I am a 22-year-old American from the state of Wyoming. Academically, I most recently completed a MSc in Comparative European Politics from Trinity College Dublin (2010) after obtaining my BA (Honors) from the University of Wyoming in 2009. Major research projects have included a quantitative study of the economic and political determinants of east-to-west European net migration from 1968-2008. I chose the MESCI program due to its unique emphasis on theoretical and practical education in economic development. Professionally, I am interested in pursuing a career with migrant communities; I am currently working on a project focused on empowering migrant communities in the United States for economic and social self-sufficiency. The promotion of human rights, specifically the empowerment of women and sexual minorities in electoral and security sector systems, are also research and career interests of mine. I look forward to exploring the role of migrant and minority communities in both governmental and non-governmental economic development missions.