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.
2012 Cohort
Branden Audet
Undergraduate Institution: Eastern Washington University
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Studies, minors in Communications and Psychology
Research Interests: State, federal and global politics, foreign policy, international relations, counter terrorism and unconventional warfare, human rights, emerging technology and entrepreneurship, and economics
Snapshot: A NW native, Branden has been involved in athletics and played football as a quarterback and free safety post high school. In addition to success on the field, he has been equally as passionate about things off it, such as state politics. Branden brings experience from various entrepreneurial and political endeavors, most recently a state congressional campaign. Branden aims to use his background in the military and athletics to help foster new ways of thinking that are both socially beneficial and ethically fair. His interests include traveling, hiking, rock climbing, surfing, reading, beer tasting and trivia.
Kathy Betteridge
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: major in Society, Ethics and Human Behavior, minor in Human Rights
Research Interests: Broad interest in Human Rights but specifically interested in Housing Policy, especially as it affects persons with disabilities. Kathy is planing to be an advocate for the incorporation of advancing 'Fair Housing' into the private sector and creating more 'Inclusive Communities'.
Snapshot: Kathy is a Washington 'native' who was raised in So. California and finally returned to the beautiful Northwest in 2007. She wanted her two girls to experience life somewhere besides L.A. and be able to gaze at the kind of stars that were in the night sky, not just along Hollywood Blvd.. Some goals of hers are to be able to buy her own kayaks so that she can enjoy that more often (and drag friends along!), and maybe one day have a property with a barn for a horse or two! Work experience has been related to architecture, real estate and escrow - but Kathy is seeking to translate that into creating a world where everyone has the choice to decide where they want to live based on desire, not based on where a builder decides to build a house they can actually use. Her biggest fear is (besides scorpions) having to move to D.C.!!
Jennifer Crownhart
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Studies with a dual concentration in Global Studies and Society, Ethics and Human Behavior
Research Interests: Healthcare Policy with a focus directed on change in policy for seniors being denied access to affordable medical care, medications, and housing with or without nursing assistance. Another area of interest related to Healthcare Policy is the restricted progress of the biotechnology industry in relation to genetic research and therapy for patients with respect to incurable and debilitating neurological diseases.
Snapshot: Believing education is a lifelong process, Jennifer has continued her education over the span of more than a decade earning multiple degrees while working in the healthcare industry as a certified medical assistant and nursing assistant specializing in senior care. Her interests include art history, writing fiction and poetry, music, dance, and outdoor activities of all varieties. She hopes her continued studies will further her involvement in healthcare policy where reform is desperately needed in an ever increasing population of seniors.
Megan Darrow
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell
Undergraduate Degree:Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences with a focus on Science, Technology and the Environment; Certification in Environmental Law and Regulation
Research Interests: Environmental policy, specifically water quality policy. Megan would like to research means of making the implementation of the Clean Water Act more efficient and successful in urban settings. She would also like to research means of educating the public regarding water quality and environmental policy.
Snapshot: Megan grew up on the Kitsap Penninsula (Kingston, WA) and has always loved the outdoors and nature. She has worked for the State Department of Ecology assisting in writing and implementing the Clean Water Act (The National Pollutant Discharge Elimation System Program) and also worked for the city of Kent, assisting in the implementation of their NPDES water quality program mandated by the Phase II Municipal Water Qualty Permit.
Kerry Francis
Undergraduate Institution: Western Washington University
Undergraduate Degree: Anthropology, Political Science
Research Interests: Cultural resource management policies; the 'question' of human rights and its intersection with indigenous groups; international law and jurisprudence
Snapshot: Life-long resident of Washington state; interested in pursuing an advanced degree dealing with areas of research interests.
Eric Hopson
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell
Undergraduate Degree: Environmental Studies; Society, Ethics and Human Behavior, minors in Policy Studies, Human Rights
Research Interests: Environmental policy, environmental justice, fair participation in decision-making processes, environmental psychology, "greenwashing", conservation, reforming the ways in which prevailing discourses limit the power of individuals
Snapshot: After roaming around the country (NY, MA, CA, CO, FL, MN), Eric had a son and finally settled down in the Seattle area where he has been a dedicated stay-at-home father and student. He is excited to be part of a new social circle of like-minded individuals here at UWB with whom he is hoping to: collaborate, hike, trade music, play some pickup basketball, and/or engage in various other adventures. Eventually he hopes to find a meaningful career in either environmental policy or education which will hopefully provide adequate funding for consistent thrift store shopping.
