Erica interned at the Appalachian Citizens Law Center in Whitesburg, Kentucky. She earned her law degree at the J. David Rosenberg College of Law in 2021 and is an attorney in Lexington.
	Abigail Condit (B.A. '22 Political Science, B.A. '22 Integrated Strategic Communication, Summa Cum Laude, Peace Studies certificate) Abigail interned at the office of U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley in Washington, D.C. She is an accounts receivable co-manager for Commonwealth Hand and Physical Therapy.
	Maddie Davidson Daily (B.A. '20 Psychology, Cum Laude) Maddie interned at the office of U.S. Representative Gwen Moore in Washington, D.C. She earned a master's in public policy in 2022 and is a global compliance coordinator at The Sazerac Company in Louisville.
	Lauren Hamlin Deaton (B.B.A. ’19 Business Administration, Management and Psychology, Summa Cum Laude) Lauren interned at the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. She is a brand activation production specialist for Tempur-Sealy International.
	Mitchell Dennis (B.S. '20 Mathematics, B.S. '20 Physics, B.S. '20 Computer Science, Summa Cum Laude) Mitchell interned at NASA Headquarters in the Office of the Chief Scientist. While at NASA, he used the natural language analysis software QUID to analyze the submissions to the Astro2020 Decadal Survey. He is a graduate student at the Institute for Astronomy at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.
	Anna Simons Elliott (B.A. '21 Political Science) Anna interned at the Frankfort office of State Representative McKenzie Cantrell through the Kentucky Legislative Internship Program. She is a budget analyst at the Indiana State Budget Agency.
	Stacie Fugate (B.A. '21 Political Science) Stacie was a first-generation college student. She interned at the Frankfort office of State Senator Max Wise in the spring of 2019. Stacie is a business support assistant at the Mountain Association in Hazard, Kentucky.
	Grace Gerst (B.A. '23 Political Science, Magna Cum Laude) Grace studied architecture and fashion at the Catholic University of Paris in Paris, France. As chapter president, she reinvigorated Pi Sigma Alpha, the UK Political Science honors group, winning the Chapter of the Year award. Grace is a paralegal at a personal injury law firm in Chicago. She is studying for the LSAT and plans to attend law school.
	Bailee Gibbs (B.A. '23 History, B.A. '23 International Studies, Summa Cum Laude) Bailee interned at the office of Congressman Rep. John Yarmuth, U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District, through the WilDCats at the Capitol Program. She is attending the University of Louisville Law School. Bailee is considering a career in global politics, human rights, diplomacy, or climate change advocacy.
	Emma Goldsby (B.A. '22 Political Science, Magna Cum Laude, Peace Studies certificate) Emma interned at the International Center for Terrorism Studies at the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies through the WilDCats at the Capitol Program. She is a graduate student at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, where she studies Security Studies, with an intelligence concentration.
	Savannah Gray (B.A. '18 Psychology, Magna Cum Laude) Savannah attended the MV World Odyssey Semester at Sea Campus, where she studied human trafficking, western religion, and social psychology, and traveled to Ghana and Myanmar. She earned her law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in May 2022.
	Lauren Greene (B.A. '20 Political Science, Summa Cum Laude) Lauren interned at the office of U.S. Senator Rob Portman in Washington, D.C., and then interned at various government offices. She earned her law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and is now a corporate attorney at Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL.
	Emily Greenwell
	Alex Hale (B.A. '23 Political Science, B.A. '23 Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Summa Cum Laude) Alex interned at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Following graduation, he secured a full-time position at the Department of Justice.
	Eric Haley (B.A. '20 Political Science) Eric is a first-generation college graduate and a military veteran. He interned at the U.S. House of Representatives through the WilDCats at the Capitol Program. He served as a legislative correspondent for U.S. Senator Rand Paul, then switched back to the House, where he is a legislative assistant.
	Jaida Hampton (B.A. '20 Political Science) Jaida is a first-generation college graduate. She interned at the office of U.S. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee through the WilDCats at the Capitol Program. Jaida is a communications and member services aide for the U.S. House of Representatives.
