For more than five decades, David Spatafore has built a career in Utah government relations and lobbying—one he traces directly back to his experiences with the Hinckley Institute of Politics as a University of Utah student. Spatafore graduated from the University of Utah in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor […]
Read MoreFor Erin Kucic, the Hinckley Institute of Politics was more than a collection of internships, it was the foundation for a lifelong career in public service. A 2010 graduate of the University of Utah, Kucic earned bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Strategic Communication, along with minors in Ethics and Campaign Management. During her time […]
Read MoreFor Blake Hrubes, a willingness to step outside his comfort zone led to a career with global impact. His global internship through the Hinckley Institute of Politics not only broadened his perspective but also laid the foundation for a career centered on international collaboration and global operations. Hrubes graduated from the University of Utah in […]
Read MoreA 2022 graduate of the University of Utah, Thaiss Del Rio Sanchez earned bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Political Science, along with a minor in Ethnic Studies. During her time at the University, she embraced the experiential learning opportunities offered through the Hinckley Institute of Politics, experiences that would ultimately define her professional path and […]
Read MoreGerrit Seymour graduated from the University of Utah in December 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies with an emphasis in Turkish Language. During his time at the Hinckley Institute, Seymour immersed himself in a wide range of experiences, including an international internship with the […]
Read MoreXanthe Larsen graduated from the University of Utah in 1993 with a BA in Political Science, a BS in Economics, and a minor in French. Following graduation, she spent a year in Washington, D.C. working for Congressman Jim Hansen before returning to the University of Utah to complete a joint JD/MBA in 1997. A defining […]
Read MoreSammy Flitton graduated from the University of Utah in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in International Studies and a minor in Italian. His academic focus on international policy, transatlantic relations, and governance closely aligned with the hands-on opportunities he pursued through the Hinckley Institute of Politics, shaped both his undergraduate experience and his professional […]
Read MoreMolly Wheeler’s time at the University of Utah is an incredible example of academic and extracurricular success. She graduated from the Hinckley Institute in 2014 with a BS in Political Science and Government. Her student career was deeply shaped by her involvement with the Hinckley Institute, where she took full advantage of the academic and […]
Read MoreSatin Tashnizi graduated from the University of Utah in December 2020 with an Honors Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, along with Bachelor of Arts degrees in International Studies and Middle Eastern Studies. Tashnizi’s undergraduate experience was deeply shaped by her extensive involvement with the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Through Hinckley coursework, Tashnizi was able […]
Read MoreRemington Jiro Johnson graduated from the University of Utah in 2007 with a major in Political Science and a minor in History. During his undergraduate years, Johnson’s involvement with the Hinckley Institute of Politics played a defining role in shaping both his academic path and long-term commitment to public service. Johnson participated in a legislative […]
Read MoreCurtis Pierce’s path in finance began with the Hinckley Institute’s Washington, DC Internship Program, where he worked as a finance and accounting intern with The Mitchell Group during the summer of 2014. The experience proved foundational, giving him early professional exposure and helping him secure later internships with Goldman Sachs, Horizon View Capital, University Growth […]
Read MoreDerek Williams’s remarkable career in law and public service can be traced directly back to his time at the Hinckley Institute of Politics. After graduating from the University of Utah in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Middle East Area Studies, Williams went on to earn his law degree […]
Read MoreAurora Livingston graduated from the University of Utah in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Minor in Gender Studies. Her journey toward a career in government began at the Hinckley Institute of Politics, where the Political Forum Series played a pivotal role in shaping her academic and professional trajectory. As […]
Read MoreChristian Mower graduated from the University of Utah in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a minor in English. Drawn by a passion for public service and storytelling, Mower found in political science a way to explore the systems shaping communities, while English gave him an outlet for his love of […]
Read MoreAs a Political Science and Spanish double major, Scott McDonough knew he wanted to explore the world beyond Utah. Thanks to the Hinckley Institute, he got that chance. In 1992, McDonough packed his bags for Washington, D.C., where he interned with Pragma, an international development consulting firm. That experience sparked a deeper curiosity about global […]
Read MoreAnna Edelman’s professional journey has been deeply shaped by her experiences with the Hinckley Institute of Politics. As a student, Edelman completed a local internship with Global Pathways, supporting international students on campus, and a global internship in Cajamarca, Peru with Eagle Condor Humanitarian. There, she helped manage education and community development programs in a […]
