Congratulations to all of our 2021 graduates from the Department of Political Science and the International Studies Program!
Sophia Bonadeo
Departmental Scholar of International and Global Studies—Peace, Security, and Human Rights Emphasis: Cum Laude
Additional Major in History, Minor in Spanish
Thesis Title: A Formed Feminism: A Look into the Feminist Nature of the British Union of Fascists through their Publications from 1934 to 1936
Thesis Advisor: Kelly Hammond
Show up to things! You’ll never know what you want to get involved in on campus if you don’t try.
Ethan Bridgforth
Departmental Scholar of Political Science: Magna Cum Laude
Additional Major in Economics
Thesis Title: Accessibility and Clarity of Campaign Finance Disclosure Databases in U.S. Cities
Thesis Advisor: Andrew Dowdle
Catherine Caldwell
College Scholar of International and Global Studies: Magna Cum Laude
Additional Major in French, Minor in Political Science
Thesis Title: Peace in the Internet Age and the Importance of Cyber Security
Thesis Advisor: J. Laurence Hare
Sarah Joy Caster
Departmental Scholar of International and Global Studies—Peace, Security, and Human Rights Emphasis: Cum Laude
Additional Major in Anthropology
Thesis Title: Positive Peace: Out of this World?
Thesis Advisor: J. Laurence Hare
“They say it don’t be like it is, but it do.” -Oscar Gamble
The best advice I could give is to center your undergraduate experience by doing the things that bring you joy and fulfillment. Grades are very important, but experience in the field–whether that be from volunteering, internships, service industry, etc. is what is going to make you stand out post-graduation. Make memories, get a mentor, and make connections with your neighborhood network because you never know what opportunities could arise from these positive interactions.
Jacob Condran
Departmental Scholar of International and Global Studies—Peace, Security, and Human Rights Emphasis: Summa Cum Laude
Additional Majors in History, Political Science
Thesis Title: Sacred Rhetoric and the Legitimacy of Unrecognized States: The Quest for Sovereignty and Statehood through Political Persuasion
Thesis Advisor: J. Laurence Hare
Anna Cook
Departmental Scholar of Political Science: Magna Cum Laude
Minors in Agricultural Leadership, General Business, History
Thesis Title: Super PAC Funding in the 2016 and 2020 Presidential Elections
Thesis Advisor: Karen Sebold
My favorite part of Fulbright Honors has to be the community it provided. Many of my classmates became my best friends and I will cherish the time years I got to spent learning alongside them.
Alyssa Hope Davenport
College Scholar of International Studies: Cum Laude
Additional Major in Political Science
Thesis Title: New Agents of Nationalism: AfD and German National Identity
Thesis Advisor: J. Laurence Hare
Sophia Davis
Departmental Scholar of Political Science
Combined Major in Journalism—News/Editorial Emphasis, Minor in Sociology
Thesis Title: American Intervention in Syria and Iraq
Thesis Advisor: Najib Ghadbian
Summer 2021 Graduate
Emma Kate Dillon
College Scholar of Political Science: Summa Cum Laude
Combined Major in Journalism—Advertising/Public Relations Emphasis
Thesis Title: The Importance of Intentionally Executed Framing Techniques for Effective Public Health Communication with Intentions of Increasing the Uptake of the COVID-19 Vaccine
Thesis Advisor: Geoboo Song
I am so thankful for the last four years in Fayetteville. The University of Arkansas will forever be home to me.
Grace Fuller
College Scholar of International and Global Studies—Global South Emphasis: Summa Cum Laude
Minor in Religious Studies
Thesis Title: The Role of Women in Religious Apocalypse Texts and How These Interpretations Relate to Modern Apocalyptic Discourse
Thesis Advisor: Lora Walsh
Over the last 4 years, I have learned how important it is to prioritize my mental well-being, especially during a pandemic! College is hard, and it does not serve you to make it harder by not taking time to check in with yourself!!
Emily Gean
College Scholar of International and Global Studies—Peace, Security, and Human Rights Emphasis: Cum Laude
Additional Major in Political Science
Thesis Title: Faith- Based Organizations and Latin American Refugees: The Case of the Southern Baptist Convention
Thesis Advisor: J. Laurence Hare
Amelia Holcomb
Departmental Scholar of Political Science: Summa Cum Laude
Minor in Foundations of Sustainability
Thesis Title: Analyzing Circumstances under which State Carbon Target Policies are Adopted
Thesis Advisor: William Schreckhise
Take advantage of all the campus resources that are offered and the opportunities to connect with other people!
Elizabeth Kimbrell
College Scholar of Political Science: Summa Cum Laude
Additional Major in Economics, Minor in African and African American Studies
Thesis Title: The Effect of Term Limits on the Representation of Women in State Legislatures: A Decade Study, 2010-2020
Thesis Advisor: Angie Maxwell
Abigail Kotar
Departmental Scholar of International and Global Studies—Peace, Security, and Human Rights Emphasis
Thesis Title: Investigating the factors which led to the relatively unprecedented mainstream success of South Korean entertainment in the West in the 2010s and how this phenomenon has affected the nation’s relations with western countries, particularly the United States
Thesis Advisor: Kelly Hammond
Summer 2021 Graduate
William Motazedi
College Scholar of Political Science: Cum Laude
Additional Major in History
Thesis Title: Approaching the Diaspora: The Limits of Iranian American Citizenship
Thesis Advisor: Shirin Saeidi
Julia Nall
College Scholar of International and Global Studies—Peace, Security, and Human Rights Emphasis: Cum Laude
Minor in Arabic
Thesis Title: “A Problematic Solution to a Complex Problem”: A Political History of Alaska’s Struggle with Native Access to Subsistence under ANILCA
Thesis Advisor: Jared Phillips
Serving as Student Body President the past year, I have been incredibly grateful for the support and experiences provided by the Fulbright Honors program!
Joseph Pardue
College Scholar of Political Science: Magna Cum Laude
Additional Major in International and Global Studies—European and Transatlantic Emphasis
Thesis Title: Bicycle Related Public Policy Initiatives And the Benefits for the University of Arkansas
Thesis Advisor: Jonathan Johnson
Stay loose and move forward.
Lexi Robertson
College Scholar of Political Science: Magna Cum Laude
Additional Major in African and African American Studies, Minor in Legal Studies
Thesis Title: The Democratization of the Tibetan Government Post-Exile
Thesis Advisor: Jared Phillips
Fulbright Honors has taught me that, sometimes, community building is more important than simply serving others, and true leadership is found when linking arms with those around you to fight for what is most important.
Megan Rodgers
Departmental Scholar of International and Global Studies: Summa Cum Laude
Additional Majors in Political Science, Spanish
Thesis Title: Educating Peace: An analysis of enforced narratives taught to the post-genocide generation in Rwanda
Thesis Advisor: Ram Natarajan
The University of Arkansas and the Honors College have so much to offer to students. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I have been provided and the many mentors who have supported me along the way!
Lucas Medeiros Ros
College Scholar of International and Global Studies—Peace, Security, and Human Rights Emphasis: Summa Cum Laude
Additional Major in Spanish, Minor in Philosophy
Thesis Title: Contemporary Engagements: Russia and Nicaragua
Thesis Advisor: J. Laurence Hare
“Peace through Education” -J. William Fulbright
Hannah Scruggs
College Scholar of Political Science
Minor in Legal Studies
Thesis Title: Women’s Representation in State Legislative Committees
Thesis Advisor: Brinck Kerr
Summer 2021 Graduate
