Kylie Ha, Manager
Kylie Ha, a member of CMC’s Class of 2026 and a Shaw Wagener Global Family Scholar, is studying Public Policy and International Relations with a focus on national defense, international security, and counterintelligence. She joined the Dreier Roundtable in 2023 for its commitment to public service and leadership in policy and civil discourse. As a Student Fellow, she hopes to deepen her passion for public service and explore policies addressing homelessness through tiny home communities and urban planning. Beyond DRt, Kylie is a Cadet in the Army ROTC Program, Student Director of Student and Parent Engagement in the Office of Admissions, Finance Manager for the Claremont International Relations Society, and Co-Founder of the 5C Triathlon Club. She enjoys studying Arabic, exploring the outdoors, and plans to study abroad in Geneva, Switzerland, focusing on International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy.
Jacob Smagula, Manager
Jacob Smagula is a junior at CMC dual-majoring in Government and Middle Eastern Studies. He joined the Dreier Roundtable to examine inequity and the power of public policy to impact people’s lives, and to further develop his understanding of complex issues and leadership skills. In addition to his role as a DRt Fellow, he is a Research Assistant for the “Race and Islam” Lab at The Gould Center and works at the Athenaeum.
Jake Bergen
Jake Bergen is a member of Claremont McKenna College's Class of 2028, pursuing a degree in both Economics & Mathematics. His interests include the intersection of economics and public policy, two fields which are critical in shaping the political landscape across all levels of government. Jake's interest in the Dreier Roundtable was spurred by his appreciation of civil discourse and debate and the ways in which the organization actively promotes these pillars of civic engagement on campus. Outside of DRt he enjoys general trivia, going on walks, and listening to podcasts from The Economist.
Sadie Brown
Sadie Brown is a member of Claremont McKenna’s class of 2026 majoring in History with a Gender and Sexuality Sequence. At the Dreier Roundtable, she is a Media and Communications Fellow and works towards growing Dreier’s different platforms and student outreach. Sadie joined the DRt in 2024 because of the program’s dedication to public service and its commitment to educate students on different matters of public policy and civil discourse. In addition to her role as a DRt Fellow, Sadie is a liaison for the History and GSS Departments, a tour guide for CMC, and captain for the Athena Women’s Soccer Team.
Peter Dien
A member of Claremont McKenna’s Class of 2025, Peter Dien has spent his undergraduate experience conducting historical research, editing for The Student Life newspaper and developing humanities-driven stories to analyze the complex political and economic issues of our time. He is dual-majoring in History and Film Studies, which are two academic interests he aims to synthesize through a career in developing research, crafting narratives, and using the power of media to connect the global Vietnamese diaspora and embed reconciliation within the community. At the DRt, Peter works with the social media team to update the website, gauge online traffic to enhance user engagement, and create comprehensive graphic design campaigns to serve the mission of the institute. For fun, Peter loves watching movies on his Criterion Channel account, listening to Stevie Wonder, writing stories, and reading the latest book accumulating dust on his shelf.
Gabe Gardner
Gabe Gardner is a sophomore at Claremont McKenna College pursuing a dual B.A. in Government and History with a thematic focus in Law, Politics, and Society. His academic and professional interests center on law, policy, and justice, with experience in legal research, data analysis, and public policy. Through his work with research institutes and legal programs, Gabe is committed to connecting scholarship with practice as he prepares for a career in law and public service.
Eliza Gunter
Eliza Gunter is a student at Claremont McKenna College in the Class of 2027. She is a dual major in Classical Studies and Government, and hopes to combine these two passions in her work and studies. Eliza was drawn to the Dreier Roundtable’s robust commitment to fostering open dialogue and civil service both on campus and beyond. In addition to the Dreier Roundtable, Eliza is the Director of Operations for the Claremont McKenna Mock Trial team, and a member of the Claremont Colleges Debate Union. She is also a First Year Guide at CMC. In her free time, Eliza enjoys hiking, swimming, and intramural sports.
Erin Christine Kim
Erin Christine Kim is a Research Fellow with the Dreier Round Table, where she explores issues of justice, inequality, and governance through dialogue with policymakers, professors, and peers. As an International Relations and Data Science major at Claremont McKenna College, Erin is passionate about bridging divides and advancing civic discourse that strengthens democratic institutions. She brings experience in legal research, education, and public service, and is committed to promoting inclusive leadership and collaborative solutions to pressing policy challenges.
