The Master of Arts in Policy Studies program defines itself as a community of people who believe policy can make a difference. Students engage in the academic pursuit of policy solutions in arenas, such as: environment, labor, education, health, human rights, technology, and local and state government.
Read about our dynamic Policy Studies graduate students, their educational backgrounds, and research interests.
2009 Cohort
Brittany Allyn
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington 2007
Undergraduate Degree: Communication
Research Interests: Global health and education, International aid and development
Snapshot: Brittany's passion in life is travel. Her travels to S.E. Asia last summer ignited her interest to work for a non-profit organization with an international outreach. She would ideally love to incorporate her career with travel.
Stephen Barbouletos
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2009
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, American Studies
Research Interests: Business and corporate policy
Snapshot: Stephen is interested in building moral and ethical policies as a foundation for businesses to not only be successful, but also be responsible employers and contributing members to society.
Jared Bigelow
Undergraduate Institution: Seattle University, 2005
Undergraduate Degree: Spanish
Research Interests: Multiracial health issues, race relations, poverty, interfaith relations, education reform
Snapshot: Jared is committed to improving access to health care and education for low-income families. When he's not working, Jared enjoys travelling, writing and reading short fiction.
Michael Brockman
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2009
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, Community Psychology, minor in Policy Studies
Research Interests: civil liberties, community psychology and development, the law and legal system, immigration
Snapshot: Michael is interested in work that increases resources and access to resources for individuals and communities. He has recently interned and volunteered with a Latino based, court affiliated drug and alcohol health, and domestic violence counseling services center. Michael enjoys athletics and spending time in the outdoors.
Chad Buechler
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2007
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, American Studies, minor in Human Rights
Research Interests: Disaster and Emergency Management Policy, Water Policy, Human Rights Policy
Snapshot: Chad works in the Seattle Public Utilities Utility Operations Center and holds operational certifications in Drainage and Wastewater Collection, Water Distribution, Security and Infrastructure Protection, and Emergency Management. He is a member of the Seattle Public Utilities Race and Social Justice Initiative Change Team and volunteers as a Public Information Officer with the American Red Cross. Chad and his wife are happily expecting their first child in January 2010.
Anne Cameron
Undergraduate Insititution: Brigham Young University, 1985
Undergraduate Degree: Chemistry
Research Interests: Education policy, Neurobiology of brain functions related to the learning process, Human Rights policy
Snapshot: Anne works with English Language Learners at an elementary school. She enjoys problem solving and creative activities.
Maiana (Maia) Curran
Undergraduate Institution: Seattle University, 2008
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies
Research Interests: Environmental/ Natural Resource Management Policy, Local Community Planning, Urban Planning, Smart Growth Policy, Environmental Justice, Poverty Issues, Religious/ Scientific Cooperation for Climate Solutions, Scientific Communication
Snapshot: Maia is interested in an interdiscinplinary approach to community/regional based living that addresses a variety of life issues such as regional transportation, healthy food production, and renewable sources of power that provide models for tackling global problems, climate change and poverty. She enjoys biking, yoga, writing, Sounder's games and the occasional Halo 3 match.
Noel (Paige) Dechambeau
Undergraduate Institution: Western Washington University, 2007
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science
Research Interests: Environmental Policy, Sustainability, and Political Communication
Snapshot: Paige is currently employed by the Washington State House of Representatives and hopes her degree will help in solving some of our state's problems, big and small.
Scott Ferguson
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2007
Undergraduate Degrees: Political Science: Political Economics; History
Research Interests: Technology policy, Economic Policy
Snapshot: Scott has been working for the UW Department of Engineering's DO-IT Program and is planning on improving the economy with technological and economic subsidization and regulation policy.
Christopher Fox
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2009
Undergraduate Degree: Mathematics and Economics
Research Interests: Development policy
Snapshot: Chris is interested in practical, focused efforts to improve the lives of people in low income countries.
Donna Holmquist
Undergraduate Institution: Washington State University, 1981 and1982
Undergraduate Degrees: Biology; Environmental Science
Graduate Degree: Washington State University, 1987, Biology
Research Interests: Environmental and public health policy, public health awareness and education regarding toxins and environmental illnesses.
Snapshot: Donna interprets and communicates State Board policies and data for large Adult Basic Education programs of refugee, immigrant, and developmental education students. When not working, she enjoys traveling and exploring the worlds of color and texture through gardening, photography, and art.
Shane Lohnes
Undergraduate Institution: The Evergreen State College, 2008
Undergraduate Degree: Energy and the Environment, Political Economy
Research Interests: Production, Labor, Human Rights, Energy, Environment
Snapshot: Shane is interested in the ways that production affects our relationship to the environment and to each other. He spent time in the Ukraine studying nuclear energy and wrote his thesis on petrodollars and energy security. He likes to read, cook, travel, play various musical instruments, debate, laugh, and try and find the end of the Internet.
Lukia Macaffrey
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2009
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Society, Ethics, and Human Behavior
Research Interests: Opportunities in Emergency Management Planning to better meet the needs of traditionally underserved populations during crises
Snapshot: Lukia is a volunteer for several progressive political organizations and works with her son Elias' Native Youth group. Issues of equity and access are the heart of her volunteer efforts in the community. She is an avid reader of crime mysteries and is well known for her homemade salsa.
