SNF Ithaca Student Leaders
The student leaders program is an opportunity for five University of Delaware undergraduate students to gain expertise and experience within the interdisciplinary topics of civil discourse and civic engagement within our mediated public life.
Civil discourse, or the practice of respectful dialogue and understanding across differences, is a foundational element of democratic societies and institutions and is a precursor to effective citizenship and community engagement. SNF Ithaca Student Leaders will spend a full year immersing themselves in the theory and practice of civil discourse and civic engagement, establishing a knowledge base and skillset to become active and effective citizens in a democracy.
Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now closed. Please direct questions to snfithaca@udel.edu.
Each year, a cohort of exceptional undergraduate students from across the University serve as SNF Ithaca Student Leaders for the academic year. During the year, students receive a financial award and participate in the following activities:
- Weekly meetings with SNF Ithaca leadership and collaborators
- Design and collectively lead the SNF Ithaca National Student Dialogue each fall
- Host the Delaware Dialogues for Future Leaders in collaboration with the Delaware Center for Civics Education in the Institute for Public Administration (IPA) at the Biden School
- Participate in varied programming, including special events and learning opportunities
Following this year-long experience, SNF Ithaca Student Leaders participate in a paid summer internship with a government agency, non-profit organization, or another civic institution of their choice for an applied learning experience.
In recognition of the work involved, students receive a $4,000 award during the academic year.
student leader cohorts
Current cohort, 2025-2026:
Danielle Blachar
is a senior honors student studying elementary teacher education with a concentration in multilingual learner education and a minor in leadership.
Pablo Charriez
is a sophomore honors student studying energy and environmental policy with a minor in legal studies.
Ryan Lange
is a junior honors student studying chemical engineering with a minor in sustainable energy technology.
Charlotte McQuillan
is a sophomore honors student studying political science with minors in legal studies and global studies.
Oliver Stockman
is a junior honors student double majoring in mathematics and French with a minor in history.
Lauren Boyd
is a junior with a double major in English and political science with minors in legal studies and peace and justice studies.
Sophie Douglas
is a sophomore honors student studying political science with a concentration in global politics and minors in public policy and politics and social justice.
Adrianna Mazzio
is a junior public policy major with minors in legal studies and trust management.
Suhani Mehta
is a sophomore honors student studying public policy with a minor in legal studies.
James Ziereis
is a junior honors student studying chemical engineering with minors in history, legal studies, and materials science and engineering.
April Anthony, senior wildlife ecology and conservation major with a minor in public policy
Naomi Maria, junior honors public policy major
Faiza Saeedi
junior public policy major with minors in women and gender studies and anthropology
Morgan Goettel, junior public policy and psychology double major
Isaac O’Neal, junior honors economics and public policy double major
The 2023–2024 cohort of SNF student leaders included:
- Simon Brand
- Jenna DeMaio
- Amelia English
- Sathiya Kannon
- Caleb Mathis
