Student Profiles
Student Ambassadors
Current Students
2024-2025 Undergraduate Student Ambassadors
Miles DiNardo
Major: Political Science
Minor: Italian
Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
I am the Secretary for the United Nations Association chapter on campus and a member of the Sierra Club, working with the Earth Day Committee. I am currently conducting research with Dr. Bart Elmore in the Environmental History Department. After I graduate, I plan on going to Law School. My favorite thing about Ohio State is attending all the different sporting events.
Nandita Gaddam
Major: Political Science
Minor: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Lewis Center, OH
On campus, I am a Student Ambassador for the Political Science Department, a Project Coordinator for the Association for India's Development, a member of the Undergraduate Student Government's Justice and Equity Committee and the Ohio Government Internship Program, as well as a Peer Notetaker and Internship Mentor! Off-campus, I enjoy working as a lifeguard, aquatics instructor, and childcare coordinator at Mount Carmel Hospital and Fitness Center.
At Ohio State, I have worked as a Constituent Aide for The Ohio House of Representatives and as a Research Intern for the Supreme Court of Ohio. I plan to continue researching with Ohio Supreme Court Justices this summer, begin working with OSU Votes and Student Leadership Advocates, and intern at Capitol Hill as a member of the Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP).
After graduation, I plan to attend law school to study criminal law. I aspire to be a prosecuting attorney and work on prison reform, civil rights, and immigration policy. Generally, I then plan to become a Supreme Court Justice and work in the legal field in various other roles.
Coming to Ohio State has allowed me to find opportunities I didn't know existed, and I am so grateful for the faculty and resources Ohio State offers! Go Bucks!
Connor Gartin
Major: Political Science
Minor: Creative Writing
Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Dublin, OH
I’m a Residential Advisor in Smith-Steeb Hall for the Law and Society Scholars, a first generation college student in Tri-Alpha, a member in Buckeye Leadership Fellows and the STEP Program, and I’m planning on interning in Washington D.C. through the WAIP Program for the 2025 summer. I also plan on going to law school after undergrad and aspire to travel around to different cities across the United States. My favorite thing about OSU is opportunity to connect with my peers. I always feel supported and uplifted to be my most authentic self.
Killian Hoyt
Major: Political Science (Bachelor of Science)
Minors: Public Policy, Spanish
Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Toledo, OH
Beyond being an ambassador for the Political Science Department, I currently serve as the Director of Finance for the Residence Halls Advisory Council, where I distribute scholarships, grants, and programming funds to enrich the on-campus residential experience. I am also the Political Director for the OSU College Democrats, where I coordinate with local elected officials and leaders to bring speakers and opportunities to our club. I also serve as mentor for the John Glenn Living Learning community!
Off campus, I’ve also been busy working for Columbus’s Mayor Ginther, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, the Ohio Democratic Party, and Senator Sherrod Brown’s 2024 reelection campaign. After undergrad, I hope to work full time on campaigns and later attend law school.
My favorite part about OSU has been building my own community of support and making new friends every week!
Layla Mobin-Uddin
Majors: Political Science, International Studies
Minor: Spanish
Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Cranbury, NJ
I am a current Senate Page for State Senator Hearcel Craig and President of College Democrats. I was previously a communications intern for Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman in her DC and District offices last summer. I was a research assistant for Professor Ritchie in the summer of 2023 and have worked on a handful of campaigns the last few years. After graduation, I hope to go back to DC for a year or 2 before going to law school. My favorite thing about OSU is football season, the school spirit and endless amount of opportunities!
Naina Sarup
Major: Political Science
Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Aurora, Illinois
I am involved with SCNO, a consulting club that helps non-profits all across America. I am also involved with USG. Lastly, I am involved with a fusion dance team, Buckeye Fusion, that competes all across America in a desi dance circuit.
I hope to attend law school.
Current Students
Our students are actively involved in a wide variety of activities on campus, in Columbus, and around the globe.
Meet a few of our current students and see how opportunities in the Department of Political Science have shaped their time at Ohio State!
