PhD-Public Affairs, Student Bios Entry Term 2017

Ahmad Banamah earned his master's degree in Social Research Methods and Sociology from Durham University in the UK. He grew up in Saudi Arabia where he did his B.A. in Islamic Law and Jurisprudence. Ahmad’s work experience spans academia, consulting, government and the nonprofit sector. Before attending Humphrey School, he worked as a data analyst for the Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) conducting research on the attitude and behavior of job seekers in Saudi Arabia. He also worked as a consultant at the Center of Excellence for the Development of Nonprofit Organization where he led two nationwide initiatives for (MLSD) to improve the regulations and the governance structure of the nonprofit sector in Saudi Arabia. Ahmad is a professional volunteer manager and has extensive experience in building successful volunteer programs in nonprofit organizations in Saudi Arabia. His research interests revolve around three main topics: Millennial Leadership in nonprofit organizations (NPOs), the involvement of NPOs in influencing and delivering public policy and the management challenges associated to this, and the role of civic engagement and public deliberation in designing and delivering public policy.

merri560@umn.edu

Weston holds a Master’s in Public Affairs from Indiana University and BSBA in Finance and Economics from the University of Missouri. He currently leads an initiative to conduct benefit-cost analysis of corrections and human services programs for Minnesota Management & Budget. As part this partnership between the state, Pew Charitable Trust, and the MacArthur Foundation, Weston advocates for the use of rigorous evidence to inform public sector investments. Previously, he evaluated the effectiveness of business incentive and workforce development programs for the Department of Employment & Economic Development. His PhD will focus on evaluating the efficacy of social policy with an emphasis on impact evaluation and implementation science.

mitch093@umn.edu

Kelly Lyn Mitchell earned her J.D. from the University of North Dakota Law School, has a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in Journalism and Public Communications from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She is currently the Executive Director of the Robina Institute of Criminal Law and Criminal Justice at the University of Minnesota Law School. Mitchell was the Executive Director of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission 2011-2014. From 2001 to 2011 Mitchell worked at the Minnesota Judicial Branch as a staff attorney and manager, where she served as the Branch’s liaison to other criminal justice agencies and was responsible for several statewide programs and services such as drug courts, the court interpreter program, and examiner services for sex offender civil commitment exams. Mitchell provided legal support to trial court judges and court administrators on issues ranging from criminal and juvenile delinquency law to court records access and fines and fees. She also provided legal support for several Minnesota Supreme Court rules and policy committees, examining such issues as whether criminal court hearings should be held by interactive video conferencing and the process for evaluating whether judges who are exhibiting signs of mental illness should be removed from office.

will5638@umn.edu

Rashad Akeem Williams hails from Syracuse, New York where he first discovered his admiration for public service in the forms of activism and community engagement. A first-generation college student, Rashad found himself perpetually drawn to questions regarding social marginality, access, and disparate policy outcomes. His interdisciplinary research explores the contemporary struggle for Black self-determination and community control. Rashad holds both a Masters of Public Administration (2017) and a Masters of Science in Student Affairs Administration (2017) from Binghamton University - SUNY.