Research Team Members
Dr. Hellwege works closely with student research assistants as a way to not only support her research agenda, but as a way to teach and mentor students. Thanks to the generous contributions from the Allene R. Chiesman Center, Dr. Hellwege is able to employ several (primarily undergraduate) research assistants in addition to MPA graduate student assistants hired through the Department of Political Science.
Current Team members
Makenzie Maher
Undergraduate Researcher
2022
Makenzie is currently a junior enrolled at the University of South Dakota majoring in Political Science.
Israt Jahan
Graduate Research Assistant
2022
Israt is a first-year student in the Masters of Public Administration program.
Bess Seaman
Undergraduate Researcher
2021-2022
Bess is currently a senior enrolled at USD majoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice and will be starting her MPA in 2022. This summer, she is interning with the United Way of Vermillion
Former Team members
Kaleb Peterson
Undergraduate Researcher
2018-2022
Kaleb is a Political Science and Business double-major. He is graduating Spring 2022 and plans to attend law school in the fall. He was instrumental on the Student Attitudes on Public Service (SAPS) project and co-authored the related report.
Aaron Vlasman
Undergraduate Researcher
2021-2022
Aaron is a senior at the University of South Dakota majoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice. He is currently a legislative intern in the St. Paul office of Sen. Tina Smith and serves as the SD College Democrats President.
Paige Schroeder
Undergraduate Researcher and Civic Engagement Coordinator
2020-2022
Paige is currently enrolled at the University of South Dakota and is majoring in Political Science and Philosophy. She is the Director of Operations for the Student Government Association and also serves as the Advocacy Corps Organizer for the Friends Committee on National Legislation.
Cohl Turnquist
Graduate Research Assistant
2020-2021
Cohl is graduating with his MPA in May 2022. He holds a B.S. in Political Science and History from USD. He currently serves as the Assistant City Manager for Flandreau, SD.
Nabila Parijat
Graduate Research Assistant
Summers 2021, 2022
Nabila is a second-year MPA student enrolled at the University of South Dakota. She is currently working as a Research and MEL Officer at Democracy International.
Jalatama "Jolly" Omar
Graduate Research Assistant
2018-2020
Jolly is currently serving as the Management Analyst for the City of Davenport, Iowa. He graduated from the University of South Dakota with his Master of Public Administration in 2020.
Carissa Occhipinto
Undergraduate Researcher
2020-2021
Carissa is currently a J.D. Candidate at the Washburn University School of Law. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with a B.A. in Political Science.
Hannah Booth
Undergraduate Researcher
2020-2021
Hannah is currently employed at AmeriCorps as a City Year Member. She is a 2020 graduate from the University of South Dakota with degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice.