Civil Discourse Fellows

As part of its Civil Discourse for Citizenship initiative, CEHV hosts a Civil Discourse Fellows program for undergraduates. Each spring, eight students are selected as Fellows from a competitive pool of applicants. OSU undergraduates from all colleges and majors are encouraged to apply.

CEHV Civil Discourse Fellows plan and moderate CEHV's Civil Discourse Forums on topics of their choice and serve as ambassadors for civil discourse on campus. Each Civil Discourse Fellow receives a $750 fellowship award and serves from the spring semester when they are accepted through spring semester of the following year.

Since the inaugural cohort in 2021-22, 48 students from 7 colleges have participated in the Civil Discourse Fellows program. Together, they have led 19 Civil Discourse Forums exploring contrasting views on pressing controversial questions.

Civil Discourse Forums

Autumn 2026

October 23: Is Fast Fashion Ok?

November 6: Is NIL Good for College Football?

Past Civil Discourse Forums

Spring 2026

2025

2024

2023

2022

2026-27 Undergraduate Civil Discourse Fellows

Peter Conser

Peter is a student at The Ohio State University majoring in Economics with a minor in Public Management, Leadership and Policy. He is a Buckeye Leadership Fellow and serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, where he works to strengthen inclusive engagement and collaboration across student organizations. Peter is also a Research Associate in Ohio State’s College of Communications, supporting large-scale research on socioeconomic outcomes through data analysis and literature review. He previously served as a Legislative Intern in the Ohio House of Representatives, where he advocated for constituents and assisted with budget and policy analysis. He will join KeyBank as an Incoming Risk Management Summer Analyst in 2026.

Megan Gantner

Megan is a third year in the honors program studying PPE and English Rhetoric with a minor in Classical Greek. She is student convener of the PPE Book Club and is also involved in Classics Club and Ethics Bowl. She works as Student Outreach and Communications Assistant for the Knowlton School and as a political science research assistant for Professor Maria Silfa. She is currently interning for Ohio State's Center for Epigraphical and Paleographical Studies.

Shilpa Gopal

Shilpa is a fourth-year student studying Philosophy, Politics, and Economics with minors in Linguistics and Law & Public Policy. On campus, Shilpa is a University Ambassador, working within Undergraduate Admissions. Outside of the classroom, she serves as Vice President for Delta Phi Omega Sorority, Inc., and as President for Khabar OSU, a student-run newsletter. Additionally, Shilpa is a Judicial Panel Clerk for the Undergraduate Student Government. She is passionate about legal advocacy for victims' rights and recently wrapped up her work as an Intake Specialist with the Chandra Law Firm.

Gwenyth King

Gwenyth is a third-year Honors pre-law student, double-majoring in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Studio Art. She is a Morrill Excellence Scholar and an Advocate for Community and Education (ACES) Scholar. She is currently an undergraduate research assistant for a project with the goal of examining the evolution of campus justice systems over the past fifty years, with a focus on the regulation of student behavior, speech, press, and protest. Gwenyth has also been a member of TEDxOhioStateUniversity's Content Committee for two years as a speaker coach and has coached three TEDx talks. Additionally, she is participating in STEP, and is a Buckeye Pen Pal.

Elijah Kirkpatrick

Elijah Kirkpatrick is a third-year student majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. He is driven by a desire to learn and pursue whatever his curiosity leads him to. Currently his main area of interest is the intersection between technology and philosophy. When he is not actively engaged in academics, Elijah spends his free time enjoying a number of hobbies and other creative pursuits such as wood carving, playing board games, baking, skateboarding, gardening, and going on hikes. Over the summer he spends his time at home in Washington, D.C. where he works as a gardener helping his community garden flourish. He is committed to the mission of making civil discourse more accessible to his peers across campus.

Asher Nathan

Asher Nathan is a third-year from Columbus majoring in both Political Science and Public Management, Leadership and Policy. Currently, he is a member of the OSU Democrats organization and is working as an undergraduate homicide researcher for the Criminal Justice Research Center on campus. He also plans to be a community development volunteer in Rio de Janeiro this summer for local NGOs. In his free time, Asher enjoys playing basketball, cooking new meals, and playing the guitar.

