Full-Time & Student Staff

For more information about the Wood Teaching and Research Assistantship or the Federalism Curriculum, visit our Get Involved page.

Wood Research Assistants–Quill Project

Antony Jackson

Antony Jackson

Antony Jackson is a junior at Utah Valley University majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Law and minoring in Constitutional Studies. He is from the small town of Punalu'u, Hawai'i. He served an LDS Mission in the Dakotas from 2015 to 2017. He enjoys reading, watching football and rugby, enjoying time with family and learning all he can. After graduating from UVU, Antony wants to attend law school and study constitutional law in order to defend American values and liberty.

Kiana McAllister

Kiana McAllister

Kiana McAllister studied political science with an emphasis in political philosophy, public law, and constitutional studies. In 2018, Kiana attended a study abroad program at the University of Oxford where she studied the foundations of American constitutionalism under Dr. Nicholas Cole at Pembroke College. Kiana has previously been involved with research on the CCS Federalism Index Project, and is currently working as a research assistant on the Quill Project based out of Pembroke College, Oxford. Her current research is focused on modeling the congressional proceedings of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments of the United States Constitution in the Quill Project platform. She is passionate about reading and writing, traveling, and being a mom.

Erica Croft

Erica Croft

Erica Croft is a junior at Utah Valley University majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in Political Philosophy. She is a Wood Assistant working on Quill. Erica plans to enter a Political Economy graduate program and hopes to one day publish literature that mobilizes the working classes.

Edward Goebel

Edward Goebel

Edward Goebel is a junior at Utah Valley University majoring in Political Science with a Global Politics Emphasis and a double minor in Constitutional Studies and National Security. He is a native of Utah and enjoys the mountains in winter. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Washington State from 2016-2018 and is very grateful to live in a country where religious liberty is constitutionally protected. He is fascinated with history and how it continues to be made. Consequently, he hopes to do graduate studies in area studies or foreign policy and then work for the federal government doing analysis of near-peer power competition.

Hannah Miller

Hannah Miller

Hannah Miller is a sophomore at Utah Valley University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Constitutional Studies. She was raised in the islands of Hawai'i, and has had the opportunity to briefly reside in places such as Tonga, China, and the Philippines, all of which have shaped her fascination with how people think and work together. She is interested in evolutionary psychology, different forms of government, and the United States Constitution. She is a transfer student from BYU-Hawai'i, and served as a "Schatz Senior" intern under Hawai'i Senator Brian Schatz and Honors Council President on BYU-H campus. She served an LDS mission in Knoxville, Tennessee. She enjoys playing the ukulele and writing poetry, and loves to learn new things.

Paul Calica

Paul Calica

Paul Calica is a senior at Utah Valley University majoring in political science with an emphasis in American government. After graduating from UVU, Paul wants to attend law school and have a career practicing law for civil and political rights. He also hopes to get involved in local government. He is from Los Angeles, California. He enjoys art, architecture, sports, cars and traveling to new places. In addition, he has a passion for civil liberties and natural rights.

Mizuki Olivarez

Mizuki Olivarez

Mizuki Olivarez is a senior at Utah Valley University majoring in political science with an emphasis in global studies and minors in Chinese studies and national security studies. Mizuki has specialties in Chinese politics and conflict studies. After graduation, she hopes to enter a graduate program focusing on Chinese studies.

Megan Davis

Megan Davis

Megan Davis is a junior at Utah Valley University majoring in political science with an emphasis in American government and minoring in constitutional studies. She is a Utah native and is originally from the small town of Nephi. At UVU, she has been involved with the Utah International Mountain Forum, UVU Foreign Affairs Club, UVU Turning Point USA Chapter, UVU Women’s Choir, and UVU College of Republicans. In March 2019, Megan had the opportunity to present at the 63rd Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) at the United Nations in New York City. After graduating from UVU, she plans to attend law school and study constitutional law. Megan has a love for history, politics, the Constitution, learning, music, and spending time with family.

