X
GO
Staff Directory

The APSA national office is supported by staff professionals, guided by 5 senior directors and the executive director. The APSA Council and committees govern association programs and activities. The APSA national office is located in an historic rowhouse in Dupont Circle, in Northwest Washington, DC.

Executive Director: Steven Rathgeb Smith

General Inquiries

American Political Science Association
1527 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20036-1203

Phone: (202) 483-2512
Fax: (202) 483-2657
Email: apsa@apsanet.org

 

Staff
Executive Management

steve

Steven Rathgeb Smith
Executive Director

Steven Rathgeb Smith is the executive director of the American Political Science Association and adjunct professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.    He previously taught for many years at the University of Washington where he was the Nancy Bell Evans Professor of Public Affairs at the Evans School of Public Affairs and director of the Nancy Bell Evans Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy. In addition, he has taught at Duke, American University, Syracuse University, and Washington University in St. Louis. From 1997 to 2004, he was editor of  Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.  He is the past president of the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (2006-2008) and the International Society for Third Sector Research (2016-2018).   Dr. Smith has authored and edited several books including,  Nonprofits for Hire: The Welfare State in the Age of Contracting  (with Michael Lipsky),  Governance and Regulation in the Third Sector: International Perspectives  (co-edited with Susan Phillips), Nonprofits and Advocacy: Engaging Community and Government in an Era of Retrenchment   (co-edited with Robert Pekkanen and Yutaka Tsujinaka) and most recently, The Changing Dynamic of Government–Nonprofit Relationships: Advancing the Field(s). (with  Kirsten A. Gronbjerg) (Cambridge University Press, 2021).   He is currently the chair of the CEO Executive Committee of the American Council of Learned Societies.   He has a Ph.D. in political science from M.I.T., a M.S.W. from Washington University in St. Louis, and an A.B. degree from Brown University.  . Email ››  View CV ››



Untitled design (3)637647439275749326

Michelle Allendoerfer
Senior Director, Teaching and Learning
Michelle Allendoerfer serves as the Senior Director of Teaching and Learning. She coordinates APSA’s teaching and learning programs and professional development programs. Prior to joining APSA, Michelle was the faculty coordinator for the International Politics cohort of the Women’s Leadership Program at the George Washington University where she taught political science courses. In addition to her research on human rights, Michelle has published on pedagogy. She received her BA in Political Science at Carleton College and her PhD in Political Science from the University of Michigan. In her free time, Michelle enjoys running, travel, and food. Email ››





ashley

Ashley Vande Bunte
Senior Director, Meetings and Events
is the Senior Director of Meetings and Events. She organizes and executes APSA events, including the Annual Meeting, the Teaching & Learning Conference, and the Virtual Research Meeting. Prior to joining APSA in 2013, Ashley managed event exhibits and registration for four annual events at the Retail Industry Leaders Association for five years. She received her B.A. in International Relations with a double minor in Spanish and International Business at Grand Valley State University. Ashley enjoys taking pottery classes, learning new languages, traveling, and spending time with her family.   Email ››


 


dan

Dan Gibson
Senior Director, Communications, Information and Operations

Dan Gibson serves as APSA senior Director of Communications, Information and Operations. He is responsible for APSA media/press relations, branding, and web communications. He is a veteran communications and marketing professional. He has worked primarily in the association field for more than 20 years using his expertise to deliver clear, consistent messaging and promote the interests of organizations and their memberships. His travels include the IEEE Computer Society, United Rentals, the American Gas Association, the National Association of Workforce Boards, the International Franchise Association, and the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals. He received a BA Communications from Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland and has received numerous awards in marketing and communications. Email ››



jon

Jon Gurstelle
Senior Director, Publications
Jon joined APSA in 2017 and has spent over a decade and a half in academic publishing at Blackwell Publishing, Springer, and Wiley as both a book editor and journal publisher in various social science and related disciplines. He has been a regular attendee at the APSA Annual Meeting since 2008 and volunteers on several committees of the Society for Scholarly Publishing (SSP). Jon is based at the APSA Headquarters in DC and oversees the publications team, 25 APSA and affiliated journals, a small books program, a member magazine, and APSA Preprints, the first society-owned not-for-profit preprint server in the social sciences and humanities.Email ››