Mandy Knudtson
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell
Undergraduate Degree: Environmental Studies, minor in Policy Studies
Research Interests: Environmental policy focused on hazardous, electronic waste, as well as developing a community-based science program, which increases public awareness of the global impact of toxins on all species and the environment.
Snapshot: Mandy works as an advocate for a local, non-governmental agency, with the mission to promote stronger policies to eliminate the shipment of hazardous, electronic waste trans-borders. Her focus is to represent those without a voice, in poverty stricken communities, as well as to protect the environment from toxic contaminants.
Agazit Ocbazgi
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Seattle
Undergraduate Degree: Sociology and Interdisciplinary Visual Arts
Research Interests: International human rights, and economic development - North East Africa, Middle East
Snapshot: Agazit is currently interning at the African Chamber of Commerce here in Seattle. She is an artist. She worked as a Research Assistant at a Marketing Research firm after she graduated and taught art here in Seattle. She has had her work displayed in a few galleries here in Seattle and has done a mural as well. Agazit attended one year of Bible school as well and there realized her desire to help people in the policy field. She hopes to learn more on human rights and economic development of newer countries in the Middle East and Northern East Africa, particularly her native country, Eritrea, where she visits frequency. Agazit loves getting more hands on experience and understanding as to how to apply the new skills she attains from this program to help on an international scale.
Michael O'Leary
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Seattle
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science, European Studies
Research Interests: International policy, regional integration and development
Snapshot: Michael has been managing in the gaming industry for 10 years. He enjoyed it and acquired a lot of skills, but since returning to school and finishing his undergraduate work he has been looking for opportunities to use his skills for an organization that works towards international integration or development. Now he is excited to join the MAPS program and this cohort to further develop his skills. Outside of work and school, Michael enjoys books, movies, friends and sailing.
Omer Terrason
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Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell
Undergraduate Degree: Culture, Literature, and the Arts, minor in Policy Studies
Research Interests: Public policy, law enforcement, socio-economic and ethnic diversity, human rights and social justice, parks and recreation, culture and the performing arts
Snapshot: Omer is a son, a brother, a husband, a father, and a former medic and a law enforcement officer who reentered the realm of academia in Spring 2011. To his feat, he obtained his Bachelor's degree from University of Washington Bothell in seven terms while earning the honor of being on the Dean's List for every term. Aside from his zeal for public policy, law, and equal rights, Omer is an avid photographer, an enthusiastic mountain biker, and a connoisseur of performing arts.
2011 Cohort
Jonathan Boyette
Undergraduate Institution: Florida State University
Undergraduate Degree: Philosophy, Minor in French
Research Interests: Special Educational, Environmental, and International Policy; The role of social media in promoting societal change; The intersection of human rights/environmental policy.
Snapshot: A Florida native, Jonathan has worked as a teacher for three years, first as an English teacher in Charente-Maritime, France then as a clinician at Families for Effective Autism Treatment of Washington. He is pursuing policy studies as an avenue for transforming idealism into action, and is looking forward to meeting/working with other policy students.
Nate Brown
Undergraduate Institution: Washington State University
Undergraduate Degree: Neuroscience with minor in Psychology
Research Interests: Public Health and Education reform
Snapshot: Nate is interested in researching the intersections of race, class, and gender within the realms of mental health, education, and criminal justice. He enjoys reading, hiking, snowboarding, and time with his partner Kaelyn.
Bob Congleton
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Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington
Undergraduate Degree: Conservation of Wildland Resources
Research Interests: Conservation, Water Policy Issues, Education
Snapshot: Bob is a native Washingtonian from Spokane, WA. He has a love of the outdoors, which stems from living near the Cascades and the Puget Sound. Other interests include music/bass-playing, hiking and Kentucky spirits. He is looking forward to acquiring new skills that will benfit our community.
