Global Student Seven (GS7)

Global Student Seven (GS7)

Who we are

The GS7 is an advisory board to Dean Cullather tasked with providing candid, mature student perspectives on affairs concerning the Hamilton Lugar School to improve the undergraduate student experience and expand the scope of the college. The board meets with the Dean each month to soundboard policies, organize events, and brainstorm new student and faculty initiatives. The GS7 also meets with HLS departments to improve their student outreach and increase enrollments. Made up of six undergraduate and one graduate student, the board reflects the diversity of the student body and programs at HLS.

Interested in joining the Global Student Seven? Applications for the 2024-25 academic year will open in the spring 2024 semester. To stay up-to-date with the GS7 and application deadlines, follow them on Instagram @hls_globalstudent7.

Breanna Burris

International Law and Institutions, Policy Analysis

Breanna Burris is a senior pursuing a dual degree in International Law and Institutions and Policy Analysis. Graduating in December, Breanna hopes to one day combat human trafficking and illicit networks. This is her second year serving as a member of GS7, and she is excited to see what all she can get done during the fall semester. Outside of IU, you can find Breanna working, scrapbooking, hitting the gym, and improving her cooking skills.

Russ Hensley

International Law and Institutions, East Asian Languages and Cultures

Russ Hensley is a senior from Liberty, Indiana majoring in International Law and Institutions with an Advanced Chinese Language and Culture Certificate and a double minor in Mathematics and Spanish. At IU, Russ is a member of the Hutton Honors College, serves on the Executive Board for TEDxIU, and writes for the opinion desk for the Indiana Daily Student. Russ is also involved with the IU Chinese Flagship. This summer, he participated in the Indiana University Flagship Chinese Institute studying second-year Chinese as part of his involvement in the Chinese Flagship. Russ is currently working as a research assistant under Dr. Dlamini, conducting research on women's empowerment in the Kingdom of Eswatini. In the future, Russ desires to attend law school to study either gender and sexuality law or human rights law. Additionally, as a queer student in HLS, Russ hopes to inspire young queer individuals to pursue a career regarding international affairs.

Patrick Lee

International Law and Institutions, Near Eastern Languages and Cultures

Patrick Lee is a junior from St. Louis double majoring in International Law and Institutions and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures along with an Honors Certificate in Liberal Arts and Management. Outside of the classroom, Patrick is a member of the Arabic Flagship program, Secretary of the Sigma Iota Rho international studies honor society, and the Indiana University Student Government representative for the Association of Big Ten Student Body Governments. This past summer, Patrick studied abroad in Amman, Jordan to continue developing his knowledge of the Arabic language. Upon graduation, he hopes to attend law school and specialize in immigration law.

Kevin Mantell

International Studies

Kevin Mantell is a sophomore majoring in International Studies with minors in Political Science and African Studies. This is Kevin's first year as a member of the GS7. Apart from the GS7, Kevin is involved with the Hoosier Scholar Ambassadors, HLS Ambassadors, Indiana Model UN, IU Hillel, and the IU Auditorium Usher Corps. Next year, he hopes to study abroad in either Accra, Ghana or Cape Town, South Africa. When not in class, you can catch Kevin swimming laps in the SRSC, strolling through campus, and studying in the atrium of the Global and International Studies Building.

Kendrick Mernitz

Cybersecurity and Global Policy, Near Eastern Languages & Cultures

Kendrick Mernitz is a junior pursuing a B.A. in Near Eastern Languages & Cultures and a B.S. in Cybersecurity & Global Policy. Outside of class, Kendrick is a member of the Deans' Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and a research assistant through the Center for Applied Cybersecurity Research. Kendrick hopes to one day work in international law or with a non-profit focused on human rights.

Shefali Prabhakar

Cybersecurity and Global Policy

Shefali Prabhakar is a senior pursuing a major in Cybersecurity and Global Policy with a minor in Intelligence Studies. This is her second year serving as a member of the GS7. Outside of class, she is the director of IU Student Rights and serves as a commissioner on the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women. After graduation, Shefali hopes to attend law school and focus on cyber ethics legislation.

Kaitlin Scott

International Law and Institutions, Near Eastern Languages and Cultures

Kaitlin Scott is a senior from New Castle, Indiana majoring in International Law and Institutions and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and minoring in Spanish. She is a Shreve Scholar, a student in the Hutton Honors College, and member of the Arabic Flagship Program. On campus, she has advocated to protect student rights as a member of the IU Student Government Congress and Executive Branches. Kaitlin has interned with the Indiana Department of Education, The Borgen Project, an AmeriCorps Program called Generation Teach, and most recently with the Municipality of Peñalolén in Santiago, Chile. She now works closely with HLS's Communications Team as the school's Social Media Intern. In the future, she aspires to legally consult an international organization or join the foreign service.