Student Ambassadors are diverse, dedicated, and lively HLS students who have been selected to share their experiences with prospective students and special guests who are interested in learning more about what the school has to offer. Ambassadors are here to answer all your questions and provide you with honest feedback about the school while exemplifying what you can do with an HLS degree!
Meet our Student Ambassadors!
If you are interested in learning more about student life here in the Hamilton Lugar School, or if you have questions you would like answered by a current student, please send us an email.
Veronica Coffey
International Studies, East Asian Languages & Cultures
Veronica Coffey is a junior from Illinois double majoring in International Studies and East Asian Languages and Cultures with a minor in Italian. She is an executive member of Liberty in North Korea at IU as well as a community leader for the Hutton Honors College. She has spent the last summer at Indiana University’s summer language workshop studying second-year Korean and is continuing her language learning this summer at the Middlebury language school as well. She is currently pursuing undergraduate research in the human rights field while also working as a research assistant at IU. Veronica is looking forward to spending her senior year abroad and hopes to work in the human rights field in the future, specifically on refugee-related issues.
Devlin Cook-Hines
International Studies, Russian
Devlin Cook-Hines is a senior from Rhode Island double majoring in Russian and International Studies. She has studied abroad in Moscow, Tbilisi, and Quebec. This year she is participating in the Capstone year of the Russian Flagship Program. In the fall she will be completing online coursework and in the spring she will be living in Almaty, Kazakhstan, with a host family, taking classes at a local university, and interning. At IU, Devlin has been involved in Hooshir A Cappella, Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, the Bridges Language Program, and Russian Flagship Ambassadors. She is also a member of Hutton Honors College, Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society, and Dobro Slovo National Slavic Honor Society. In the future, Devlin hopes to work as a civil servant in Washington D.C. or abroad.
Pragyan Dey
International Studies
Pragyan Dey is a senior from New Delhi, India pursuing a major in International Studies along with a minor in Communication & Public Advocacy. He currently serves as the Secretary of Oxfam Club at IU, having also been chosen as part of Oxfam America’s 2018 cohort of CHANGE Leaders. Pragyan has completed an internship with the Consulate General of India, New York in the political office as well as undertaken various grassroots volunteering initiatives in India. Previously, he has been the Chairman of the Read Hall Conduct Board, as well as a member of the Model United Nations Club, IU’s Undergraduate Mock Trial program, Arabic Flagship program, and the 2017-2018 Global Living Learning Center. After graduation, Pragyan aspires to find a career with foreign policy think tanks or in the intelligence field. In his free time, Pragyan is an avid reader, traveler, coder, and amateur martial artist.
Megan Gearhart
International Studies, individualized major in Tourism Hospitality & Event Management
Megan Gearhart is a junior at IU pursuing a dual degree in International Studies and Tourism Hospitality and Event Management in the School of Public Health. Currently, she is a Religious Studies minor and is planning to add a certificate in Informatics. During high school she was a Rotary Youth Exchange Ambassador to Taiwan, now working with Rotary International as the president of the Rotaract club on campus and serving as an ambassador for the youth exchange program. She previously served as a Cross-Cultural Communication Facilitator for the non-profit Global Citizen’s Empowerment Inc., and as a member of the 2018-2019 HLS Living Learning Center and on the inaugural Student Advisory Board for the LLC. Megan is a member of Sigma Iota Rho and works as an assistant in the office of Hamilton Lugar School’s Dean, Lee Feinstein. She plans to study abroad during the spring 2021 semester in Australia and again for a semester or summer in Taiwan or Belgium during her senior year. After graduation, Megan is considering careers in international tourism or working for the United Nations. When she has free time Megan enjoys baking, hiking, reading, and going to the farmer’s market.
Elliot Gross
East Asian Languages & Cultures
Elliot is a junior majoring in East Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese) while double minoring in Central Eurasian Studies and International Studies. He is a member of the Chinese Flagship Program as well. While his main focus is on Chinese language and politics, he is also enrolled in the Uyghur language. On campus, in addition to being an HLS student ambassador, Elliot is a peer-instructor for the course Introduction to Global Citizenship for students who live in the Global Living Learning Community, which aims to educate freshmen about global issues. He is also the international service committee chair of IU’s Rotaract chapter and an active member of Liberty in North Korea. Elliot hopes to pursue a career in the State Department that deals with human rights regarding ethnic minorities in China and Sino-American relations.
