As part of our effort to launch our top student leaders into careers that further our mission, AHS is proud to announce and congratulate the 2023 cohort of Hamilton National Fellows. Emerging from a competitive applicant pool, these twenty student leaders each secured internships in Washington, DC for Capitol Hill offices, the federal government, think tanks, and the private sector. As a part of this program, fellows will have the chance to participate in: 1) six seminars on American Grand Strategy; and 2) a staff ride to the historic battlefield of Gettysburg; and 3) attend briefings with distinguished practitioners on career opportunities in foreign policy and national security.
Through AHS’ financial assistance and coordinated in person programming, our fellows will be able to take full advantage of their summer. We’re eager to welcome them, hoping further that this fellowship encourages all AHS students to pursue their professional passions in foreign policy, national security, and economic statecraft.
2023 Hamilton National Fellows
RALEIGH ADAMS, CLEMSON UNIVERSITY ’24
Hudson Institute
Raleigh is a rising senior at the Clemson University Honors College studying political science and philosophy, with concentrations in political theory and religious philosophy. She became interested in political philosophy by joining the Lyceum Program, Clemson’s great books program, and centers her studies around the questions of how man may propel himself to reach the good, beautiful, and noble. This summer, Raleigh will be returning to the Hudson Institute. Having completed their political studies fellowship last summer, she will now be joining the Initiative on the Future of India and South Asia as a research assistant to Dr. Aparna Pande. She is deeply compelled by AHS’s dedication to cultivating America’s moral authority and pride at home and abroad. After graduation, Raleigh hopes to gain experience in the field of research, particularly in regard to American public life and the pursuit of liberal society, and eventually to pursue graduate work in political theory to continue the great books tradition.
MCKENZIE ARATA, BAYLOR UNIVERSITY ’24
U.S. Senate Committee on the Budget
McKenzie is a rising senior at Baylor University studying political science, Spanish, and corporate communication on the pre-law track. Growing up in a law enforcement family, McKenzie had always been interested in learning about careers in government agencies and law. After taking her first Spanish course, she fell in love with the language and its use as an agent for unification. As McKenzie progressed through school, she began to realize that her aptitudes and interests combined to make her studies the best choice for her. This summer McKenzie will be interning with the Senate Budget Committee’s Oversight and Investigations Unit. While there, she will be helping to research and draft letters to agencies when concerns arise within the committee’s jurisdiction. As a Hamilton National Fellowship recipient, McKenzie hopes to gain knowledge and skills that will help propel her career in foreign policy, law, or national security. She is excited to engage in thought-provoking discourse, learn from distinguished scholars, and build connections with other students who share her interests. Over the next five years, McKenzie’s goal is to attend law school and use her JD to pursue a career in foreign policy.
TED BOSSONG, WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY ’24
U.S. Department of Defense
Ted is a rising senior at Wake Forest University, where his long-time passion for and interest in modern world history led him to a major in politics and international affairs and minors in global trade and commerce. Having been a part of the Wake Forest chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society for all of his college career, he has developed a special interest in great power politics and America’s role in the world. Ted just completed a semester studying international economics and geopolitics at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. He is excited to share a transatlantic perspective on European and Indo-Pacific economic and security issues and a refined appreciation of America’s global preeminence. Through the Hamilton National Fellowship, Ted is eager to connect with like-minded peers and learn from world-renowned international relations experts and officials. Public service is at the heart of Ted’s interest in international relations, and Ted plans to join the United States Army after interning at the Office of Legislative Affairs in the Department of Defense this summer and completing his studies next May.
ELLA BRAUNFELD, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY ’25
SERCO
Ella is a rising junior at Georgetown University, where she is pursuing a degree in science and international affairs with a concentration in computer science, technology, and national security. She is also minoring in Spanish and obtaining a certificate in diplomatic studies. This summer, she will be interning with a global defense contracting company, SERCO, to deliver a broad range of cyber capabilities to DoD and non-DoD government agencies to help protect and support America’s cyberspace. This internship will help her understand America’s cyber technology and defense on a more technical level. Through the Hamilton National Fellowship, Ella hopes to gain a deeper understanding of America’s history of foreign policy and how to use that knowledge to address national security concerns regarding data privacy and cybersecurity today. Over the next five years, Ella aims to work in public service, contributing to U.S. efforts in making data governance policies that bolster national security and protect American democratic values.