 




kim

Kimberly Mealy
Senior Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Strategic Initiatives
Kimberly A. Mealy, is the APSA senior director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Strategic Initiatives. She engages in strategic program development in the areas of diversity, inclusion and accessibility, professional ethics, mentoring, and recruitment and retention of individuals from historically underrepresented groups. She also serves as the staff lead for the APSA Committee on Professional Ethics, Rights and Freedoms and six of the APSA Status Committees. During her time at APSA, Kimberly has supported two APSA presidential task forces (Political Science in the 21st Century (2010) and Negotiating Agreement in Politics (2013)) and directed the annual APSA Teaching and Learning Conference (2017-2014). Prior to joining APSA in 2007, Kimberly taught in the political science department at Wellesley College, as a teaching fellow and a visiting assistant professor. She earned her PhD in political science and public policy from Indiana University, where she directed mentoring and professional development programs for the Office of the Dean for Women’s Affairs and taught courses in political science. Most recently, Kimberly  designed and implemented  the development of the annual meetings ombuds resource (2017) and created the association-wide RESPECT campaign (2018). In May of 2019, Kimberly published a co-authored piece in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education entitled “Social Justice in Action: Creating a Climate of RESPECT at Associational Meetings”. She regularly consults on association resource development in the areas of diversity and inclusion, sexual harassment, professional climate, and the role and structure of the organizational ombuds.  Email ››



karima

Karima D. Scott
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
Karima Scott serves as the Senior Director of the Communications and Marketing department. She is responsible for all communications and marketing efforts of the association including branding and promotion of APSA program initiatives, managing and monitoring of the association website and social media channels, implementation of new marketing materials and campaigns, as well as serving as one of the association’s layout and design specialist. She supports and collaborates with all departments and teams to best serve APSA members. Prior to joining APSA in late 2013, Karima served as an AmeriCorp Public Ally after receiving her BA from George Mason University where she studied media communications, sociology and theater. Karima is a Washington, D.C. native. She enjoys live entertainment, traveling, art, and painting. Email ››



Accounting

Untitled design (58)638132010907939740

Steve Stoupa
Director, Finance and Administration 
Stephen ‘Steve’ Stoupa is the Director of Finance and Administration. Steve joined APSA in 2023 and brings more than 30 years of progressive accounting and finance experience leading the accounting departments of a variety of non-profits throughout the past 25 years.  It was at Price Waterhouse where he was an audit staff for 5 1/2 years that he found his love for the missions, staff and volunteers of non-profits and decided his future career path. Steve is a lifelong resident of the DC Metro area and is actively licensed as a CPA in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He continues his professional development as a member of both the AICPA and VSCPA and is a proud father of two wonderful and successful young daughters in their 20s. Email ››
  

 

Sofia Elverdin, 2023 DDRIG (2)

Nicole Price 

Associate Director, Finance
Nicole Price supports APSA’s financial processing, analysis, reporting, and policy functions in her role as Associate Director of Finance. She has previously served finance and accounting roles at a diverse set of organizations including Shakespeare Theatre Company, Environmental Working Group, and Consortium for Ocean Leadership. She holds a BA in Government and Politics, with a minor in Philosophy, from the University of Maryland. Nicole enjoys music, theater, spending time outdoors, and her pit bull, Gidget. Email ››




Untitled design (1)638005852745147205

Adriana Daza
Staff Accountant II
Adriana Daza is responsible for supporting the Director of Finance and the accounting manager in carrying out the responsibilities of the Finance Department which includes the performance of account receivable, payroll, monthly bank reconciliation and assisting the monthly closing process. Before joining APSA in October 2022, Adriana has worked in a CPA company as a payroll analyst, bookkeeper and project accountant. Adriana also has experience in US corporations/ partnerships and state taxes as she worked in an international big 4 in Buenos Aires as a tax analyst. Adriana enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and fitness. Email ››




Akshay Dixit, 2022 DDRIG638350717151593771

Mehreen Bajwa
Staff Accountant
Mehreen Bajwa serves as the Staff Accountant at APSA, supporting the Finance Department in carrying out the responsibilities of accounts payable. Prior to APSA, Mehreen worked at Long and Foster Companies as an Accounting Specialist. In that role, she served as the Team Lead for HR, Legal, MKTG, IT and Special Services as well as handling bookkeeping and agent accounts. She is graduating soon from George Mason University with a bachelor’s in business with a concentration in Accounting. She enjoys spending time with her family and hikes. Email ››




