Name: Mariam Alshourbagy
Majors/Minors: BS International Studies (Political Economy and Development); BS Philosophy, Politics, and Economics; minor, Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences ‘24
Hometown: Stevensville, MI
Affiliations: Delta Gamma Phi; Sigma Iota Rho; Michigan Journal of Asian Studies, Senior Editor; UROP, Research Fellow; Michigan in Color, Columnist
Future Plans: “I will start a full-time position working in Intellectual Property consulting at Ankura, as well as continue my education part-time at Cornell pursuing a Master's in Business Analytics.”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “Attending talks and lectures hosted by PICS was always a highlight of my academic calendar. I appreciated PICS' commitment to accessibility and support for their students by reserving seats and allowing for priority registration to events.”
Name: Veronica Bargnesi
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA Spanish; minor, Applied Statistics ‘24
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Affiliations: Michigan Club Swimming; Michigan Refugee Assistance Program; Italian Student Association; Donia Human Rights Fellow
Future Plans: “I am planning on applying to the Peace Corps and then hoping to pursue a career in refugee resettlement.”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “I enjoyed studying abroad; seeing my major through a true international lens while also earning credit for it! I also enjoyed being part of the PICS Donia Human Rights program to gain a more realistic perspective within such a broad major.”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “Thank you to the PICS program (namely Professors Finkbeiner and Uehling) for showing me what a true international world looks like, and thank you to my parents for providing me with the resources and support to discover it!”
Name: Kayla Carpenter
Majors/Minors: BS Neuroscience; minor, International Studies; minor, German Studies ‘24
Hometown: DeWitt, MI
Affiliations: Global Scholars Program, Co-President; Science Learning Center, Physics Tutor
Future Plans: “I'm still in the job application process right now, but I plan on taking a gap year or two then applying to medical schools!”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “I took a class about the history of health with Professor Yi-Li Wu and it was the best class I've taken at the University. There were only six of us, so we all got to know each other really well and we'd discuss these really cool readings. Dr. Wu was also really knowledgeable and an incredible speaker, which made the experience that much better.”
Name: Anna Ceballos
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (Political Economy and Development); BA Economics ‘24
Hometown: Washington, DC
Affiliations: Global Scholars Program; Work at MDining
Future Plans: “I am doing a year of service with AmeriCorps, where I will be tutoring and mentoring students in math at a high school in Boston, MA.”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “PICS allowed me the opportunity to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain this past fall semester. It was one of the highlights of my undergraduate experience for sure!”
Name: William Clancy
Majors/Minors: BS International Studies (Political Economy and Development); BS Information (Information Analysis) ‘24
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Affiliations: Peer Advisor at CGIS, PICS Office Assistant, Sigma Iota Rho, Peace Corps Prep Program, Donia Human Rights Fellow, Michigan Real Estate Club
Future Plans: “After graduation, I am hoping to pursue analyst work focused on human rights before continuing my education in technology and international studies.”
Fondest memory of his experience in PICS: “I have been very grateful to get to know some of my fellow International Studies classmates through Sigma Iota Rho, forging strong connections with people who share my passions for global learning and international engagement.”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “I would like to thank my friends, family, professors, and everyone else who has been instrumental in my academic, professional, and personal success while here at Michigan!”
Name: Annabel Curran
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA Spanish ‘24
Hometown: Ferndale, MI
Affiliations: The Michigan Daily, Senior Editor and Writer; The Michiganensian Yearbook, Copywriter; University of Michigan College of Engineering, Marketing and Social Media Intern
Future Plans: “I will be attending the Ross School of Business and pursuing a Masters of Business Management”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “Experiencing the tight-knit PICS community and connecting with other PICS students from so many different backgrounds and academic disciplines.”
Name: Audrey Dozeman
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA Asian Studies (Japanese) ‘24
Hometown: Caledonia, MI
Affiliations: Jewish Family Services
Future Plans: “Starting a career in Japan!”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “The passion and expertise that my professors brought to their subject matter!”