Tobey Rubin

Tobey Rubin is a third-year majoring in Economics and Russian on the pre-law track. On campus, he is a research assistant at the Center for Design Manufacturing Excellence, as well as being a University Ambassador. He is also a member of the International Affairs Scholars Program, in which he holds the position of service chair. Additionally, he is a participant of Phi Alpha Delta, Undergraduate Student Government, and the Russian Student Association. Outside of academics, Tobey enjoys painting and playing the bass guitar and cello.

George Sperka

George Sperka is a fourth-year student pursuing double majors in Philosophy, Politics & Economics and Public Management, Leadership & Policy. He has also completed a minor in History and earned a certificate in Civil Discourse for Citizenship. In his free time, George competes on the university’s ethics bowl team and works as a member of the operations crew at the Schottenstein Center.

2025-26 Undergraduate Civil Discourse Fellows

Reed Bushbaum

Reed graduated in 2026. He majored in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics with minors in Legal Foundations of Society and International Relations - Diplomacy. He served as the Communications Assistant for the University Senate and as the Interdisciplinary Programs and Faculty Senate Representative on the Arts and Sciences Student Council. While on campus, Reed was an active member of the PPE Society, a competitor on the Ethics Bowl Team, a Student Experience and Engagement Delegate, and a writer for the Undergraduate Law Review. He also worked as a political methodology research assistant, focusing on U.S. Supreme Court decision-making. Reed is passionate about the philosophy of law and ethics, diplomacy, and civil discourse, and he hopes to pursue a career in international dispute resolution after earning his J.D.

Jeremy Lavoie

Jeremy Lavoie is a senior with a Philosophy and Economics double major with a minor in history. He is a Stamps Eminence Scholar and is involved with the Alexander Hamilton Society, the Journal of Political and International Affairs, and student government, where he currently serves as University Senator. In his free time, Jeremy loves to ski, hike, and play jazz saxophone.

Carissa Lumby

Carissa graduated from OSU in 2026. She double majored in psychology and political science with a minor in science and engineering in the public interest. While on campus, she was a Research Assistant for the Communications and Cognitive Systems lab, and the President and Co-founder of Civil Alliance, a pre-law club that works with the Legal Aid Society of Southeast and Central Ohio. Carissa was also a sustainability assistant at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Mary Paydock

Mary graduated in 2026 with dual degrees in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and BA - Music Performance. Mary was in the university's honor program and served as the President of the Undergraduate Music Council, Percussion Club and Vice President of PPE Society. Mary was the Production Assistant for Stage Crew at the School of Music and worked as a legal intern at a Columbus law firm. Outside of academics, Mary enjoys baking and reading.

Isabel Rodriguez

Isabel Rodriguez is a junior pursuing dual bachelor's degrees in Psychology (BA) and Human Development and Family Sciences (BS) with a Minor in Nonprofit Management. On campus, Isabel serves as the President of the Latine Student Association (LSA), dedicated to celebrating the Latine culture as well as fostering and bringing awareness about the Latine community. She is also a Head Swim Instructor for Bluefish Swim School, creating adaptive lessons for children with disabilities, and a general body member of Latine Educational Empowerment (LEE), mentoring newly arrived Latine students and providing guidance on navigating higher education. Isabel is also a student teacher at the Schoenbaum Family Center at the A. Sophie Rogers School and a Registered Behavior Technician, delivering ABA therapy and leading social skills groups. Finally, she is a Morrill Scholar and a recipient of the LULAC Ohio Educational Foundation Scholarship.

Rishika Rohatgi

Rishika graduated from OSU in 2026. She was a Morrill Scholar who majored in Finance and Economics, with a minor in Psychology. While on campus, she was a member of Fisher’s 28th Honors Cohort, Buckeye Leadership Fellows, and served as Vice President of Human Capital for the Buckeye Undergraduate Consulting Club (BUCC). Rishika is passionate about mental health awareness and advocated for mental health infrastructure reform as a youth board member to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). In the past, she has worked for the Keenan Center of Entrepreneurship, Emerson Climate Technologies, and EY-Parthenon.

Nathan Snizik

Nathan is a senior double-majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and Information Security. He currently serves as the Special Events Director for the Ohio Union Activities Board (OUAB), Historian for Alpha Phi Omega, and Undergraduate Student Representative on the Council on Academic Affairs. During the academic year, he works with the Department of Athletics AV Team and manages social media for the Naismith Awards. In his free time, he enjoys meeting new people and pursuing his passion for athletic photography.

