About Us
Mission Statement
The Phoenix Policy Institute is a student-led non-partisan organization that produces evidence-based policy research at all levels of government. We seek to provide professional learning experiences for Elon undergraduates of all disciplines and to foster engagement in the policy process among undergraduates.
Staff
Chelsea Bediako
Chelsea Bediako is a sophomore from Greensboro, NC, double majoring in Political Science and International and Global Studies with a regional concentration in Africa. She is an Odyssey Scholar and an Honors fellow; outside of class she is the secretary for the African Diaspora of Elon club, a member of the Black Student Union and The Women’s Network. Her policy interests include education, immigration reform, international advocacy, and wealth disparities. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in immigration law or foreign relations.
Maria Cassereau
Maria Cassereau is a junior at Elon University from Mexico City, double majoring in Sociology and Public Policy with a minor in French. She is a Periclean Scholar engaged in a long-term service project in Sri Lanka, a Student Coordinator at El Centro, and a campus tour guide. Maria is also conducting research with the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning on how to make education more inclusive at Elon. Her primary policy interests center on international human rights, particularly women’s empowerment and advocacy. She hopes to pursue a career with a nongovernmental organization, working to advance gender equality and address pressing social issues worldwide.
Savannah Ginda
Savannah Ginda is a senior at Elon University, pursuing a double major in Public Policy and Sociology. In addition to the Phoenix Policy Institution, she is an editor of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Editorial Review Board as well being the Manager of Restorative Justice on the Sigma Sigma Sigma Executive Board. After graduation, Savannah plans to attend law school to receive her J.D..
Daisy Martinez-Jimenez
Daisy Martinez Jimenez is a senior from Burlington, NC, majoring in Economics and Public Policy. At Elon, she is an Odyssey Scholar and has been active in the Latinx-Hispanic Union, Elon Academy, and volunteered with the It Takes A Village Project. Her policy interests include public finance, labor, and education, and she plans to pursue a career in policy research and analysis to advance economic opportunity for all.
Ryan McCaskill-Schock
Ryan McCaskill-Schock is a Junior at Elon University from Fair Haven, New Jersey. He is studying Political Science with a minor in Spanish. His policy interests include state and local policy with a special interest on intergovernmental relations. Ryan is a member of Club Baseball at Elon and has served as both a Social and Apparel Chair on their executive board. After graduating Elon, Ryan intends on pursuing a law degree and eventually running for public office.
Lila Miller
Lila Miller is a Senior from San Diego, California. At Elon, she is pursuing a Policy Studies major as well as minoring in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Lila currently works for the Learning Center as a peer success coach. Her policy interests are focused in immigration and criminal justice. She is also involved with the sociology honors society Alpha Kappa Delta.
Leila Naganna
Leila Naganna is a Third-Year from Westminster, Maryland majoring in Public Policy with a minor in Photography. She currently serves as the Treasurer for Elon’s Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) Society. Her policy interests include nonprofit policies, education, immigration, and artificial intelligence. Following graduation, Leila plans to continue her academic journey by attending law school.
Audrey Nott
Audrey Nott is a senior originally from Belgium double majoring in Public Policy and Environmental & Sustainability Studies. Outside of her work with the Phoenix Policy Institute, Audrey is an Elon College Fellow currently researching the intersections between emergency management and environmental justice. Additionally, she works part time with the City of Burlington where she assists the Emergency Management Director and the Safety Officer. Audrey’s policy interests include climate resiliency, emergency management, and public health and safety. After graduation, she hopes to receive a Masters of Public Administration.
Ariel Solomon
Ariel Solomon is a junior from Raleigh, North Carolina, studying Public Policy with a minor in International Global Studies. Her policy interests include justice system reform, human rights, and environmental policy. Additionally, Ariel intends on completing undergraduate research as an Elon Honors Fellow. Outside of academics, Ariel enjoys creative writing and painting. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school.
Katie Wolter
Katie (Julia) Wolter is a sophomore from Hillsborough, NC. She is pursuing a major in Public Policy with a minor in Criminal Justice. Outside of the Phoenix Policy Institute, she is on the Elon Women’s Lacrosse team. After graduating, Katie intends to first get her masters degree in Public Policy and then attend Law School.
Previous Staff Members
Class of ’23:
Tamara Evans
Amaya Gaines
Larissa Moelber
Class of ’24:
Aleezah Adams
Parker Brownell
Brandon Emons
Curran Gilster
Ethan Haqq
Tori Kelleher
Danny Nickel
James O’Neill
Aaron Simansky
Savannah Willette
Quin Student
Katherine McCormick
Mitchell Basham
Emma Bach
Class of ’25
Ryan Elad
Samantha Hinton
Camryn Houston
Kate McElroy
Avery Sloan
Niara Legette
MJ Volpe
Class of ’26
Anya Bratic
Molly Frank
Sean Golubitsky