Teaching & Mentorship
My mission in life is to revolutionize academia by mentoring and guiding students from under-represented groups toward educational careers and opportunities they may not even know exist. The impact of mentorship on my life has been transformative. My middle school history teacher, Mr. Spielman, stood as a beacon of inspiration and guidance. Our conversations beyond the classroom ignited my passion for the history of colonialism and subaltern resistance. They encouraged me to delve deeper into how marginalized communities have historically utilized traditional strategies like ritual and song to critique and resist colonial domination. These exchanges have significantly influenced my vision for an engaged and inclusive pedagogy.
I am dedicated to creating similar opportunities for my students, helping them see themselves and their histories reflected in their education. Drawing from my own experiences, I prioritize being accessible and fostering a classroom atmosphere where students feel safe to express themselves and explore diverse ideas. Giving back is my way of honoring the sacrifices made by my family, mentors, and institutions that have supported my journey. As my father often reminds me, true enrichment comes from empowering others. There is no career more rewarding than that of an educator, and I am eager to embark on this path to inspire the next generation.
Actual Undergraduate and Graduate Students’ Research and Placement
My teaching and research mentorship spans both the United States and international contexts and
has centered on cultivating a diverse community of scholars engaged in the rigorous study of
violent conflict and political order. I have supervised and mentored students employing a wide range of methodological approaches, including ethnographic fieldwork, interviews,
participant observation, formal modeling, field experiments, surveys, and quantitative analysis.
Many of these mentees bring prior experience in NGOs, policy institutions, military service, and
local community engagement, enriching their analytical perspectives and grounding their
research in lived realities. Across cohorts, I emphasize producing scholarship that is empirically
grounded, theoretically meaningful, and relevant to audiences beyond academia, encouraging
students to avoid unnecessary abstraction and instead focus on addressing consequential
problems in conflict-affected settings.
Undergraduate Students:
Drew Weisberg is a 2021 graduate of Northwestern University, where he earned the R. Barry Farrell Prize for Academic Achievement in Political Science and held leadership roles in Global Brigades and the Mock Trial Board. He went on to attend The George Washington University Law School, graduating with Highest Honors and Order of the Coif, while actively contributing to law journals, moot court, and professional development initiatives. During law school, he received multiple distinctions, including the Phi Delta Phi Award and recognition for his advocacy and writing. He now works as an associate at Latham & Watkins in Washington, DC, specializing in legal practice at a leading global law firm.
Eliza Artley Posner is a 2021 graduate of Northwestern University, where she distinguished herself in political science as both a recognized award recipient and an earlier honorable-mention recipient. Her undergraduate experience reflected strong academic mentorship and engagement, including participation in applied case study research, such as her work on cheerleading. Building on this foundation, she has continued to advance her academic trajectory in political science at the graduate level.
Eli Baum is a 2021 graduate of Northwestern University, where he earned honors in political science and completed an award-recognized thesis examining the effects of campaign spending on primary election outcomes. Building on a strong foundation in research and earlier experience in campus journalism, he pursued a Master’s degree in Public Policy Analysis at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy (2021–2023). Eli now works in the policy field as a Policy Analyst Fellow at the Jewish United Fund, applying their academic training to real-world policy and research initiatives.
Clare Proctor’s experience at Northwestern University—particularly through its Medill School of Journalism and political science coursework—has been central to shaping her path into professional reporting. Her training combined rigorous journalistic skills with a strong foundation in political analysis, enabling her to cover complex issues such as education, state politics, and social justice with depth and clarity. Hands-on roles at The Daily Northwestern further strengthened her editorial judgment and newsroom leadership, preparing her for competitive internships and ultimately her role as a reporting fellow at The Texas Tribune.
Sarah Bryant’s academic trajectory at Northwestern University reflects a strong interdisciplinary foundation that blends literary analysis with political inquiry. Through the accelerated BA/MA program in Comparative Literature at Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences, she developed advanced skills in interpreting complex narratives, culminating in a thesis on U.S. war fiction. Complementing this, her coursework in comparative politics—particularly on the Middle East and North Africa—deepened her understanding of the political contexts that shape conflict and storytelling. Together, this combination positioned her to critically engage with war narratives not only as literary texts but as reflections of broader political and global dynamics.
