Stennis-Montgomery Association Washington, DC Trip 2026 | Student & Staff Bios

Alexandra Williams is a senior at Mississippi State University from Starkville, Mississippi. An award-winning researcher, she is a triple major in Political Science, History, and International Studies with minors in Pre-Law Studies and French. Dedicated to service, Alexandra is the President of the Shackouls Honors College Ambassadors, Chief Justice of the MSU Student Association, President of the Stennis-Montgomery Association, and works as an undergraduate research assistant at the Stennis Institute of Government. In her community, Alexandra has worked on multiple local political campaigns and with many volunteer organizations. Upon finishing her bachelor’s degrees this May, Alexandra will begin her Master’s in Human Rights and International Politics before attending law school, with a commitment to working in the field of International Public Law, Human Rights, and Democratization.

Holden Mattison is a senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Italian, Philosophy, International Studies, and the Cursus Honorum at Mississippi State University. Originally from Vancleave, Mississippi, he now serves as Vice President of the Stennis-Montgomery Association, President of the MSU College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors, and is the President and Founding Member of the Italian Club at MSU. Holden was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in 2025 and Pi Sigma Alpha in 2024. After graduating, Holden plans to attend law school and pursue a career in public service.

Mac Hamilton is a Political Science major from Greenville, Mississippi. During the summer of 2025, He served as an intern for Senator Roger F. Wicker and the House Committee on Homeland Security and seeks a career on Capitol Hill. Mac serves as a Student Association General Body Senator, a Road Runner, and as Secretary of the Stennis-Montgomery Association. Additionally, he is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, MSState Pickleball Club, and Cowbell Catholic. He aspires to a career as a Congressional Staffer.

Abigail Tucker is a senior at Mississippi State University from Birmingham, Alabama. She is majoring in Political Science and Pre-Law Studies and will graduate a year early this spring. She serves as President of the Pre-Law Society, President of Kappa Alpha Pi Government and Pre-Law Fraternity, an elected Senator for the MSU Student Association, and a member of the Stennis-Montgomery Association. This past summer, Abigail worked as a law clerk for the Blount County District Attorney’s office under Alabama Attorney General candidate, Pamela Casey. She is passionate about both law and politics and is taking a gap year to intern further before going to law school with her original class in the fall of 2027.

Allie Wall is an undergraduate political science major at Mississippi State University. Prior to studying at Mississippi State University, Allie began her academic journey at Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Co-Lin). At Co-Lin, Allie was actively involved in the Student Government Association, Co-Lin Child Advocacy and Response Education organization, and Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. At Mississippi State University, Allie is involved in the Pre-Law Society, the Stennis-Montgomery Association, and the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College. In her free time, she proudly advocates for education and human rights. As a lifelong learner, she believes that education is a journey that never ends. Following her graduation from Mississippi State, she plans to attend law school with an end goal in working in immigration law.

Ava Abernathy is a sophomore at Mississippi State University from Brandon, Mississippi, majoring in Political Science. She has served as a campus-wide Senator for two years and is an active member of Delta Gamma Sorority, where she serves as Director of Campus Elections. Ava also holds leadership roles as Recruitment and Marketing Director for the College Republicans and is a member of the Pre-Law Society. Passionate about leadership and public service, Ava has participated in several leadership conferences, including the Trent Lott Leadership Institute and the First Amendment Institute in Chicago, Illinois. She has worked on multiple local and state political campaigns and has a strong interest in public policy, with aspirations to work in Washington, D.C. Ava plans to graduate in May 2028.

Brayden Tucker is a junior at Mississippi State University from Brandon, Mississippi. He is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Pre-Law Studies. He serves as the Political Organization Senator for the Student Association and as the Professional Development Chair of Kappa Alpha Pi, a Pre-Law and Government Fraternity. Brayden plans to attend law school after graduation and pursue a career in family law.

Cassidy Himes is a sophomore at Mississippi State University, double majoring in Business Economics and Spanish with a concentration in International Business. She serves as the Director of Policy for the Freshman Reach branch of the Student Association. She also volunteers her time as a member of the Stennis-Montgomery Association, along with a myriad of other student organizations. In her free time, she studies international political systems, with hopes of pursuing a career in diplomacy after attending law school.

Hallie Smith is a sophomore Presidential Scholar at Mississippi State University where she studies Political Science with minors in Italian and Pre-Law Studies. She is the president and founder of Honors Mentorship & Success at the Shackouls Honors College; serves as the Advocacy Coordinator for Fostering LGBTQ+ Advocacy, Resources, and Environments; and is the vice-president of Italian Club. In addition, she performs research on redistricting and electoral reform with Dr. Dallas Breen, Executive Director of the Stennis Institute of Government, and she works as a legal assistant to James Douglas Smith, Attorney at Law. Hallie previously interned with Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-MD) in summer 2025. Post-graduation (Dec. 2027), she hopes to work on Capitol Hill while pursuing graduate study in political science with focuses on Americanism and comparative government.