Congressional Fellowship Program

Meghan McConaughey
Chief of Staff and Director, Congressional Fellowship Program

Meghan McConaughey serves as Chief of Staff and Director of the Congressional Fellowship Program. She leads all aspects of the Congressional Fellowship Program, including supporting fellows in preparing for, securing, and being successful in their placements; organizing the fellow recruitment and selection process; and managing relationships with program partners and host offices. She is always happy to connect with potential fellows, hosts, partners, or alumni. She also provides support for APSA governance logistics and organization. Meghan has a PhD in political science and an MPP from Georgetown University.  Email ››



Untitled design (15)638242700390693490

Elizabeth Meehan
Manager, Research Grants

Elizabeth (Bit) Meehan serves as the Manager, Research Grants. She carries out APSA's research grant programs, particularly support for early career research grants like the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (DDRIG) program. She received her BA in Political Science at Northwestern University and her PhD in Political Science from George Washington University. Her dissertation research was funded by the National Science Foundation. Bit enjoys live music, national parks, and clothes thrifting. Email ››






Sofia Elverdin, 2023 DDRIG (1)

Alejandra Sampson,
Program Associate, Congressional Fellowship Program

Alejandra Sampson is the Program Associate of APSA’s Congressional Fellowship Program. Prior to joining APSA, Alejandra collaborated with the Pan American Health Organization; served as visa specialist for the U.S. Department of State; and was trade commerce officer for a regional bank in Central America. Alejandra is originally from Nicaragua, where she collaborated with pro-democracy organizations and advocated for human rights of political prisoners. Alejandra holds a BA in International Relations and a postgraduate degree in Economic Development. She is interested in philosophy, political communications and governance. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, live music and exploring the city. Email ››



Government Relations and Public Engagement

Untitled design638186543356725900

Ben Goodrich
Associate Director, Government Relations and Public Engagement
Ben Goodrich serves as APSA's Associate Director for Government Relations and Public Engagement. He enjoys a wide array of responsibilities including leading APSA's government relations portfolio and managing programs to encourage engagement of political scientists with the greater public. Ben joined APSA in 2023 after four years with the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA) where he led the organization's public affairs efforts and supported government relations programs on behalf of the greater social and behavioral science community. In 2021, Ben was selected to represent the United States at the Y7 Summit, the under-30 advisory body to give recommendations to the G7 nations' governments. Born and raised in the Upper Midwest, Ben graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018 and enjoys live music, video and board games, and museums in his free time. Email ››
Teaching and Learning

Untitled design (76)

Bennett Grubbs
Associate Director, Teaching and Professional Development and Editor, APSA Educate
Bennett l. Grubbs serves as Manager for Teaching and Learning and Editor for APSA Educate. He manages and curates APSA Educate, the soon-to-be launched online-library showcasing exceptional teaching materials and resources, peer-reviewed research on political science higher education and timely discussions on innovative practices in political science learning. Prior to joining APSA, Bennett taught at both the New School’s Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts and the City College of New York’s Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. He has presented research on American politics at multiple annual meetings of the American Political Science Association. Bennett earned his BA in political science from Le Moyne College and his MA in political science from Northern Arizona University. He is currently a PhD candidate in the Department of Politics at the New School for Social Research, where he is completing a PhD thesis on the course of progressive reform in early 21st century American politics. Email ››


Centennial Center


Akshay Dixit, 2022 DDRIG (3)

Rosalie Rubio
Associate Director, Centennial Center
Rosalie Rubio serves as Associate Director of the Centennial Center for Public Affairs. In her role, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Centennial Center’s 13 grant programs and provides planning and support for the annual meetings of APSA’s Institute for Civically Engaged Research. She received her BA in Global Studies and Peace, War, and Defense at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her PhD in Political Science from George Washington University. As a scholar, her research examines authoritarian politics, civil-military relations, and the implications of security policy on governance in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In her free time, Rosalie is a stand-up comic and enjoys going to comedy shows, concerts, and bookstores. email ››

Communications & Marketing

clarissa

Clarissa Westphal Nogueira
Manager, Communications & Web Development
Clarissa Westphal Nogueira is the Communications & Web Development Manager at APSA. She serves as technical support to staff and members, providing both web and database maintenance for the APSA Website as well as related pages. As part of the Communications team, she works and assists on graphic design projects for APSA's many programs, as well as monitoring/organizing Social Media. Prior to joining APSA in 2018, she worked at various associations and startups in charge of website updates, graphic design projects, copywriting and translations. Clarissa earned her degree in Graphic, Web and Industrial design at the Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina (UNISUL) in Florianopolis, Brazil. Born in D.C and growing up in Argentina, she considers many cities to be her home and enjoys traveling, drawing, singing in her local choir and videogames. Email ››


