Graduate Student Representatives (GSR)
GSRs facilitate mechanisms and spaces by which students in the program can contribute to discussions about the program and degree. In this capacity they serve as a resource to other students and the program director.
- GSR for the 2021-2022 cohort: Tammy Wehmeyer
Current Students by Cohort
Read about some of our dynamic Policy Studies students and their interests.
2021 Cohort
Hana Abdulrahman
Degrees
BA in Community Psychology and in Society Ethics & Human Behavior with a minor in Education & Society, University of Washington Bothell; Nursing Assistant Certification -Bellevue College
Research Interests
Holistic Wellness. Community oriented education & outreach. Digital Equity. Community empowerment & resilience. Immigrant rights. Multigenerational storytelling.
Snapshot
I am a Somali American, and a true Seattleite who loves the rain. Growing up I was surrounded by an immigrant community that taught me that the good of the whole community was the responsibility of all individuals. I was involved in service initiatives that guaranteed access to food, housing security, healthcare, mental health, and immigrant rights. Following my undergraduate degree at UWB, I transitioned into public service by working for my local municipality to assist residents in navigating community resources.
Hana is also the 2021-2022 Graduate Student Representative to the Chancellor's Advisory Committee for Students (CACS). CACS is comprised of UW Bothell students collaborating to advise the Chancellor and the executive team on campus-wide issues and major initiatives affecting students.
Garrison Foster
Degrees
BA in Law, Economics, and Public Policy
Research Interests
Internet Policy and Law
Snapshot
Garrison Foster was born in Issaquah, Washington, and moved to Bothell when he was seven years old. He attended Inglemoor High School and was introduced to the Running Start program during his sophomore year. Despite having an average to below average academic performance in his early education, Foster quickly improved upon starting his undergrad in Law, Economics, and Public Policy. Consistently making the Dean's List throughout his senior year, he was then introduced to the Master of Arts in Policy Studies program and quickly signed up. Currently, he is preparing to enlist in the United States Navy with aspirations of working in the medical field. While unrelated to the graduate program, his ultimate goal is to have enough credentials to attend a higher level law school and focus on internet law and policy building.
Travis Garvin
Degrees
BA in Law and Justice, Central Washington University
Research Interests
Veterans Affairs, Green Economic and Sustainable Growth Policies
Snapshot
Travis Garvin was born and raised in Washington State. After graduating from Lake Stevens High School he attended Central Washington University completing a degree in Law and Justice. He then joined the United States Army serving in various places around the country and the middle east. After exiting the Army he worked as a security contractor where he increasingly became aware of not only Veterans issues but the issues facing the public at large. This motivated him to attend the 2021-22 MAPS program as well as continue his work with the Roy Williams foundation for veterans and first responders.
Tara Hedayati
Degrees
BA in Law, Economics and Public Policy and in Global Studies, with a minor in Human Rights
Research Interests
Issue framing and survey design, policing and mental health professionals model, policies related to education, Economics, with an emphasis on history.
Snapshot
I was born in Iran, at a young age I traveled to Turkey as a refugee. My experience as a minority in the country I was born in provided me with the passion, anger, energy to create a space where no one feels like a minority. At only 11, I started community grassroots advocacy work which lead me to facilitate my first conference at 17 on neighborhood workshops and community building with over 70+ participants. My interest in how policies can shape or hinder economic and community prosperity has provided me with the interest to work at the local level.
As I carry on with this program, I will continue interning for a think tank that focuses on providing bipartisan solutions and I hope to learn more about data analysis, policy implementation, and working with various stakeholders for a common goal.
Miranda Johnson
Degrees
AA in Liberal Arts from Tacoma Community College, Bachelors of Applied Behavioral Science from Seattle Central College
Research Interests
Criminal Justice Reform with emphasis on juvenile sentencing structure and racial disparities
Snapshot
Miranda Johnson is PNW native who loves all things nature. Her favorite past times are swimming in remote lakes and taking advantage of ORV trails any chance she gets. Her adventurous spirt lends her the strength to pursue her passion in Justice Reform. As a juvenile she became a justice involved individual allowing her firsthand knowledge of the prison industrial complex and systemic oppressions within America. In the MAPS program Miranda strives to become a sound policy analyst with the intention of reframing incarceration practices.
