[SPA 2014-2015] Maggie Wedeman

IMG_3553Hey my name is Maggie Wedeman and I am a Junior, hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska and Port Hueneme, California. I am in the Elliott School double majoring in International Affairs (Security Politics and Asia concentrations) and Chinese language! I am also in the University honors program. My favorite part of being a member of the UHP is that I have been able to take classes from professors who are world renown in their field. My favorite class I have taken thus far has been Martha Finnemore’s “Ethics of International Affairs.” Outside of the classroom, I am always looking for an opportunity to go abroad to study Mandarin and have found opportunities and programs to do so for the past two summers. In addition, I have two bikes and enjoy crusin’ around D.C. and I love to cook elaborate and delicious meals!
SPAcialities: Scheduling (fitting in two majors and honors); Summer study abroad; Applying for undergraduate fellowships.

[SPA 2014-2015] Taylor Soja

DSCN0088Hi guys, I’m Taylor – SPA Admissions Liaison for the 2014-2015 school year! I am a senior majoring in History and minoring in both English and Women’s Studies. As a sophomore admit to the UHP, I am so grateful to be part of our community and love everything about the Honors Program. I am from a town just west of Chicago, and love city living. One of my favorite things to do is go to all the museums, and I love company! Here at GW I have a talk radio show on WRGW and am also a peer advisor for The Office for Study Abroad, so come to me with your study abroad questions! I spent fall of my junior year studying abroad at Keble College, Oxford and am also a Luther Rice Research Fellow for this upcoming year (ask me about my project). One of the best parts of my UHP experience has been getting to know my honors professors, who have provided me with so many great opportunities, including a research assistantship for this year!
SPAcialties: Study abroad; Fellowship opportunities and the CUFR in general; Getting to know professors; Radio; Research assistantships; Financial aid/scholarships.

[SPA 2014-2015] Fatema Ghasletwala

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Hello! I’m Fatema, a junior from East Windsor, NJ. I’m in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Political Science (Public Policy Focus) and minoring in Public Health and Law & Society. On campus, I’m the Assistant Director of Hall Development with the Residence Hall Association as well as the Events Coordinator for SPA. As for the UHP, I’m infatuated. Whether its Professors-on-the-Town events or study hours in the townhouse (the basement is magical, believe me), all UHP programming is my favorite programming. Two years later, I still wear the battle scars from my two semesters of Honors Chemistry as badges of honor. My less-scholarly pursuits include binge-watching tv, stress-shopping, and board-gaming. Feel free to get in touch with me with about anything mentioned here, especially if you too are a future POTUS.
SPAcialties: Political Science things; not being pre-med anymore things; Honors housing vs non-Honors housing; Capitol Hill internships; undergraduate research; handling the expectations of super-involved parents; general #honorsproblems

[SPA 2014-2015] Breanna Brown

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Hey y’all! My name is Breanna Browne. I’m originally from Gales Ferry, CT and am Senior pursuing a dual-degree program to earn a Master in Public Administration in conjunction with a bachelors in Political Science.
In the GW community, I’m involved in Greek Life as part of a social sorority (Pi Beta Phi). This year I will return to Thurston Hall as a Resident Assistant. Throughout my experience at GW I have participated in USingers, become certified and tutored at the University Writing Center, and competed as part of the GW Ballroom team. One of my favorite parts of the Honors Program was having the opportunity to live in Honors housing freshmen year. I am still incredibly close with my Honors roommates and have incredible memories of supporting each other through Honors classes by discussing complex ideas, such as eudaimonia, as well as incorporating philosophical concepts, like Plato’s cave, into inside jokes.
SPAcialties: Study abroad (Italy); Thinking about a Capitol Hill internship; Dual-degree programs; Greek Life.

[SPA 2014-2015] Thom Josephson

Thom SPA Bio
Friends, UHPers, Countrymen, lend me your eyes!
My name is Thom Josephson and I am an Economics/PoliSci major out of Ipswich, MA. I am an athletic intellectual who, outside of the usual activities like reading, watching too much TV, and snark, enjoys running, swimming, and playing squash. I am president of Club Swim and have done more research than is natural. I am an occasional poet and frequent curmudgeon. I thoroughly enjoy the academic and intellectual rigor of the UHP and relish the amount I have learned and the arguments I’ve had. It is a wonderful thing we have here. I can’t wait to meet and greet you all.
SPAcialties: Scheduling; Research; Transitions; Staring thoughtfully out windows; Essay writing.