Read MoreThe Hinckley Institute was a major part of Chris Gamvroulas’s undergraduate experience. Encouraged by trusted mentors to explore public service, he discovered at Hinckley a sense of community, a purpose, and a launchpad for his career. As a political science major at the University of Utah, Gamvroulas immersed himself in the opportunities Hinckley offered. His […]
Read MoreChris Coombs’ journey in government and politics began at the Hinckley Institute, where he immersed himself in a variety of impactful experiences that shaped his career. A 2017 graduate of the University of Utah with a double major in History and Political Science, Chris credits the Hinckley Institute with sparking his passion for public service […]
Read MoreEllesse Balli’s journey with the Hinckley Institute may have begun late in her undergraduate experience, but its impact has been nothing short of transformative. A 2009 graduate of the University of Utah with a BA in English, Ellesse discovered the Hinckley Institute in her final semester and seized the opportunity to intern in Washington, D.C. […]
Read MoreThe Hinckley Institute of Politics played a pivotal role in shaping Gus Gochnour’s undergraduate experience and professional trajectory. Through a series of impactful internships, he gained invaluable insights into international relations, government operations, and the power of global connectivity. Gochnour completed three internships through the Hinckley Institute during his time at the U: a local […]
Read MoreFor Lowell Brown, growing up in the Sugarhouse neighborhood of Salt Lake City offered little exposure to the world of politics. That changed dramatically when he became involved with the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah. Through internships, forums, and hands-on political experiences, Brown developed a lifelong passion for American politics and […]
Read MoreJace Jordan’s experiences with the Hinckley Institute have proved to be very impactful in shaping his academic and career trajectory. A 2022 graduate of the University of Utah, Jace double-majored in Political Science and International Studies, with a minor in Russian. His connection with the Hinckley Institute began in the summer of 2021, when he […]
Read MoreHannah Huber recently graduated with her master’s degree in Global Politics and Communication and is excited to begin a career in government. She has had a lifelong passion for public service and had the opportunity to cultivate and grow that passion by getting involved with the Hinckley Institute as a University of Utah student. While […]
Read MorePatrick Salazar has always had a desire to give back to his community. He began his journey of service in the U.S. Navy before enrolling as a student at the University of Utah under the GI Bill, where he soon found himself deeply involved with the Hinckley Institute. Over the course of his undergraduate studies, […]
Read MoreJanice Ugaki is a leader in the marketing and technology fields. She has built an impressive career over the last 30 years and she got her start as a student at the University of Utah. Throughout her time at the U, Ugaki completed 3 internships through the Hinckley Institute. She interned locally with the Utah […]
Read MoreJake Tonks’s career was significantly defined by his two-semester internship in Washington, DC through the Hinckley Institute, where he joined the Google Election’s team supporting political campaigns and their digital advertising strategies in the 2014 midterms. Reflecting on his time in DC, Tonks’s favorite memory is his very first night in the city. Dining with […]
Read MoreMarcia Foote has built an impressive career in the concierge and event planning industry over the last 25 years. Her first experiences with event planning came from a congressional internship in Washington, DC with the Hinckley Institute! While at the U, Foote participated in the Hinckley’s Washington, DC internship program during the fall of 1987 […]
Read MoreMarko Mijic entered the University of Utah with a desire to help others and serve his community. As a freshman, he believed he would accomplish this by attending medical school and becoming a physician, but his experiences with the Hinckley Institute steered him in a different direction and helped him determine that he was best […]
Read MoreMegan Daigneau transferred to the University of Utah after spending her first college years at Salt Lake Community College. Daigneau wanted to make the most of her time at the U, given that she only had two years until graduation. She knew that she wanted to pursue a career in the public sector and was […]
Read MoreAvery Durham received an email from the Hinckley Institute in 2019 asking him to consider applying for a Hinckley internship in Washington, D.C.. He applied on a whim and his D.C. experience ended up having a tremendous impact on the next 5 years of his life. Durham first became familiar with the Hinckley Institute through […]
Read MoreVlada Yaremenko is excited to begin a career in international development, having recently graduated with her master’s degree from the London School of Economics. Prior to graduate school, Yaremenko was a student at the University of Utah, and her many Hinckley Institute experiences helped set her on the right professional path. During her time at […]
Read MoreJohn Deeds has spent nearly 15 years working as an attorney, specializing in state and local tax. Throughout his career, he has helped craft tax policy, combining his tax expertise with his passion for policy. His interest in policy began as an undergraduate student completing a legislative internship through the Hinckley Institute at the U. […]