Name: Sophia Grant
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA History; minor, Law, Justice & Social Change ‘24
Hometown: Dexter, MI
Affiliations: Michigan Running Club, Co-President; Blue Model UN, Member; Detroit Observatory, History Docent; The Reckoning Project, Senior Research Assistant
Future Plans: “I will be staying here for three more years (!!) as a J.D. candidate at Michigan Law School!”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “Writing my thesis on Central American carceral policies and studying abroad in Dublin!”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “Thanks to everyone who has supported me along the way; I wouldn't be here without you! :-)”
Name: Madeline Grobelny
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA Political Science; BA Spanish ‘24
Hometown: Twinsburg, OH
Affiliations: Michigan Foreign Policy Council; University of Michigan Spanish Peer Tutor
Future Plans: “I will be attending law school in the fall of 2024.”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “Having the opportunity to complete my credits while studying abroad in Madrid, Spain for a semester!”
Name: Ryann Halland
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (Political Economy and Development); BA Spanish ‘24
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Affiliations: The Quito Project; AIESEC; Sigma Iota Rho
Future Plans: “I will be starting a job as a Business Analyst at Meijer”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “Learning more about the world around me! All of my classes were super informative and interesting.”
Name: Anna Heiss
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); minor, Asian Languages and Culture ‘24
Hometown: Clyde, MI
Affiliations: Michigan Journal of International Affairs, Editor in Chief; Michigan Snowboard Club, Member
Future Plans: “Attending NYU for my Master of Science in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “I studied abroad in the French Alps in my sophomore year to study French and language politics.”
Name: Cameron Hempton
Majors/Minors: BS International Studies (Global Environment and Health); BS Biomolecular Science; minor, Philosophy
Hometown: Clarkston, Michigan
Affiliations: “I play the tenor saxophone in the Michigan Marching Band and the Basketball Pep Band. I am a member of Team DRIP, an MHEAL project team working to reduce the burden of diabetic foot ulcers in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico through health education. I spend time volunteering at the UM-Hospital in the med/surgery unit responding to patient call lights. I am also a member of Sigma Iota Rho, the international studies honors society.”
Future Plans: “Next fall I will be staying at the University of Michigan to pursue a Masters in Public Health in Global Health Epidemiology and to have another year in the Marching Band! I hope to pursue a career at the intersection of international relations and health intervention design to further work towards fostering global cooperation in the health sphere.”
Fondest memory of his experience in PICS: “One of my fondest memories from my experience in PICS was the end of semester celebration for Donia Human Rights fellows this past fall. As our final component of the human rights practicum we had the opportunity to participate in a diplomatic simulation, having fun and putting into practice the concepts we had learned throughout the semester. After that we had food catered and spent some time speaking about everyone's future plans or sharing opportunities for internships and campus involvement. Getting to bond with other PICS students and hearing about everybody's grand career plans to change the world was really motivating and built a very strong sense of community for me within my PICS cohort.”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “I would like to stress how valuable I found having an internationally-focused education to be through PICS. Whether students are looking for a major, a minor, or just an interesting class to take, I would strongly recommend looking for something in the International Studies department. Developing the skillset to analyze how actions, policies, innovation, and events have differing impacts throughout the world, my degree has equipped me with the intercultural competency and global awareness to maximize the impact of my future career.”
Name: Bilal Irfan
Majors/Minors: BS International Studies (Global Environment and Health); minor, Islamic Studies ‘24
Hometown: Canton, MI & Lahore, Pakistan
Affiliations: President of LSA Student Government; Founder and Chair of the Muslim Coalition; Research in Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center and the Michigan Medical School; Chair of Islamophobia Working Group; Student Organization Funding Committee
Future Plans: “Masters in Bioethics at the Harvard Medical School”
Fondest memory of his experience in PICS: “Walking up and down the stairs and elevators every Friday because I could not remember what floor our Honors Cohort met at.”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “Grateful for their support every step of the way!”