Genevieve Schmidt
Degrees
BA in political science/social studies, and a minor in communication studies from Western Washington University
Research Interests
foreign policy, space policy, environmental justice
Snapshot
Genevieve was born in Bellevue, Washington and has lived in the beautiful western Washington area ever since. Her passions include writing (both creative and academic), music, and spending much of her time enjoying local restaurants around the area. Her interest in political science stems from a multi-year fascination with the study of policy implementation and the art of problem solving, along with the change that results from it. She hopes to further grow her knowledge in policy analysis and prepare herself for a career in the public or private sector.
Nicholas Subocz
Degrees
BA in Law, Economics, and Public Policy w/ a minor in Human Rights and a minor in Ecological Restoration (University of Washington - Bothell, 2021); AA in Arts & Literature (North Seattle College, 2018)
Research Interests
Community-Oriented Stakeholder Inclusion, Ecological Restoration, Sustainable & Responsible Economic Growth and Development
Snapshot
Nicholas Subocz was born and raised here in Washington in the city of Seattle as a Peruvian-American dual citizen. He attended Ballard High School where he enrolled in the Running Start Program and received his AA in addition to his High School Diploma, later graduating from UW Bothell at the age of 20. His time at UW Bothell improved his academic performance greatly, making it on the Annual Dean's List for his Junior and Senior Year.
During his education, Nick developed a passion for politics and policy, with a focus on stakeholder integrity and promoting the necessity of interdisciplinarity and intersectionality. Nick hopes to work in the public or private sector as a policy analyst and/or lobbyist, working with communities, local businesses, legislators and corporations to help ensure that those who feel they are unheard have not just a voice but real influence in the world that develops and changes around them.
Tammy Wehmeyer
Degrees:
BA in International Studies, minor in Human Rights, University of Washington Bothell, 2002
Substance Use Disorder Professional, Edmonds Community College, 2012
Research Interests:
Juvenile criminal court and probation policy focused on meeting the behavioral health needs of all youth involved in the Juvenile Court System using culturally appropriate approaches
Snapshot
I identify as a mom, wife, daughter, sister, student, person in long-term recovery and employee who is both excited and intimidated to be a member of the class of 2022 cohort. I bring to the table experience bridging gaps between folks, a sense of humor and an open mind. I hope not to act within a “safe” space, but a “brave” one where we can all share our voices in development of community.
Charles Wichert
Degrees
BA in Law, Economics, and Public Policy (University of Washington Bothell, 2021), AA in Political Science (Everett Community College, 2020)
Research Interests
Municipal government policies for Public Safety, Affordable Housing, and Economic Development.
Snapshot
I was born and raised in California's Central Valley until I graduated high school in 2018. I moved to Washington state to pursue my post-secondary education and a career in the political field. While I studied for my AA, I worked part-time at a community swim center and served on a Mayor's policy recommendation board. This led me to volunteering on multiple political campaigns across the Pacific Northwest, until I utilized my knowledge and experience to become an independent political consultant.
As I navigate the Master of Arts in Policy Studies program this year, I will continue my work as a political consultant with the intention of solidifying a career in public policy. I hope to become a public policy analysist and eventually a lobbyist, to better serve my community through critically examining policies, identifying alternative approaches, and promoting equitable changes to our current government systems and institutions.
2020 Cohort
Ana Palma
Undergraduate Degree
BA in Political Science from Western Washington University and an Associates Degree from Bellevue College
Research Interests
Disability law and immigration rights
Snapshot
Ana has lived in the Seattle, Washington area for over half of her life. She was born in Mexico City and is the first person in her family to obtain a university degree in the United States. Since a young age, Ana has had a strong interest in learning about the world and different cultures, as a result, Ana has sought out every opportunity possible to travel and to study abroad.
Since 2012, Ana has been selected to participate and work at worldwide recognized affiliations including National Model United Nations (NMUN.) During her time working for NMUN, Ana researched many topics around human rights and the rights of underrepresented populations which allowed her to travel to different countries for conferences and research. In 2019, Ana was selected to study abroad in Bundoran Ireland, making it the eighth country she visited for academic purposes.
After graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in 2016, Ana wanted to continue focusing on laws and policies for better representation of underrepresented populations. This led Ana to her current job in the Disability field, which inspired her to seek a Masters in Policy Studies. Ana seeks to increase accessibility in education and improve the process for obtaining accommodations in the K-12 and college systems.