Alexia is a senior Justice Studies major with a minor in Humanitarian Affairs. Alexia is an active member of Alpha Kappa Psi and has also worked with the Office of Orientation and Transition at JMU as a First Year Orientation Guide. Alexia has had a very international upbringing which has made her passionate about global justice. Alexia is very excited to work as a Facilitation Fellow alongside the Madison Center for Civic Engagement at JMU, as well as excited for the skills she is going to acquire for the future!

Annika is a senior Graphic Design major with a Spanish minor. She began working with the Madison Center for Civic Engagement her freshman year as a First Year Research Experience (FYRE) student and has continued to work with them as a Democracy Fellow since then. Growing up near D.C. with both parents working for the government and going to a politically active school, she developed an interest in both global and national politics from a young age. As a FYRE student, she worked on the Bridging Wicked Divides Project, which seeks to help students overcome political divides, talk across differences, and deliberate different solutions to modern day issues. Since becoming a Democracy Fellow, she has worked on Dukes Discourse, a project on JMUs campus that asks students to engage with current events by answering an opinion-based question in an interview or on an anonymous sticky note for others to see. She is excited to continue supporting students’ freedom of expression this year and well into her senior year when she graduates in 2026. In addition to Dukes Discourse, she is excited to continue working on the We Are Madison’s Legacy project, (WAML) which asks two students from different political backgrounds to have a casual conversation about a challenging, current topic.

Bubuney is a senior Public Administration major with a concentration in Public Management on the Pre-Law pre-professional track with a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies, and French. During her first year at JMU, she was in the Madison International residential learning community and is passionate about bridging the gap between the lack of leadership opportunities for young people. She enjoys spending time with her sisters, listening to podcasts, and trying new recipes. She’s an Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society member, an Aspen Index Youth Impact Fellow, and a Bezos Scholar Alumina. She is currently the Director of student relations for the Society of Human Resources Management and Events Coordinator for the African Student Organization.

Caden is a sophomore Computer Science major who is planning on taking the Legal Studies minor. Before going to JMU, he has been a part of a We the People team that was top in the region in the Nationals Competition and has worked on political campaigns for multiple state delegates and for Representative Abigail Spanberger.

Caroline is a senior Political Science major with a minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies with a Pre-Law focus, from Chesapeake, Virginia. Caroline is serving as a democracy fellow this year on the Dukes Vote and the Overcoming Democratic Barriers Teams this year. She is also a Campus Vote Project Fellow. Through her involvement in on campus organizations she found her passion for fostering a community at JMU that prioritizes civic engagement. Caroline is passionate about advocating for voting accessibility and promoting democratic participation in a polarized system.

Ella is a senior Communication Studies major with a concentration in Organizational Communications, and minors in Ethics and Medical Humanities. She transferred to JMU in spring 2024 and immediately sought after campus involvement opportunities. Ella is an active member of Alpha Kappa Psi and was recently elected to the career development and new member educator committees for the chapter. She is passionate about civic engagement and is excited at the opportunity to promote freedom of expression to new JMU students.

Emily is a senior International Affairs major with a concentration in Conflict and Security and minoring in Middle Eastern Communities and Migrations. She is also the Ritual Director of Alpha Sigma Alpha. Her passion for political discourse and diverse perspectives drives her academic and extracurricular pursuits. She is eager to engage with and understand different viewpoints across the JMU campus.

Emma is a junior Anthropology & International Affairs double major with minors in Latin American & Caribbean Studies and Honors Interdisciplinary Studies. Emma served as the 2021-2022 Virginia Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State President and spent two years on the Virginia FCCLA Board of Directors. Through her involvement with FCCLA, she has had the opportunity to lobby with several Virginia Congressmen on the behalf of Career and Technical Education. She also had the opportunity to complete the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Youth Advocacy Institute where she found her passion for advocacy and civic engagement. At JMU, she has been an active participant in the Madison International Residential Learning Community, JMU Valley Scholars Program, and the Anthropology Club.

Kieran is a senior Political Science major with dual Minors in Legal Studies and Civic Leadership. During his time at JMU, he has been an active three-year Senator of the James Madison University Student Government Association serving the 2023-2024 year as the Secretary of the Legislative Affairs committee and Student Representative to the Harrisonburg City Council. This coming academic year Kieran will serve on the Executive Leadership Team of SGA as the Speaker of the Student Senate for the 110th Student Senate. Through SGA Kieran has been able to lobby at both the Virginia General Assembly and the United States Congress and work on the yearly Dukes Debate event on campus. Kieran is also an active member of JMU SafeRides, JMU Give and this will be his second year working as a FROG for the Office of Orientation and Transition. Outside of his passion for politics and civic engagement, Kieran loves exploring downtown Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley area.

Mason is a senior majoring in Political Science and Public Administration with a minor in Classical Studies, graduating in December 2025. He is an active member of the Student Government Association serving as the Historian from 2023-2024 and the Legislative Affairs Chairperson in 2024-2025. Through the SGA, Mason has organized and managed a student lobby day at the General Assembly of Virginia reaching 70% of Virginia's representative. Furthermore, Mason volunteered as a First Year Orientation Guide for the Office of Orientation and Transition to assist in the moving for new students at JMU. Overall, Mason seeks to use his passion for politics to help advocate for those in need and uplift the voices of the unheard.

Reagan Polarek is a junior pursuing a B.S. in Individualized Study with minors in Political Communication and Civic Leadership. She is serving her third year as a Democracy Fellow and her fourth year on the Student Government Association’s Legislative Affairs Committee, having previously served two terms as the 2026 Class President. On campus, Reagan has interned with the JMU Office of the President, Title IX Office, and Government Relations Office. She is an active member of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Outside of JMU, Reagan has worked in Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration as a Communications intern and now serves as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of Education. Reagan believes that civic engagement is essential for empowering college students and is passionate about advocating for her campus and community. She is grateful for every opportunity to lead and serve at the intersection of faith, policy, and public service.

Sabrina is a senior double major in Public Administration and Public Policy, with a minor in Economics. A native of Arlington, Virginia, her interest in politics was nurtured from a young age, influenced by her proximity to Washington, D.C., and her politically engaged family. Over the past few summers, Sabrina has worked as a swim coach and camp counselor, where she has built strong connections with families in the D.C. area. Additionally, she frequently nannies during school breaks. Sabrina is particularly passionate about fostering unbiased civic education from an early age.

Sam is a junior Political Science major on the Pre-Law track with minors in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies and Music Industry from Delaware. She is an active member of the Madison Honors Leadership Council, serves as an Honors Ambassador, and has recently joined the Honors Program Board. Sam values community service and is a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha. Her passion for music has led her to being a Marching Royal Duke last year and a new member of the Concert Band this year. She is excited to be a part of this new program to encourage constructive and respectful dialogue around campus.