Name: Zoha Khan
Majors/Minors: BS International Studies (Global Environment and Health); BS Biology, Health, and Society ‘24
Hometown: Northville, MI
Affiliations: “As President of Elevate (Intersectional feminist club) we put on many different fun events like a hijab solidarity booth, an open mic, speaker events and more! As a FLAS scholar, I studied Urdu extensively and even won a South Asian Video language award. I was writer for the Daily at one point, MAE magazine, and am an amateur blog and creative fiction writer!”
Future Plans: “I'm going to be taking a gap year before applying to medical schools (please wish me luck!). A specific goal I have for my gap year is that alongside gaining some research experiences, to also spend some time exploring my personal interests like writing and work to really build my blog - interviewing friends and family, and featuring the stories of important people in my life there.”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “One of my favorite memories is taking Dr. Marcum's class on public health and reconstruction! We explored several different topics and became policy analyzers ourselves, which was very cool!”
Name: Kathryn Kowal
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (Global Environment and Health); minor, Sustainability ‘24
Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI
Affiliations: CGIS Photo Contest, 2023 Winner; Tri-Delta Sorority, Member; Miles Jeffrey Roberts Foundation, former Intern; Peace Corps Prep Program
Future Plans: “Continuing a career in sustainability!”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “Traveling with the Inuit Circumpolar Council to Greenland for the ICC General Assembly! I wouldn't have had this memory without the PICS Arctic Internship Fellowship Grant. I am so grateful for the all the support PICS has given me to get me where I am today!”
Name: Martha Lewand
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); minor, Law, Justice, and Social Change
Hometown: Scotch Plains, New Jersey
Affiliations: Beta Alpha Rho Pre-law and Public Service Professional Fraternity (BAR), The Michigan Daily, Paper Airplanes Nonprofit Organization, Public Service Internship Program (PSIP)
Future Plans: “This summer: International Communications Intern for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. Beginning in September: Teaching English in Spain for a year”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “I loved taking PICS classes, from Climate Change and Migration to Global Public Health, and engaging with PICS professors.”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “Thank you for your support and guidance these past four years!”
Name: Aleezah Gul Manzoor
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (Comparative Culture and Identity); BA Political Science ‘24
Hometown: Grafton, WI
Affiliations: LSA Student Government, former President; Wolverine Support Network
Future Plans: “I would like to do refugee resettlement or legal services work in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and then go to law school!”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “I have loved my time in my PICS classes over the last four years. I have been honored to be a Donia Human Rights Fellow through PICS, and the human rights practicum I took with Professor Lara Finkbeiner was vital for my degree and professional development. It also was wonderful to have the flexibility to explore topics ranging from Islamic Law to Sports, Politics, and Society within PICS.”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “I want to thank my parents and siblings for their support over the past four years. I would also like to thank my professors and graduate student instructors for shaping my experience and providing welcoming environments for discourse, questions, and learning.”
Name: Ethan William Markby
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA History; BA German; minor, Music ‘24
Hometown: Hartland, MI
Affiliations: Trumpet Player for the Michigan Marching Band, Ice Hockey Band, Volleyball Band, and Fanfare Band
Future Plans: “I am currently pursuing jobs that can combine my majors; in particular, I'm interested in exploring positions with a large amount of international exposure, or positions that focus on analysis of contemporary military affairs.”
Fondest memory of his experience in PICS: “I had a great experience taking a seminar with Professor Zeglen in which we discussed the history of and varying scholarly interpretations of nationalism. It was a fascinating class, and the in-class discussions were always exceedingly lively. I still think about that class and those colleagues often, and I highly recommend students take the class again if it's offered!”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “I would like to thank my parents, Bill and Kim, for standing by me through the rigorous years of college. I would also like to thank my professors, not only for their knowledge, but for their compassion, understanding, and humanity that can often be forgotten in settings with so many individuals. Go Blue!”
