Past Committee Members

Many of our past Advisory Committee members are now in Washington continuing to serve and advise the program as speakers, mentors, and employers for our incoming Baylor in Washington Semester Program participants. 

Elayne Allen Elayne is a senior University Scholar concentrating in Political Philosophy and Great Texts. She will graduate in May 2017. She has completed three internships in Washington, DC including one with Congressman Ted Poe (TX-2), the House Committee on Ways and Means, and the Heritage Foundation. She has also completed Values and Capitalism Summer Honors Program with the American Enterprise Institute. She is a member of Baylor Civitas, Baylor Ambassadors, and the Ampersand Society. Elayne hopes to go to graduate school in Political Philosophy.

Kaitlyn Anderson Kaitlyn graduated magna cum laude from Baylor University in December 2019. At Baylor, Kaitlyn organized campus activism initiatives in support of international religious freedom, resulting in over 1,400 contacts to elected officials. Kaitlyn served in Baylor Ambassadors as an advocate for the student body in Austin and D.C. She was also served as the campus liaison for the American Israel Campus Affairs Committee and traveled to Israel with Passages to learn more about the Middle East. She was an active member of College Republicans, Young Americans for Freedom, Baylor in Washington Student Advisory Committee, and Kappa Alpha Theta. Kaitlyn co-led a small group bible study through her church. Kaitlyn has worked for the Texas Senate, collective impact organization Prosper Waco, research and advocacy nonprofit Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, Australia’s 99.9 LIVE FM, religious freedom NGO 21Wilberforce, and Highland Baptist Church. In 2016, she took a gap year and worked as a missionary with Youth With A Mission in Australia and Papua New Guinea. Kaitlyn worked with incarcerated youth in Australia and lived aboard a medical mission ship in Papua New Guinea and enjoys doing pro bono public relations and marketing work for local nonprofits who could not otherwise afford to hire a firm or consultant. Kaitlyn plans to earn her master’s degree in public policy.

Paris Bennett Paris Bennett is a senior originally from Phoenix, AZ. Paris will graduate from Baylor University in December 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science, minoring in business administration. During Fall 2019, she will be interned at the White House as part of the Washington Semester Program. Her past experience includes serving as a tour guide on Baylor’s campus, and working as a customer service representative at Carpet Tech Services. She is a part of the Baylor’s Honor College with the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. Paris is also a part of a national sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she has held various leadership roles. She is a member of Pre-Law Society on campus and is an avid volunteer at a local Waco elementary school where she mentors second graders. After graduation, Paris plans to attend law school in order to pursue a career as a corporate lawyer.

Rebecca Blessing Rebecca Blessing is a senior majoring in International Studies and Spanish. She attended the Baylor in Washington program during the Fall of 2020 and interned at the Religious Freedom Institute. Aside from her studies, Rebecca enjoys teaching English at the Washington English Center and volunteering at the local children's advocacy center.

Tim Campbell Tim is a senior University Scholar with concentrations in Political Science and Philosophy and is also a member of the Honors Program. He spent the spring 2016 semester in Washington, D.C., where he studied politics at American University as part of the Washington Semester Program and interned at the United States Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. At Baylor, Tim serves as secretary for The Pulse and is a member of the Ampersand Society. Upon graduating in May, Tim plans to attend a graduate program in Political Science.

Katie Chilton Katie Chilton is a Senior University Scholars major from Houston, Texas studying Great Texts, Philosophy, Nonprofit Marketing, and Political Science. Katie spent the Spring of 2019 participating in the Baylor in Washington program, during which time she completed an internship in the office of Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and participated in the Trinity Forum hosted by AEI and Pepperdine University. Upon her completion of the Baylor in Washington program, Katie participated in the AEI Summer Honors program session entitled, “The University: Activist or Disinterested?” to engage with peers on issues of free speech, the nature of liberal education, and civil discourse. On campus, Katie is an active member of the Panhellenic community, Baylor Student Foundations, and the Baylor Honors College.

Rachel Cummins A University Scholars major in the Honors Program from Washington, D.C., Rachel studies Public Health, Religion, and Marginalized Children and Family Studies. She has lived in the D.C. area for over 18 years where she has completed various medical, legal, and community development internships. She is currently completing her undergraduate thesis entitled, “Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in the Primary Care Setting” and is involved in research focused on Baylor’s Social and Economic Impact in Waco and the creation of a GeoMap of Human Flourishing and Poverty in Guatemala. She will graduate in May 2020 and plans to pursue graduate school after working for a few years.

Amye Dickerson Amye is currently a junior at Baylor University, pursuing majors in Economics and Finance along with minors in Political Science and History as a part of the Baylor Business Fellows Program. She is expected to graduate in May of 2018. This past summer she spent her time as a Mayborn Scholar interning for the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. where she worked closely with the Chief Compliance Officer in conducting internal audits and reviewing financial statements to abide by federal regulations. On campus, she serves as the Student Body External Vice President where she engages the Baylor student body with efforts in Waco, Austin, and D.C. Amye is also a member of the American Enterprise Institute’s Executive Council as well as her sorority, Delta Delta Delta. After graduation, she hopes to pursue management consulting in D.C. and eventually earn her MBA.