LUKE D’AMBROSIO, BAYLOR UNIVERSITY ’25
Office of Senator James Lankford
Luke is a rising junior at Baylor University who is currently pursuing a major in political science with a minor in entrepreneurship. He developed his love for history, politics, and servant leadership at a young age. This summer, he will be interning on Capitol Hill with U.S. Senator James Lankford. There, he will help with research, office facilitation, and Capitol tours. Luke hopes to gain a greater appreciation for the scholarship that AHS provides. He has been blessed to be involved in this group of high-caliber individuals on campus, and he hopes to further the society’s work this summer. Over the next five years, he will continue to work and learn about this large field of political science. He will take advantage of opportunities that come his way and see what doors open down the line.
LAUREN DELWICHE, YALE UNIVERSITY ’26
U.S. Federal Government
Lauren is a rising sophomore at Yale University. As an electrical engineering major, she is fascinated by the intersection of technology and national security. After spending a good deal of time on the technical side of computer systems, her role as an officer in the Yale chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society has allowed her to explore the world of global affairs and technology policy. Lauren also conducts research on China's technological influence in the Indo-Pacific and contributes to studies on global Internet standards development, with a particular focus on developing an Internet ecosystem that reflects the ideals of open, safe, secure, and reliable communication. This summer, she will be working on cybersecurity within the federal government. The Hamilton National Fellowship will be an excellent opportunity for her to engage with practitioners of American grand strategy. Lauren aspires to grow into a career role connecting these global thinkers with their counterparts in technology in order to better implement grand strategy in this digital age.
ANDREW DEWEESE, YALE UNIVERSITY ’24
Telemus Group
Andrew is a rising senior at Yale University from Charlotte, NC. He is pursuing two degrees in classics and history, along with a certificate of advanced study in Chinese. Andrew’s academic interests span from fifth-century B.C. Athens to twenty-first century China, and he is broadly interested in the grand strategy of both civilizations. At Yale, Andrew is a research assistant at the Yale Law School’s Paul Tsai China Center, President Emeritus of the Alexander Hamilton Society chapter, and a student in the Brady-Johnson Program in Grand Strategy. This summer, he plans to intern at the Virginia-based Telemus Group, where he will research defense strategies in the Indo-Pacific and assist with developing wargaming reports for the Department of Defense. In August, he will spend three weeks traveling throughout India to assess the country’s role in America’s Indo-Pacific grand strategy and competition with China. After graduation, Andrew hopes to pursue further education in Beijing, attend law school, and eventually work in the national security legal sphere in Washington.
KATE FARMER, WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS ’25
American Enterprise Institute
Kate is a rising junior at Washington University in St. Louis, double-majoring in philosophy and great books with a minor in data science. Her academic interests center around early-modern political thought and its influence on governments and policymaking. Previously, she served as a writer and policy researcher for the Virginia General Assembly and a Healthcare Policy Fellow for the Cicero Institute. Today, she is a contributing writer for Young Voices, a nonprofit PR agency for budding policy writers under 35. Her work has appeared in various state and national publications, including RealClearScience, The Washington Examiner, and The Federalist. This summer, she will intern at the American Enterprise Institute under President Robert Doar, providing policy research and writing support for his work on poverty studies and welfare reform. In the next five years, she hopes to stay in the policy field and pursue a career in global health, while also continuing her writing.
