Meet the interns
The Dukakis Center has played host to a lively group of interns thus far during the 2023-24 academic year. They have been active in two capacities, doing research for an ongoing project on extant housing built for refugees from Asia Minor in the greater Thessaloniki area, and carrying out various tasks during the Fifth Thessaloniki Civil Society Forum on March 4-8. Certain interns will be tasked with helping to organize a workshop on democracy and elections later this spring.
The Center has also welcomed three study abroad students from American University, who have worked on special projects during there stay in Thessaloniki, and a group of study abroad volunteers, whose presence was instrumental to the success of the Civil Society Forum.
Agapi Farra is a sophomore studying Politics and International Relations at ACT. She already holds a degree in Social Anthropology and History (University of the Aegean). She is a Fellow at NATO's Innovation Hub and after graduating she is planning to pursue a master's degree in Diplomacy and International Affairs. Agapi will provide Greek-language translations and serve as the production assistant for Dukakis Center Live on Anixneusis Web TV.
Michael Hatsiulis is a freshman at ACT, majoring in Political Science and International Relations. He is deeply interested in global politics, and is hoping to get involved in both on a systemic and journalistic manner after graduation. During the Fall 2023 semester Michael polled candidates who ran in the 2023 local elections, as part of an ongoing project entitled "Barriers to Entry: Challenges faced by young and first-time candidates in local elections in Greece."
During the Fall 2023 semester Jack Roberts was a study abroad student visiting ACT from American University in Washington, DC. He is pursuing a B.A. in International Studies and plans to attend law school upon graduation. Outside of academics, Jack has three years of experience at international nonprofits, most recently in Washington DC. Jack prepared a report for the "Barriers to Entry" project entitled "Qualitative Entry into Civic Education and Political Management Programs," which outlined ways in which select American approaches to civic education and political management might be tailored to the local environment in Thessaloniki.
Jasmine Trunkenpolz is a sophomore at ACT, where she is studying Political Science and International Relations. Born in Austria and raised in South Africa, Jasmine's upbringing has fostered a unique perspective on global affairs and an appreciation for the interconnectedness of nations. Jasmine was one of two interns to draft and conduct an exit poll of American voters who participated in the Global Presidential Primary at ACT on March 5, Super Tuesday.
Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, Valentine Githae is currently enrolled at ACT as a study abroad student from American University, where she is undertaking a dual program that encompasses a bachelor's degree in political science and an MBA in public affairs, specializing in international management. She was invited to serve as the chief of staff during the Fifth Thessaloniki Civil Society Forum, in which capacity she mobilized volunteers and coordinated tasks assigned to other interns. With Jasmine Trunkenpolz she drafted and conducted the exit poll for participants in the Global Presidential Primary at ACT on March 5, and is currently drafting a feature article on her experience as an observer of American election practices.
Satchel Martin is a junior at American University majoring in International Relations with a minor in Data Science, sturying abroad at ACT during the Spring 2024 semester. His research focuses on conflict resolution, and he plans to work in foreign policy after he graduates. Satchel liaised with Democrats Abroad Greece during the Global Presidential Primary, and conducted a series of intensive interviews of American citizenss residing permanently in the greater Thessaloniki areas, in order to understand political behavior among the expat community in Northern Greece.
