[2009 First-Year Fellows on Capitol Hill Steps, Washington, DC in June. First Row: Kunal Arya, Melissa Saphier, Ann Corrin, Ryan Tincher, Amrita Sankar, Ariel Murphy; Middle Row: Benjamin Gonin, Peter Blair, Nina Brekelmans, Michael P. Randall, Zoe Friedland, Jessica ("Jessi") Merry, Chinedu Udeh; Last Row: Julius Bedford III, Dennis Zeveloff, Trevor Chenoweth, Andrew Clay, William Hix, Christopher Whitehead, Kunal Malkani]
Read the profiles of this year's First-Year Fellows and the past First-Year Fellows.
The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center is proud to announce the 2009 First-Year Fellows. The First-Year Fellows Program provides students with opportunities to engage meaningfully in public policy early in their Dartmouth career. Twenty students from the Class of 2012 have successfully completed the introductory public policy and research method courses and have been selected as First-Year Fellows.
The Center matches First-Year Fellows with Dartmouth alumni in Washington, D.C. organizations who have agreed to serve as mentors and to accept a Fellow into their organizations to complete a summer internship. In some cases, the alumni mentor also serves as the direct internship supervisor; in other cases another staff member of the organization assists with the day-to-day supervision of the Fellow's work. The Center is very appreciative of the time and energy that our Dartmouth alumni mentors and internship supervisors commit to the First-Year Fellows Program.
Prior to starting their internships, students participate in the Civic Skills Training (CST). Fellows from the Class of 2012 have already attended an on-campus program orientation, are completing a draft of their policy brief to be delivered on Capitol Hill during the June CST, and will begin the Washington, D.C. program on Monday, June 15, 2009.
[2009 First-Year Fellows with Congressman Ron Paul, 14th District, Texas, Washington, DC in July]
"Programs like this are truly priceless. Not only for all of the things we learned but also for meeting so many great people and the experience with that I'll have in the future. I think this really will help me accomplish a lot this summer and later in my life. It's funny how little decisions like going to Civic Skills Training might end up changing one's life significantly. Thanks again". --Trevor Chenoweth '12
"Civic Skills provided me with an arsenal of tools to enter the workforce. Through enacted case studies, pertinent literature, interactive scenarios, and hands on discussion, I was able to best transition
from academia to Washington. Civic skills training enabled me to grasp a better hold of my life, forcing me to consider both my short and long term goals. I developed smart objectives for each task assigned to me. From this experience I am not only a more aware woman on the job, but also a more thoughtful thinker" --Amrita Sankar '12
[Rockefeller Center Director Andrew Samwick
joined the group of 2009 First-Year Fellows in Washington, D.C. during
the Civic Skills Training.]
Kunal Arya
National Association for Biomedical Research
Mentor: David J. Mustra Adv ‘01
Kunal Arya is from Detroit, Michigan. Arya is pursuing a major in Economics, a Minor in Public Policy, and Pre-Med coursework. Arya is on the Dartmouth Policy Debate and Club Ultimate Frisbee Teams. Other activities of his on campus include editing the Dartmouth Business Journal, being part of the Dartmouth Independent business team, participating in the Social Enterprise and Economic Development Society (SEEDS), and working as a study group leader at the Academic Skills Center. Arya is interested in how the public policy regulates medical services and research. Arya looks forward to working in Washington, DC, as a First Year Fellow.
Julius Bedford
Day Pitney LLP
Mentor: John (Jay) R. Matson III ‘91
Julius Bedford grew up in Naperville, Illinois, and currently resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Julius is pursuing a major in Economics with a minor in Public Policy. Bedford's on campus activities have included participation in the Dartmouth Boxing Club and work for the Dartmouth Alliance for Colored Children. Bedford looks forward to working in Washington, DC, as a First-Year Fellow this summer.
Peter Blair
Republican Main Street Partnership
Mentor: Charles Bass '74; Supervisor: Mark Owens
Peter Blair was born and raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Blair is working toward a double major in Government and History. Blair's activities on campus have included writing for the Dartmouth and the Dartmouth Apologia and debating for the Dartmouth Political Union. In the past, he has interned for Representative Jim Gerlach, worked as a paralegal for a tax law firm, and volunteered for political campaigns. He is interested in political theory and the law.
Nina Brekelmans
Project on Government Oversight
Mentor: Danielle Downing ‘99
Nina Brekelmans plans on pursuing an Arabic major with a minor in Public Policy. Brekelmans is a member of the Dartmouth women's crew team, is very involved with environmental groups on campus, and volunteers as a mentor to a fifth-grader at nearby Thetford Elementary. Brekelmans is also fluent in Spanish and completed her last year and a half of high school in Querétaro, Mexico.