ELI GLICKMAN, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY ’25
Office of Senator Tom Cotton
Eli is a rising junior at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is pursuing a double major in political science and economics. Eli is currently an intern in the office of United States Senator Tom Cotton. Later in the summer, Eli will study war and military operations at the Hertog War Studies Program. He has previously worked as an intern at the American Enterprise Institute’s Coalition Defense of Taiwan Project. Eli is interested in strategic competition between the United States and China, missile defense, emerging technologies in warfare, strategic deterrence, and naval warfare. He is eager to learn about how global power dynamics and domestic politics shape American grand strategy through the Hamilton National Fellowship this summer. After graduating from Berkeley, Eli hopes to work in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy
JOSHUA HYPES, HILLSDALE COLLEGE ’24
U.S. Federal Government
Joshua is a rising senior at Hillsdale College studying politics and journalism. His interest in public policy and international affairs began as a freshman when he attended his first Alexander Hamilton Society event on the great power competition between the United States and China. This event sparked a fascination with the rising tensions and interconnectivity in U.S.-China relations and inspired him to delve deeper into the topic. His goal is to utilize his analytical and communication skills to provide policymakers with reliable, accurate information to aid them in making informed decisions for the country. He is thrilled to have the opportunity to intern with the Federal Government this summer as a public policy analyst, where he will assess geopolitical risk. He is grateful to AHS for this opportunity, particularly the chance to study American grand strategy under the guidance of Dr. Kenneth Pollack. He is also excited to explore the historic battlefield of Gettysburg with the other fellows and cultivate lifelong friendships.
CONNOR JOHNSON, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY ’25
Office of Senator Tom Cotton
Connor is a rising junior at Vanderbilt University studying political science with minors in Arabic, data science, and business. He serves as the outreach and community engagement chair for the Vanderbilt Service Council which connects student organizations with community partners throughout Nashville and promotes students’ service learning. Additionally, he is the vice president of the Vanderbilt Sailing Club and an officer for Vanderbilt’s Alexander Hamilton Society chapter. This summer Connor will be interning with his senator, Tom Cotton, and is extremely excited to support his work, especially as they pertain to U.S. national security interests. Upon graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in government working to aid in counterterrorism efforts.
JACKSON LENNON, POMONA COLLEGE ’24
Office of Congresswoman Young Kim
Jackson is a rising senior at Pomona College majoring in philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) and minoring in Russian and East European studies (REES). Jackson’s interest in PPE stemmed from his desire to gain a multidisciplinary and broad college education, which Pomona College’s PPE major offers. Jackson’s interest in REES is a recent development, which started when he decided to learn Russian as a third language in college. Over time, Pomona College’s REES coursework gradually increased Jackson’s interest in REES affairs, specifically Sino-Russian affairs. Jackson will be interning at the Office of Representative Young Kim to aid staff members and the Congresswoman on memos, meetings, and briefings. Jackson hopes to better understand current and emerging foreign policy perspectives through the Hamilton National Fellowship. After graduating, Jackson is interested in pursuing a career as a Foreign Service officer with the State Department or working on foreign policy-related issues in the federal government.
AIMEE MORRISSEY, UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME ’24
The Boeing Company
Aimee is a rising senior at the University of Notre Dame, where she is pursuing a double major in political science and classics with minors in economics and constitutional studies. Her interests in political science and classical studies began in high school, and she is fascinated by the relationship between classical thought and modern political principles. This summer, Aimee will intern for the federal affairs team at Boeing, where she will analyze the impacts of congressional and federal agency activity on the aerospace and defense industry. She is excited to learn about the development of the American grand strategy through the HNF fellowship. After graduation, Aimee hopes to attend law school and pursue a career in international law.
ZACARIAS NEGRON, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY ’25
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security
Zacarias is a rising junior and a Chancellor’s Scholar at Vanderbilt University, where he is majoring in political science, law, history, and society, alongside minors in Russian studies and Islamic studies. He studies American grand strategy with regional emphases on Russia, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. An aspiring foreign policy practitioner, he is building expertise where the Eurasian world meets the Islamic world, from the Black Sea to Xinjiang. Zacarias is an intern at the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security, where he staffs the Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Subcommittee and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee. Most recently, he served as an intern with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement at the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He has held research assistant positions for faculty across Vanderbilt University, and serves on the Vanderbilt Debate Team, competing globally. He hopes to pursue a master’s in diplomatic arts and enter the U.S. State Department in the coming years.