Read MoreKendahl Mordini truly made the most of her time at the University of Utah and participated in nearly every opportunity that the Hinckley Institute has to offer. As an undergrad, Mordini completed 2 local internships (one with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and the other with the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce), a DC […]
Read MoreDouglas Monson has had an impressive 41 year career working as an attorney. As a young University of Utah student, he took advantage of the great internship opportunities at the Hinckley Institute and utilized those experiences to help launch his career. Monson completed three Hinckley internships during his time at the U. He first worked […]
Read MoreConor Lyne has accomplished a great deal thus far in his relatively short professional career. His strong work ethic and determination has served him well in his career and has led to impressive accomplishments in his personal life as well. He is no stranger to dedication and hard work and while studying as an undergraduate […]
Read MoreWhen Susie Christensen began college at the U as an English major, she did not envision herself working in government. However, her experience in Washington, D.C. changed her focus and career path. Christensen’s D.C. Hinckley Institute Internship truly changed her entire career trajectory and she has spent nearly 20 years building an impressive career working […]
Read MorePaul Moxley was eager to learn more about politics during his undergraduate college years. In pursuit of this interest, he participated in a DC Internship through the Hinckley Institute in 1969. He secured a prestigious internship in nation’s capitol with the United States Senate working for the Senator from Utah Frank E. Moss. As he […]
Read MoreFrank Pignanelli found a passion for politics and campaigns at the Hinckley Institute while studying at the University of Utah. In addition to attending numerous Hinckley forums and taking a Hinckley class taught by former Governor Scott Matheson, Pignanelli participated in several campaign internships, including a 1979 city council campaign and a 1980 US Senate […]
Read MoreTodd Allen has enjoyed an impressive career in the medical field for almost 30 years. His Hinckley internship during his undergraduate experience at the U was instrumental in setting him on the right path as it helped him understand how science and policy intersect and solidified his determination to attend medical school. Allen remembers attending […]
Read MoreThe Hinckley Institute brought opportunities for travel and new experiences to Sara Parry Ward’s life. The chance to participate in an internship in Washington, DC meant a chance to explore an intellectually and socially stimulating world outside her hometown. In the fall of 2000, Ward participated in the Hinckley’s National Internship Program. She landed a […]
Read MoreSteve Owens spent a lot of time at the Hinckley Institute during his undergraduate experience at the U. He often attended the midday forums and remembers the free pizza – always appreciated by students and their wallets. He also recalls loving the election season debates that the Hinckley Institute sponsored and held in the Union […]
Read MoreSophie Draayer wasted no time at the University of Utah. Prior to graduating from the U at just 18 years old, Draayer participated in just about every experience and class that the Hinckley Institute has to offer! In addition to completing three internships, she took the Campaign Management course (working on Governor Cox’s gubernatorial campaign), […]
Read MoreWhen Chris Herman started at the U, he knew he wanted to study international affairs, but was unsure of how that would translate into a future career. Luckily, Herman found the Hinckley Institute and was able to partake in numerous experiences that helped set him on the right path for his future career. During his […]
Read MoreDave Davis’ thirst for politics can be traced back to his experiences with the Hinckley Institute. During his time at the U, Davis served on the Hinckley Institute of Politics Student Advisory Committee, completed two internships and took a government class taught by Ted Wilson and Dan Jones. Davis completed his first internship, in Washington, […]
Read MoreWhitney DeVries currently works at her dream job – as a Multimedia Manager and Correspondent for Diplomatic Courier in Washington, DC. The firm is a global affairs media network that connects the global public to leaders in international affairs, diplomacy, social good, technology, business, and more. DeVries’ introduction to this dynamic company came through her […]
Read MoreWhen Darin Gilson reflects back on his time at the University of Utah, his experiences with the Hinckley Institute immediately stand out. Since graduating over 30 years ago now, I don’t remember too much at this point about the various classes I took, but I have distinct and fond memories of my Hinckley experiences. During […]
Read MoreHunter Howe still remembers receiving her very own business cards after being accepted into the National Internship Program at the Hinckley Institute. Those business cards represented the culmination of hard work and determination as the Hinckley Institute was one of the main reasons Howe decided to attend the University of Utah in the first place. […]