Jalika Bojang is a first-generation neuroscience student and aspiring physician based at the University of Kentucky, committed to advancing community health and patient care. She works as a Patient Observation Assistant with Crothall Healthcare, where she provides one-on-one patient support and collaborates with clinical staff to ensure patient safety and well-being. She also volunteers with Bluegrass Care Navigators, offering companionship and comfort to hospice patients. As President and Charterer of the University of Kentucky’s chapter of the Student National Medical Association (MAPS), she leads initiatives that support underrepresented pre-med students through mentorship and professional development. She has additionally served as Volunteer Coordinator for Minority Students in Neuroscience at the University of Kentucky, promoting community engagement and diversity in the field. Jalika has also worked under my mentorship as an undergraduate research assistant, contributing to mixed-methods research, and is now preparing for medical school following her Spring 2026 graduation.
Graduate Students:
Alpha Diallo is a doctoral student in Global Security at the American Public University System, where his dissertation examines how economic instability shapes the dynamics of terrorism and regional resilience in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. His work is supervised by Dr. Kathryn Lambert, with committee members including Dr. Lamin Keita and Dr. Scott Duryea. A Research Analyst by profession, he brings strong expertise in data analysis, survey design, and strategic research implementation, complemented by leadership and cross-cultural communication skills. He currently serves as a Rating Veteran Service Representative at the Department of Veterans Affairs, holding an active Secret Security Clearance and fluency in multiple languages relevant to West Africa. Diallo successfully defended his dissertation proposal and is now conducting fieldwork to advance to writing his dissertation.
Momodou B. Bah earned his Master of Global Affairs from the University of Notre Dame as a Kroc Institute scholar, specializing in international peace studies and conflict prevention. His work focused on advancing the implementation of the Global Fragility Act, including engagement with policymakers at the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. Through mentorship in the African Governance Innovation Lab (AGIL), he strengthened his research capacity and developed expertise on coastal West Africa. He will begin a Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of California, Riverside in Fall 2026, focusing on transitional justice and security sector reforms in Africa, with particular attention to The Gambia.
Andrew Mendy is a Gambian and an incoming Ph.D. student in Political Science at the University of Mississippi for Fall 2026. His research interests span international relations and comparative politics, particularly democracy, political accountability, civil society, and institutional effectiveness. He holds a Master of Arts in Political Science from Eastern Illinois University, where he also serves as an adjunct instructor teaching introductory politics. His master’s thesis examines democratic developments in post-Jammeh Gambia, analyzing governance trends, challenges, and prospects from 2017 to 2025. Beyond academia, he has been actively engaged in civil society work on governance and accountability and has contributed as a research assistant on fisheries governance in West Africa. I began mentoring Andrew during his graduate school preparation, supporting him in developing research skills and strengthening his graduate applications, which have contributed to his progression into doctoral study.
Moussa Pounaba, originally from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, worked closely with me between 2021 and 2022 as a research assistant on fieldwork projects across the country. During this period in Burkina Faso, he received mentorship in research design and data collection, as well as in analytical writing and professional development, which significantly strengthened his intellectual foundation and prepared him for competitive graduate study, including the Fulbright Program. Building on prior experience with the Center for Democracy and Development, he relocated to the United States in 2023 as a Fulbright Scholar and is now affiliated with the University at Buffalo, where he earned a Master’s degree and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Theory focused on peace, justice, human rights, and development. His trajectory reflects how targeted mentorship can cultivate rigorous scholarly capacity and support a successful transition into advanced academic research.
Ghislain Beogo, originally from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, worked closely with me between 2021 and 2022 as a research assistant on fieldwork projects, where mentorship in research design, data collection, translation, and analytical writing strengthened his intellectual and professional development. This foundation prepared him for competitive international opportunities, including the Fulbright Program. He relocated to the United States in 2023 as a Fulbright Scholar and completed a Master of Science in Business (Innovation and Entrepreneurship) with honors at Temple University in Philadelphia. During his graduate studies, he developed expertise in business strategy, financial analysis, and project management while actively engaging in initiatives such as the International Youth Conference and the World Bank Group Youth Summit. Prior to his studies, he held professional roles in Burkina Faso, including Administrative and Financial Assistant at Dai Nippon Construction Co., Ltd., and Commercial Assistant at GROUPE HAGE. His trajectory reflects a strong integration of research, business, and global development, positioning him for advanced academic and professional pursuits.