Ethan Joss
International Studies, East Asian Languages & Cultures
Ethan Joss is a sophomore from McLean, Virginia. He is double-majoring in International Studies and East Asian Languages and Cultures with the Chinese Flagship program. Ethan has studied abroad in New Taipei City, Taiwan through the State Department’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. Ethan is a member of the Hutton Honors College and previously lived in the HLS Living-Learning Center. He is also a member of the Rotaract Club at IU. Ethan looks forward to studying abroad in China or Taiwan in the future and is interested in looking into pursuing a career in the State Department.
Mackenzie Knight
Middle Eastern Languages & Cultures, individualized major in Policy and Intelligence Analysis
Mackenzie Knight is a senior from Westfield, Indiana. She is pursuing an individualized major in Policy and Intelligence Analysis, a double major in Middle Eastern Languages and Culture (Arabic), and a minor in Spanish. Mackenzie interned in London for Shephard Media, a defense intelligence company, and currently works as an assistant to former Congressman Lee Hamilton. She is also an undergraduate fellow with the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies. She spent the past year as a virtual writing intern for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and worked as a Teaching Assistant for a course on U.S. nuclear policy. Mackenzie also serves as the Director of Lectures for the Indiana Memorial Union Board. After graduation, Mackenzie hopes to pursue graduate studies in the UK, then ultimately a career in intelligence analysis and foreign policy, particularly regarding nuclear weapons.
Ann Kovoor
International Studies, East Asian Languages & Cultures
Ann Kovoor is a junior from Zionsville, Indiana, double majoring in International Studies and East Asian Languages and Cultures with a focus on Human Rights and International Law and Chinese. She is also minoring in Asian American Studies and Central Eurasian Studies with a focus on Uyghur. She is an executive member of the Indian Student Association on campus and works as the Social Justice Chair. Ann is currently virtually working as an intern for the Indian Social Institute in Bangalore, India, where she is researching gender mainstreaming efforts to help women in the workplace. She is looking forward to studying abroad in China sometime during her undergraduate years. Ann wishes to work in the human rights field, specializing in Uyghur-China issues or Women’s rights issues.
Abbey Krulik
International Studies, Middle Eastern Languages & Cultures
Abbey Krulik is a junior from Lebanon, Indiana double-majoring in International Studies and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures with a minor in Political Science. She is also the Co-President of Seeking Refuge (a student organization that works with refugees locally and abroad), a member of the Arabic Flagship, a research assistant for Professor Andrew Bell of the International Studies department, a Hoosier Scholar Ambassador for the Office of Scholarships, and a member of Sigma Iota Rho as well as the Hutton Honors College. Abbey has previously served as the Co-President for the Hutton Honors Council Association’s Arts and Humanities Council, an undergraduate research fellow for the Tobias Center for Innovation in International Development, a member of the 2018-2019 HLS Living Learning Center, and an employee of IU’s Residential Programs and Services at Willkie and Spruce Hall. After graduation, Abbey hopes to pursue a career in US Foreign Policy concerning the Middle East.
Zaine Losk
International Studies
Zaine Losk is a junior from Normal, Illinois majoring in International Studies with a focus on human rights and international law and a minor in psychology. He is currently studying the German language and plans to study abroad in Freiberg, Germany in the summer of 2021. Zaine is a member of the Hudson and Holland Scholar program and a former resident of the HLS Living Learning Center. He hopes to pursue a law degree after graduation and work with underrepresented communities at home and abroad.
Massa Massaley
International Studies, French
Massa Massaley is a junior from Indianapolis, Indiana double majoring in International Studies and French as well as minoring in Policy Studies and African Studies. For the past two years, Massa has held the leadership position of Parliamentarian-Historian in the African Student Association. Her past and current involvements include the Orientation Team, Residential Hall Student Association, and TEDx Indiana University. During her freshman year, she had the great opportunity to work at the Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Office, a non-profit that assists community volunteers in advocating for children in the foster care system and giving back to the community in a positive way. Massa is a strong advocate for women's and children's rights, and her passion for social justice gives her hope that someday she can help create policies that eliminate the discriminations and struggles faced by these vulnerable groups. Additionally, on campus Massa is a Residential Assistant. After graduating from Indiana University, she plans on attending law school and then pursuing a career in Global and International Development within the African continent.
