Sample Political Science Graduates

Chioma Azih

Chioma graduated as the department’s Outstanding Political Science Major.  Her studies focused on International Politics and Financial Economics.  Currently, Chioma works as the Grants Manager for the Institute of Physics in London.

Stefan Medan

Stefan lives in Mostar, Bosnia and Hertzegovina. He is a Portfolio Manager for a Telecom company and is on the board of trustees for the City Council.

Marissa Kuzbyt

Marissa received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies from Methodist in 2012. Marissa just completed her second year of law school, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2016.  Marissa made the Moot Court Board, winning best brief in Elon’s Intramural Competition, and proceeded to compete in the ABA National Competition in spring 2015.

Shannon Simmons

Shannon received her degree in Political Science with a minor in legal studies from Methodist in 2011. Soon after graduation she completed an anthropological internship at the Aboriginal Heritage Office in Sydney, Australia where she studied archeological land surveying and cultural site preservation.  Shannon received her TESOL certification in Barcelona, Spain and spent several months teaching English throughout Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia.  Shannon settled permanently in Australia in 2013 where she currently works as Communications Coordinator for The World Literacy Foundation – a global not-for-profit dedicated to lifting youth out of poverty through literacy and education.

Courtney Soboleski

After graduating from Methodist, Courtney went on to work as a Democracy Division Programmer at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), was Certified by the Department of Defense as a Human Rights Instructor, and spearheaded the revision of a congressionally mandated block of instruction, “Armed Forces in a Democracy” along with the implementation of an internal instructor training course at WHINSEC for the “Armed Forces in a Democracy” class.

Courtney is currently pursuing her Masters in International Relations and Conflict Resolution with a concentration in Security Issues.

Trisha Wyman

Trish graduated Cum Laude from Methodist University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and a minor in Political Science and was inducted into Chi Delta Chi and Pi Sigma Alpha. Trish has since graduated from the George Washington University with a Master of Professional Studies in Security and Safety Leadership and from Naval Postgraduate School with an MS in Information Strategy and Political Warfare. Trish was also a Visiting Scientist with the Center of Global Security Research at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where she published on topics related to cyber, media, influence, and nuclear policy. Trish is also a member of the 2020 Mid-Career Cadre for the Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) for the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Rahila Muhibi

After majoring in Political Science at Methodist, Rahila received her MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in Human Rights Law in 2012.  She completed a postgraduate certificate in Islamic Studies and Humanities at the Institute of Ismaili Studies in 2011.

Rahila is currently a Researcher on Displacement and Forced Migration at Focus Humanitarian Assistance based in London, an affiliate of the Aga Khan Development Network.  She conducts needs assessment of Refugees and Asylum seekers in Europe.  Recently she worked in Tajikistan in the same capacity. Rahila also interned with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Tajikistan in 2014.

Rhyan Breen

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Methodist in 2007, Rhyan received a Juris Doctor from the North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2010. Immediately after graduation Rhyan was hired as an associate attorney with Farris & Farris, PA, a general litigation firm, located in Wilson, North Carolina. He handles a variety of legal matters including: criminal defense, civil, personal injury, wills, contracts, and small business formation. Rhyan continues to contribute to the Methodist community by serving on the Board of Legal Studies and received the Honorary Monarch distinction from the Athletic Department for his post-graduate support of Monarch Athletics.

Ann C. Ochsner

After graduating from Methodist with her Political Science degree, Ann Ochsner went on to complete Campbell Law School in 2011.  She joined the Whitley Law Firm in Raleigh, NC, as an associate where she continues to practice today.  Her primary specialty is representing people who have been injured by the negligence of another, such as in motor vehicle accidents, dog bites, and premises liability cases.  Ms. Ochsner also handles appellate matters and has argued twice at the NC Supreme Court. She is an active participant in the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, currently serving on the board of governors and as editorial board chair.

Darl H. Champion, Jr.

After receiving his Political Science degree at Methodist, Darl went on to law school at Mercer University.  He is the founder and partner of The Champion Firm in Atlanta where he focuses on representing plaintiffs in personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Felix Sarfo-Kantanka

While attending Methodist College, Felix was President of SGA, an RA, and a starter on the Men’s Varsity Soccer Team.  Upon graduating with his degree in Political Science, he earned a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University.

His career started with the Virginia House of Delegates where he went from a committee assistant, to a legislative assistant, and then to the Special Assistant to the Governor for Policy.  In 2007, he left government service for the private sector with McGuire Woods Consulting, a powerful lobbying firm in Richmond.  In 2014, newly elected Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe invited Sarfo-Kantanka back into government service to be his Legislative Director, a position he holds today.

Jamie Justice

Jamie graduated from Methodist University in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.  After graduation, Jamie went on to receive a master’s degree in public administration from Appalachian State University with a concentration in town, city, county management.

Jamie has been the Town Manager for the Town of Davidson, NC since November, 2015. Prior to working in Davidson, he served as the Assistant Town Manager for the Town of Matthews, NC for seven years; the Town Manager for the Town of Mooresville, NC for three years; and the Town Manager for the Town of Troy, NC for seven-and-a-half years; amounting to a total of over 20 years in local government service.

Howard B. Arden

Howard Arden is a founding member of the Board of Directors of The Westchester Bank. He currently is Chairman of the Governance Committee. Mr. Arden holds a Master of Public Administration from New York University and bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Methodist University. Mr. Arden is the 2015 recipient of the Methodist University Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award.