	Sierra Hatfield (B.A. '19 Political Science, Summa Cum Laude, Social Science Research certificate) Sierra interned at the Fund for American Studies in Washington, D.C. She is an equity analyst for the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan. In her spare time, she volunteers with CIRQUE BOUCLE, which seeks to increase racial equity in the circus arts for Grand Rapids youth and their families.
	Katie Henning (B.A. '19 Anthropology, B.A. '19 International Studies, Summa Cum Laude) Katie attended the SURCO Study Abroad Program, which brought her to Oaxaca, Mexico. She earned her master's in data science in 2022 and is a data scientist at ArborMetrix, a software company in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
	Haley Hintz (B.A. '22 Political Science, B.A. ’22 Psychology, Summa Cum Laude, Undergraduate Certificate in Social Science Research) Haley interned at the office of U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky through the WilDCats at the Capitol Program. She had a strong undergraduate research career and is a psychology Ph.D. candidate at Eastern Kentucky University.
	Sara Holjan (B.A. '20 Political Science) Sara was a first-generation college student. She interned at the office of State Representative Ruth Ann Palumbo. She is a legal assistant at the Archdiocese of Chicago.
	Kathryn Johnson (B.A. '20 Foreign Languages and International Economics, Magna Cum Laude) Kathryn attended the Conversational Chinese Program at Shanghai University. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati in 2017 and is a pricing analyst.
	Jorden Jones (B.A. '20 Political Science, B.A. ‘20 Sociology, Magna Cum Laude)  Jorden attended the Arabic Intensive Study Program and then interned at several government agencies, including the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. She is the executive director of legislative services at the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet.
	Mariah Kendell (B.A. '23 Political Science, B.A. '23 Journalism, Summa Cum Laude) Mariah interned at the office of U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson-Coleman in Washington, D.C. She is a special assistant in the Office of Scheduling and Advancement at the U.S. Department of Commerce.
	Kimberly Kokkonen (B.A. '23 Political Science, Peace Studies certificate)  Kimberly was a first-generation college student. She interned at the National League of Cities through the WilDCats at the Capitol Program. Kimberly is a licensure and credentials coordinator at the American Board of Family Medicine.
	Kelsey Lockhart (B.A. '20 Political Science) Kelsey interned at the office of U.S. Representative Susie Lee in Washington, D.C. She is a committee assistant at the Legislative Research Commission in Frankfort.
	Briana Katinic McNamara (B.A. ’18 Political Science, B.A. ’18 Economics, Summa Cum Laude) Briana attended the Fund for American Studies: Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems at George Mason University. In 2022, she earned her law degree from the University of Chicago Law School and is a judicial law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.
	Sophia Marcolla (B.A. '21 Political Science, B.A. '21 Communication, Summa Cum Laude) Sophia interned at the State Senate Majority Communications Department in Frankfort. She is a law student at the University of Missouri College of Law.
	Londyn Marshall (B.A. '17 Political Science, Peace Studies certificate)  Londyn was a two-time recipient of the Trunzo Scholarship. She interned at Lake Research Partners, a national public opinion and political strategy research firm, and at the Office of the Kentucky Secretary of State. Londyn is a deputy director of government affairs at Carbon180, a nonprofit environmental organization in Washington, D.C.
	Megan Mendez (Political Science major, Class of 2025)  Megan interned at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in American politics, history, international relations, or comparative politics.
	Patrick Mason (B.A. '17 Political Science, B.A. '17 History, Summa Cum Laude)  Patrick interned at the office of U.S. Representative Hal Rogers. In 2018, he earned a graduate certificate in public financial management at the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration. He is a management and program analyst at USDA Rural Development.
	Evan Nixon (B.A. '18 Political Science, Summa Cum Laude) Evan was a two-time recipient of the Trunzo Scholarship. He interned at the office of U.S. Representative John Yarmuth and attended the London School of Economics and Political Science. He earned his law degree from Notre Dame Law in 2021 and is a staff attorney at the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts.