Aimee Munzi
Undergraduate institution: Methodist University, 2009
Undergraduate Degree: Business Administration
Research Interests: Environmental Policy, Concepts
Snapshot: Aimee has worked in different fields, exploring her interests. She currently works in the Grants and Interagency Agreements Unit at the Environmental Protection Agency.
Grover Nogawa
Undergraduate Institute: The Evergreen State College, 2009
Undergraduate Degree: Liberal Arts
Research Interests: Sustainable community development, local economic development, Urban design and transportation issues
Snapshot: Grover returned to school to complete his bachelors degree after a twenty-eight year career at a major airline.
Jennifer Saltz
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2009
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, Science, Technology, and the Environment with a minor in Business
Research Interests: Life Cycle Assessment, Aviation Environmental Planning
Snapshot: Jennifer has concentrated in both environmental science and business in her preparation for the Policy Studies program. She interned in 2009 for U.S. Senator Patty Murray and is currently interning with Synergy Consultants, Inc. of Seattle. Her research and published work includes the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and Ecology of the North Cascades, Wikipedia 2009.
Hangsuk (Kevin) Shin
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2009
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences, Global Studies
Research Interests: U.S. international policies and participation in global institutions
Snapshot: Originally an engineering student from University of Michigan, Kevin spent a few years in IT and global trade businesses. He became interested in global affairs and public policy in the course of traveling the world, and is now enthusiastically pursuing the goal to become a member of the U.S. diplomatic corp.
Kaylene (Katie) Strock
Undergraduate Institution: Hawaii Pacific University, 2002
Undergraduate Degree: Corporate Communication
Research Interests: Global tobacco control, sustainable alternate crops, sanitary water sustainable water sources in the developing world.
Snapshot: Kaylene is currently a Program Assistant with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation working in Global Development on Sanitation. Prior to this she worked for the National League of Cities in Washington, DC focusing on risk management for municipalities.
Ericka Wiggins
Undergraduate Institution: Hampton University, 2008
Undergraduate Degree: Psychology
Research Interests: Early intervention, education, welfare, and poverty
Snapshot: Ericka works as a Research Assistant in the Division of Public Behavioral Health and Justice Policy at the UW Seattle. She would like to use her Policy Studies education and future PhD in Psychology/Social Welfare to create a non-profit organization rendering services to single mothers and at-risk youth.
2008 Cohort
Marcella (Marci) Burden
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Undergraduate Institution: California State University San Marcos, 2004
Undergraduate Degree: Spanish
Research Interests: International health and development especially health education and maternal/child health
Snapshot: Marci is currently a stay-home mom and a graduate student. She hopes to be able to find a job that incorporates international travel and family time, as well as creates sustainable health education programs in the developing world.
Allyson Fredericksen
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Undergraduate Institution: California Lutheran University, 2006
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in Theater and Religion
Research Interests: Urban poverty, poverty rates with relation to race and immigration status, TANF and other federal assistance programs and social justice
Snapshot: Allyson has worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations in California and Washington, and hopes to bring attention to the links between national and state legislation and urban poverty; addressing root causes and not only the local symptoms.
Susan Funk
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Research Interests: Income inequality, poverty, social justice, health care and education
Snapshot: After 20 years in the corporate sector, Susan hopes to transition to policy work in the public sector.
Mary Jonasen
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Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2008
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences with a concentration in Society, Ethics and Human Behavior
Research Interests: Social justice, labor policy, underrepresented populations, human rights and equal access to health, education and environmental resources
Snapshot: Mary has lived in several different regions in the US over the past 15 years, and has spent time living and visiting with indigenous communities, including three years of educational work tutoring First Nations K-12 students. She is passionate about working with diverse populations. She has published a human rights paper on child soldiers in UW Bothell Policy Journal and in the UW Seattle online Intersections Journal.
Julia Lawrence
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Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2007
Undergraduate Degree: International Studies with a minor in Spanish
Research Interests: Travel policy, international development and state policy analysis
Snapshot: Julia works as a budget analyst at UW Seattle. She would like to be able to incorporate her Policy Studies education into a future position working in state or higher education policy. When not at work or school, she enjoys traveling and reading.
Jiali Li
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Undergraduate Institution: Peking University, 2007
Undergraduate Degree: Environmental Science
Research Interests: Environmental policy
Snapshot: Jiali is interested in environmental policies in developed and developing countries. He focuses on Carbon Market, Kyoto Protocol and CDM.
Brandon Mayfield
Undergraduate Institution: Western Washington University, 2005
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science; Social Studies
Research Interests: Criminal justice, race relations, racial and economic inequality
Snapshot: Brandon is passionate about diversity and the opportunities he has had to educate and be educated by others.
Logan Micheel
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Undergraduate Institution: University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006
Undergraduate Degree: Women's and Gender Studies; Sociology
Research Interests: Human trafficking, violence against women and criminal justice
Snapshot: Logan's volunteer and professional experience has focused on sexual assault and domestic violence, and she hopes to use her Policy Studies degree to address these issues from a different angle.
