EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Nathan Varnell is a second-year Master of Public Administration student concentrating in program evaluation and policy analysis. Nathan is currently a fellow at the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission, the regional body advancing public transit in NoVa. Before coming to Trachtenberg, Nathan graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in political science and journalism, where he served as an editor at The Battalion newspaper and worked with non-profits serving essential workers in the campus community. In his spare time, Nathan enjoys museums, movies, and podcasts.
DEPUTY EDITOR
Kathleen Bever is a second-year Master of Public Policy student concentrating in program evaluation and policy analysis. She currently serves as the 2023 Arthur S. Flemming Awards coordinator, an awards program hosted by GW and the National Academy of Public Administration honoring public service leaders. Prior to GW, she worked as a congressional floor reporter for CQ Roll Call, where she covered legislation considered on the U.S. House and Senate floors. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in History at Creighton University. In her free time, she enjoys running, playing music, and learning theology.
STAFF WRITERS
Sophia Alejandro is a first year Master of Public Administration student at the Trachtenberg School. She is also working as a Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) Public Policy Fellow at UnidosUS in Washington, D.C. Growing up, she worked alongside her family in their generational business: flower shops. Being up close and personal to the running of a family business allowed her to learn the value of community over money. She served as a Teach for America corps member in her hometown of San Antonio to gain experience in the education sphere. After her years in the classroom, she decided to make the transition into policy and advocacy.
Kate Braddom is a first year Master of Public Policy student concentrating in gender policy. She received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology from Johns Hopkins and currently works for the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations as a Membership Coordinator. In her free time, Kate enjoys reading, knitting, and baking.
Julia Mattingly is a first year Ph.D. student at the Trachtenberg School. She recently graduated from the University of Louisville in Kentucky, with B.A.’s in Rural Health and Political Science. Her research interests include rural & underserved healthcare workforce development, healthcare program evaluation, direct democracy, and the U.S. Congress.
Caroline Wendzel is a first-year Master of Public Policy student at the Trachtenberg school. She graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2020, earning degrees in Psychology and English/Creative Writing. From 2020-2023, she worked on the intake team at a domestic violence shelter in South Carolina. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with her dog, and searching for the best vegan food in D.C.
Policy Perspectives 