Name: Lauren McKenzie
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (Global Environment and Health); minor, Social Class & Inequality Studies ‘24
Hometown: Dundee, MI
Affiliations: Michigan Marching Band, Section and Rank Leader of the Piccolo Section; Sigma Iota Rho
Future Plans: “After graduation I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends as I re-center myself and explore the avenues in the public health world.”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “My fondest memory in PICS would generally be finally finding my place. From dropping out of my (long-anticipated) chemistry major and being deferred from SPH, I became lost in my academic career. These opportunities led me to discover PICS, and continue my passion for global public health. Now I can't see myself in any other program!”
Name: Chris Genaro Medina
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (Political Economy and Development); BA Latino/a Studies ‘24
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Affiliations: La Casa; optiMize; Sigma Lambda Beta; Comprehensive Studies Program; Spanish Language Internship Project; Proyecto Avance Latino Mentoring Association
Future Plans: “After graduation, I plan on taking a gap year to gain work experience before returning for my Master's in Social work with a sub plan in Global Policy. My long term goal is to work with immigrants and refugee resettlement.”
Fondest memory of his experience in PICS: “My fondest memory from my time in PICS is the unique educational experience it provided. I gained a richer understanding and appreciation of the international community. Highlighting the diverse cultures, the global economy and the history of other nation-states while also diving deeper into my own cultural heritage and exploring the intricacies of global interactions.”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “My International Studies education with PICS has been a profound learning experience with many highlights. I would like to thank my advisors and the entire department for allowing me to connect my interests in Economics, particularly through the Political Economy and Development sub plan with my second major in Latina/o Studies. I would also like to express my gratitude to my friends and family for supporting me throughout this journey.”
Name: Nina Naffziger
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA Women’s and Gender Studies; Minor, Middle East Studies
Hometown: Moraga, CA
Affiliations: Donia Human Rights Fellow, President's Advisory Committee for Labor Standards and Human Rights, Wallenberg Humanitarian Medal Executive Committee, UM Tour Guides, Sigma Iota Rho, UM History Club
Future Plans: “I will be pursuing a PhD in Sociology at UCLA starting in the fall!”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “The Donia Human Rights fellows program has been my highlight of PICS! Learning how to become a human rights practitioner in a variety of ways has been a great experience and it's been a great smaller and cross-year community within the PICS department. I'd also like to shout out Sigma Iota Rho and the 2023-24 Honors cohort!”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “Thanks to the amazing people of PICS (professors, advisors, staff), you all are amazing! Thanks to my parents and family for making it all possible.”
Name: Sylver Riddell
Majors/Minors: BS International Studies (Global Environment and Health); BS Neuroscience ‘24
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Affiliations: Wolverine Support Network; MedLaunch; Adaptive Gymnastics
Future Plans: “Following graduation, I’ll be moving to Boston to work as an Associate at L.E.K. Consulting!”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “One of my favorite parts about PICS is the flexibility that allowed me to tailor my education to my interests. As part of the Global Health subplan, I was able to study abroad while still fulfilling course requirements. Through the elective flexibility, I took fascinating classes about international sustainability efforts and Spanish culture!”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “I’d like to thank my family, friends, and professors for supporting me throughout my time at Michigan. To my professors in particular, thank you for introducing me to such a vast array of international issues and allowing me to deepen my understanding of both the history and current state of global affairs.”
Name: Lillian Lynnette Ruehmeier
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA Political Science; BA Spanish ‘24
Hometown: Newaygo, MI
Affiliations: Phi Delta Phi Pre-Law Honors Society, Programming Chair; Children’s Literacy Network, Volunteer; Women in Law, Member
Future Plans: “I am working as a Paralegal in New York City at an Immigration Law Firm”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “Meeting so many friends in my classes!”
Name: Nadiezhda Sharapova
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (Global Environment and Health); BA Environment ‘24
Hometown: Petosky, MI
Affiliations: Michigan Foreign Policy Council, Co-President; ERB Institute, Undergraduate Fellow for Sustainable Business; Michigan Sustainable Strategies, former Vice President
Future Plans: “Renewable Energy Graduate Rotational Position at Equinor”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “My thesis program was so intensive but I have met so many cool people and learned so much!”
