Fall 2023 Students

Ladin Akcacioglu is a senior with a double major in Middle Eastern Studies and Politics. Her regional and language specialties are in the Middle East and North Africa. In addition to her native language, Turkish, Ladin is an Arabic and Hebrew language student. Ladin is interested in pursuing a career in cultural preservation and heritage protection in post-conflict zones. She discovered her passion for cultural preservation as an intern at the Jordan Times, where she published an article on the dangers facing the Palestinian embroidery tatreez. 

The women she met at the Baqa’a refugee camp inspired her to explore alternative forms of storytelling and uplift the voices of people whose cultural artifacts are displayed in Western museums without their consent. Ladin first became interested in storytelling as a staff writer and editor for Mount Holyoke News. Her primary research interests are textile studies, particularly traditional nomadic and village weaving practices. As a granddaughter of a carpet weaver from Central Anatolia, her interests are deeply rooted in her heritage. She is passionate about supporting peace-building efforts in the Middle East through cultural revival. 

This summer, Ladin is interning at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. She will travel across Turkey and Jordan to build stories for the Smithsonian Magazine and write on cultural heritage. On campus, Ladin served as a Co-President of the Mount Holyoke Muslim Student Association, focusing on meeting community needs and cultivating inclusivity. She also worked as a research assistant to Professor Elif Babül in examining the Turkish legal system and migrant experience. As an international student from Turkey, Ladin hopes to pursue a law degree to continue her work on cultural preservation and support peace-building efforts in the Middle East.

Naomy Poot Ibarra is a rising junior at Mount Holyoke College, passionately dedicated to decolonizing academic and professional spaces. Currently pursuing a Political Science Major and Gender Studies Minor, alongside a certificate in Native American and Indigenous Studies, Naomy is committed to critically examining power structures, fostering inclusivity, and driving social change.

Their academic journey has led them to explore a diverse range of subjects, including intersectionality, social justice, and the lived experiences of historically marginalized communities. Naomy's particular focus lies in understanding the intricate connections between Indigenous rights, gender equality, and political engagement. With a deep-seated passion, drive, and unwavering dedication, Naomy actively seeks opportunities to contribute their skills and knowledge to research, community engagement, and leadership initiatives. Naomy was recently named a 2023 Future History Maker by Hispanas Organized for Political Equality

Juliet Porter (she/her) is a senior majoring in Politics while pursuing the Law, Public Policy, and Human Rights Nexus. Her academic work focuses on the intersections between civil liberties and human rights, public policy, and environmental justice. 

She is passionate about community organizing and pursuing change at the grassroots level. She developed this interest by interning for MassPIRG Students. On campus, she brought back her internship experience to form a student group to advocate for issues that students care about, like making textbooks more affordable and registering students to vote. 

Juliet has served on Student Government and worked in the Student Involvement Office. This summer she will bring her passion for advocating for environmental causes to the Hartford Office of Sustainability where she will serve as a sustainability fellow. She couldn't be more excited to learn and grow in the nation's capital this fall, while setting a foundation for her future career in public service.

Natalya (Talya) Denis is a senior with a major in Politics, minor in French, as well as a Nexus in Law, Public Policy, and Human Rights. On campus, she holds leadership positions as the co-president of the Mount Holyoke Pre-Law Association, vice president of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., treasurer of Mount Holyoke College Democrats, and a board member of the Student Conference Committee associated with the Student Government Association. Talya is passionate about public service, human rights, advocacy, and law. She wants to make an impact on those who have been marginalized within their communities. She has gained valuable experience interning for her local State Senator Jeremy Cooney and for the Mayor’s Office in Rochester, NY where she resides. She is excited to have the opportunity to participate in the Semester in DC program and delve deeper into the areas in which she is passionate about.

Gabriela Alvarez is a senior at Mount Holyoke College majoring in Politics and minoring in Latino/a Studies. Originally from Miami, Florida, she can go to Mount Holyoke because she was awarded the Posse Scholarship. Posse is a foundation that values leadership and diversity. She is involved on campus as the social media chair for the Class Board of 2024 and is a member of MHC Democrats. Gabriela is very passionate when it comes to writing and has been published in the "Mount Holyoke Review" and "Vida", two student-run literacy magazines on campus. Gabriela is very interested in the dynamics of the American government and how it has contributed to the democratic backsliding we see today. She is so excited to be living in the nation's capital and have the opportunity to be a part of something she has only read about.

Elizabeth Alzawahra, double majors in politics and psychology at Mount Holyoke College. Her work for multiple non-profits, and the disparity in access to quality education across America, impassions her to foster democratic resilience and create equitable opportunities in education through research and activism. She co-founded Fund(Ed), a campaign that successfully pushed for the allocation of four billion dollars towards NYS K-12 schools in high school. Elizabeth currently serves on the Ways and Means Committee board at Mount Holyoke. In the spring of 2023, she interned in Congressman Jim Mcgovern's office where she worked with non-profits to provide relief for food deserts in rural areas, and other casework on immigration and social security. She looks forward to exploring her passion for educational justice on Capitol Hill.