Sigi Ris is a rising senior studying Journalism, with an emphasis in reporting and writing, as well as Political Science. She is interested in both business and government reporting and has previously served as a podcast host and writer for Missouri Business Alert’s weekly podcast, Business Brief. This semester, she also reported on the state government beat for the Columbia Missourian. In her free time, Sigi enjoys listening to Taylor Swift and hanging out with her sisters in her service sorority, Little Sisters of the Gold Rose.

Miyah Jones is a junior from Nashville, TN. She has a Political Science major, with an emphasis in Pre-Law, and a Constitutional Democracy minor. Her goals are to attend Law School after finishing her undergraduate career. She is heavily involved on campus with the Missouri Students Association (Student Body President), Black Pre-Law Students Association (President), Mizzou Women’s Basketball (Manager), Mizzou Black Women’s Initiative, and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. This past summer, Miyah worked as a Summer Welcome Leader, and in the fall, she volunteered as a Welcome Week Leader. Outside of school, Miyah enjoys working at the Mizzou Rec, spending time with her family, cooking delicious meals, and traveling across the world. A fun fact about Miyah is that she is the very first Black Female President of the Missouri Students Association in the organization’s history.

Kent Waller is a rising junior from Aurora, Illinois, majoring in Political science and minoring in Spanish and History, with particular interest in Latin American history and politics. Kent is a part of the Mizzou Mock Trail Association and has done work for The Association of Latin American Students, and after returning from D.C., he will jump into the Kinder Institute’s Society of Fellows program. He plans to attend law school after graduation, and in his free time, he plays pick-up basketball and explores new restaurants in Columbia.

Isabelle Wright is a third-year Mizzou student from Lindsborg, Kansas. She is majoring in Constitutional Democracy, with a minor in Criminology/Juvenile Justice. On campus, she is involved with the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Society, is president of Mizzou Club Quidditch, and is a member of Mizzou’s chapter of Phi Mu, as well as a former member of the Kinder Institute Society of Fellows. She is interested in constitutional law, international relations, and history, and after graduation she hopes to serve in the Peace Corps and then attend law school.

Greg Pekurney is a rising junior from North Richland Hills, Texas. He is majoring in Constitutional Democracy (U.S. & the World Concentration Area) and History, with minors in Political Science and Latin American Studies. He is actively involved around campus, serving as a Justice for the Residential Halls Association and as a TA for the Amish Communities class in the Peace Studies Department. In his free time, Greg likes to run, hike, watch sports, and build the occasional LEGO set when available. After completing his undergraduate studies, Greg plans on joining the Kinder Institute M.A. in Atlantic History & Politics before starting work in historical research and museum education.

Cristian Paladi is a rising junior from Chisinau, Rep. of Moldova. He is pursuing a double major in Political Science and Economics, with a minor in American Constitutional Democracy. He is also an Academic Coach at the Student Success Center and enjoys an array of extracurricular activities including calisthenics, chess, cycling, running, and reading. As someone who enjoys history and geography, Cristian is passionate about world affairs and political trends. Regarding fun activities, being active while listening to music is unrivaled.

Nico Orantes is a rising senior at Mizzou, pursuing degrees in Economics and Strategic Communications. A practicing Catholic, Nico has an abiding interest in studying theology and Church history. After his time at Mizzou, he plans to return to his hometown of Nashville, TN, to work for the state and cheer on the Nashville Soccer Club.

Oli McCann is a rising senior from Liberty, Missouri, majoring in Constitutional Democracy and English. Aside from participating in the Kinder Scholars program, she is also a 2023-2024 Kinder Fellow, a member of the Kinder Institute Undergraduate Society Leadership Council, and the Membership/Communications Coordinator for the Mizzou chapter of It’s On Us. She is an avid reader of Stephen King books, an avid watcher of Christopher Nolan movies, and an aspiring political speechwriter.

Mikayla Kitchen is a rising senior at the University of Missouri from Pittsburg, Kansas. She is studying Public Health with minors in Political Science and Leadership & Public Service. She is passionate about healthy people and healthy systems and plans to pursue a career in public policy with a special interest in health policy after graduating from Mizzou. She serves her community as a leader for a student ministry, a summit coordinator and research assistant for a public health initiative, and a legislative intern for a Missouri State Representative. She loves the outdoors, exploring new foods, and live music.

Drew Dahlgren is a third-year student at Mizzou from Arlington Heights, Illinois. He is majoring in Constitutional Democracy, Religious Studies, and Political Science (Pre-Law), with a minor in History. On campus, he is a member of the baritone section of Marching Mizzou and Chairman of the Washington Society, a student organization for political and philosophical discussion. Drew has taken an interest in studying the intersection of religion and politics in America and abroad, and he hopes to attend law school to pursue a career in constitutional law.