Britt Olson

Britt Olson

Britt Olson is a senior at Utah Valley University majoring in political science with a concentration in public administration and public policy. Britt has spent two semesters working at the Utah State Legislature, once interning for Representatives Ballard and Musselman then again a year later working for the Peterson Lobbying Group. Britt also spent a semester interning for Congressman Curtis in Washington D.C. She has a passion for government and the constitution and is excited to be working at her current position for the Center for Constitutional Studies at UVU as a Quill Project Research Assistant. Britt plans on working in Washington D.C on Capitol Hill as well as attending law school with an emphasis on constitutional law. Her passion for creating a better world for generations to come is what drives Britt towards government and policy.

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David Renda

David Renda is a junior at Utah Valley University, majoring in History and Social Studies Education. He is looking forward to teaching at the high school level and being a mentor to his students. He is currently working as a Wood Assistant on reconstructing the Illinois State Constitutional Convention in the Quill Project. He hopes to use the knowledge gained while working at the Quill project to better inform his students when he becomes a teacher. David learned of his love for teaching and mentoring while working in local, council and national level leadership roles for the Boy Scouts of America and the Order of the Arrow. While David is not working or studying, he is most likely hiking, camping, or hanging in a hammock with a Tom Clancy book.

Image of Andrew Elder

Andrew Elder

Andrew Elder is a Senior at Utah Valley University majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Law & Political Philosophy and a minor in Constitutional Studies. Since 5th grade, Andrew wanted to be President of the United states, but quickly remanded this to getting to understand and know the political system better. His interests include studying history and law. He loves to read and enjoys helping his dad with construction and landscaping projects. Andrew also loves staying up to date with politics. He plans to attend U of U or BYU Law School after the completion of his undergrad, and wants to practice criminal law.

NEH Research Assistants–Quill Project

Joseph Stanley

Joseph Stanley

Joseph StanleyJoseph Stanley is a sophomore at Utah Valley University majoring in Political Science and minoring in Philosophy and Constitutional Studies. Since he has been ten years old, he has been passionate about the importance of civil political debate and open dialogue for the well-being of the country. Joseph served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Ohio Cincinnati Mission from 2016-18. He loves music and enjoys writing it and studying music composition and theory. He also loves to watch films, act in theater, and keep up to date in what's going on in American politics. Joseph plans to go to graduate school and aspires to be a professor teaching political science and philosophy.

Ethan Bassett

Ethan Bassett

Ethan Bassett is a senior at Utah Valley University majoring in political science with an emphasis in public law and political philosophy and a minor in constitutional studies. During high school, he was involved with the We the People Program for Civic and Constitutional Engagement. There he gained a passion for law and for the American Constitution. After serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Argentina, Ethan transferred to Utah Valley University to study politics. He enjoys trail running, good books, the Beatles, and sipping mate with his wife. He plans on attending law school and hopes to always keep a foot in the world of politics. He is currently working on the Quill Project out of Pembroke College at Oxford where he is on the National Endowment of Humanities team modeling the Wyoming Convention of 1889.

Daniel Little

Daniel Little

Daniel Little is a senior at Utah Valley University majoring in political science with an emphasis in political philosophy and public law.He is also minoring in constitutional studies. Daniel currently works as a research assistant on the Quill Project modeling the Wyoming State Constitutional Convention. Additionally, Daniel is anticipating studying the foundations of American Constitutionalism under Dr. Nicholas Cole, founder of the Quill Project, in the summer of 2020. After graduation, Daniel intends to join the Peace Corps for a time before attending law school studying constitutional, immigration, or international law. Daniel enjoys the piano, writing, reading, art in all its forms, traveling, and just being with people.

Image of Hannah Thayne

Hannah Thayne

Hannah Thayne is a junior at Utah Valley University majoring in Political Science with a concentration in Public Law and Political Philosophy and a minor in Constitutional Studies. She is from Layton, Utah, and hopes to someday travel the world. She is a Wood Assistant working on the Quill Project based out of Pembroke College. Hannah is passionate about studying the Constitution and the historical ideas that influenced the writers of the Constitution. She hopes to use the knowledge from her time at UVU to help her in law school as she works to become an Attorney. Outside of school and work, she likes to read, run, and travel.