Olivia Edwards
Major: Political Science
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Ironton, Ohio
I am in the collegiate band! I had an internship this semester with Aftab Pureval, who just won mayor of Cincinnati. I also work at Starbucks and have worked there for two years. I really want to go in policymaking one day. OH-
Christiana Jay (CJ) Marcella-Sill
Major: Political Science
Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Circleville, Ohio
After struggling to feel connected with and passionate about my studies as a STEM major, I decided to pursue law and policy. I have been able to participate in the Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP), where I interned and studied in DC for Senator Sherrod Brown, and the Victory Congressional Internship Program, where I interned and studied in DC for the House Democratic Caucus.
My biggest piece of advice to future students is to get involved on campus!
After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in Veterans Affairs policy! I’m considering law school or a masters program in public policy, policy admin, or public health.
Artur Mikhlin
Major: Political Science and Public Management, Leadership & Policy
Minor: History
Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Hillsboro, Missouri
I decided to become a political science major because of my fascination with governance and the idea to live for a cause greater than myself. Currently I am interning for Congressman Warren Davidson in his D.C. office. Working on the Hill solidified my interest in public service on the federal level.
After graduation I plan to work on Capitol Hill or in the Governor’s mansion after graduation, for 3-5 years, after which I will return to Missouri and go to law school.
My advice to future Buckeyes is to network and utilize the alumni network Ohio State Provides.
Aly Murphy
Major: Political Science
Graduation Year: 2026
Hometown: Greenfield, Ohio
I chose to major in Political Science because of my passion for policy, leadership, and public service, especially in advocating for rural communities and the agricultural industry. Growing up in Appalachia, I saw firsthand how government decisions impact everyday lives. This major equips me with the skills to navigate public policy, law, and governance, preparing me for success in law school and a future career in the federal government to ensure that rural voices are heard and represented.
In the Fall of 2024, I was a public affairs intern at the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) through the Washington Academic Internship Program. I took governance and public policy courses while living in Washington, D.C. and experiencing the federal government first-hand. On campus, I am in Pi Sigma Alpha and am also in Undergraduate Student Government serving in the executive branch as a social media coordinator in the Communications Committee.
I plan to attend law school right after graduating from college. After law school I plan to move to DC and work in the federal government before returning home to eventually run for office in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District.
Megan O'Connor
Major: Political Science
Minor: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
I am a member of the Ohio State Women’s Rowing Team and OSU’s Ohio Innocence Project chapter.
Currently I am an intern on Nan Whaley’s campaign for Governor of Ohio. My senior year of high school I volunteered for Kate Schroder’s campaign for Ohio’s first congressional district as a member of her field team. I also try to work the polls during elections. I worked as a poll worker during the 2020 election!
Following graduation, I hope to work on campaigns around the country to gain experience, meet new people, and support progressive politicians. Eventually I aspire to do work pertaining to legislation and policy, either for a politician, company, or lobbying organization.
Ohio State has given me the opportunities to challenge myself academically and personally as I have explored new avenues of learning and viewing the world around me.
Ben Prochaska
Major: Political Science
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Seville, Ohio
I interned with Congresswoman Shontel Brown in Washington D.C. in Summer 2024. Rep. Brown's staff took me under their wings and trusted me with essential work, attending briefings, writing issue memos, helping prepare committee briefing binders, and taking pictures of the Congresswoman at the Capitol.
I was President of Students Demand Action at Ohio State University from May 2022 to May 2024. My advice to future students is to work at the Statehouse! It's right by campus, it's good experience, and they can always use more help.
Olivia Puzon
Major: Political Science
Graduation Year: 2025
I interned at The Ohio State House with State Representative Phil Robinson. I loved this internship as I got to experience the legislative process up close. I actually felt like I was contributing because I wasn’t doing just busy work, I was actually right alongside the Representative and his Legislative Aid.
I am involved with Pi Sigma Alpha! It’s a great way to network with and learn from people who are in the political science field. It also is a great way to be connected with other political science majors.
After graduation I am going to Temple University for law school with a focus on public interest and civil rights law.
Mackenzie Sapp
Majors: Political Science and International Relations
Minor: French
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Powell, Ohio
I am a Governmental Relations Committee Representative in the Undergraduate Student Government, as well as a member of the Guiding Eyes for the Blind club on campus. This semester, I am participating in Semester of Service, a volunteering project managed by the University Honors Program with a focus on LGBTQ+ legislative reform. I work as an Operations Assistant in the Ohio Union, and in my free time I like to attend the group fitness classes offered at the OSU gyms.
