Directory

Liam Arnzen, a senior from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, will return to the University of Missouri in Fall 2024 after participating in a pilot program at the University College London for the 2023-2024 academic year. Liam is currently pursuing BAs in Constitutional Democracy and History, as well as a minor in Business. In addition to his academic pursuits, he spends time with the Mizzou Swim Club, the Newman Center, and various other Kinder affiliated programs and events. After completing his undergraduate degree, Liam plans to continue his education, pursuing either a Master’s Degree or Juris Doctorate, and in his spare time, he enjoys walking and studying the Council of Trent.

TJ Benoist is a sophomore from Farmington, MO, majoring in Constitutional Democracy, with an emphasis in Law and Institutions, and minoring in History and Political Science. He serves as Communications Director for Mizzou College Democrats, is a member of the Kinder Institute Undergraduate Society, and works as a Kinder Democracy Lab Fellow helping plan and lead field trips for incoming freshman. Additionally, TJ is a candidate for County Commissioner in his home of St. Francois County. After completing undergrad, TJ plans to attend law school and pursue a career as an attorney. In his free time TJ enjoys binging political TV series such as The West Wing, The Newsroom, and Madam Secretary.

Thomas Bruns is a sophomore at Mizzou, majoring in Constitutional Democracy and Journalism and minoring in French. He is involved in the Kinder Institute Undergraduate Society, Democracy Lab Fellowship program, and Mizzou J-School. Outside of school, Thomas enjoys watching movies and following (and covering) American politics and the entertainment industry.

Abigail Durkin is a junior from Chicago, Illinois, majoring in Journalism and Political Science (pre-law emphasis). On campus, Abigail is actively involved in various organizations, including Chi Omega, the Public Relations Student Society of America, Matchbook Marketing, and Phi Alpha Delta. She currently works as a Digital Producer at KOMU 8 News and a Strategic Communications Intern for University of Missouri Athletics. After completing her undergraduate studies, she plans to first pursue a career in sports journalism before attending law school. In her free time, Abigail enjoys going to music festivals, hiking, reading, cooking vegetarian meals, and volunteering at the Smithsonian.

Alex Harms is an MU senior pursuing a bachelor’s in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Management, as well as a minor in Constitutional Democracy. He is active both on and off campus: in the local community as a volunteer Peacebuilder Intern for Metro Rotary Club; as a student employee for the Trulaske College of Business, where he gives a lecture on AI use for professional and personal development once a week; and as a former treasurer and secretary for the Mizzou Marketing Club. His work in both the Marketing Club and Metro Rotary Club have included the Afghan Initiative, which aims at getting business opportunities for Afghan refugee women. Passionate about the issues refugees face and American foreign policy shortcomings abroad, Alex will point anyone interested to The Afghanistan Project Podcast and the work that non-profits and the veteran community have done to help secure the American Dream for our allies. Prior to coming to college, Alex was in the Army Infantry for three years. His long-term goals include law school and international affairs. He is currently training to run the Kansas City Marathon and loves to read and watch movies in his free time.

Nicklas Herbert is a sophomore honors student from King City, MO, majoring in Political Science (pre-law emphasis), with minors in Criminology and Constitutional Democracy. Nicklas is involved on campus with Phi Alpha Delta as Brotherhood and Service Chair, Best Buddies as Treasurer, and Moot Court as Director of Public Relations. In his free time, Nicklas likes to bake/cook, play video games with his sister, and walk around campus. Nicklas is passionate about prison and law enforcement reform, and he hopes to attend law school after finishing at Mizzou to pursue a career as a criminal lawyer.

Claire Johnson is a junior from Republic, Missouri, majoring in Constitutional Democracy and minoring in History, Political Science, Law, and Criminal Justice. On campus, she is involved with the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity and she currently works at the Mizzou Rec. After completing her undergraduate studies, she hopes to attend law school and work in restorative justice prosecution. In her free time, she enjoys studying film, expanding her record collection, and exploring Columbia’s various hiking trails.

Abby Plenge is a sophomore Constitutional Democracy major from Kahoka, Missouri. On campus, Abby is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and a Kinder Institute Democracy Lab Fellow, and she was Miss Columbia and a top-8 Miss Missouri finalist in 2024. Abby is also the creator of the eye health advocacy initiative, Seeing is Believing; a member of the 20/20 Lions Club of Columbia; and a camera operator with KidSight Missouri. Outside of class, she enjoys playing the piano and working at The Grind making coffee.

Mathias Smith is a junior from Fenton, Missouri, majoring in History and Constitutional Democracy (emphasis in U.S. & the World). He is a member of the Army ROTC program on-campus and will be entering his MSIII year. He did research on the Santa Fe Trail as part of Kinder’s 2023-24 ASH Scholars Team, with his specific contribution forming the basis of an episode for the podcast, Wheels Across the West. Outside of MU, he has spent his summers at Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron, NM, backpacking and guiding scouts through the mountains as a Ranger. He is Navajo and Osage, and loves attending and dancing the style Men’s Southern Straight at powwows across Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. In his free time, he loves to read. After graduating, Mathias plans to commission through ROTC into the U.S. Army and eventually attend graduate school.

Ava Wischnewski is a sophomore from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, majoring in Constitutional Democracy and Economics. In addition to being a Kinder Kid, Ava is a captain on Mizzou’s Mock Trial team and a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and she also manages a local State House campaign. When not working or studying, she mostly spends time with friends, rewatches Gilmore Girls, and does some more work. Ava has a passion for state politics and would like to continue working in state government races throughout college and after.

Gia Woodfolk is a senior from Charlottesville, Virginia, majoring in Journalism, with an emphasis in Strategic Communications, and minoring in Constitutional Democracy. In addition to her participation in the 2024-25 cohort of the Kinder Institute’s Society of Fellows, Gia has conducted research through the Discovery Fellows program. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in strategic communications and then attend business school. In her free time, Gia enjoys running, watching sports, and playing with her two corgis.