Jacob Trosclair is a freshman majoring in Political Science at Mississippi State University. He is originally from Mandeville, Louisiana and is a member of the Mississippi State University Debate Club, Model U.N. Security Council, Stennis-Montgomery Association, and Cowbell Catholic. He plans to attend law school after graduation and pursue a career in corporate law.

Julia Ramsay is a senior from Grand Bay, Alabama. She is graduating in May with a major in political science and minors in Pre-Law and Spanish. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and hopefully work with a concentration on maritime law.

Kerrick Martin is a sophomore at Mississippi State University from Crystal Springs, Mississippi, majoring in Political Science. He has served as Special Activity Senator and currently represents the College of Arts and Sciences as a Student Association Senator. In addition to his academic and leadership roles, Kerrick works as a FANgineer for athletic donors within the university’s Athletic Department. Beyond campus, Kerrick has been actively engaged in local politics, having served as the deputy campaign coordinator for his hometown’s mayoral campaign during the 2025 election cycle. Upon completing his bachelor’s degree, he plans to pursue a Master of Public Policy and Public Administration. His long-term goal is to enter public service and seek elected office.

Mary Kellan Sartin is a sophomore at Mississippi State University from Pelahatchie, Mississippi. She is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Pre-Law. She is an active member of Delta Gamma Fraternity, the Mississippi State Women’s Club Soccer team, and the Stennis-Montgomery Association. In her community, she assists at a local law firm and is employed by a nonprofit organization in Macon, MS. Upon graduation, she will attend law school and pursue a career in civil law.

Nash Dowlen is a senior at Mississippi State studying Business Administration with a minor in Political Science. Nash serves as an Associate Justice on the Student Association's Judicial Council, Vice President of Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law and Government Fraternity, a member of Gamma Iota Sigma Insurance Fraternity, and a member of the MSU College Republicans. Upon completing his bachelor's degree, Nash will be pursuing a role in Government Affairs at the state level, with the goal of one day working in the United States Senate.

Rachel Hunt is a sophomore at Mississippi State University from Birmingham, Alabama. She is studying Criminology with minors in Pre-Law studies and Data Science. She serves on the Standards Committee of Kappa Alpha Pi, and is an active member of Reformed University Fellowship, the Pre-Law Society, and the Stennis-Montgomery Association. She also works part-time as a kitchen team member at Chick-fil-A in Starkville. Upon completing her undergraduate studies, Rachel plans to attend law school, where she hopes to ultimately open her own practice.

Suzanne Wells is a junior at Mississippi State University from Houston, Texas. She is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Pre-Law studies. She serves as Vice Chief Justice of the Mississippi State Student Association, Vice President of Membership for Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law and Government Fraternity, and is an undergraduate research assistant for the Political Science department. On campus she holds membership in the Pre-Law Society, Stennis-Montgomery Association, and Pi Beta Phi Fraternity for Women. Upon finishing her bachelors degree in May of 2027, Suzanne hopes to attend law school, ultimately working in the field of Corporate Law.

Thad Ransier is a Political Science major in his third year at Mississippi State University. A former division 1 football defensive lineman at Samford University, he now spends most of his free time as a Tour Guide at Mississippi State University. He has also spent time studying Pre-Law in Starkville and Spanish in Madrid. In the political sphere, he has worked as a fellow for the Mississippi Secretary of State and as the Vice President of College Democrats at MSU.

Brady Bolling is a Master’s of Public Policy and Administration student at Mississippi State University from Clanton, Alabama. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in May of 2025. Brady began working at the Stennis Institute of Government in August of 2024, where his primary focuses are data collection and research.

Kendall Sanders is a Project Coordinator at the Stennis Institute of Government pursuing a Master of Public Policy and Administration. Originally from Calera, Alabama, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Mississippi State University in December 2024, where she was recognized as a Stephen D. Lee Scholar. Kendall has been with the Institute since June 2023, previously serving as an undergraduate research assistant before transitioning into graduate-level research. In her current role, she specializes in marketing, communications, and public relations.

Kendall also serves as the Program Coordinator for the Institute’s youth program, the Junior Civics Leadership Academy, and advises the Stennis-Montgomery Association after previously serving as both Vice President and President during her undergraduate years.

Dr. Breen serves as Executive Director of the John C. Stennis Institute of Government and Community Development and as an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Mississippi State University. His areas of expertise include local and state government, human resource management, demography, survey research, and statistical analysis. In recognition of his leadership and contributions, Dr. Breen was honored with the 2024 Donato J. Pugliese Distinguished Senior Member and Public Service Award by the Southeastern Conference for Public Administration and is a past recipient of MSU's 2014 Zacharias Distinguished Staff Award. He currently serves as President of the Southeastern Conference for Public Administration, Vice Chair and President-elect of the Mississippi Certified Public Manager Program Advisory Board, and President of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration.