Our Members
Of course, if you really want to get to know us, become a member!
Name: Mohamad Akef
Year: 2014
Major: Economics
Issue of Interest: Middle East Politics
Favorite thing about P&P: Getting to talk about world affairs in an intellectual setting
Fun Fact: I share my father's birthday, which happens to also be January 1st.
Name: Matt Baron
Year: 2014
Major: Communication Studies and International Studies
Issue of Interest: Geopolitical Issues and the War on Terror (or whatever we're calling it these days)
Favorite Thing about Politics and Policy: Being consistently impressed with writers who can explain complex issues in simple and engaging ways
Fun Fact: I was a baby model. My eyes were on a billboard.
Name: Liam Conway-Pearson
Year: Sophmore
Major Biology
Issue of Interest: Healthcare and the Western World
Favorite thing about Politics and Policy: Weekly meeting discussions!
Fun Fact: I've never had a TV in my house!
Name: Tom Cui
Year Junior
Major: Mathematics/Economics
ISSUE of Interest: International commerce, Asian happenings
Favorite things about Politics and Policy: Not beholden to the news cycle
Fun Fact: Can't ride a bike (shaming my Chinese heritage)
Name: Donald Gross
Year: Senior
Major: Social Policy
Issue of Interest: Congressional Shenanigans
Favorite thing about Politics and Policy: Discussions you can't find elsewhere on campus.
Fun Fact: Couldn’t speak proper English until I was 8 (English is my first language)
Name: Sam Houskeeper
Year: Junior
Major: Economics and History
Issue of Interest: Foreign Affairs
Favorite thing about Politics and Policy: I love the collaboration on stories.
Fun Fact: Nominated most likely to become president.
Name: Monika Hur
Year: 2015
Major: Political Science & Psychology
Issue of Interest: ethnic politics in southeast asia
Favorite thing about Politics and Policy: talking about current events casually with people who actually love this stuff!
Fun Fact: I lose my sense of taste when I use mouthwash
Name: Sam Ide
Year: Senior
Major: Political Science & Asian Studies
Issue of Interest: China and Central Asia, Gun Control, Civil Liberties
Favorite thing about P&P: The high level of conversation and camaraderie at meetings
Fun Fact: I play the ukulele!
Name: Aaron Levine
Year: Senior
Major: History and Political Science
Issue of Interest: European and American politics
Favorite thing about Politics and Policy: learning about obscure, yet fascinating news stories
Fun Fact: I was on the cover of the New York Times!
Name: Benjamin Mandel
Year: Junior
Major: Sociology Major, Environmental Policy and Culture Minor
Issue of interest: Climate change and creating a globally sustainable future
Favorite thing about Politics and Policy: The variety of opinions and ideas that one might find at any given meeting.
Fun Fact: I love hiking and I've climbed mountains on four separate continents.
Name: Janesh Rahlan
Year: Senior
Major: Economics
Name: Alexi Stocker
Year: Sophomore
Major: History, Economics
Issue of Interest: U.S. and U.K. Politics
Favorite thing about Politics and Policy: Cool people and free coffee
Fun Fact: I have never once stayed up past midnight while at Northwestern.
Name: Daniel Thiel
Year: 2016
Major: Undecided
Issue of Interest: Sino-American Relations
Favorite thing about Politics and Policy: Being able to informally discuss any current event stories that we find interesting, and then determining which ones are relevant and why.
Fun Fact: My greatest fear is thick construction paper.
Name: Valerie Zuckerman
Year: Senior
Major: Political Science
Issue of Interest: Women’s Rights
Favorite thing about Politics and Policy: Learning something new every meeting!
Fun Fact: I can touch my tongue to my nose.