Read MoreAaron Whitehead developed an interest in practicing law while still in high school. Given his career aspirations, majoring in Political Science at the U seemed like the logical choice. After taking an anniversary trip to Boston with his wife and exploring the Freedom Trail, Whitehead quickly declared History as a minor. Given his areas […]
Read MoreAfter making the transition from nursing student to speech communications student, Jana Baldwin was eager to find opportunities that would enrich her academic experience and help prepare her for the future. During the summer of 2002, Baldwin visited her best friend in Washington, DC, who was completing a Hinckley internship at the time, and fell […]
Read MoreAaron Hildreth entered the University of Utah as a political science student with the hope of one day working in a political office or attending law school. Despite his political aspirations, Hildreth did not end up working in the world of politics. However, Hildreth’s time at the U and his experiences with the Hinckley Institute […]
Read MoreYvette Romero’s path to a life of public service began long before her time as a University of Utah student. While growing up, Romero saw firsthand the hardships and limited resources available to immigrant and first-generation Mexican American relatives and neighbors. Their experiences…are a constant reminder of my responsibility to ensure that generations to follow […]
Read MorePatrick Reimherr has always been drawn to the world of politics. However, growing up, the political realm seemed out of reach until Reimherr discovered the Hinckley Institute while studying at the University of Utah. Reimherr, who had a love of all things political, found the Hinckley Institute to be instrumental in helping to define his […]
Read MoreElise Scott did not always envision herself pursuing a career in politics and public service, but she found this path at the University of Utah. Scott chose to study political science and communications because she wanted degrees that would help her define her core values, advocate for solutions based on those values, and provide her […]
Read MoreBetween waiting tables, working as a ski instructor and answering phones as a law firm receptionist, Valerie Rasmussen stayed incredibly busy outside the classroom during her time as an undergraduate student at the University of Utah. While studying Political Science, Rasmussen discovered the Hinckley Institute on campus and found the perfect solution to combine her […]
Read MoreThe name Natalie Gochnour carries gravitas and lends credibility and prestige to every project she is involved in. But before she was a leading expert on all things Utah, she was an eager student finding her way at the University of Utah. During her time at the university, Gochnour actively sought out experiences that […]
Read MoreMark Paul graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature in 1987. He made the most of his time as a student, actively engaging in a number of programs and activities, including serving as the ASUU Student Body President, Sigma Chi Fraternity President, and President of the Young Republicans. Former […]
Read MorePaige Meek graduated from the University of Utah in 2007 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Through her involvement with the Hinckley Institute, she gained valuable professional experience that prepared her for a career in healthcare. She also experienced firsthand the value a Hinckley internship can offer to students […]
Read MoreMichael Dillman completed his undergraduate education at the University of Utah in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. In 2021, he completed his Master’s in Public Administration and then jumped into the political science Ph.D. program at the University of Utah. Throughout his university experience, Dillman enriched his student life with Hinckley Institute […]
Read MoreCiriac Alvarez Valle graduated from the University of Utah in the spring of 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Sociology. As an undergraduate student, Alvarez Valle enriched her college experience through a national Hinckley internship with Ibarra Strategy Group (ISG). Alvarez Valle’s Hinckley internship developed valuable work experience and empowered her […]
Read MoreMatt Dimick graduated from the University of Utah in 1997 with a Bachelors of Science in Political Science. His involvement with the Hinckley Institute shaped his educational and professional trajectory. Looking back at his college experience, Dimick now says, “My Hinckley Internship was definitely the highlight of my educational experience at the University of Utah.” […]
Read MoreRachel Wootton graduated from the University of Utah in 2015 with a major in political science and minor in earth science. As a student at the U, Wootton was involved in many of the different Hinckley Institute opportunities available to students including classes, forums, and internships. Wootton also worked closely with the Hinckley Institute’s voter […]
Read MoreNeela Pack graduated from the University of Utah in 2013 with degrees in economics and political science, as well as a campaign management minor through the Hinckley Institute. Pack took full advantage of Hinckley programs during her time as an undergraduate, completing several Hinckley courses and an internship in Washington, DC. These experiences complemented her […]
Read MoreAs an alumnus of the University of Utah’s economics program, Kurt Bagley has a distinct memory of his professor teaching him that “economics could solve many problems on paper, but political economics solved problems in the real world.” This lesson pushed him to learn more about government and ultimately led him to the Hinckley Institute, […]
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