Current Students

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