Hello! My name is Brooke Staveland and I am from Santa Cruz California! I am majoring in Math with a minor in Mind/Brain studies, and am happy to nerd out with anyone on brain/neuroscience/what is reality/math stuff. As a sophomore next year, I will have already worked in two different research labs (its really easy to do at GW)! One was about studying the nature of fly sperm (really odd but really fun) and the lab I am currently in is a particle physics lab (yay for being out of my league!). The Honors Program is honestly one of the best things about GW; yay for small classes, smart communities, and the best advisors ever! I also love to swim and my favorite club on campus is NAMI, which strives to end the stigma around mental illness. Other than that I will be hunting for decent coffee shops (not Starbucks!) or having movie and cooking nights with friends!
SPAcialties: Undergrad research, Math/Mind and Brain studies stuff, and not knowing your major your first year
Category: Student Peer Advisors
Student Peer Advisors are Honors Students with the know-how to help you how-to the UHP!
[SPA 2014-2015] Erin McDevitt
Hey, my name is Erin McDevitt and I am a Junior (Senior by credits) from Marietta, GA. I am studying International Affairs with a concentration in International Economics. With the Honors Program, I have a three way tie with my favorite professors but my favorite class this past year was Professor Dodge’s “Social Psychology of Addictive Behaviors.” One thing I’ve learned about the professors in UHP is that their diverse backgrounds contribute to a unique experience within the classroom, and they are always more than willing to help with just about anything! Besides the Honors Program, I am also a member of GW Club Tennis, work part time as a sales associate, and volunteer at a local animal shelter in my hometown. Outside school, I enjoy art history and love going to the museums on the Mall – favorite is the National Gallery of Art. You’ll find me on the Mall on most weekends.
I am very excited to study abroad at the National University of Singapore for this Fall semester, where I will fulfill my life’s dream of actually being in close proximity to tigers at their tiger sanctuaries (in Thailand, not Singapore). I hope to have a ton of stories about my adventures when I return to GW for the Spring semester!
SPAcialties: Scheduling for any and all possible academic paths, applying for study abroad, and internships/resumes
[SPA 2014-2015] Kate Kozak
I’m Kate (or Katie, they’re pretty interchangeable for me) and I’m from small-town Massachusetts about a half hour south of Boston. I studied abroad last fall in Budapest, Hungary on an exchange to a Gender Studies MA program, though I study psychology with a bio minor at GW. Since freshman year I’ve been a brother in APO, the co-ed community service fraternity on campus, and I love to chat about my passions for both service and brotherhood. I’m happy to help anyone interested in getting more involved in Alt Greek life or community service!
My SPA-cialties generally include organization and problem-solving, from time management to negotiating with roommates, classmates and professors. I also have a pretty good eye for proof-reading and peer-editing all kinds of papers, reports and assignments.
[SPA 2014-2015] Kerry Lanzo
Welcome, welcome, welcome to the greatest program at GW! I am majoring in International Affairs and History, with concentrations in Europe/Eurasian studies and Security Policy. Honors has been a huge part of my life all three years, in the classroom, as a SPA, and as a staffer in our oh-so-fun offices. Like many seniors, I returned from study abroad junior year (in Belgium, for me!) all the wiser and love sharing travel advice, but believe me, I was not always so savvy. In fact, I’ve never once found Franny D first in the NewsFlash.
While not everyone shares my passion for the Habsburg monarchy and European Common Security and Defense Policy, I give great advice on resumes, internship searching, interviewing tactics. If those academic pursuits are your cup of tea, too, I love to talk about them equally! I spent much of my underclassmen years doing Model United Nations and was active in the International Affairs Society, as so many UHPers are, so talk to me if that’s your jam. Also, talk to me if you like to make jam, because I love to cook.
SPAcialties: Study Abroad, #honorsproblems, internships, UHP Insider secrets
While not everyone shares my passion for the Habsburg monarchy and European Common Security and Defense Policy, I give great advice on resumes, internship searching, interviewing tactics. If those academic pursuits are your cup of tea, too, I love to talk about them equally! I spent much of my underclassmen years doing Model United Nations and was active in the International Affairs Society, as so many UHPers are, so talk to me if that’s your jam. Also, talk to me if you like to make jam, because I love to cook.