Shaila Davis
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences: Global Studies with a Minor in Human Rights
Research Interests: Education, Nutrition and / or food
Snapshot: As an AmeriCorps VISTA Shaila works for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County as their Resource Development Associate. Shaila also serves on the board of WAEYC (Washington Association of Education for Young Children), where she hopes to learn how a state organization is advocating for development in early education. She enjoys walking her corgi, Eliza, and hanging out with friends outdoors and reading classic novels.
Megan Dunn
Undergraduate Institution: University of Rochester, New York
Undergraduate Degree: Biology, Geology
Research Interests: Social Justice and Environmental Policy
Snapshot: Megan lives in Everett with her family; she works as a postpartum doula. Once she equated parenting to the evolutionary theory of ‘punctuated equilibrium,’ she knew it was time to head back to school.
Jung Lee
Undergraduate Institution: Ewha Woman's University, Seoul, South Korea
Undergraduate Degree: Special Education
Research Interests: Human Rights in developing countries, Global Poverty, and International Development.
Snapshot: Jung is interested in how neoliberalism affects various policies in the U.S. and developing countries. She is very excited to start her journey in the MAPS program at UW Bothell. She loves to spend her time reading and walking. Other times, you can find her having fun with her two children somewhere in beautiful Redmond.
Jason Malinowski
Undergraduate Institution: New York University
Undergraduate Degree: Economics and Mathematics
Research Interests: Tax policy, education policy, regulatory policy
Snapshot: Jason currently works in the private sector for a financial company. He has always been keenly interested in public policy and is excited to broaden his knowledge about policy analysis in the program.
Alison McNee
Undergraduate Institution: Pepperdine University (BA), San Diego State University (MA)
Undergraduate Degree: International Studies, Minor in Spanish (BA), Latin American Studies (MA)
Research interests: Immigration, social justice, education, equity, human rights
Snapshot: Alison is currently a high school Spanish teacher and has been involved in academic research and teaching at the university level since college. She is interested in complementing theoretical knowledge with practical policy know-how to create change.
Michael Ng
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Global Studies
Research interests: Global economic development, Local Government/Planning, Non-governmental organization, Cultural diversity.
Snapshot: Michael had a lot of questions about global issues after he finished secondary school in Hong Kong and England. He is looking forward to seeking answers with his new classmates very soon.
Andrew Nguyen
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Community Psychology
Research Interests: Subsidized housing programs, higher education governance and finance, technology transfer, and energy
Snapshot: Andrew served as an orientation coordinator and resident assistant for UW Bothell’s student life program. He has participated in undergraduate research projects in order to gain experience in quantitative data analysis, interviewing, participant observation, and literature review. Andrew hopes to produce useable data and methodologies through a significant research project that will open doors to job opportunities or preparation for PhD candidacy.
Emily Olson
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Tacoma
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts and Studies: Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. Minor: Environmental Studies.
Research Interests: Women's rights, environmental policy, civil rights, state government
Snapshot: Emily's background in the Washington State Legislature, campaign work, and a nonprofit company has molded her interest in environmental and women's advocacy policy. She enjoys travel, research, and the Discovery Channel.
Rachel Phillips
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell
Undergraduate Degree: Environmental Studies, focus in Conservation, Biology, and Sustainability
Research Interests: Conversation of biodiversity in urban development policies, ecological awareness on private, city and state urban development.
Snapshot: Rachel is a passionate environmentalist and conservationist who is ecstatic about using her time at UWB in the MAPS program to further her goals in conservation of biodiversity in the urban development world. Her focus will be on Native Growth Protection Areas in developments, and what those areas are actually doing ecologically. She loves to read, write, hike, and generally be outside.
Meghan Wright
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Studies: Global Studies
Research Interests: International Aid & Development, Human Rights, Civil Liberties, and Environmental Sustainability.
Snapshot: Meghan currently works in Accounting for a Commercial Development Company in Bellevue. She plans to use the MAPS program to build on the education gained in her undergrad studies with hopes to transition her career to work for a non-profit organization with an international outreach program. In her free time she enjoys running, and being with her family and friends.