	Simon Olagbaju (B.A. '18 Political Science, Cum Laude) Simon interned at the Equal Opportunity Commission in Washington, D.C. In 2022, he earned a master's in urban and environmental planning from Arizona State University. Simon is an associate transit planner at Nelson-Nygaard Consulting Associates, a worldwide transportation planning company.
	Elizabeth Penava (B.A. ’17 Spanish, B.A. ‘17 Political Science, Summa Cum Laude, Global Studies certificate) Elizabeth studied at the University of Salamanca (Cursos Internacionales) in Salamanca, Spain. She is a law student at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.
	Bailey Pierce (B.A. '22 Political Science, B.A. '22 Sociology, Summa Cum Laude) Bailey interned at the Kentucky Minority Caucus Leadership in Frankfort. She is a law student at the J. David Rosenberg College of Law and has an interest in criminal litigation.
	Maya Pierce (B.A. ’20 English, Summa Cum Laude) Maya interned at the office of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell in Washington, D.C. She earned her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 2023 and is now an associate at Kirkland & Ellis.
	Eric Poore (B.A. '19 Political Science, Summa Cum Laude)  Eric attended Exeter University's international summer school. In August 2023, he earned his law degree at the Northern Kentucky University Salmon P. Chase College of Law. He plans to practice criminal law in Kentucky or Tennessee.
	Kassandra Satterly Reardon (B.A. '17 History, Summa Cum Laude) Kassandra studied abroad and interned at the South African Institute for Advancement. In 2021, she earned her law degree from the Florida State College of Law and is an attorney in Florida.
	Laurel Riggs (B.A. '24 Political Science, B.A. '24 Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies, Magna Cum Laude)  Laurel was an A&S student ambassador, served on the Student Government Executive Board, and was a Chi Omega member. She is now pursuing a law degree at the J. David Rosenberg College of Law.
	Ryan Ritchey (B.A. '20 Political Science, Magna Cum Laude) Ryan is a military veteran. He interned at the Frankfort office of Robert Stivers, the president of the Kentucky Senate. Ryan is a law student at the J. David Rosenberg College of Law.
	Ana Clara Gonclaves Sampaio (Political Science, Economics, and Pre-Information Communication Technology triple major, Class of 2025) Ana is a first-generation college student. She began drafting her research paper, “Private Risk, Public Consequences: The Relationship Between Critical Infrastructure Privatization and Cybersecurity,” under the guidance of Dr. Jesse Johnson. Ana is interested in a career in data science or cybersecurity.
	Jayden Sheridan (Political Science major, Class of 2025) Jayden is a first-generation college student. She interned at the office of Congressman Greg Landsman through the WilDCats at the Capitol Program. Jayden is interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in domestic terrorism.
	Allie Stevens (B.A. '19 Political Science, Cum Laude) Allie interned at the Kentucky Senate Democratic Office through the Kentucky Legislative Internship Program. In 2022, she earned her law degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. She is an attorney in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
	Emma Thyne (Political Science major, Class of 2025) To develop her Spanish skills, Emma studied abroad at the University of Granada in Granada, Spain. She plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Political Science.
	Jaimie Tomaw (B.A. '20 Political Science, B.S. '20 Communication, Summa Cum Laude) Jaimie was a press intern at the office of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell in Washington, D.C. She is a law student at Stetson University College of Law.
	Benjamin Troupe (B.A. '19 Philosophy, Summa Cum Laude) Benjamin interned at the U.S. State Department in Berlin, Germany. In 2020, he earned a Master of Arts in International Security Policy Studies from the George Washington Elliott School of International Affairs. He is a foreign service officer in the U.S. State Department.
	Megan VanGilder (B.A. '22 Political Science, B.A. '22 Integrated Strategic Communication, Summa Cum Laude) Through the Kentucky Legislative Internship Program, Megan interned at the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission in Frankfort. She is a law student at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
	Tynesea Watts (B.A. '19 Political Science, Magna Cum Laude) Tynesea interned at the office of U.S. Representative Shelia Jackson Lee through the WilDCats at the Capitol Program. She is a law student at Tulane University Law School.