Human Resources

Untitled design638139030204580958

Jennifer Aaronson

Associate Director, Human Resources

Jennifer Aaronson is the Associate Director of Human Resources. In this role, she leads people operations and helps to develop APSA's people strategy to make the association an enticing and rewarding place to work—where the organizational culture promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and actively works to dismantle the practices and processes that uphold systemic racism and inequity. Immediately prior to joining APSA, Jen was the Sr. HR Generalist at Prosperity Now. Prior to that, she worked in politics and nonprofits as a field organizer, fundraiser, and project coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from UC Santa Cruz and a Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources Management from Georgetown University. Jen is originally from Southern California, and in her spare time, she enjoys going to baseball games, finding new dessert places to check out, and going on walks with her dog Carson.

Email ››

Development

julia

Julia Walters
Associate Director, Awards & Development
Julia Walters supervises implementation of APSA Awards and travel grants while planning and directing the association’s development and philanthropic initiatives. She manages APSA’s virtual grant platforms as well as exhibitors, sponsors, and advertisers for both the Annual Meeting and Teaching and Learning Conference. Prior to joining APSA in 2017, Julia received a BA in Public Policy and Peace, War, and Defense from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Julia is a native Arlingtonian who enjoys college basketball and testing out new food trucks. Email ››






Membership

casey

Casey Harrigan
Director, Member Services
Casey Harrigan is the Director for Member Services. Prior to joining APSA in 2017, Casey received a BS in Political Science from Towson University and an MPA, with a focus in health policy, from Baruch College. Casey is originally from New York, in her spare time she enjoys traveling, cooking, and refinishing antique furniture. Email ››







Untitled design (1)

Brenna Dames
Manager, Member Services

Brenna Dames is the Manager for Member Services. Prior to joining APSA in 2020, she worked at Dance Place, a DC based arts non-profit where she served as the Education Manager, a teaching artist and a dancer. She received her BA in Political Science as well as her BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Elon University in 2015. Brenna is originally from Maryland and enjoys dancing, traveling, and finding the perfect piece of pizza. Email ››






Akshay Dixit, 2022 DDRIG (1)

Caroline Stroh
Program Assistant, Member Services

Caroline Stroh is the Program Assistant, Member Services. She recently graduated from the University of Maryland with a BA in Criminology & Criminal Justice, where she was a member of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Honors Research Program. Most recently, she was a Research Intern with the Justice Policy Institute. She is originally from Pennsylvania. In her free time, she works part-time as a yoga studio assistant in DC, and she enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time outdoors.Email ››



Diversity and Inclusion Programs



Untitled design (6)637626499935947706

India Simmons

Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
India Angelique Simmons (she/her) serves as the Program Manager for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs. India obtained her MA in Intercultural and International Communication from American University's School of International Service in 2022. She received her BA in Human Rights, Political Science, and International Studies from Southern Methodist University in 2020 while minoring in Arabic, History and Women and Gender Studies. India’s areas of interest are race, gender and IR, postcolonial and feminist studies, and human rights. She enjoys gardening, fitness and traveling.Email ››

 




Akshay Dixit, 2022 DDRIG (2)

Isabel Thompson

Program Assistant, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
Isabel Thompson serves as the Program Assistant for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs. Isabel received her BA in International Studies from American University’s School of International Service while completing a certificate program in Disability and Health. She is interested in gender, sexuality, and disability studies research. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the city, yoga, and reading. Email ››

 


 


 


International Programs

andrew

Andrew Stinson
Director, Grant Initiatives and International Programs
Andrew Stinson leads APSA’s efforts to engage with political science communities across the world. This includes management and planning for the Asia and MENA Workshops, as well as various collaborative projects with other national political science associations, area-studies associations, universities, research institutes, and scholars. Before joining APSA in 2011, Andrew taught English in Kazakhstan as a Peace Corps Volunteer and supported several non-profit efforts in early-childhood education and American voluntourism. He has a MA in International Studies from Rhodes University in South Africa and a BA in Political Science and History from Gettysburg College, PA. Andrew currently lives with his family in Guilford, CT.  Email ››

Dana El-Issa
Associate Director, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Workshops and International Programs

Dana El-Issa leads APSA’s various projects in the MENA region, including the MENA Workshops and departmental collaborations, as well as joint projects with regional political science organizations. She also provides key support to the Association’s other international programming and program development, including projects that enhance the Association’s engagement with international political science communities and expand professional development opportunities for domestic and international scholars. Prior to joining APSA, Dana worked on the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program as an Arabic interpreter and cultural liaison. Dana holds an MPA with a language concentration in Arabic from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a B.S. in Linguistics from California State University, Northridge Email ››