Trevor Chenoweth
The Charles Group LLC
Mentor: Bobby Charles '82; Supervisor: Ben Bawden ‘99
Trevor Chenoweth has resided in a suburb of Los Angeles since his birth. At Dartmouth, Chenoweth is planning a double major in Government and Economics with a minor in Public Policy. Chenoweth is involved on campus in the Dickey Center for International Understanding's First Year Program and the Dartmouth Political Union. Also, as a top member of Dartmouth's policy debate team, Chenoweth leads research efforts and travels around the country to compete in National Debate Tournament events. This year the focus of his research has been U.S. agricultural subsidies and alternative energy incentives.
Andrew Clay
The Charles Group LLC
Mentor: Bobby Charles '82; Supervisor: Ben Bawden ‘99
Andrew Clay currently resides in Wellesley, Massachusetts, but grew up outside of Washington, DC, in Columbia, Maryland. Clay is working towards a major in Government with a minor in Public Policy. Clay plans on studying in Berlin on a Dartmouth Foreign Study Program this fall and interning at the Bundestag, the German parliament, the following winter. On campus, Clay is a news reporter and copy editor for The Dartmouth, a member of the Dartmouth Political Union, and an active participant in the Dartmouth Model United Nations club. Before coming to Dartmouth, Clay attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts.
Ann Corrin
DC Prep Charter School
Mentor: Deborah Hanmer ‘99
Ann Corrin is a native of Chicago. Corrin is expecting to major in Geography with a minor in Public Policy. During her freshman fall, Corrin was a campus intern for the Obama Campaign. On campus, Corrin is also involved in Link-Up, an organization that matches freshmen women with senior mentors. Clay also works at the Dartmouth College Fund, keeping in touch with alums and parents. Next Spring, Clay plans to study in Prague with the Geography department.
Zoe Friedland
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Mentor: Malia Brink ‘96
Zoe Friedland is from West Palm Beach, Florida. Friedland plans on becoming a history major with a double minor in public policy and international studies. On campus, Friedland works with the College Democrats and as a peer advisor on campus. Friedland began dreaming about politics before reaching middle school, but was already a political activist by the ripe age of ten when she held signs for Al Gore in her hometown. Friedland is both a Swiss and American citizen and enjoys traveling, politics, and running. Friedland is looking forward to being a First-Year Fellow in Washington, DC, this summer.
Benjamin Gonin
Worldwatch Institute
Mentor: Hilary French ‘86
Benjamin Gonin comes from the historic town of Concord, MA. Gonin is planning on pursuing a major in Government and a minor in Environmental Studies. Gonin studied French and German in high school; and is now hoping to study Arabic and Japanese in college. On campus Gonin writes opinion columns for the Dartmouth, takes pictures for Dartmouth Broadcasting, and plays tennis on the club team. Gonin spent his freshman winter skiing competitively for the Dartmouth Development Ski Team.
William Hix
Smithsonian Institution
Mentor: Edward Rynne Jr. '77; Supervisor: Carole Neves
William Hix '12 is from Colleyville, a suburb of Fort Worth, TX. At Dartmouth, he is pursuing a major in Government with a minor in Public Policy. Hix is a member of the Parliamentary Debate Team and actively participates in the Dartmouth Political Union. He serves in the Student Assembly, where he designed and manages an electronic lost & found bulletin. Hix successfully auditioned for the Dodecaphonics, an a cappella group on campus, and volunteers as an Admissions Office tour guide. This summer, he will be interning in Washington, D.C. as part of the Rockefeller Center's First-Year Fellows Program.
Kunal Malkani
Food Marketing Institute
Mentor: John Billings ‘00
Kumal Malkani is from Manhattan, New York. Malkani intends to major in Economics and Government, possibly with a concentration in International Relations. On campus, he is a member of the College Republicans and the Dartmouth College Investment Portfolio for Philanthropy. Malkani also tutors other Dartmouth students in Government and works as a research assistant for a Tuck Business School professor. Last summer, Malkani interned at Citi working on healthcare solutions for Smith-Barney customers.
Jessica ("Jessi") Merry
District of Columbia Superior Court
Mentor: Judge John Mott '81; Supervisor: Linden Fry
Jessica Merry is from Richmond, Virginia. Merry hopes to major in Government and pursue minors in both Public Policy and International Studies. During Merry's first year at Dartmouth, she worked on the Dartmouth Law Journal as both an intern and an associate editor. Merry also served as a committee director at the Dartmouth Model United Nations high school conference. Merry is also involved on campus with the Dartmouth Coalition for Global Health, the Generations Project, and Christian Impact. Merry's interest in law has led her to discover her passion for public policy and the broader policy making process and is looking forward to interning in Washington, DC.