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Ashlynn Poelman

Ashlynn Poelman is passionate about environmental policy, protecting Utah’s water and air quality, and the State’s National Parks. Ashlynn’s interest in water conservation began at an early age as she watched her grandparents care for their farm and garden in rural Utah. This interest peaked after Ashlynn returned to university. Similarly, Ashlynn’s care for Utah’s National Parks developed year when year as her family visited Southern Utah. Ashlynn intends to attend graduate school to study about environmental humanities and policy writing to better her abilities to protect Utah’s stunning mountainsides and geological wonders. In her free time, it is not uncommon to find Ashlynn on a walk training her dog or on a hike up Provo Canyon with her kids. Ashlynn also loves to watch Lord of the Rings and has newfound interest of reading early 20th century fiction.

 

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Hector Manzanarez

 

Hector Manzanarez is a senior at Utah Valley University majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in public law and political philosophy, also pursuing a minor in Constitutional Studies. He is from Pennsylvania and is a transfer student from Rutgers University. He has a lifelong passion for Constitutional history and law, and believes we all should have a good understanding of its rights and privileges. Hector is currently working as one of the Team Leads for the National Endowment for the Humanities Grant Project within the Quill Project based out of Pembroke College, Oxford. After graduation, he intends to use the skills and knowledge developed at the Center to pursue law school and a subsequent career in corporate law. Hector is also passionate about many outdoor activities and marathon running.

Wood Assistants–Events and Marketing

Evan West

Evan West

Evan West is a sophomore at Utah Valley University studying design and marketing. He has worked with several startups doing social media marketing and content creation. Evan loves finding new ways to solve problems. At the Center, he is currently part of the events and marketing team. After graduation, Evan plans to work in UX and video production. He is interested in branding, entrepreneurship, capitalism, and making good food.

Image of Callie Tenney

Callie Tenney

Callie Tenney is a junior at Utah Valley University majoring in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and a minor in Psychology. She is from Eagar, Arizona but considers Utah her second home. She is a Wood marketing assistant and enjoys all things social media and marketing. Callie is passionate about college football and her family.

Federalism Index Project Research Assistants

Samuel Hill

Samuel Hill

Samuel Hill graduated from UVU in 2017 with his BA in History and Political Science, with a minor in Constitutional Studies and an emphasis on American Government. He has served as a teaching assistant, research assistant, and was privileged to be one of the first class of Wood Assistants. While he parents his seven children he is preparing to attend graduate school for political theory and American government. He currently works as Ambassador in the Federalism Index Project, and as one who has seen all that the Center and the Constitutional Studies program has to offer, he is well suited to spreading the news.

Johana Linford

Johana Linford

Johana Linford is a senior at Utah Valley University, majoring in Political Science with an emphasis in American Government, and minoring in Constitutional Studies. She loves learning languages and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. In 2013 she served an LDS mission in Gilbert, Arizona. She loves learning about religion, different cultures, and is an avid reader. Johana plans to go on to graduate school to continue her religious and constitutional studies.

Emily Linford

Emily Linford

Emily Linford is a sophomore at Utah Valley University studying English with a concentration in Creative Writing. She is the copy editor on the Federalism Team and loves writing stories. Emily hopes to publish a novel and enjoys playing the piano, singing and listening to music, especially the music of David Bowie. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lubbock, Texas from 2016-2018.

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Kendra Savage

Kendra Savage graduated from UVU in 2019 with a BA in Integrated Studies with an emphasis in English and History. She has received multiple awards for her research and writing and has presented at the Utah Conference of Undergraduate Research. If she had free time, she would enjoy playing the piano, baking, and reading biographies. Instead, she spends most of her time with her two red-headed daughters and husband.