Political Science Grads Were Leaders in Student Organizations

Two outstanding Political Science majors–both of whom brought their distinctive passions and intelligence to the program—will graduate this fall. Rachel Steen came to Woodbury as a transfer student and immediately impressed her professors with her writing talent, which History Professor Dr. Doug Cremer describes as sharp, incisive, and analytical. “Rachel is an effective self-learner,” Dr. Cremer says, “and masters any topic she attempts.” This was true for her final thesis, titled “The Drive Behind the Divide: The Causes and Effects of Social Psychology in Affective Polarization.” Her research identified topics that voters agree with policy-wise, but often disagree upon once a party affiliation is attached. “I wanted to illustrate the psychology that takes place when voters become attached to a group identity,” Rachel explains, and the harmful outcomes of such voting behavior.

Gayane Mikaelyan has been actively involved in student organizations since she entered Woodbury and the Political Science program as a first-year student. Since then, Dr. Cremer says, “Gayane’s work has steadily grown in-depth and quality, and she has become an impressive writer and thinker.” Gayane’s final project is titled “ The Effect of Media on Contemporary Politics.” Both Rachel and Gayane were active in student organizations: Gayane is ASWU President and Rachel served as treasurer for the United Nations Association (UNA-USA) and as a CoLA senator during her senior year. Rachel plans to use her political science degree as a stepping stone to a law career. She’ll use the next year to network, study for the LSAST, and develop her law school applications.

Congratulations Rachel and Gayane!

Last Updated on May 6, 2022.