SPAcialties: Study Abroad, #honorsproblems, internships, UHP Insider secrets
[SPA 2014-2015] Bridger Christian
Hi there folks! This summer I had the privilege of working as an intern on a senate campaign in my home state of Montana. As a native Montanan I love the outdoors. Walking, hiking and biking are right up my alley. I love to interact with people, and I love public speaking. The honors program is, in my opinion, awesome! I can’t wait meet you all!
SPAcialties: INTERNSHIPS! I love getting involved in all that DC has to offer. I try to never let an opportunity pass me by, and thus I’m able to seek out many possibilities across the city. If you have questions or concerns about interning feel free to get in touch with me. I can’t wait to get started!
[SPA 2014-2015] Liza Tumen
Hi my name is Liza Tumen, a sophomore originally from Woodstock, NY. I am in the Elliott School of International Affairs majoring in International Affairs and concentrating in Middle Eastern Studies. I am currently taking Arabic and hoping to study abroad in Jordan. I love exploring DC, meeting new people, and taking advantage of the many opportunities surrounding me. I am involved in Greek life and a wide array of student orgs here at GW. The Honors program has provided me with unmatched advising. The classes I have so far taken in the Honors Program have been like no other, and have truly enlightened me. I have formed the most amazing bonds with my Honors Professors as well as my honors classmates. Take risks, reach out, and take advantage of every moment and opportunity.
SPAcialties: Living on the Foggy Bottom campus; balancing school, Greek life, student orgs and internships; surviving honors astronomy; scheduling with both honors and Elliott requirements; and anything you need help with!
[SPA 2014-2015] Lydia Gleaves
Hi, I’m Lydia Gleaves, a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering (aerospace focus, whaddup) from Nashville, Tennessee. Instead of unashamedly saying how many entire afternoons I’ve spent in the honors townhouse drinking cocoa, I’ll just tell you that my favorite part of the UHP is the sense of community. I love nothing more than being able to waltz in and just talk with people in the townhouse when I (or they) need it.
This year, I’m a part of GW’s Mini Baja team, a member of ASME, and a brother of Theta Tau, our co-ed professional engineering fraternity, all of which are pretty cool. Having the privilege of being involved in both the honors and engineering communities has been absolutely amazing!
SPAcialties: Living that Vern life freshman year; SEAS concerns; making cupcakes when they are desperately needed
[SPA 2014-2015] Jenna Spoont
Hello! I’m Jenna Spoont, a sophomore in the School of Media & Public Affairs, majoring in journalism and mass communication. I hail from Wayne, Pennsylvania and love to spend time in Valley Forge National Park when I am home. I am the News Director at WRGW District Radio, the student-run broadcast center on campus. This summer, I worked as a journalism intern at the Student Press Law Center, a non-profit organization that advocates for the First Amendment rights of student journalists. I love attending honors program events—especially the annual Student/Faculty Dinner and museum excursions with Catherine Chandler! I enjoy catching up with friends in the Honors Townhouse. In my free time, I explore D.C. on Field Trip Fridays and jog on the National Mall.
SPAcialties: time management, extracurricular activities, honors housing, SMPA majors, course registration, advising, internships, and really anything else that has to do with the UHP!
[SPA 2014-2015] Laura Schwartz
Hi, I’m Laura. I’m a senior in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Biological Anthropology and minoring in Spanish. I’m also pre-med. My hometown is Framingham, Massachusetts. When not up to my ears in a physics problem set, I can be found singing with the GW Pitches, working at a maternal health center, exploring vegetarian cooking, and watching nerdy TV. Favorite UHP moments so far: trick-or-treating at the embassies, answering prospective student questions at Colonial Welcome, bonding with professors over Chinese food at the Student-Faculty Dinners every semester.
SPAcialties: Pre-med requirements; schedules/Four Year Plans/DegreeMap; roommate issues.
[SPA 2014-2015] Avani Singh
Hi UHPers! My name is Avani. I’m a senior in the Elliott School majoring in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict Resolution. I’m from Rutherford, NJ but also love calling DC my second home. The Honors Program has been an integral component of my undergraduate experience. It has helped me take advantage of amazing courses and is where I made my best friends at GW. In my free time I love traveling, attempting to cook and playing piano.
SPAcialties: International Affairs majors questions; internship/internship funding questions; volunteer programs; housing; roommate conflicts/difficult situations; organization; stress management
