Ashley Lawson

My name is Ashley and I started CUA’s MPP program in Fall 2025. I am originally from Parker, Colorado, but currently live in Arlington, VA. I am an alumni of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. I graduated there in 2023 with my Bachelor’s in Advertising and Marketing Communications. After graduating, I moved to DC and worked for the Consumer Product Safety Commission and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management doing regulatory compliance and rulemaking, which sparked my interest in public policy. I am interested in various policy areas, but some of my top ones at the moment are national security, healthcare, and education. After completing the MPP program, I would like to work in lobbying, policy research, or legislative affairs.

Paola Reyes

Hi! My name is Paola Reyes and I am a Legal Assistant at the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, where they support the prosecution of criminal cases. With prior experience as a paralegal in immigration. I bring a strong background in client advocacy, legal research, and case management. I earned a B.A. in Government & Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, where I focused on law, policy, and social justice. I am passionate about promoting fairness in the legal system, especially for marginalized communities, and hope to close the gap between underserved populations and public institutions.

Courtney Parker

Courtney Parker is a higher education professional of three years.

A 2022 graduate of Hampton University, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and quickly discovered her passion for lobbying while interning with Virginia Commonwealth University’s Office of Federal Relations. That passion led her to Lewis-Burke Associates, a prominent lobbying firm representing leading R1 research institutions and organizations. During her time there, Courtney became increasingly aware of the inequities in federal funding for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Motivated to address these disparities, she began pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy at the Catholic University of America in 2024. That same year, she joined the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the nation’s largest and most impactful minority education organization, where she currently serves as a Program Coordinator. In this role, Courtney partners with Fidelity Investments to expand college access and help students of all backgrounds graduate without the burden of debt. Upon completing her graduate studies, she aspires to return to the lobbying field and champion equitable federal support for underfunded institutions in higher education.

Crispen Munashe Mukonho

Crispen Mukonho holds a degree in Peace and Security Studies from Midlands State University in Zimbabwe and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy at the Catholic University of America. He is passionate about policy solutions that promote peace, governance, and sustainable development.

Thomas Kenna

Thomas Kenna is the Associate Director of Policy at the Ronald Reagan Institute. Supporting both the Center for Peace Through Strength and the Center for Freedom and Democracy, his work spans program coordination, research and publication management, and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. He leads the Institute’s public opinion research efforts—including the Reagan National Defense Survey and Summer Survey—and helps shape major events such as the Reagan Institute Strategy Group, the Reagan-Jackson Security Dialogue, and the Peace Through Strength Boot Camp.

Thomas is pursuing a Master of Public Policy at the Catholic University of America and holds dual degrees in International Studies and Business Administration from American University. He is an alumnus of the AHS-TPIF’s Security and Strategy Seminar and the TFAS Public Policy Fellowship as well as courses hosted by the Hertog Foundation and the American Academy for Strategic Education. His writing has appeared in Fox News, The Hill, and Breaking Defense. A native of Long Island, he is also active in the ARK young adults community at St. Ann Catholic Church.

Samantha Phillips

Sammy Phillips is originally from Pennsylvania and is a proud 2023 graduate of The Catholic University of America, where she studied business with a focus on entrepreneurship, political economy, and society, along with minors in big data for economics and philosophy. She now works at Catholic as the Advancement Coordinator for the Busch School of Business and is also pursuing her Master of Public Policy, and is so excited to be part of the program.

Her main passion is economics and public policy, and she hopes to one day contribute to research at think tanks or pursue a Ph.D. to teach and write in academia. She’s had experiences in policy, business, and even sports through an internship with the NFL, but what drives her most is exploring how ideas in economics and political thought can shape real-world policy. Outside of her career and academics, Sammy is a big Boston sports fan, a former Catholic University softball player, and enjoys writing in her free time.

Sarah Blevins

Hi! My name is Sarah Blevins and I am currently an Executive Project Manager at a nonprofit, FOCUS North America. I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a business degree, and am now pursuing my MPP at the Catholic University of America. I am interested in social policy and work dealing with alleviating poverty.

Rhent Addis

My name is Rhent Addis, and I am an enthusiastic and team-oriented public policy graduate student at the Catholic University of America. I recently graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations, earning the University Honors distinction as well as graduating cum laude with a cumulative GPA of 3.54. While at Drake, I was a member of the football team, which competed at the NCAA Division I FCS level - a subdivision of the highest tier of collegiate American Football competition in the United States. I am particularly interested in foreign policy and international security, with a specific interest in Eastern Europe and the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. I desire to work in the intelligence community or within the adjoined private sector.

Lucia Gwasira

Lucia Gwasira is an MPP student at the Catholic University of America with a degree in Development Studies and a strong background in research, program facilitation, and civic engagement. She has supported program evaluations that strengthened social development outcomes, particularly in education, housing, and community and youth empowerment. As a program facilitator, she has coordinated advocacy campaigns with Amor Zimbabwe Trust, an organization which helps underserved disability communities. Her passion is deeply rooted in advancing equity, social justice, integrity in governance, and inclusive social economic and sustainable development for marginalized communities. Henceforth, it is her belief that effective policy must be both data-driven and people-centered. She would love to work as a policy analyst, legislative aide, program coordinator and in advocacy roles.

Tafadzwa Chirimuta

Development Studies graduate and MPP candidate specializing in public policy analysis. Experienced in women’s empowerment and nonprofit leadership, with a passion for inclusive economic growth.

Joe D’Antonio

Joe D'Antonio is a Program Manager for the National Association of Development Organization's where he works to promote the work of regional development organizations across the United States. His areas of interest are workforce development, internal organizational management, and using tax policy to promote smart development decisions. Joe is an alumni of Catholic University of America undergrad where he received a BA in Politics in 2018.

Maddie Wagner

My name is Maddie Wagner, and I am graduating from the MPP program in December of 2025. For my capstone project, I have worked with Catholic Charities USA to develop a white paper outlining the state of homelessness and providing specific policy recommendations. My favorite part of the MPP program has been the faculty. Each professor has been passionate and committed to the success of each student.