Research Team Members

Undergraduate Research Assistant

2024-

Morgan is currently a junior in the Political Science program. She works on the Gender Council & Policing project.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

2025-

Evan is currently a junior in the Political Science program. He works on the Divisive Democracy project.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

2025-

Brooklyn is currently a junior in the Criminal Justice program. She is working on the Policing Legislation project.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

2022-2024

Chelsea is a senior at USD majoring in Political Science. 

Undergraduate Research Assistant

2024-2025

Kayla graduated from USD majoring in Political Science, she was a the newsletter editor for Pi Sigma Alpha.

GRB Research Assistant

2022-2024

Allison graduated from USD majoring in Political Science and English. She was the managing editor at the Volante student newspaper. She attends Univ. of Minnesota in the Human Rights program.

Undergraduate Research Asst.

2022-2023

Makenzie graduated from the University of South Dakota majoring in Political Science, she attends the Knutson School of Law at USD.

Graduate Research Assistant

2022-

Israt is a graduate of the Masters of Public Administration program at USD.

Undergraduate Research Asst.

2022-2023

Trixie graduated from the University of South Dakota majoring in Criminal Justice. She currently works for a local law firm.

Undergraduate Research Asst.

2022

Dillon graduated from the Political Science program in 2025. He was the SGA Government Affairs Chair and President of the Political Science League. Starting 2025, he attends Ghent University’s International Master of Rural Development program.

GRB Research Assistant & Undergraduate Research Asst.

2022-2023

Bree is a graduate of USD majoring in Sustainability with minors in Political Science and Economics.  

Undergraduate Research Asst.

2018-2022

Kaleb is a student at the Knudson School of Law at USD. He graduated Spring 2022 with degrees in Political Science and Business. He was instrumental for the Student Attitudes on Public Service (SAPS) project and co-authored the related report.

Undergraduate Research Asst.

2021-2022

Aaron is the Public Policy Manager for the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce. He graduated in 2022 with degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice. He previously served as a legislative intern in the St. Paul office of Sen. Tina Smith and SD College Democrats President. 

Graduate Student Research Asst.

2021-2022

Bess is a graduate of both the BA and MPA programs at USD. She is a Regional Planner at Siouxland Interstate Metropolitan Planning Council (SIMPCO).

Graduate Research Assistant

2020-2021

Cohl graduated with his MPA in May 2022. He holds a B.S. in Political Science and History from USD. He currently serves as the City Administrator for Flandreau, SD.

Undergraduate Research Asst. and Civic Engagement Coordinator

2020-2022

Paige graduated from the Political Science program. She is currently a law student at University of Oregon. She was the Director of Operations for the Student Government Association and an Advocacy Corps Organizer for the Friends Committee on National Legislation. 

Graduate Research Assistant 

2018-2020

Jolly is currently serving as the Economic Development Specialist for the City of Pleasant Hill, Iowa.  He graduated from USD with his Master of Public Administration in 2020. 

Undergraduate Research Asst.

2020-2021

Carissa recently completed her J.D. at the Washburn University School of Law. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with a B.A. in Political Science. 

Graduate Research Assistant 

Summers 2021, 2022

Nabila completed her MPA in 2022, she is currently a PhD student in Public Affairs at UT-Dallas. 

Undergraduate Research Asst.

2020-2021

Hannah is a teacher in Manchester, NH. Where she completed the AmeriCorps program as a City Year Member. She is a 2020 graduate from the University of South Dakota with degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice.