Directory

Cole Bower is a rising junior from Kansas City, MO, triple-majoring in Constitutional Democracy, Political Science, and Economics. He was a member of the Kinder Institute’s Residential College and Society of Fellows and is the treasurer of Mizzou College Democrats. He currently works as finance director for a competitive State Senate race in Boone County, and previously managed a successful State House campaign in south Columbia. In his free time, Cole enjoys cheering on Mizzou basketball and playing Frederic Chopin’s music on piano. Upon graduation he plans to pursue a full-time career in Democratic politics.

Edilberto Corte Real de Oliveira hails from Timor-Leste, a small, half-island nation located at the crossroads of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. A rising senior, he is pursuing dual-degree programs in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Criminology. Edilberto is an active member of the Mizzou community, holding leadership positions in various organizations such as the Beta Chi Omicron Honor Society and Missouri International Student Council. Outside of his academic commitments, Edilberto loves to travel and immerse himself in new cultures, broadening his perspective and understanding of the world. He is deeply passionate about international development and hopes to leverage his education and experiences to uplift individuals residing in post-conflict countries.

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.

Jacqueline Glenn is a third-year honors student from Edwardsville, Illinois, pursuing a double-major in English and Constitutional Democracy, where her emphases are Black Literature and Law & Institutions, respectively. She loves all things pertaining to civil rights. Aside from the Society of Fellows and Kinder Scholars, Jacqueline is a member of Phi Mu sorority, a Student Ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences, and serves as a Team Leader for Jumpstart Mizzou. After graduation, Jacqueline hopes to attend law school and eventually practice some sort of human rights law.

Ben Henschel is a rising senior from Fairway, KS, majoring in Journalism and Constitutional Democracy, with minors in Economics, Political Science, and History. Ben is currently President of the Mizzou Alumni Association Student Board and sits on the MAA Board of Directors. He is also Senior Editor at Midwestern Citizen, an undergraduate law and policy journal based in Ann Arbor, and enjoys reading and writing about law and music in his free time. Ben has worked for a variety of organizations, including as a legal intern for the Missouri State Public Defender’s Office, a marketing intern for Starting Points Journal, an account manager for Matchbook Marketing, and a student ambassador for the Kinder Institute. Ben spends a lot of his free time exploring new record stores and bookshops, along with talking basketball with friends.

Tommy Jackson is a third-year student majoring in Constitutional Democracy, History, and Economics, with minors in Political Science, Philosophy, and East Asian Studies. He is the founder and president of the Kinder Institute Undergraduate Society, a university-wide organization dedicated to connecting Kinder students to other Kinder students, to peers at Mizzou and other universities, and to the local Columbia community through the “Applied Constitutional Democracy” program. He is also the founder and chair of the Mid-Missouri Undergraduate Conference on Democracy Studies, the inaugural meeting of which will be held in February 2024 on the topic “Democracy And…” Tommy serves as a Resident Advisor-Peer Learning Assistant for the Kinder Institute Democracy Lab FIG, and is heavily involved in the Missouri Debate Union, Mizzou Model UN, and the Omicron Delta Epsilon international economics honors society. He has previously been involved in the Society of Fellows and Oxford study abroad programs, sits on the College of Arts & Science Student Council, and volunteers at the State Historical Society of Missouri.

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.

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.

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.

Originally from Montgomery, Texas, Elise Milburn is a rising junior majoring in Constitutional Democracy and History, with minors in Political Science, Latin American Studies, and Spanish. Her studies focus on the geopolitical entanglements of westward expansion and colonization from the 1600s to the early 1800s. During her time as a Kinder Undergraduate Fellow, she analyzed the usage of New Orleans as a political bargaining chip that would ultimately open the West to the United States. Outside of the Kinder Institute, Elise is an active member of SALT company and Anthem church. Post-graduation, she hopes to receive her M.A. in Atlantic History & Politics before applying to Ph.D. programs on the East Coast.

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.

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.

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.

A rising junior at Mizzou, Michael Rashford is majoring in Political Science and Constitutional Democracy. During his freshman year, he participated in the Kinder Institute Residential College and served as Vice President of the Wolpers Hall student government, and he was part of the Kinder Institute’s Society of Fellows program during his sophomore. In Summer 2022, Michael interned for the Missouri Solicitor General’s Office, working in special litigation. On campus, he plays on the club Ultimate Frisbee team, where he is acting Vice President, and in his free time, he enjoys running and considers himself an amateur barista. This summer in D.C. he will be interning with the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means.

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.

Elisha Schoor is a transferred senior from Kearney, Missouri, studying Constitutional Democracy and Economics. In addition to being a Kinder Scholar, he participated in the Kinder Fellows program during AY 2022-23, authoring an essay that will be published in the Journal on Constitutional Democracy. Elisha is currently President of the Mizzou Undergraduate Society of History and an avid member of the Mizzou Model United Nations club. While unclear on the translation, he hopes to turn the skills learned as an undergraduate into a career serving the public. Outside of school, Elisha loves to play games with friends, listen to Star Wars books, and build virtual railroad lines.

Quinn Sheppard is a rising junior from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, majoring in Constitutional Democracy and History, with a minor in Political Science. During her time at Mizzou, Quinn has interned with The Home Project in Athens, Greece, and at the State Historical Society of Missouri. Within the Kinder Institute, she has been a part of the Society of Fellows and Residential College programs. She currently conducts research through the Honors College and is an Associate Justice for MSA. During the 2023-24 school year, Quinn will serve as Director of the Mizzou chapter of It’s On Us and be an inaugural exchange student at University College London. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and drinking coffee, and especially enjoys when she can do both at the same time.

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.

Isaac Yontz is a rising junior from Columbia, MO, studying government and politics through majors in Constitutional Democracy and Economics. On campus, he was a 2022-23 Kinder Institute Undergraduate Fellow and is the current tournament director of the Missouri Mock Trial Association. Off campus, Isaac enjoys hiking and learning French. Isaac will be a Jumpstart Corps member, primarily serving in Washington D.C.’s 7th and 8th wards, during Summer 2023.