Meghan Moore
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Undergraduate Institution: Central Washington University, 2007
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Social Science
Research Interests: International policy and international tribunals, local government and program evaluation
Snapshot: Meghan has worked as a paralegal for King County for over a decade, where the generous vacation policy has allowed her to indulge her wanderlust.
Mary Rollins
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Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2007
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Studies/Global Studies with a minor in Human Rights
Research Interests: Global health, women's rights and cultural change through grassroots mechanisms
Snapshot: Mary has been a small business owner and enjoys working with people to problem solve. She received a certificate in Documentary Filmmaking and wishes to affect policy change through film. Her new company is called Good Practice Productions.
Andrea Schrock
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Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2008
Undergraduate Degree: Anthropology with a minor in Women's Studies
Research Interests: Environmental policy, sustainability movements and cross-cultural communication in education
Snapshot: Andrea is currently a Program Analyst at the Environmental Protection Agency where she works in Strategic Planning and evaluating regional priorities.
Dawn Sydney
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Undergraduate Institution: Miami University of Ohio, 1987
Undergraduate Degree: Marketing
Graduate Institution: Washington University Law School, 1991
Graduate Degree: Juris Doctor
Research Interests: Health care as a social justice issue; global practices that oppress women and children; domestic violence and child abuse
Snapshot: Dawn strives to balance her passion for public policy with other endeavors (like overnight running relays) to improve the health and well being of all in the human race.
Joshua Thompson
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Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2004
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science; English with a focus on Creative Writing
Research Interests: Criminal recidivism, early learning and energy policy
Snapshot: Joshua is a musician, author and bowler who believes social change is possible with a healthy mix of empathy, common sense, and good timing.
2007 Cohort
Jessica (Jessie) Crawford
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2002
Undergraduate Degrees: Cell and Molecular Biology; Sociology
Research Interests: International and domestic health policy, social justice, family planning, infectious disease and social determinants of health
Snapshot: Jessie spent more than two years in the Peace Corps in Africa and is interested in working toward improving the health of people there and around the world through policy and program development.
Kristen Houston
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2006
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences with a concentration in Science, Technology and the Environment
Research Interests: Energy policy, climate change, water rights and social justice/environmental health issues
Snapshot: Kristen is currently the Registrar at Mars Hill Graduate School where she has worked for four+ years. She loves the academic life, both personally and professionally. She has been married to her husband Jeff for seven years, and they both enjoy camping, hiking and stargazing.
Kristen Maines
Undergraduate Institution: University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 1995
Undergraduate Degrees: Resource Economics; Political Science
Graduate Institution: North Carolina State University, Economics, 1999
Research Interests: Environmental policy, sustainability and market-based tools for environmental management
Snapshot: Kristen works full-time for HDR, Inc. as an environmental planner writing and managing NEPA/SEPA documents.
Jason McKinney
Undergraduate Institution: Washington State University, 1998
Undergraduate Degree: Sociology
Research Interests: Benefits and disadvantages of wetland mitigation in an urban environment
Snapshot: Jason has spent the past eight years working with environmental policy as it relates to large transportation projects in the Puget Sound region.
Mariah Ortiz
Undergraduate Institution: St. Olaf College, 2002
Undergraduate Degrees: German; Management
Research Interests: International aid and development with a specific focus on social justice in Africa
Snapshot: Mariah has six years of experience in international education (both study abroad and international student services), lived in Germany for two years as a Fulbright scholar, and worked in private brand management and marketing. She is captivated by international work and motivated to make the world a better place.
Kristina Pieters
Undergraduate Institution: Western Washington University, 1996
Undergraduate Degree: Psychology
Research Interests: Food and environmental policy
Snapshot: Kristina is interested in policy and education on healthy choices regarding food, the environment and sustainability. She is also an avid runner and skier.
Rachel Reichert-Schwerin
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2001 and 2003
Undergraduate Degrees: Anthropology; Business
Research Interests: Making higher education accessible to all who wish to attend
Snapshot: Rachel is committed to helping students in her current position working with the loan programs at the UW and is excited to be in the Policy Studies program with so many wonderful and talented individuals.
Maiana (Maia) Curran
Undergraduate Institution: Seattle University 2008
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies
Research Interests: Environmental, Natural Resource Management Policy, Community and Urban Planning, Smart Growth Policy, Environmental Justice, Poverty Issues
Snapshot: Maia is interested in interdisciplinary approaches to community based living that addresses a variety of issues includling regional transportation, healthy food production and renewable power sources. She enjoys biking, yoga, writing, Sounder's games and the occasional Halo 3 match.
Maiana Curran
Undergraduate Institution: Seattle University 2008
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science with a minor in Environmental Studies
Research Interests: Environmental, Natural Resource Management Policy, Community and Urban Planning, Smart Growth Policy, Environmental Justice, Poverty Issues
Snapshot: Maia is interested in interdisciplinary approaches to community based living that addresses a variety of issues includling regional transportation, healthy food production and renewable power sources. She enjoys biking, yoga, writing, Sounder's games and the occasional Halo 3 match.