Meet HAPS Students

Politics, Government, and Law: International Relations concentration with a minor in Law and Public Policy
From Ocean City, New Jersey

Matthew Brook’s areas of academic interest are diplomacy and human rights, with a particular interest in refugee policy, focusing on the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. During 2020-2021 academic year, Matthew has been able to develop his research skills as a research assistant for Dr. Angela Kachuyevski. He is excited to explore his interests while studying abroad during the academic year of 2021-2022 in London, England, and Cape Town, South Africa. Upon graduation, Matthew hopes to attend graduate school for either international affairs or public policy. Until then, he plans to enjoy all of the opportunities he can at Arcadia and playing for the Arcadia men’s soccer team.

International Studies major, Linguistics and Spanish minors

Her main academic interests include migration politics and human rights, how these interact, and how these phenomena are affected by linguistics. The independent research opportunities afforded by the International Studies curriculum has allowed Riley to pursue her passions both inside and outside the classroom: Riley has studied the effects of presidential rhetoric as it relates to immigration policy, and, she serves as a research assistant to Dr. Hillary Parsons Dick. Her goal is to continue pursuing research opportunities related to migration politics in the Americas. While at Arcadia, Riley has also taken full advantage of all the ways students can study away. She has studied abroad for a semester in London in London, participated in the First-Year Preview Program going to China, and will be studying abroad in Cape Town South Africa in Spring 2020. Riley is also an active member of Arcadia’s Model United Nations club, sitting on the board, and recently traveling to the UN’s headquarters New York headquarters for a conference.

History major, Cultural Anthropology minor
From Pocono Summit, PA

Zachary Miranda has explored both European and American history as a history major at Arcadia. During his First Year Semester Abroad Experience (FYSAE) in London, England, Zachary studied British imperialism, immigration trends in Britain, and the British media. Upon returning to Glenside, PA, Zachary focused on U.S. History; his area of academic interest is American history, specifically from the founding of the United States through World War II. His senior capstone project focuses on the social, cultural, and political factors that influenced Ulysses S. Grant as the head of the Union Army and as the 18th President of the United States. In addition to his academic work, Zachary has been able to gain research experience through the Community and Civic Engagement Center at Arcadia, working with the Old York Road Historical Society and the Cheltenham Township Historical Commission. In this role, Zachary has been able to clean and catalog artifacts in the Richard Wall House, an historic site in Elkins Park. After graduation, Zachary hopes to work in the field of public history, focusing on the American Civil War, by pursuing a career in landmark preservation or educational programming at historical sites.

Politics, Government, & Law major

Nicole Bassa came to Arcadia with her mind set on going to Law School after receiving her B.A. Prior to attending Arcadia, she shadowed Interpreters at the Lehigh Valley Courthouse in Allentown, Pennsylvania, which sparked a passion for a future in law. Opportunities offered through Arcadia have allowed Nicole to participate in two leadership conferences: the 10th annual McDonough Leadership Conference at Marietta College and NEW Leadership™ Pennsylvania, during which she discovered her desire to pursue a career in immigration law. Her ultimate goal is to give others like herself, an immigrant, an opportunity at a better life. She seeks to empower women, especially minority women, to take action and effect change in society, particularly around inclusivity within civil society. Nicole intends to continue engaging in leadership and other conferences, and pursuing her dream of going to law school. 

History major, Education minor
From Elkins Park, PA

Callum Wilson joined Arcadia unsure of his career path, but knew he was interested in pursuing his life-long interest in history. He was able to travel to Shanghai and Jiangsu, China, as part of the Arcadia Preview program in the spring of 2019; this experience was life changing. Callum has since focused his studies on Chinese politics and history. He has particularly enjoyed taking classes from his advisor, Dr. Haywood, and getting to visit classrooms and making my own lesson plans as part of his education classes. He is looking forward to doing his student teaching at the very high school he attended – Cheltenham High School – as part of completing is state certification in secondary education. Callum hopes to get his Masters degree in the modern political history of China, and then he hopes to go into teaching or educational programming, working to establish educational exchange programs between China and the United States.