Olivia Owens
Central Eurasian Studies, individualized major in Media & Conflict
Olivia Owens is a senior from Westfield, IN focused on studying the relationship between media platforms and their assistance in galvanizing on regional conflict and ethno-nationalism. In addition, Olivia is pursuing Spanish, Turkish, and coding languages at IU. She was an active member of the Turkish Flagship and spent a summer in İstanbul increasing her language acquisition levels to advanced-mid in only two months. Along with being a student ambassador, she works as the Office of the Dean’s administrative assistant here at HLS. Olivia serves as the Vice President for the Indiana Memorial Union Board and spends her weekend’s rock climbing at Hoosier Heights. After graduation, Olivia will head on to grad school to study Global Communications and eventually work on policy research regarding democratic institutions, Turkey, and/or governmental uses of media.
Marria Peduto
International Studies, East Asian Languages & Cultures, individualized major in Global Food Systems
Marria Peduto is a junior from Indianapolis, Indiana triple majoring in International Studies, East Asian Languages & Cultures with the Chinese Flagship Program, and Global Food Systems through the Individualized Major Program. She is also pursuing a certificate through the Global Service and Peace Corps Prep program. Marria studied abroad in Chengdu, China with the U.S. State Department’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) and now serves as the Midwest Alumni Ambassador for the program. On campus, she is a Hutton Honors College Ambassador, GS7 member, Co-Director of Programing for the Luminaries program, traveling member of IU’s Model United Nations team, and works as an assistant in the office of Hamilton Lugar School’s Dean, Lee Feinstein. After graduation, Marria hopes to serve in the Peace Corps and eventually pursue a Master’s degree in gastronomic sciences and global affairs. In her free time, she loves to kayak, cook, and hike through Bloomington’s many trails.
Peyton Crnjak
Cybersecurity and Global Policy
Peyton Crnjak is a sophomore majoring in Cybersecurity and Global Policy with a minor in Central Eurasian Studies with an Estonian Language Certification. She is currently conducting faculty led research on Security Analysis and Defenses for Multiple Access Channels on IoT that is funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Peyton also participated in a Diplomacy Lab sponsored by the U.S. State Department during the fall of 2020, researching how the United States should conduct diplomatic relations with a select group of nations on the topic of Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights. Peyton is the VP of Social and Professional Development for IU’s Women in Cybersecurity Club and is also a member of Alpha Omicron Pi women's fraternity. After graduation, Peyton hopes to work for the United States government or the United Nations.
Britt Rogers
International Studies
Britt Rogers is a junior from Beijing and Hawaii majoring in International Studies, double minoring in International Economics and Chinese, and pursuing a certificate in Public Management. On campus, Britt is an ambassador, peer mentor, and member of the Chinese Flagship Program, a representative for Sigma Iota Rho, a member of the Hutton Honors, and a Hoosier Host for the College Luminaries program. She has worked as a Program Assistant for the East Asian Studies Center for two years, through which she organizes colloquiums, forums, and conferences with other universities. Additionally, Britt conducts research on the Committee for Foreign Investment in the United States for Professor Sarah Baurele Danzman through the Tobias Center for Innovation in International Development. She was also a former member of the 2018-2019 HLS Living Learning Center. After graduation, Britt hopes to pursue a J.D. and L.L.M. overseas and to serve as a Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. State Department in China or to work for the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council.
Nicholas Siambekos
International Studies, Russian
Nicholas Siambekos is a sophomore from Naperville, Illinois, double majoring in International Studies and Russian. He is a member of the Russian Flagship, the Hutton Honors College, and an alumnus of the IU Summer Language Workshop. On-campus, Nicholas is a Hutton Honors College Ambassador, a member of the IU Hellenic Society, and an avid runner. Nicholas has a passion for learning new languages and understanding the complexities of arms control. When he is not in class or running around Bloomington, Nicholas frequents weekly language tables and attends lectures regarding Russian foreign policy, Russian culture, and arms control. After graduation, Nicholas hopes to apply his topical and language expertise in the Foreign Service or intelligence services, ideally working for the State Department or the CIA.