I am currently interning with Equality Ohio, a nonprofit organization based out of Columbus. I work in a coalition with other Columbus nonprofits to write testimony, plan events, and spread information in regard to honesty in education.
After undergrad, I plan to attend law school, earn my JD, and become a civil rights lawyer. Eventually, I might consider running for public office!
Ethan Sergio
Major: Political Science
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Granville, Ohio
On campus, I attend many after-class seminars. Off campus, I have an internship with a start-up political action committee.
I have an internship with the Licking County Democrats Club and with Voices for Juvenile Justice in Columbus, Ohio. We are currently working on proposing legislature for the Ohio General Assembly for juvenile justice reform.
I plan to work with a lobbyist organization to reform the prison system and provide more aid to those who struggle with addiction.
Being a student at Ohio State has given me something in my life to be proud of, and I hope everyone has the same experience in college that I have had. OSU has allowed me to see so many new perspectives and greatly broaden my horizons.
Lily Smith
Major: Political Science
Minor: Environmental, Economic, Development, and Sustainability minor
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: New Boston, New Hampshire
I am in LSS (law and society scholars) program and AWOW (Advocates for women of the world). I also volunteer back home over breaks at CareGivers of southern NH.
I hope to become an Environmental Lawyer or work with Environmental Policy in a governmental position
I came to Ohio State not knowing anyone which I thought would be very hard for me, but it has been the greatest transition of my life.
Josie Speakman
Major: Political Science
Graduation Year: 2027
Hometown: Stoutsville, Ohio
I’ve always been interested in Politics. As long as I can remember I’ve been watching the news and talking about systems of government. I started taking courses in high school and fell completely in love, I knew when I got to college it would be my major.
Currently, I intern for House Minority Leader Russo at the Ohio House of Representatives and am involved with College Democrats. After graduation I plan to go to Law School.
Lauren Stafford
Major: Political Science
Graduation Year: 2028
Hometown: Collierville, Tennessee
Currently, I work as an intern for Ohio Representative Isaacsohn. This internship allows me to sit in legislative meetings, and I do administrative work for the office. Working as an intern in a government office further instills in me the desire to pursue law and improve my community.
I am a member of the Undergraduate Student Government Black Caucus' Student Experience Committee. This organization allows me to connect with other black students on campus with similar interests and passions. Also, I love to work to improve the experiences of students on campus, which is what my committee is centered around.
After graduation, I intend to continue my education at law school. I want to be a lawyer and possible practice Public Interest law or even become a prosecutor.
Paul Topalov
Major: Political Science
Minor: Russian
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Sidney, Ohio
I am involved in the United Macedonian Diaspora & Russian Student Association.
I am on the Pre-Law Track and have a goal of working in foreign policy between the United States and the countries within the Balkan Peninsula.
Luke Vander Vort
Major: Political Science
Minor: Russian
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
I am involved in Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Intramurals, Russian Student Organization, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
I am currently planning on working for the University Department of Public Safety, as well as possibly participating in an 8-week Russian summer immersion program.
I hope to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation or CIA before going to law school to pursue a J.D or LLM.
Alexis Wade
Major: Political Science (Pre-Law)
Graduation Year: 2026
There is no community like the Buckeye community. No matter where you come from or where you want to end up, there is an opportunity for you to thrive here. I have made so many meaningful social and professional relations from my time within the Political Science department and I could not imagine my experience being anywhere else. These people will always support you, and you are bound to get where you want to go with a community like this behind you.
I am currently the Co-Chief of Staff of the Undergraduate Student Government and an intern for the Office of the City Manager of the City of Dublin.
Upon graduating in May of 2026, I intend on enrolling in law school and pursuing my JD and MPA. Following graduation, I would like to practice law, possibly in the field of Intellectual Property.
Alexandra Webb
Major: Political Science and Journalism
Minor: Communications
Graduation Year: 2025
Hometown: Newark, Ohio
I am the chair of Community and Wellness along with Backburner Sketch Comedy. I am also interning at Millennial Action Project. I have also been the chair of sustainability along with being in 4 Paws for Ability freshmen year.
I plan on becoming a political journalist.