The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is pleased to introduce our current International Policy and Diplomacy Fellows working from the UMD office in Washington, D.C. this semester: Aleksej Demjanski, Druanna Mozingo, Lyndsy Horn, and Joseph Schifferdecker.
“Aleksej, Dru, Lyndsy and Joe will be strong assets to UMD and our important work, particularly, since this year, UMD marks its 10th anniversary,” said UMD President Metodija A. Koloski. “These young individuals are the future leaders in global affairs and UMD is investing in their professional development.”
Yesterday, UMD hosted Mr. Oliver Krliu, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia in Washington, D.C. for a lunch briefing with UMD’s Fellows. Mr. Krliu briefed UMD Fellows on what the Embassy does, the current status of U.S.-Macedonia relations, and Macedonia’s NATO and EU aspirations. UMD’s Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia representative Zhikica Pagovski attended, as well as Ajla Delkic, the Executive Director of the Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina, who went over UMD and ACBiH’s collaboration with the Southeast Europe Coalition.
Aleksej Demjanski was born in Skopje, Macedonia. In 2000, he and his family moved to Austin, Texas. He is currently living in Washington, D.C. and attending the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University where he studies International Affairs and Political Science. At GWU, Aleksej is a member of the International Affairs Society, College Democrats, and the Progressive Student Union and works in the Academic Advising Department of the Elliott School. He has a passion for international politics, human rights advocacy, and a special interest in the Balkans. After graduating with his Bachelor’s degree, he hope to continue his education to pursue a Master’s, and even a Doctoral degree. In the future, Aleksej hopes to do research and advocacy work with think tanks and organizations across D.C.
Lyndsy Horn is from Tabernacle, New Jersey. She attends Monmouth University where she studies Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. At Monmouth, Lyndsy is a member of the Political Science Club, Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society, and the Monmouth Cross Country and Track teams. She is very interested in the field of international affairs and, more specifically, human rights issues that affect the international community. Lyndsy’s goal after she graduates college to be a part of an organization that works to advance the political conditions of people around the world.
Druanna Mozingo is from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She is in her third year at the University of Southern Mississippi, studying Political Science and Human Rights with a minor in Legal Studies. As a political science student, she hopes to help advance human rights both domestically and internationally. While in University, Druanna attends the Honors College, and serves in leadership roles in few human rights and honors organizations such as the USM Students for Human Rights and the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society. She is also interested in foreign policy, and the advancement of women’s rights around the world. After graduating college, Druanna hopes to attend law school to pursue a J.D. in Human Rights and International Law.
Joseph Schifferdecker is from South Windsor, Connecticut, near Hartford. Joseph is in his last semester before graduation at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Political Science and a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in German as a Foreign Language. He is part of the Honors College as well as a few other Honors Societies including Pi Sigma Alpha, which is for Political Science majors. During his time at college, Joseph attended and has been the president of his university’s International Students (“People-to-People”) Club, in which the exchange students would integrate with domestic students and learn about one another. He spent his junior year abroad in Tuebingen, Germany studying and he visited ESL classes at German schools to discuss life in the United States. He has a strong curiosity for foreign affairs as well as growing interests in international human rights issues, non-profit charity work, education, and language. While Joseph is still improving his German language skills, he has begun to learn Mandarin, and hopes to teach English abroad for a time while also becoming more familiar with different cultures.
The UMD Fellowship Program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in current affairs regarding Macedonia and Southeast Europe. The Fellowship/Internship Program serves as an effective means to introduce and advance a future career in foreign policy, journalism, public relations, human rights, advocacy, government, or the nonprofit sector. If interested, or know of anyone interested in applying for the program, please e-mail resumes, writing smples, and recommendations to info@umdiaspora.org.