Julian Yetsky

Julian is a third-year student majoring in Public Management, Leadership and Policy with a minor in Political Science on the Pre-Law track. He serves as the Secretary of the OSU chapter of the American Enterprise Institute. Julian is an active member of the Law & Society Scholars program where he serves on its Leadership Council as a member of the Buckeye Affinity and Professional Development Committee. Outside of his academics and extracurriculars, Julian works as a Student Steward over at Traditions at Kennedy. In his spare time, Julian likes to speak German, hang out with friends and be of service to others whenever possible.

2024-25 Undergraduate Civil Discourse Fellows

George Bernard

George is a senior majoring in Finance and Information Systems with minors in History and Public Policy. He is involved with Undergraduate Student Government as the head of the legislative branch, Buckeye Undergraduate Consulting Club, and serves as the Secretary of BridgeUSA at Ohio State. Outside of school, he is an avid Columbus Blue Jackets Fan.

Elise Brown

Elise graduated from OSU in 2026. She double majored in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) and Theatre. She was actively involved in several organizations, including OSU's pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta, the Ethics Bowl Team, Buckeyes for Baking, and The Ohio Innocence Project. Elise also served as a Legislative Page at the Ohio House of Representatives and was External Communications Associate for an Ohio Senate campaign.

Izza Haq

Izza is a senior double majoring in Journalism and Public Affairs. She is the Arts & Life video producer and reporter for The Lantern. She is an intern producer with All Sides with Amy Juravich on WOSU-NPR as well as a committee member for Students for Justice in Palestine. In her hometown, she mentors youth at her local mosque. She has also been involved with CAIR-Ohio and recently joined YUSRA (Young United Souls for Revolutionary Action), focusing on advocacy and civic engagement within local Muslim communities.

Laney King

Laney graduated from OSU in 2026. She majored in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and Spanish with a minor in History. While on campus, she was involved with the outreach team of TEDxOhioStateUniversity and worked as the grants coordinator for Vocalize Interpreting. She was an Ohio State yoga instructor, teaching yoga to her fellow students at the RPAC. Laney also volunteered with the Legal Aid Society of Southeast and Central Ohio and recently worked in the district office of an Ohio congresswoman.

Kandace McConnell

Kandace is a third-year Morrill Scholar majoring in English on the pre-law track. She is also minoring in Spanish and Civic Engagement. She serves as the DEI chair for her Community Council and is an active member as a Law and Society Scholar. Outside of academics, Kandace works as the Arps Hall Student Librarian. Before college, Kandace had an internship with the Columbus Metropolitan Library where she promoted literacy and accessibility in education for youth.

Camden-Sinclair Miller

Camden is a third-year student from St. Louis, MO, double majoring in Journalism and Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) on the pre-law track. He is a Morrill Scholar and part of the Morrill Scholars Program Living-Learning Community. Around campus, he's involved in PPE Society, The Lantern, and the Undergraduate Black Law Student Association. Camden is a person who listens to understand and is passionate about helping individuals who disagree see eye to eye.

Jack Williams

Jack graduated from OSU in 2026. He was a Morrill Scholar double majoring in PPE (Philosophy, Politics, Economics) and Data Analytics in the university's honors program. He served as member development chair for PPE society, and as the director of projects for the Buckeye Undergraduate Consulting Club (BUCC). Jack has worked as a policy analyst intern and an intern in operations at Huntington National Bank.

Annie Zhang

Annie is a fourth-year student double majoring in Psychology and Public Management, Leadership and Policy. Passionate about social impact, discussing novel ideas, and coaching, she is involved in Undergraduate Student Government, TEDxOhioStateUniversity, and the Global Leadership Institute cohort. In her hometown, St. Louis, she has worked as a political canvasser for several local and congressional campaigns. In her spare time, she enjoys meeting new people, playing piano, and hip hop dance.

2023-24 Undergraduate Civil Discourse Fellows

Kayla Anderson

Kayla Anderson graduated from OSU in 2024 . She majored in Political Science and was on the pre-law track. Kayla served as the vice president of the Undergraduate Black Law Student Association, treasurer of the Minority Collegiate Outreach and Support Team, and DEI committee co-chair for her Law and Society Scholars Program. Outside of school, she volunteered with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus which provides free legal services for low-income Columbus residents.

Muheeb Hijazeen

Muheeb graduated from OSU in 2025 with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering. While on campus, he was the Vice President of Internal Relations for the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. He was also an advisory board for the Ohio Prison Education Exchange Project, an engineering ambassador, and a Mount Leadership Society Scholar. Muheeb worked in Undergraduate Admissions as a Junior Undergraduate Admissions Counselor and worked part-time at Nationwide Insurance as a Data Science Researcher.

Nora Igelnik

Nora graduated from OSU in 2026. She majored in journalism and public management, leadership, and policy student with a minor in media production and analysis. She was a Stamps Eminence Scholar and was involved in The Lantern and Pen Pals OSU. She also worked as a student digital producer at WOSU Public Media.

Mohamed Manaa

Mohamed graduated in 2025 with a B.A. in Political Science with minors in history and music. He served as the president for the United Nations Association chapter on campus and was a member of the Collegiate Council on World Affairs. He also conducted research with Dr. Vladimir Kogan in the Department of Political Science while interning with the Middle East Studies Center on campus.

Sophia Markley

Sophia is a second-year student majoring in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). She is involved in Model United Nations, and also serves as the Civic Engagement Chair within the Smith-Steeb Community Council Executive Board. Sophia has worked as both a Law Intern and an International Business Intern and has been passionate about politics and civics since she joined high school.

Tyler Monk

Tyler graduated from OSU in 2025. He majored in PPE (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) with a minor in Religious Studies. He served as a University Senator in the Undergraduate Student Government and was on the University Conduct Board. He was also the President of the Leighton Undergraduate Philosophy Club, Secretary of the PPE Society, and on the Ethics Bowl Team. Tyler has worked as a constituent aide in the Ohio House of Representatives and at a Columbus based lobbying firm.

Sarah Spencer

Sarah is a third-year student double majoring in EEDS (environment, economy, development, and sustainability) and World Politics, specializing in both international development and world economics. She is also minoring in Nonprofit Organization Management. In her time at OSU, she has founded a nonprofit organization called HARVEST, focused on providing aid to developing and low-income areas of the world through the implementation of sustainable agriculture and infrastructure systems, and she currently serves as the organization’s President.

Lillian Wang

Lillian is a second-year student majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) in the Honors Program of the College of Arts and Sciences. She is involved in Mock Trial, the Arts and Sciences Student Council, and the American Enterprise Institute at OSU. She is the current student representative of the Arts and Sciences Curriculum Committee, as well as part of the Undergraduate Student Government.

2022-23 Undergraduate Civil Discourse Fellows

Joe Bjorkman

Joe graduated from OSU in 2024 with a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE). He was involved in OSU College Democrats and PPE Society, and was a proud member of the Sons of the American Legion. He worked at The Library Bar and the United States Senate as a Congressional Intern.

Cydney Carter

Cydney graduated from OSU in 2025. She was a Sociology major on the Pre-Law track with a Human Rights minor. She was a Law and Society Scholar, a Morrill Scholar, and an admin assistant for the Center for Belonging and Social Change. She served on the Executive Board for the Law and Society Scholars as a member of the Social Committee. She was an active member of the Undergraduate Black Law Student Association (UBLSA) and the Minority Community Outreach Support Team (MCOST) on the Fundraising Committee.

Aditya Desai

Adi graduated from OSU in 2026 with a B.S. in Data Analytics. While at OSU, he was involved in the Big Data Analytics Association where he served as a Special Project Coordinator, and he was also part of the Eminence Fellows Program.

Ellamarie Jones

Ellamarie graduated from OSU in 2026 with a BA in Clinical Psychology. She was on the board of the Alexander Hamilton Society’s OSU chapter, and mentored students in the TEDxYouth Dayton program. She was also a member of the Stadium Scholarship Program.

Trevor Jones

Trevor graduated from OSU in 2024. He majored in Political Science. Trevor was a member of the Ohio State Ultimate Frisbee club. He was also an Eagle Scout and continues to be involved in the Boy Scouts of America as an adult leader and role model to youth. He is also involved in activism in the Columbus area concerning the rights of transgender youth, abortion access, and labor organizing.

Elyse Reed

Elyse graduated from OSU in 2025. She double majored in English and PPE in the Honors Program of the College of Arts and Sciences. She was the vice president of the PPE Society where she founded the first PPE Book Club for Independent Study. She was also the social media coordinator of Ohio State's branch of Amnesty International and a Senate Page for the Ohio Senate.

Julia Rizzo

Julia graduated from OSU in 2024. She majored in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy and minored in Science and Engineering in the Public Interest through the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. She was an International Affairs Scholar, Vice President of the Collegiate Council on World Affairs, and an OSU Votes Ambassador. She also worked as an RA on-campus and as a Senate Page at the Ohio Statehouse.

Saed Yousuf

Saed graduated from OSU in 2024 with a degree in Criminology and a minor in Judicial Politics. While on campus, Saed was a member of Ohio State's Ohio Innocence Project chapter and the Undergraduate Black Law Student Association. Additionally, he interned at the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas with Judge Sheryl Munson. Saed is also a graduate of the Ohio Prison Education Exchange Project and a member of the Philosophy for Humans learning community at Southeastern Correctional Institution (a community made up of Ohio State students, teachers, and incarcerated individuals focused on supporting higher education in prison).

2021-22 Undergraduate Civil Discourse Fellows

Salma Albezreh

Salma graduated from OSU in 2025 with a degree in History and Islamic Studies. She was an Eminence Fellow, member of the Eminence Student Advisory Council, Editorial Assistant for the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Dayton International Peace Museum Board Member, and Harvard Medical School Research Assistant.

Andres Berrios Perez

Andres Berrios-Perez

Andres graduated from OSU in 2024. He was a Political Science major, a Law and Society Scholar, and a Morrill Scholar. He worked as an analyst for innovation at OnRamp, a project for students by the Fisher College of Business. Andres was also a student engagement specialist, connecting with Ohio State alumni and raising funds for the university. Andres is a recipient of the Morrill Excellence Scholarship and has been named to the Dean's List each semester at Ohio State.

Morgan Gibbs

Morgan graduated from OSU in 2023. She was a double major in Public Policy and Journalism in the University Honors Program. She was a Fellow in the 2023 Cohort of the Buckeye Leadership Fellows Program, Chief Outreach Officer of Best Food Forward, Senior Reporter for The Lantern, and Team Member for BuckeyeThon. She received a Maximus Scholarship and the 2021 George J. Kienzle Memorial Scholarship from the School of Communication, and was named to the Dean's List five times.

Kendal Harris

Kendal graduated from OSU in 2025 with a major in Public Management, Leadership, and Policy. Kendal was a member of the Morrill Scholars Program of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and was on the university's equestrian team. Kendal is an avid writer who published a debut novel in 2020.

Madison Meixner

Madison graduated from OSU in 2024. She was a Political Science major with a double minor in Biology and Spanish. Madison was a Morrill Scholar and an International Affairs Scholar. She served as an RA and as the Social Chair for International Affairs, and participates in Ohio State's Spanish and Portuguese Club, CCOSU (a club that works in tandem with Community Immigration & Refugee Services), Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and Women’s Rugby Club.

Corinne Miller

Corinne graduated from OSU in 2023. She majored in Public Policy Analysis in the Honors Program and minored in Statistics. She was a member of the Law and Society Scholars and served as an editor for the Journal of Political and International Affairs, where she reviewed undergraduate research. Corinne also worked with visiting exchange students as a member of Ohio State's Exchange Partner Program.

Jacob Scheinblum

Jacob graduated from OSU in 2025. He majored in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) and Chinese and was in the university's Honors Program. He was President and Secretary of the OSU PPE Society and a member of the Philosophy Club. Before coming to Ohio State, he joined the North American Vexillological Association and founded the Political Discourse Club, where he ran a school-wide campaign on the importance of civil discourse surrounding the 2020 presidential election.

Adarsh Subramanian

Adarsh graduated from Ohio State in Spring 2022 with a major in Finance and Economics. He was a member of the Integrated Business and Engineering Honors Program and Buckeye Capital Investors. He now works in technology investment banking in San Francisco.

CEHV's "Civil Discourse for Citizenship" program is led by Kathryn Joyce, Eric MacGilvray, Piers Turner, and Aaron Yarmel. It is pursued with generous support from the Derrow Family Foundation and in partnership with Ohio State's Listen. Learn. Discuss. initiative.