Baker Center Announces Newest Class of Scholars

UT’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy has added 14 new Baker Scholars to its program, bringing the total number to 30.

UT's Baker Center adds 14 new Baker Scholars to its program. Front Row: Tristan Smith, Travis Clark, Morgan Chance, Christina Gore, and Feroza Freeland. Back row: Sarah Smith, Avanti Rangnekar, Elle Johnson, Gus White, Miranda Isaacs, McKenzie Manning, Lauren Patterson, Will Gableman, and Turner Matthews. — UT’s Baker Center adds 14 new Baker Scholars to its program. Front Row: Tristan Smith, Travis Clark, Morgan Chance, Christina Gore, and Feroza Freeland. Back row: Sarah Smith, Avanti Rangnekar, Elle Johnson, Gus White, Miranda Isaacs, McKenzie Manning, Lauren Patterson, Will Gableman, and Turner Matthews.

“This select group of students have an academic and career interest in public policy and government,” said Nissa Dahlin-Brown, associate director of the Baker Center. “Each student will complete an individual research project while enrolled in courses to help them develop their project. It is a unique experience for undergraduates to be able to target an issue they are passionate about; research it; and discover ideas, solutions, and unintended consequences.”

Scholars are paired with faculty or professional mentors who help direct their project. In addition to their project work, scholars are encouraged to participate in Baker Center events, guest lectures, and conferences, giving them the chance to expand their networks of professional contacts and hear from political insiders.

The new class of scholars will graduate in May 2018:

Ben Bergman, global studies and Hispanic studies, Franklin, Tennessee
Joshua Brown, College Scholars (sociocultural anthropology and migration studies), Corryton, Tennessee
Feroza Freeland, political science and Hispanic studies, Memphis, Tennessee
Will Gableman, College Scholars (urban studies, public policy, and economics), Cookeville, Tennessee
Lucy Greer, political science and Middle Eastern studies, Knoxville, Tennessee
Miranda Isaacs, public administration and Italian, Elizabethton, Tennessee
Elle Johnson, College Scholars (health communication and promotion), Dunlap, Tennessee
McKenzie Manning, journalism and political science, Munford, Tennessee
Turner Matthews, political science, Knoxville, Tennessee
Lauren Patterson, business analytics and global studies, Franklin, Tennessee
Avanti Rangnekar, economics and philosophy, Knoxville, Tennessee
Sarah Smith, political science and Middle Eastern studies, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Tristan Smith, political science, Maryville, Tennessee
Gus White, College Scholars (health systems policy), Chattanooga, Tennessee

UT’s Class of 2017 includes 16 Baker Scholars:

Auria Asadsangabi, political science and economics, Brentwood, Tennessee
Hayley Brundige, College Scholars (journalism, public policy, Arabic), Nashville, Tennessee
Morgan Chance, political science and English, Memphis, Tennessee
Travis Clark, microbiology and Russian, Nolensville, Tennessee
Alina Clay, College Scholars, Collierville, Tennessee
Will Gilman, political science and global studies, Nashville, Tennessee
Christina Gore, economics, Franklin, Tennessee
Roxanne de Guzman, social work, Timonium, Maryland
Diana Howell, political science/Latin American and Caribbean studies, El Paso, Texas
Emily Massengill, honors political science and Spanish, Franklin, Tennessee
Caitlyn McCandless, supply chain (economics collateral), Sevierville, Tennessee
Monil Mehta, microbiology, Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Eric Peters, Global Leadership Scholar, economics, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Colleen Ryan, Haslam Scholar, global studies, Nashville, Tennessee
Tucker Shull, honors political science, Kingsport, Tennessee
Sawyer Smith, political science and economics, Chattanooga, Tennessee

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CONTACT:

Nissa Dahlin-Brown (865-974-0931, nissa@utk.edu)

Tyra Haag (865-974-5460, tyra.haag@tennessee.edu)