Ariel Murphy
US Department of Education
Mentor: Paul Riddle '73; Supervisor: Barbara Timm
Ariel N. Murphy is a resident of Ontario, California. During her time at Dartmouth, she intends to Major in Government and English and Minor in Public Policy and Dance. In addition to maintaining a rigorous academic schedule, Murphy has been a dedicated member of the Dartmouth Dance Ensemble since the fall term of 2008, rehearsing approximately ten hours per week. With respect to the Public Policy Minor, Murphy is interested in pursuing one of two minor tracks in Law or Education. Upon graduating from Dartmouth, Ariel aspires to pursue a career in law in hopes to one day effect positive change in the nation and around the world.
Michael P. Randall
National Association for Biomedical Research
Mentor: David J. Mustra Adv ‘01
Michael Randall lives in Dallas, Texas. Randall plans to pursue a major in Government and possibly Biology with a minor in Public Policy. At Dartmouth, Randall competes on the varsity swim team, serves as publicist for the College Republicans and sits on the Nathan Smith Society Executive Committee. Randall has done research at the Tuck School of Business on performance indicators during the Iraq War and plans to research cell motility next year through the Howard Hughes Internship program. Randall's interests include health policy, campaigns and elections, and cell and molecular biology.
Amrita Sankar
The Center for Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement
Mentor: Abner Oakes ‘81
Amrita Sankar is from Ridgefield, Connecticut. Sankar is pursuing a major in Government and Philosophy with a Minor in public policy in hopes to effect positive change. This past fall, Sankar was one of thirteen students selected as an "Obama Intern" to promote Obama's campaign. On campus, Sankar participates in a number of activities, ranging from mock trial, college democrats, to female a cappella. She has served on the executive board for "Milan", a South Asian organization on campus, on the Pan Asian Council, and was selected for Dartmouth's Leadership Development Program.
Melissa Saphier
Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Mentor: Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand '88; Supervisor: Devon Hercher
Melissa Saphier is from Los Angeles, California. Saphier intends to major in Government and minor in Public Policy, and she also has a strong interest in English. Saphier is active in Dartmouth's Eye to Eye Program (which she will lead next year), serving as a tutor, role model, and mentor to eighth graders with learning disabilities. Saphier has been designated as a Discussion Leader for the Rockefeller Center's First Year Forum. Saphier is a Dartmouth Admissions Tour Guide, as well as the Dartmouth Hillel Representative to the Roth Center Joint Planning and Building Committee. Saphier also plays Club Tennis.
Ryan Tincher
Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
Mentor: William Frenzel ‘50 T '51; Supervisor: Maya MacGuineas
Ryan Tincher is a native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and is pursuing a degree in either Economics or Government with a minor in Public Policy. On campus, Tincher's activities include the Dartmouth College Democrats and the Dartmouth Law Journal. Tincher is also a coxswain for the freshman lightweight crew team, and is working on legal research regarding the First Amendment with Professor Julie Kalish.
Chinedu Udeh
Office of Congressman Paul Hodes ‘72 (D-NH)
Mentor: John Fortune Agan '05; Supervisor: Matt House
Chinedu Udeh '12 has lived in Ontario, California since she was very young. At Dartmouth, Udeh is a History major with a minor in Public Policy. She is involved with Student Assembly, Student Life Committee, Gospel Choir, the Energy Campaign, and works on campus. As a member of Student Assembly, Udeh is working with current students and administration on improving Alcohol Education for first-year students. Currently she is participating in the Leadership Discovery Program.
Christopher Whitehead
World Wildlife Fund
Mentor: William M. Eichbaum Jr. '63; Supervisor: David Reed
Christopher Whitehead comes from Ashland, Massachusetts. Whitehead is working towards a major in Economics with a double minor in Environmental Studies and Public Policy. On campus, Whitehead performs with the Dog Day Players - Dartmouth's oldest improvisational comedy group, was a performer at the Dimensions of Dartmouth Weekend for accepted students earlier this spring, and is a member of the Dartmouth Society of Investing and Economics. Whitehead is also an Endowed Scholar of the Dartmouth Club of Greater Boston, and is a Henry David Thoreau Foundation Scholar as well. Whitehead is looking forward to spending his summer in Washington, DC.
Dennis Zeveloff
US Department of Education
Mentor: Paul Riddle '73; Supervisor: Barbara Timm
Dennis Zeveloff was born and raised in Tenafly, New Jersey. Zeveloff is currently planning on double majoring in English and Biology, with a minor in Public Policy or Education. Zeveloff's on campus activities include the Dartmouth Formula Racing Team, the Daniel Webster Legal Society, Book Buddies, Chabad, and Cabin and Trial. This spring he took part in the Leadership Discovery Program with the school's Office of Pluralism and became a representative on the Student Assembly. Zeveloff is very excited about this opportunity to work in the nation's capital.