Ramatou Soumare
International Law and Institutions
Ramatou Soumare is a junior from Indianapolis, Indiana majoring in International Law and Institutions and minoring in Communication and Public Advocacy. In June 2019, Ramatou delivered a speech introducing Congressman Lee Hamilton at a Foreign Policy event for Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg. On campus, Ramatou is a co-President for the NAACP IU chapter, a 21st Century Scholar, a Hudson Holland Scholar, and an active member of both the Muslim Student Association and the African Student Association. Ramatou is also involved in a non-profit organization, Lend a Hand Relief, which focuses on sending resources such as hygiene products and school supplies to women and children in West Africa. As a Pre-Law student and a Hamilton Lugar International Law major, Ramatou hopes to pursue a law degree and work in Immigration and Foreign Policy after graduation.
Daisy Trujillo
International Law and Institutions
Daisy Trujillo is a junior from Chicago, Illinois majoring in International Law and Institutions with a minor in Spanish. She also plans on adding another minor in Political Science. On campus, Daisy is the secretary of Sigma Lambda Upsilon Sorority Incorporated, has served as an officer of the Law and Policy Council through the Hutton Honors College, and is also on the IU Club Tennis team. In the summer of 2019 Daisy studied abroad in Lisbon, Portugal and she plans to study abroad again by spending a semester in Spain. Upon completion of her undergraduate career Daisy aspires to attend law school and work to eliminate gender discrimination and violence, specifically in Latin American countries. In her free time, Daisy loves to read, run outside, and spend time with her family and friends.
Kyle Tucker
International Studies, Slavic Languages & Cultures, Russian
Kyle Tucker is a junior from Sellersburg, Indiana double majoring in International Studies and Slavic Languages & Cultures through the Russian Flagship Program. Kyle’s topics of focus include the politics of the post-Soviet states, nuclear nonproliferation, arms control, intelligence studies, and global energy policy. On campus, Kyle is Vice President of the Sigma Iota Rho international studies honor society, a traveling member of the IU Model United Nations team, a member of the College Luminaries program, and an office assistant to HLS Dean Lee Feinstein. In the past, Kyle has completed IU’s Summer Language Workshop and worked as a Peer Mentor in the HLS LLC in Spruce Hall. A recipient of the CLS award in summer 2020, he hopes to study abroad in Russia next summer. After graduation, Kyle hopes to dedicate his life to eliminating weapons of mass destruction.
Clayton Underhill
International Law and Institutions, Spanish
Clayton Underhill is a junior double majoring in international law and institutions and Spanish with a minor in public and environmental affairs and a certificate in underwater resource management. Clayton is part of Hutton Honors College and the Hudson & Holland Scholar Program. Within the Hamilton Lugar School, Clayton serves as a member of the Global Student 7 and a member of Sigma Iota Rho. He also works as a student assistant to the Office of the Executive Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a live-in peer mentor at the Civic Leaders Center. This summer, Clayton is working as a legal intern at Norris Law Office in his hometown of Washington, IN, and this fall, he plans to study abroad in Madrid, Spain. After graduation, he hopes to attend law school with the intention of focusing on international issues such as the environment.
Nora West
Cybersecurity and Global Policy
Nora West is a sophomore from the small town of Liberty, Indiana studying Cybersecurity and Global Policy. She is working towards receiving substantive minors in Spanish, Psychology, and Intelligence Studies, while honored to be both a member of the Hutton Honors College and a 2019 Lilly Scholar. Most of her weekday evenings are spent at a variety of political interest club meetings or playing on an intramural athletic team. Additionally, she dedicates much of her time to the Undergraduate Mock Trial Program where she competes as a defense attorney. Her passion for social justice advocacy also inspired her to run as Vice President for the Women in Cybersecurity Club. Over the summer, Nora interned in the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and is hoping to work on a research project for Indiana’s Supreme Court’s cybersecurity needs. She plans to study abroad for the fall 2021 semester, aspires to attend Stanford Law School after her undergraduate education, and is optimistic about discovering her career path sometime during her educational experience.
Evan Wright
East Asian Languages and Cultures
Evan Wright is a junior from Greenwood, Indiana, majoring in East Asian Languages and Cultures with a focus on Japan and a minor in Intelligence Studies. He is a member of the Hutton Honors College, Sigma Iota Rho, and the HLS LLC 2018-2019 cohort. Evan is the undergraduate assistant for the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative, a research assistant, and a student ambassador for the organizations Report the World at IU. Outside of IU, Evan runs the Reischauer Ambassadors Initiative to promote Stanford University’s Program on Cross-cultural and International Education secondary education e-learning programs - of which he is an alumnus - and writes articles on language access as a freelance content writer for the translation and interpretation company LUNA Language Services.
Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies