Student Assistants

Georgia Alford is a first-year student from Atlanta, Georgia. She plans to study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Spanish, and become fluent in Arabic. At CMC, she is a Junior Analyst for the Finances and REITs group of the Student Investment Fund and a member of the Model United Nations Team. She has volunteered with non-profits and community organizations in her hometown that addressed a variety of issues like food insecurity and youth art education. Georgia is passionate about creating global change by addressing accessibility to healthcare and working in global diplomacy, she is interested in going abroad to work with international organizations in regions like Latin America, East Africa and the Middle East. Outside of academics, Georgia enjoys hanging out with her friends, traveling, reading, art, and going to LA.

Jenner Baumhackl is a freshman from Hood River, Oregon. He is undecided on a major but hopes to explore his interest in criminal justice and wrongful convictions while considering law school. Having grown up in a rural small town, opportunities to create tangible change within his local community drew him to social justice and equality. Jenner previously served as president of his local Leadership, Experience, Opportunity, and Service Club (LEOS) where he led youth volunteer efforts in fundraising for crisis-relief projects, supporting underprivileged community members, and more. He most recently spearheaded a dine out event that paid off remaining meal debt for low-income students in his school district. He enjoys playing 5C club tennis, solving crosswords, and skiing and mountain biking. Jenner is eager to work with the Mgrublian Center and join its community of like-minded individuals passionate about human rights.

Bhanu is a fourth year Student Assistant passionate about climate technology and investing in humanitarian innovation in the Global South. She has conducted evaluative work for UNICEF, Oxfam, Amnesty International, and the Oxford Majlis Society. On campus, she researches international politics for Professor Fortner’s “Insult to Injury: U.S. Politics and the International War on Drugs,” Professor Jones’ newest publication of “Genocide: A Comprehensive Introduction” and the Luce Initiative on Asian Studies and the Environment’s EnviroLab Asia. Bhanu continued analyzing foreign aid fluctuations in China and India and markers for biodiversity credits as a student researcher with the Global Priorities Institute this past summer. She is Rights and Result Based Management and Programme Planning Process certified. This coming year, she will be helping build an interdisciplinary climate justice initiative between the Mgrublian Center, the Roberts Environmental Center and the Financial Enterprise Institute.

Catalina is a sophomore from Miami, Florida majoring in Philosophy and Government. Her passion for human rights is inspired by her family’s experience of leaving Cuba and immigrating to the United States. In high school, she expanded her interest in government and human rights by interning at Congresswoman Salazar’s Office and participating on the debate team. On campus, she serves as an event commissioner for ASCMC, First-Year Guide, Lab Technology Assistant, and a Handley Leadership fellow. In her free time, Catalina enjoys playing soccer and pursuing her passion for photography. She is excited to work with the Mgrublian Center and supporting the center’s impactful work.

Gabriel is a sophomore from Highland Park, Illinois majoring in Government and Economics and pursuing a sequence in Ancient and Medieval Studies at Claremont McKenna College. He is passionate about human rights, particularly at its intersection with political and economic systems. His work is characterized by a dedication to evidence-based advocacy and promotion of positive change in marginalized communities. At the Mgrublian Center, Gabriel is excited to support initiatives advancing human rights education and advocacy. On campus, he is a member of Model United Nations and the RLCIE Fellows Program, and in his free time, he enjoys playing Intramural Sports.

Ambika is a sophomore from Illinois, majoring in Government and Economics. She runs the Mgrublian Center’s Amnesty International Task Force and the Watch Tower podcast. This past summer, she was on the Thai-Burma border in Mae Sot where she interned at an educational non-profit doing research and teaching English to Burmese migrants. After graduation, she plans to go to law school and advocate for human rights in the legal arena. She is excited for another impactful year with the Mgrublian Center.

Labiba Hassan is a senior majoring in Philosophy and Public Affairs, with a Data Science sequence.

Sophia Lakhani is a sophomore from Calgary, Canada, majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE). At the Center, she leads the Women’s Rights Task Force, co-leads the mentorship program, co-hosts the Watch Tower Podcast, and works on a human rights and climate change research collaboration with the Roberts Environmental Center. Sophia spent this past summer interning in Kampala, Uganda helping establish Musizi University—the first liberal arts college in the country. As part of her work, Sophia designed course curricula, launched the University’s Center for African Arts and Culture, and taught debate-centered workshops to Ugandan high-school students. In her free time, Sophia enjoys photography, travelling, and spending time with her dog, Enzo. Sophia looks forward to continuing to work with the Mgrublian team and enacting change within the local and global community!

