Meet Our Summer 2026 Interns
Each Photo Takes You to Their LinkedIn Profile When Clicked
Tyler Smith, Intern SP26
The Ramos Research Institute has been one of the most influential experiences in my college career. The ability to engage in lively debate and put the practical skills we learn to use in our projects has played an incredible role in my career readiness. Being under the guidance of one of the most brilliant minds I have met with Alejandro Ramos has encouraged me to step out and achieve more than I thought I could have previously. My experience at the Ramos Research Institute has taken my academics to the next level and will help supplement my career in the future.
Molly Williams, Intern SP26
Junior Research Associate
Here at RRI, I have learned to grow in unexpected ways and truly have developed a passion for continuing the mission. Through the internship program, I have worked on several projects and co-authored a published piece with the executive director, Alejandro Ramos. The main project I have been working on is called “Rewriting Democracy," where the team has been crafting a policy-oriented brief regarding how democratic narratives are constructed, communicated, and received across different political contexts. Working on this assignment has been quite rewarding alongside five other interns who show up prepared and engaged to each meeting and have truly made me feel part of a team. One thing about this internship that I love is that, even though it is completely remote, the Courageous Dialogue conversations and project meetings are tools that encourage discussion and engagement with others, fostering those relationships. This internship has been such a wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend applying to those motivated by RRI's mission and seeking an opportunity to build on their research, writing, and interpersonal skills.
Izzy Gavin, Intern SP26
Working with the Ramos Research Institute was nothing short of incredible. Everyone at the institute was open-minded and encouraged me to take initiative for my own learning. My role with RRI was as a Research Assistant, but this position gave me so much more than research experience. Courageous Dialogues and scholar talks left me wanting to ask more questions and learn more! I can honestly say my time with the institute has shaped the way I read, engage with politics, and interact with the world around me. I could not be more grateful for my experience.
Former Intern Cohorts
Interns that did not complete the requirements of the internship are not listed.
Seventh Intern Cohort - Spring 2026
Research Assistants
Marcus Chae, Columbia University '28, American Studies and Religion​
​Sydnee Cooley-Grossman, Syracuse University '26, Psychology and Policy; Junior Research Associate​
Jackson Deville, University of Colorado Boulder '26, Political Science
Lucy Dreyer, University of Wisconsin–Madison '27, Sociology
Paige Duffy, Villanova University '27, Political Science; Junior Research Associate
Caleb Ferronniere, The Ohio State University '27, International Studies; Junior Research Associate
Matias Flowers, University of Georgia '26, Comparative Literature
Izzy Gavin, University of Texas at Austin '28, Government and International Relations
Madison Jongewaard, UCLA '26, Political Science; Junior Research Associate
Ana Kvaratskhelia, George Washington University '29, International Affairs & Diplomacy
Arya Prachand, Northwestern University '27, Political Science and Arabic
Sobia Reid, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill '27, Global Studies and Economics
Owen Simon, Georgetown University '26, Government
Tyler Smith, University of Tampa '27, History
Andrew Spaulding, George Washington University MA '27, International Relations
Sam Weinstein, Tufts University '28, International Relations
Molly Williams, Boston College '26, Neuroscience; Junior Research Associate
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Executive Communications Interns
Jackie Bond, University of Virginia '25, Media Studies
Maddie Davis, Fairfield University '27, Communications
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Operations & Development Intern
McKinley Coontz, University of Oregon '28, Public Relations; Strategic Public Engagement Associate
Sophia Goldberg, Miami University '26, Media and Communications
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Public Relations & Communications Intern​
Solenn Vincent, University of Iowa '26, English & Creative Writing
Sixth Intern Cohort - Fall 2025
Research Assistants
Kalani Gaviola, UC Berkeley '28, Legal Studies
Alaina Kaslewicz, Syracuse University '26, Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Allison Labutin, Virginia Tech '26, International Relations; Junior Research Associate at RRI
Taehee Oh, Cornell University '27, Government
Sophia Portillo, UCLA '25, Global Studies; Junior Research Associate at RRI
Celia Powers, UCLA '27, Political Science & Economics
Varun Raju, Florida State University '27, Political Science & Economics; Junior Research Associate at RRI
Marianna Ruggiero, Cornell University '28, Government & Information Science; Junior Research Associate at RRI
Mia Rubiera, Denison University ' 26, Anthropology & Political Science; Gonzalez Civic Fellow
Sophie Stewart, UC San Diego '26, Environmental Science; Gonzalez Civic Fellow
Gabi Urbanowicz, UMass Amherst '26, Economics
Anthony Yang, UT Austin '27, Statistics & Data Science and Mathematics
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Development Intern
Abby Kindred, University of Arizona '26, Public Management & Policy
Fifth Intern Cohort - Summer 2025
Research Assistants
Arya Prachand, Northwestern University '27, Political Science and Arabic
Nayra Sandrine H, Swarthmore College '26, Sociology and Anthropology
Fourth Intern Cohort - Spring 2025
Research Assistants
Sayan Bhati, University of Maryland: College Park '25, Philosophy, Politics, Economics (PPE)
Isabel Chambers, Boston University '25, International Relations
Sarah Garcia, University of Texas at San Antonio ' 26, Environmental Studies
Erica Greenberg, Occidental College '26, Diplomacy and World Affairs
Callie Jacobson, Smith College '25, Government and Philosophy
Anya Mateu-Asbury, Northwestern University '26, Social Policy; Deputy Director of Civic Initiatives
Siobhan Meenan, Villanova University '25, Political Science and Economics
Annika Simpich, University of Pittsburgh '25, Political Science
Grant Summers, UC Santa Barbara '25, Political Science and Economics
Emma Tang, UC Berkeley '27, History and Economics
William Tipton, UC San Diego '25, Political Science
Third Intern Cohort - Fall 2024
Research Assistants
Kelly Conroy, Fairfield University '25, Politics & International Studies; Junior Research Associate at RRI
Ellen Dong, Boston University '26, Journalism and Data Science
Emily Garcia, Brigham Young University-Idaho '24, Sociology
Megan Thompson, University of Texas at Austin, Government and Sociology
James Valentin, The University of Iowa '25, Public Policy and Social Science Analytics
Vidya Vedula, Emory University '26, Economics and Public Policy
Elaine Xiang, Colby College '26, Government and Sociology
Second Intern Cohort - Summer 2024
Research Assistants
Christopher Ford, University of Washington in Seattle '25, Latin American International Studies
Josephine Hall, San Diego State University '25, International Security; Inuagural RRI Chief of Staff
Shannon Rao, Washington University in St. Louis '27, Political Science
Arista Siebrits, Texas A&M Bush School, MA Candidate: International Affairs
Ella Sullivan, The University of Maryland: College Park '25, Political Science and Economics; Junior Research Associate at RRI
Ha Tran, Michigan State University '26, Psychology
Inaugural Intern Cohort - Spring 2024
Research Assistants
Jenna Luisa Boccher, University of Pennsylvania '25, International Relations, Junior Research Associate at RRI
Ashli DeMaria, Fordham University '24, Psychology
Haley Dymek, American University '24, Economics; Junior Research Associate at RRI
Emma Grady, Sacred Heart University '24, Political Science
Noelle Puvak, Occidental College '26, Diplomacy and World Affairs; Junior Research Associate at RRI
Brandon Soung, UCLA '24, Political Science
Public Relations Intern
Nafisa Ruponty, The University of Florida '25, Public Relations; Inaugural RRI Director of PR​