Myles Kim
Myles, a member of the CMC Class of '28, is majoring in Public policy with a Data Science Sequence. Currently, he is most interested in issues of state and local governance, urban planning, urban mobility, and transit-oriented development. He joined the Dreier Roundtable as a Journalism Fellow to help encourage students towards careers in public service and improve his understanding of the current state of local journalism. In addition to his role as a DRt Journalism fellow, he is also a communications officer at Claremont Urbanists and works at the Athenaeum.
Shiv Parihar
Shiv is a sophomore at Claremont McKenna College studying Government. He believes that the foundation of a republic is pluralism across ideological and cultural lines to build a broadly based democracy. He has worked on a number of political campaigns and contributed to several publications, including The American Spectator, Providence, and The Salt Lake Tribune. Shiv is excited to work to do his part at the Open Academy to build a community able to host diversity of thought.
Nathan Perry
Nathan Perry, a member of the CMC’s Class of 2028, is from Santa Cruz, California. He plans to major in government with a sequence in legal studies. He looks forward to getting involved in all the great political organizations, expertise, and resources on campus, as well as creating productive dialogue that involves a variety of viewpoints. He’s excited to join the Dreier Roundtable to assist with Professor Fortner’s research on identity politics, a topic that caught his attention while taking his Intro to Government class. He’ll also be a part of the Keck World Affairs Podcast Program in the spring of 2025, exploring the Communist legacy in modern-day China and its implications for geopolitics. Some of his favorite things to do so far in Claremont are attending a good Ath dinner, going to late-night snack with friends, and playing frisbee on Parents with a nice sunset.
Johnny Russell
Johnny Russell is a rising second year student at Claremont McKenna College from Orlando, Florida. Johnny wanted to be a Dreier Roundtable fellow because he saw it as a great opportunity to work alongside such accomplished 5C students and faculty who share his own emerging passion for politics and public policy. A government major, Johnny believes that the institution’s goal to promote healthy civil discourse around campus will reshape the way he thinks about pressing social and political issues in America today. Thus, he hopes to gain from his experiences as a fellow some helpful tools to become a thoughtful participant in the American political system and most importantly an open mind. In addition to the Dreier Roundtable, Johnny is a first year guide and member of the nonprofit organization Student Connections.
Ranya Sharaf
Ranya Sharaf, a McKenna Merit Scholar in CMC’s Class of 2027, is studying International Relations and Economics with interests in diplomacy and political economy. She was drawn to the Dreier Roundtable for its commitment to shaping future leaders and civically engaged citizens. Having worked in public service, government, and policy, she is eager to continue these efforts in college by educating and engaging her peers. As a Dreier Roundtable Fellow, she looks forward to advancing her passion for advocacy and public service, particularly by studying the effects of policy initiatives on different communities. Beyond the Roundtable, Ranya serves as the Director of Wellness for the College Programming Board, a Consultant for the Pomona Consulting Group, and a Fellow in the Kravis Center’s Leadership Development Program. She is excited for her first year as a Dreier Fellow and to collaborate with the Roundtable’s outstanding members and faculty.
Matthew Tupper
Matthew Tupper, Class of 2028, is a dual major in International Relations and Economics with a strong interest in government and public policy. He works at the Atheneum and in Admissions, where he leads campus tours and assists at the front desk, helping prospective students and visitors navigate the campus. In addition, he serves as a Career Services Mentor, guiding students on resumes and cover letters, as a Tutor for Student Connection, and as Finance Manager for the Claremont International Relations Society (CIRS). Outside of class and work, Matthew enjoys playing billiards and pool, listening to music, and reading articles on current events and policy.
Lucio Vasquez
Lucio, a member of CMC’s Class of 2028, is interested in majoring in Government with a sequence in Legal Studies. He began his first semester working under the Gould Center as a Research Assistant for Michael Fortner in the publishing of “United We Fall: Race, Place, and Identity Politics in New York City.” The Dreier Roundtable Research Assistant position now helps Lucio continue this research during the Winter of 2024. Interested in community engagement, Lucio is also a tutor for Student Connections & Kravis Lab for Civic Leadership, focusing on the practice of high-impact tutoring and spreading the values of mentorship and civic engagement. Outside of work, he enjoys playing guitar, listening to music, reading, hiking, and mentoring his siblings.