Guadalupe is a senior at Claremont McKenna College, from Pomona, California, dual majoring in Economics and International Relations. Her passion lies in advocating for international democracy, human rights, and social impact, with a particular regional focus on Latin America. Through her internships in non-profits and international NGOs like Asociación CREAR, XUMEK, ReRooted Archive, and Freedom House, she leveraged both data-driven tools and people’s stories to drive locally-driven projects for sustainable change in communities internationally. On campus, Guadalupe is a CARE Fellow, participates in SOURCE Non-Profit Consulting, and is a Handley Women in Leadership Fellow. She loves watercolor painting, thrifting, and donkeys.

Alana is a sophomore from Las Vegas, Nevada, studying International Relations and Human Rights, Genocide, and Holocaust studies. As an Armenian whose surname is traced to the founder of Armenia, Hayk Nahabed, Alana’s ethnic heritage and the plight of her ancestors provide the basis for her unwavering commitment to human rights and her interest in being a part of the Mgrublian Center. Alana founded the Armenian Youth Council, a grassroots organization dedicated to uplifting and expanding Armenian voices, serving as a united force for Armenian youth to collaborate and work for change. At CMC, Alana is the President of both the 5C Armenian Student Association and the United Nations Association, an Associate Consultant at SOURCE Nonprofit Consulting, and an International Journalism Fellow at the Keck Center. This year, she serves as the Assoicate Podcast Manager and works as a Student Assistant for the Mgrublian center.

Alejandro Quiroz-Novela, a junior at Claremont McKenna College, is a dual major in Government and Public Policy with a focus on Gender and Sexuality Studies. Originally from South Central L.A., he is passionate about domestic social policy, particularly in the areas of education, reproductive/sexual healthcare, social safety net programs, and civil rights. His experience includes policy internships and sexual health peer education roles with Connecticut Against Gun Violence and Black Women for Wellness, respectively. On campus, he serves as a CARE Fellow, Advocate, and Vice-President of ¡Mi Gente! In his free time, Alejandro enjoys shopping at thrift and vintage stores, discovering new eateries, and yapping with friends!

Maram Sharif is a junior at Claremont McKenna College studying Economics and Finance. With a passion for community development and education policy, Maram is dedicated to making a meaningful impact through her role at the Mgrublian Center. Her experiences include internships in sustainability at Bahrain Petroleum Company as well as curriculum development for Musizi University in Uganda. As a Robert Day Scholar, Maram thrives in research and leadership roles, working closely with her community to foster positive change both locally and internationally.

Rachel Svoyskiy is a junior at Claremont McKenna College, dual majoring in economics and government. Her passion for human rights is rooted in her Jewish heritage, her family’s experiences as Soviet immigrants, and her close connections to Israel. Rachel has extensive experience in policy research, government advocacy, and nonprofit work, including internships at the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Strength to Strength, a nonprofit supporting victims of terrorism. As a Board Member of Claremont Chabad, she is committed to combating antisemitism and advocating for justice on campus and beyond. Rachel is eager to contribute to the Mgrublian Center by advancing critical human rights initiatives through research, advocacy, and education. She looks forward to making a meaningful impact on human rights issues, particularly in the areas of antisemitism and global justice, drawing on her personal experiences and dedication to these causes.

Ilma is a Government and Economics dual major from Miami, FL. Driven by a passion for human rights in Latin America, with a focus on women, Ilma has dedicated her time at CMC to getting involved in projects dedicated to this field. Her experience in the non-profit sector is extensive, having participated in internships in human rights INGOs like: FUNADEH, Xumek-Derechos Humanos, the Rerooted Archive, and the Luisa Hairabedian Foundation. Given her passion for writing, Ilma has an interest in the role of narrative and storytelling in the defense of human rights. On campus, she is also a Resident Assistant, a CARE Fellow, and a research assistant for Professor Nicholas Buccola at the Salvatori Center. Outside of academics, is a coffee connoisseur and loves art and dinosaur-themed items.

Sofia is a junior at Claremont McKenna from the Bay Area, California, studying Economics and Finance. Her dedication to justice and advocacy began in high school by starting a nonprofit organization that provides free tutoring to disadvantaged students and a student-run racial equity leadership program. Having family members who were Holocaust survivors, she is very passionate about Holocaust education, awareness, and research. In addition, she believes that it is critical to combat anti-semitism at the 5Cs and beyond. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis with friends and going out to the Claremont Village. She is incredibly excited to continue working at the Mgrublian Center this year!

Joseph is a senior at Claremont McKenna College from Omaha, Nebraska, studying Economics and Public Policy. He is deeply passionate about shedding light on the biggest issues of today, bringing a multi-perspective approach and raising awareness on crises around the world. Joseph has built the Watchtower from the ground up, founding the podcast in its pilot season three years ago. As the student manager of the Watchtower, Joseph leads an incredible podcast team that are dedicated to sharing diverse perspectives, spotlighting human actions to alleviate suffering, and proposing potential avenues to increase humanitarian action. Outside of his involvement with the Mgrublian Center for Human Rights, Joseph is often spotted giving prospective students tours, hiking in the mountains, or discussing state and local policies at the Rose Institute of State and Local Government.