Name: Samantha Slager
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (Political Economy and Development); BA Spanish; minor, Entrepreneurship ‘24
Hometown: Grandville, MI
Affiliations: Sigma Iota Rho International Studies Honors Fraternity, Vice President; Dexter High School Young Life, Team Lead; BHS Insurance, Administrative and Personal Lines Assistant
Future Plans: “In the fall, I will be participating in the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP) and teaching English in Spain for a year. After, I am hoping to attend graduate school and work in the human rights field.”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “Definitely the highlight of my college experience was studying abroad in Granada, Spain! The program allowed me to fulfill several of my PICS course requirements and create life-long memories, such as a 5-day immersive trip to Morocco and going out for tapas with my lovely host mom and roommate. So grateful for my time in Granada! One of my favorite on-campus PICS experiences was being a member and E-Board officer for Sigma Iota Rho (SIR)! I've met some of my best friends through SIR, had incredible opportunities to hear from professionals in the international space, and got the chance to create a great community of students with similar interests. Such a rewarding experience!”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “Thank you to the PICS professors, and department as a whole, for providing me with an interdisciplinary education that truly enriched my understanding of myself and the world. Lara Finkbeiner's class for the Donia Human Rights Program was especially interesting and sparked my interest in pursuing a career in human rights. Also, I'm so grateful for all of the friends I've made in PICS, I can't wait to see us do epic things in the future! A huge thank you to my parents as well for all of their support and love along the way!”
Name: Sarah Stolar
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA Romance Languages and Literatures; minor, Environment ‘24
Hometown: Minnetonka, MN
Affiliations: Sigma Iota Rho International Studies Honors Frat, President; Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law Fraternity, Member; Books for a Benefit, VP of Community Outreach; UROP Environment Section, Peer Facilitator
Future Plans: “After working in the environmental or legal industries for a couple of years, I plan to go to law school to study international and environmental law.”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “I have loved getting close with my classmates. Because of PICS, I was really able to find a community of people with similar passions for global engagement, but each has such fascinating interests in a niche area of the international studies space. I've been so lucky to forge strong friendships while constantly learning from and contributing to this dynamic community.”
Is there anything you would like to express to your peers, parents, professors, or others?: “Thank you so much to my family, professors, and friends for your consistent support in my academic, professional, and personal success!”
Name: Jacqueline Tapper
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA Spanish; BA Psychology ‘24
Hometown: Paw Paw, MI
Affiliations: Nannying; SAPAC; Fostering with Great Lakes Dog Rescue
Future Plans: “Law school (unsure where yet)”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “I loved seeing a lot of the same people in my classes, it makes it much easier to make and maintain a PICS community!”
Name: Maria Wajahat
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (Global Environment and Health) ‘24
Hometown: Wayzata, MN
Affiliations: LSA Student Government (Vice President); The Muslim Coalition; Conducting research on pathogens in drinking water
Future Plans: “Medical school, and then work in global health down the road!”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “Taking International Studies 301 with Dr. Stonington! Learning about concepts in global health was really interesting!”
Name: Martina Zacker
Majors/Minors: BA International Studies (International Security, Norms and Cooperation); BA Communications and Media; minor, Digital Studies ‘24
Hometown: South Orange, NJ
Affiliations: The Michigan Daily
Future Plans: “Following graduation, I will have a job with NBCUniversal as part of the company's Page Program in New York City.”
Fondest memory of her experience in PICS: “I loved having the opportunity to take classes in a variety of subjects including English, political science, Spanish, gender studies, history, communications, and sociology. Every professor and instructor I had in these classes was extremely knowledgeable in their specialty and wanted to see students succeed. I would recommend PICS for any student who wants to explore various disciplines while still being able to focus on their specific interests.”