Untitled design (15)

Samantha Wirth
Program Associate, Centennial Center and International Programs

Samantha Wirth serves as the Program Associate for the Centennial Center and International Programs. In her role, she supports the Centennial Center’s grant and award programs alongside APSA’s international initiatives, with special focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to joining APSA in 2022, Samantha worked in public policy and nonprofit development in New York City. She received her MSc in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics and her BA in Global Studies from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame. In her free time, Samantha enjoys pottery, listening to music, and seeking out the best lox bagel. Email ››


Meetings & Events

kristin

Kristin Kessler
Director, Meetings and Events

Kristin Kessler serves as the Director of Meetings and Events. Her responsibilities include programing and logistics for APSA’s Annual Meeting, conferences and small meetings. Prior to joining APSA in 2019, Kristin managed various meeting logistics, including exhibits and the call for abstracts, at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing for five years. She received a BA in Sociology from Elon University. A native to the DC metro area, Kristin enjoys live music, rock climbing and traveling. Email>>



Untitled design637635163130797672

Lynanne Lowry
Virtual Meetings Specialist

Lynanne Lowry has served as APSA’s Virtual Meetings Specialist since 2021. She manages all virtual APSA events, including webinars and the upcoming inaugural Virtual Research Meeting, and supports all aspects of the APSA Annual Meeting. Prior to joining APSA, Lynanne organized event logistics for academic programs and conferences at the Institute for Humane Studies. In 2016, she received a BA in history and minor in political science from Florida Gulf Coast University. A Florida native and DC transplant, Lynanne enjoys traveling, video games, beach days, playing with her cat Tali, and petting every dog she can. Email>>




Journals & Publications


dsvraka.png

Dragana Svraka
Editor,
American Political Science Review
Dragana Svraka is an editor at the American Political Science Review. She earned Ph.D. in political science from the University of Florida, where she studied comparative politics, focusing on ethnic politics in Europe. She lived and studied in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Netherlands, and the United States. For three years, she worked as an editorial assistant for Perspectives on Politics.

Email ››




Sofia Elverdin, 2023 DDRIG638412084929797539

Jen Boylan
Managing Editor,
Perspectives on Politics.
Jennifer C. Boylan is the managing editor of Perspectives on Politics. She has worked for the journal since June 2017 and, before that, earned a PhD in Political Science and African Studies from the University of Florida. Jennifer enjoys spending time at home with her husband, kids, dogs and chickens.

Email ››




Untitled design (3)637789025596568321

Marah Schlingensiepen
Managing Editor,
P.S

Marah Schlingensiepen is the managing editor of PS: Political Science & Politics. Before joining the journal in January 2022, she earned her PhD in Political Science from the University of Florida. There, she also worked on the editorial team of Perspectives on Politics for four years.

Email ››







Akshay Dixit, 2022 DDRIG (4)

Tia Gracey
Associate Editor,
Political Science Today

Tia Gracey is the Associate Editor for Political Science Today. She earned her MPS in Publishing at George Washington University and her MLA from McDaniel College. In her free time, Tia enjoys reading, playing video games, and spending time with her cat Puma

Email ››






Research

erin

Erin McGrath
Director, Research
Erin joined APSA to lead research efforts on the profession and program evaluation across the organization in 2019. Prior to joining APSA, McGrath was an NSF post-doctoral researcher in computational social science at the University of Maryland College Park. Erin received her PhD in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh in 2015.  McGrath has a Master's in Public Policy from Central European University and a BA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Email ››


Untitled design (2)637647404297808458

Ana Diaz
Manager, Research

Ana Diaz began in May 2021 as a Program/Research Manager for APSA. Before joining APSA, she obtained her master's degree in International Affairs from The George Washington University. In 2019, she earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science at the University of Florida. As Ronald E. McNair scholar, Ana presented her research regarding the "2015 Refugee Crisis" in various conferences and served as a Junior Fellow in the Political Science department at the University of Florida. Previously, she worked at the Cisneros Hispanic Institute as a Graduate Fellow and served as a Research Assistant for the School of Media and Public Affairs at GWU, and as a Foreign Affairs trainee at the European Parliament Liaison Office. Ana's areas of interest are migration and security issues in Eastern Europe and the United States. Email ››