Fall 2023—Spring 2024 Masthead
We are always looking for new members for our team. If you are interested in politics and policy, economics, campus affairs, international relations, or pop culture, or you want to work on media and podcasts, you can apply for a position here. We accept people on a rolling basis during the academic year, and we accept people from all ends of the ideological spectrum. You can also attend our weekly meetings before you apply to get a sense of our club.
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Aiden Kaplan
Editor-In-Chief
Aiden Kaplan is a third-year Journalism and Cinema student and the host of the American Agora podcast: Discoursed. His hobbies include preparing for Table Top Role Playing Games (TTRPG), playing TTRPGs, thinking about TTRPGs, and forgetting to watch the movies and TV shows people recommend to him.

Kim Kraska
Director of Administration
Kimberly Kraska is a third-year American University student from New Jersey. She is majoring in CLEG (Comm., Legal Insti. Econ., and Govt.) and environmental studies with aspirations for a career in the political or legal field. Kim is passionate about environmental policy and women's issues. In her spare time, she loves bike riding, playing volleyball, and debating.

Julia Comino
Director of Human Resources
Julia Comino is a third-year student at AU studying Political Science and Journalism. Julia is invested in domestic and international affairs but specifically focuses on climate justice, women’s rights issues, and reporting on news within the American South.

Ben Mermel
Graduate Advisor
Ben Mermel is a native of Central Jersey, which is a place he vehemently swears actually exists. He is a senior, majoring in Political Science and Legal Studies and he is interested in studying law after he graduates. His favorite TV show at the moment is The Expanse on Amazon Prime Video.

Alex Moskovitz
Managing Editor
Alex is a thrid-year Data Sciences for Political Science major from Central New Jersey. He swears he’s writing an article definitely proving its existence, but we’re beginning to doubt that. Alex is a liberal who focuses on economic policy. Aside from writing, Alex enjoys reading reports from his favorite think tanks while exercising.

Mridul Prasad
Director of Growth
As a second-year CLEG major at American University, Mridul enjoys immersing himself with a diverse range of subjects – ranging from economics, law, and politics. Contributing to the Agora as a staff writer, he is open to adding meaningful discourse to U.S foreign policy, macroeconomic strategies, criminal justice reform, domestic energy, and philosophy. If you ever catch Mridul taking a break from geeking out over current affairs, you can find him on a basketball court, track field, or indulging in absolute world class gourmet– a chipotle rice bowl with an extra side of guac.

Claire McCafferty
Managing Editor & Staff Writer
Claire McCafferty is a second-year student at American University from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, majoring in Political Science. She enjoys writing about domestic policy, election strategy and the ethical implications of political theory. In her free time, she can be found dancing, reading, wandering or working on her embodiment of Woodward and Bernstein.

Simran Thakkar
Director of Communication
Simran Thakkar is a third-year student, double majoring in Political Science and Public Relations and Strategic Communication. Simran is from Burtonsville, Maryland and is extremely passionate about progressive politics and the Dallas Cowboys. Along with the American Agora, she also is apart of American Bhangra Crew and AU Club Sailing.

Ella Lane
Deputy Editor and Staff Writer
Ella Lane is a Chicagoan and a third-year at American University majoring in political science. She is a progressive, and enjoys writing about domestic policy and constitutional interpretation. In her free time, Ella likes to exercise, read historical fiction, and spend way too much time playing Minecraft.
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Caden Umansky
Staff Writer
Caden Umansky is a third-year International Studies Major with a planned minor in history. He was born and raised in San Diego, California. Caden’s main interests include foreign affairs and history. He writes mostly about Foreign affairs and the way the American Government should or shouldn't be involved.

Alex Yang
Staff Writer
Alex Yang is a third-year International Studies major in the school of SIS. He is a staff writer for the American Agora.

Fionnuala Schefers
Staff Writer
Fionnuala Schefers is a second-year Political Science major in the School of Public Affairs. She is from just outside of San Francisco, California. Fionnuala is a progressive who enjoys writing about domestic issues with an interest in environmental policy, climate justice, and women's justice.

Anna Huener
Staff Writer
Anna Huener is a third-year from Burlington, Vermont. She is majoring in Political Science with a focus on comparative politics. She is interested in political theory, history, foreign relations, and literature. In her free time, she reads (theory and fiction), hikes, goes museum-hopping, and plays ultimate frisbee for AU's club team, the Dirty Ladies!

Kyle Johnson
Staff Writer
Kyle Johnson is a third-year International Studies Major from Randolph, New Jersey. His main interests include geopolitics, foreign affairs, and history. Kyle is also unfortunately (for himself) a devoted Jets fan, as well as a Yankees and Knicks fan. In his free time, one can expect to find Kyle either obsessively checking his multiple fantasy football teams or that day’s political news. He enjoys writing about international affairs, as well as to a lesser extent domestic politics also.