Students

Ky Schardein is currently a first-year MPP candidate at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Originally from Abilene, Kansas, he graduated from William Jewell College in May 2022 with degrees in Oxbridge Institutions and Policy and International Relations. His areas of interest include national security policy, foreign policy, and international relations.

Amelia Wagner is currently a Master of Public Policy candidate at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. After graduating from Smith College with a degree in engineering and government, Amelia was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in South Korea. Upon returning to the U.S. Amelia worked in management at an industrial part supply company. Amelia’s areas of interests include national security and technology policy.

Clay Vaughan is a fourth-year from Ridgefield, Connecticut, double majoring in Leadership & Public Policy and Foreign Affairs. His areas of interest include national security and defense policy, diplomacy, and counterterrorism. He has been with the NSPC since January of 2022.

Jonas Mendes is a fourth-year from Gainesville, VA majoring in Global Security & Justice and minoring in Public Policy & Leadership. He’s passionate about defense policy, social justice reform, and public-private partnerships. In his free time, he competes on the sailing team and loves to bake! Upon graduation, Jonas looks forward to a career creating innovative strategies and making a social impact.

Connor Eads is currently a second-year Master of Public Policy candidate at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. After graduating from Hampden-Sydney College, he served as a Virginia Management Fellow, authoring white papers on pervasive problems in public sector management. Connor’s policy interests revolve around how the intersection of the public and private sectors have implications on national security—such as energy policy, infrastructure policy, and public-private partnerships.

Fred Manning is a fourth-year from Columbia, South Carolina majoring in Foreign Affairs and minoring in History. His areas of interest include national security policy, law, development finance, and investment banking. Upon graduation Fred intends to combine his interests in national security and finance by pursuing a career in investment banking, specifically tailoring financial solutions to the aerospace and defense industry.

Maggie Sparling is a fourth-year from Oakton, Virginia double majoring in Economics and History and minoring in Foreign Affairs. She is also a first-year Master in Public Policy candidate at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Her academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of national security policy, international trade and finance, and emerging tech policy.

Sasha Frederic is from Virginia Beach, VA, double majoring in Public Policy & Leadership and Foreign Affairs. Having lived abroad her entire life, Sasha quickly became interested in foreign policy and national security. Upon graduation from the Frank Batten School, she hopes to become a foreign service officer for the State Department or work for the intelligence community.

Esther Eriksson von Allmen is a rising fourth-year student from Washington DC majoring in Political Philosophy, Policy, & Law and English. As a student journalist, she has written for The Nation, The Intercept, and The American Prospect, covering a broad array of topics including policing, abortion rights, and climate change. She’s excited to shift focus towards international affairs this summer with the NSPC!

Isabel Dlabach is a rising third-year from Memphis, Tennessee majoring in Foreign Affairs and pursuing an MPP from the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy through their accelerated master’s program. Her areas of interest include international relations, defense policy, intelligence, and counterterrorism.

Cole DeLong is a fourth-year from Cape Coral, Fl, double majoring in Public Policy and Leadership and Government. His areas of interest include national security policy, fiscal policy, energy policy, and health care policy. Upon graduation he plans to pursue a career engaging his policy interests.

Isabella (Ella) Berg is a public policy major and economics minor who is passionate about global development and industrial organization. Her interest in public-private partnerships inspired her to pursue a career in national security. After graduation, Ella plans to work in the public sector or become a consultant for defense clients.

Joseph Kratz is a second-year from Falls Church, Virginia, studying foreign affairs and economics. He competes on the Model UN and sailing teams, and is involved in Greek life. His research interests include conflict prevention, developmental economics, and human rights protection. After graduation, Joseph wants to join the Foreign Service.