Annika Erickson Annika Erickson is a senior from Phoenix, Arizona majoring in Political Science with a minor in French. She participated in the Baylor in Washington semester program during the Fall 2019 semester and interned with Faith & Law and The Trinity Forum. At Baylor, Annika is a member of Baylor Ambassadors, Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society, the Delta Delta Delta sorority, and the Baylor Religious Hour Choir. After graduation, she hopes to move to Washington, D.C. to pursue a career in legislative affairs or international relations.

Sophia Fulton Sophia Fulton is a senior Business Fellow majoring in Arabic & Middle East Studies, Economics, and Finance. As a member of the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program, she worked in D.C. for the Department of State’s Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs and will work abroad with the Department of State during the summer of 2020. In D.C., she also worked with the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations for their summer Model Arab League conference. At Baylor, she is on the leadership teams for Model United Nations, Model Arab League, and the Alexander Hamilton Society.

Megan Galvin Megan is a sophomore double majoring in Political Science and Communications on a Rhetoric and Public Discourse track. She is in the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core, the Honors Program, and is Pre-Law. Here at Baylor, Megan is involved in Student Senate, International Justice Mission, Pre-Law Society, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. Last summer, Megan interned for Congressman Blaine Leutkemeyer in Washington, D.C. where she addressed concerns of constituents through daily phone correspondence, drafted correspondence to constituents on behalf of the Congressman, attended hearings and briefings, wrote memos for Congressional staffers, conducted legislative research and gave tours of the Capitol. Post-Baylor, Megan hopes to attend law school and possibly return to D.C.

Darby Good  Darby is a senior journalism new media major with a minor in business administration. She participated in the program for the Fall 2019 semester and interned at the White House in the Office of White House Communications and White House Press Office. At Baylor, Darby is the news editor of the Baylor Lariat and Editor-in-Chief of Buttoned Bears. She is also the Service Chair for her service fraternity.

Andrew Hall Andrew Hall is a senior Business Fellow from San Antonio, TX, studying Finance, Political Science, and Math. He participated in the Baylor in Washington program during the spring 2019 semester. During the program, he interned at the Securities & Exchange Commission’s Division of Enforcement. In the summer of 2019, he interned at Archegos Capital, a family investment office in New York City that invests in public equities, and attended a class titled “Faith & Finance” as part of the Meraki Honors Program at the King’s College in NYC. In the fall of 2019, Andrew participated in AEI’s Weekend Honors Program in Austin, TX, a program designed to bring together Christian students and speakers to discuss how entrepreneurship impacts human flourishing. He is undecided on what he will pursue after graduation, but he has career interests in finance, investing, entrepreneurship, and politics. He enjoys spending time with family, friends, and dogs, watching the San Antonio Spurs, and practicing the piano.

Catherine Haseman Catherine is a University Scholar concentrating in Arabic and Middle East Studies along with Poverty and Social Justice Studies. She will graduate in May of 2019. At Baylor, she serves as a student assistant in the International Studies Office and as a student delegate in Model United Nations. Catherine spent Fall 2015 in D.C. working with the leaders of the National Prayer Breakfast and National Student Leadership Forum. Catherine also spent Summer 2016 in D.C. interning at International Justice Mission. Catherine has a particular interest in languages, social policy, and peace and conflict studies. She would love to see her future schooling and career intersect these interests.

Benjamin Hunt Ben is a senior University Scholar in the Honors College concentrating in History and Political Science. He serves as the Head Delegate for Model United Nations. He is also proud member and small group leader at Highland Baptist Church. In Washington, D.C., Ben interned on Capitol Hill for U.S. Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, working on defense, foreign policy, and judiciary issues. He has also interned with former EPA Administrator and former Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt. Upon graduation, Ben will be attending law school and hopes to become a Federal Judge.

Paul Kiekhaefer Paul is a senior Business Fellow studying economics and accounting from Jefferson City, Missouri. Growing up around a state capital, Paul gained an early interest in politics and government and as a senior in high school volunteered for a Missouri gubernatorial campaign. During his Baylor career, Paul has spent a summer interning on Capitol Hill with Congressman Kevin Brady of The Woodlands, TX and has been involved with the National Prayer Breakfast and the National Student Leadership Forum. At Baylor, Paul has served the student body as a senator for Student Government and is currently the Director for Extra University Relations in the cabinet of the External Vice President. Paul also represents Baylor as a Visit Experience Representative and advocates on behalf of Baylor with Baylor Ambassadors. After graduating in August of 2017, Paul plans to join PriceWaterhouseCoopers' Advisory practice in the DC area and has future hopes of going to law school.

Zara Kintz Zara Kintz is a senior University Scholar concentrating in political science and religion. She will graduate in May of 2020. While participating in the Baylor in Washington semester program in the fall of 2018, Zara interned in the Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice at the Supreme Court of the United States. She also participated in the 2019 First Liberty Fellowship Program in Washington. At Baylor, Zara is involved in Baylor Ambassadors and Ampersand Society. She also serves as a youth group and small group leader at her home church in Waco. After graduation, Zara intends to take a gap year before attending law school and pursuing a career in constitutional law.