Riley Owen, Princeton University ’23
U.S. Department of Defense
Raised in Los Angeles, Riley is a recent graduate of the Princeton School of Public & International Affairs where he also led the men’s rugby program. He has served in the White House and worked in the critical minerals, private equity, and shipbuilding industries. Through years of study and international experiences – including two years of volunteer service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints in Denmark – Riley has developed expertise in Arctic affairs and transatlantic security. His research has explored Nordic NATO enlargement, Arctic security, and Greenlandic domestic politics. This summer, he will be supporting the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy with the Europe and NATO team. While there, he will help coordinate engagement between DoD and European officials in addition to supporting country portfolios. As a Hamilton National Fellow, Riley looks forward to better understanding the Hamiltonian vision together with other Fellows. Following his time in the Pentagon, he will begin a master’s in public policy at the University of Oxford as an Eisenhower Global Scholar.
LUKE SPANGLER, HILLSDALE COLLEGE ’24
International Trade Administration
Luke is a rising senior at Hillsdale College. As an economics and French student, he has been drawn towards international commerce and its importance to international relations. Luke’s involvement in AHS has provided him with the opportunity to delve deeper into these topics. This summer, he will be interning with the International Trade Administration, where he will conduct research and work on special projects to support American trade worldwide. Luke is excited about the opportunity to gain practical experience and witness firsthand the crucial role of trade in American international strategy. In his time with AHS, the events and discussions within the organization have allowed him to grow both intellectually and professionally. Thus, Luke is looking forward to learning from and getting to know the other fellows as they study grand strategy together. After completing his undergraduate degree, Luke plans to pursue a graduate degree. His goal is to work on international trade policy, focusing on issues that grow American commerce.
GERSHON STEIN, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY ’24
U.S. Department of State
Gershon is a rising senior at Georgetown University, where he studies Regional and Comparative Studies with a focus on the Middle East and Western Europe. Within these regions, he specializes in fractures in civil society and democratic backsliding. Gershon’s interest in this topic was sparked by early memories of going to the ballot box with his parents, as well as a concern for the international community. To further his grasp on this subject, he studied abroad in Israel during the spring of 2023. This experience has been foundational in his understanding of divided societies. This summer, Gershon will intern in the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism at the U.S. State Department. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career in public service.
JAMES SWEET III, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY ’25
Metrea
James is a rising junior at American University studying business administration, specializing in international business. He is particularly interested in corporate roles and responsibilities during periods of great power competition. Moreover, James seeks to better understand American geo-economic policy toward the Middle East. Next school year, James will be studying abroad at the London School of Economics. During the Hamilton National Fellowship, James hopes to bridge the gap between strategy and theory he will learn in the seminar with his analytical experiences from Metrea. In doing so, James believes that he can develop a more robust understanding of how corporations can contribute to U.S. grand strategy and serve national interests. After graduating from American University, James hopes to work in the private sector and help improve the state of the defense industrial base. James wants to eventually attend graduate school and study the intersection of business and security in the Middle East.
PIETER VAN WINGERDEN, CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE ’24
U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Pieter is a rising senior at Claremont McKenna College studying government and Asian studies and is a 2023 Truman Scholar. As an American who grew up abroad, he has experienced firsthand the important role our nation’s foreign policy plays in protecting and promoting international peace and security. His time in Hong Kong during the 2014 and 2019 pro-democracy protests sparked his desire to enter public service. Before interning with the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, he interned with the Project 2049 Institute and the U.S. Department of Defense. He is also a left-handed pitcher for the Claremont-Mudd Scripps baseball team and a research assistant at the Rose Institute for State and Local Government. This summer, he will intern for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and looks forward to discussing with his AHS counterparts the salient issues that vex our nation.
ALEKSANDAR VITANOV, BARD COLLEGE ’25
Hudson Institute
Aleksandar is a rising junior at Bard College pursuing a double degree in political studies and music performance. He is originally from North Macedonia, where he lived for 17 years before moving to the United States to further his education. Growing up in the Balkans exposed him to the profound impacts of foreign policy on people’s lives, which inspired him to study foreign affairs at Bard. This summer, Aleksandar will be working at the Hudson Institute’s Europe and Eurasia Center as a research intern. As an intern, he will be gathering and analyzing data for reports and providing support with research projects and presentations, articles, op-eds, reports, and briefing papers. The Hamilton National Fellowship will give him the opportunity to deepen his understanding of U.S. foreign policy and exchange ideas with other students. Upon graduation from Bard, Aleksandar aspires to work in the field of U.S. foreign affairs.