David Marchese David Marchese is an alumnus of Baylor University’s class of 2019. While at Baylor, he was conferred with a Bachelor of Arts in history and a minor in political science. David graduated with magna cum laude Latin honors and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He spent the fall of 2018 as an inaugural member of the Baylor in Washington Program, during which he completed an internship in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Upon his return to Baylor, David completed his senior honors thesis over the Voting Rights Act and the Supreme Court case, Shelby County v. Holder. On campus, David was an active member of Urban Missions, Mortar Board, and International Justice Mission. He hopes to attend law school in the near future.

Giana Pirolli Giana Pirolli is a senior from Lebanon, Connecticut majoring in political science with a pre-law concentration and minoring in English. Giana was a member of the Baylor in Washington Fall 2019 cohort, where she interned at the US Department of State in the Office of the Chief of Protocol. Most recently, Giana has interned at the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia during the summer of 2020. On campus, Giana holds various leadership positions, including Secretary and Treasurer of Panhellenic Executive Board, Public Relations Chair of Pre-Law Society, student mentor in Baylor Buddies, and is involved in her sorority, Tri Delta. After graduating in May of 2021, Giana plans to return to DC where she hopes to pursue a career in international relations and law. During her free time, Giana enjoys watching sports, learning new languages, and traveling.

James Porter James is a senior University Scholar in Baylor University's Honors College concentrating in Political Science, Philosophy, Chinese, and Economics. James is the Chair for the American Enterprise Institute's Executive Council at Baylor. Additionally, he is the Senior Baugh Fellow for the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise and the co-founder of the fellowship program within the Business School. James has played an active role in Student Government and Baylor Ambassadors, holding multiple chair positions, as well as running for Student Body President his sophomore year. James has worked in the public sector as a congressional intern in D.C. for Congressman Sam Johnson during the summer before his sophomore year, and in the private sector at the American Enterprise Institute for the past two years and the Federalist Society during the summer before his senior year. James will be graduating in May 2017 and hopes to spend the following few years either in graduate school for Political Economics overseas, or working at either a think tank or as a staffer in Congress.

Kailey Shanks Kailey Shanks is a senior from Houston, Texas majoring in public relations with a minor in business administration. She participated in the Baylor in Washington semester program during the Fall 2020 semester and interned with the American Public Health Association. While at Baylor, Kailey has contributed to The Bundle Magazine and interned at Four Columns Marketing in the communications department. She is also a member of Alpha Chi Omega and the Public Relations Student Society of America. She is currently interning at the Council on Foreign Relations in the global health department. After graduation, Kailey is pursuing her master’s degree in health policy at Johns Hopkins and hopes to ultimately work in the Washington, D.C. Area.

Collin Slowey Collin Slowey is a senior University Scholar studying political science and film. He attended the Baylor in Washington semester program in Spring 2019. While in D.C., Collin interned at the Center for Public Justice, which he continues to work with on an independent basis. In Summer 2020, he attended the Summer Associates program with the American Enterprise Institute.

Haley Stiles Haley Stiles is a senior Political Science major from Temecula, CA and Austin, TX. She was a member of the Fall 2019 Baylor in Washington Semester Program where she interned in the U.S. Senate. Haley has also participated in Washington, D.C. programs with the Loeb Institute for Religious Freedom and Hertog Foundation. On campus she works as a research and teaching assistant, and recruits potential Baylor students as the Student Ambassador to the Political Science Department. Upon graduation, Haley hopes to enter a Ph.D. program studying American political institutions.

Katherine Terminella Katherine is an Honors College junior from Waxahachie, TX, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Corporate Communications. In the past year, Katherine has interned in Washington D.C. at the Susan B. Anthony List and the American Enterprise Institute. At Baylor, Katherine is involved in Habitat for Humanity, Baylor Pre-Law Society, and is the Student Assistant for the Baylor in Washington program.

Margaret Thonnard Margaret (Cypress, TX) is a senior University Scholar major concentrating in political science and Great Texts. As a member of Baylor in Washington’s inaugural cohort, Margaret interned at the U.S. Senate and participated in American Enterprise Institute's "Values & Capitalism" program. This past summer, she served as an investigative intern for the Office of the Public Defender in Charleston, West Virginia through the Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty. Her academic and service experiences have also taken place in Italy, Ukraine, Guatemala, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. Margaret has served as Deputy Chief Justice in Baylor University’s Student Government and plans to attend law school after graduation.

Grant Wilkie Grant is a member of Baylor University’s Class of 2019, currently studying Political Science and History on a Pre-Law track within the Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. From his involvement in Student Government, Kappa Omega Tau, Baylor Ambassadors, and Moot Court, he has discovered a dualistic love for higher education and public service. In Washington D.C., Grant has attended the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative Emerging Leaders Conference, the National Student Leadership Forum (a conference on servant leadership), and has advocated on behalf of Baylor University for affordable education, Title IX concerns, and religious liberty. After graduation, Grant plans on attending graduate school to study Higher Education to eventually serve within Student Life in a university setting.