About Us
Mission Statement
The Phoenix Policy Institute is a student-led non-partisan organization that produces evidence-based policy research at all levels of government. We seek to provide professional learning experiences for Elon undergraduates of all disciplines and to foster engagement in the policy process among undergraduates.
Director
Savannah Willette
Savannah Willette is a senior at Elon University where she is currently obtaining a degree in Policy Studies with a minor in Communications. Outside of her work with the Phoenix Policy Institute, Savannah is a John M. Belk Impact Fellow, an opportunity that has allowed her to continue her passion for education policy and advocacy in North Carolina. Additionally, she is a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. After graduation, Savannah intends to pursue a career that combines her interest in public policy, education reform and communications.
Staff
Emma Bach
Emma Bach was born and raised in Annapolis, MD. She is now a senior at Elon where she studies public health and policy studies with minors in political science and human service studies. Her policy interests include healthcare policy as well as education policy. Outside of her studies she is a member of Elon’s chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority, senior content editor for the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal, as well as a senator for Elon’s Student Government Association. She is currently the Kappa Delta Intern for Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina, where she provides educational resources to Kappa Delta chapters across the state.
Mitchell Basham
Mitchell Basham was born and raised in Centreville, Virginia. Currently he is a senior at Elon University where he is pursuing a B.A in International Global Studies, in addition to his major, he is also minoring in Political Science, German Studies, and Peace & Conflict Studies. His policy interests include Foreign Policy, Security Policy, and Drug Policy. Outside of his academic pursuits, Mitchell is an active member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Following graduation, Mitchell intends to work in the realm of foreign policy, either in a think tank or for the federal government.
Baden Eaton
Baden Eaton is currently a freshman at Elon Univerity from Woodstock, Ct. He is currently pursuing degrees in both French and International and Global Studies, with a concentration in the Middle East with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. His policy interests include foreign policy related to human rights, public land rights, and land conservation. Outside of his studies, Baden is a member of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and the treasurer of the MILK Club. Following graduation, Baden plans on attending law school to receive his J.D. in the hope of working as a humanitarian lawyer.
Molly Frank
Molly Frank, a sophomore from Westport Connecticut. Policy Studies and Environmental Studies double major with a Poverty and Social Justice Studies minor. Along with being in the PPI, I am a TA for both the Introduction to Environmental Science Lab and the Diversity of Life Lab. I am also assisting in forming the sustainable Living Learning Community at Elon’s Loy Farms. With her degrees, she hopes to pursue a career in the United States government regarding environmental policy and help reverse climate change.
Sean Golubitsky
Sean Golubitsky is currently a sophomore at Elon University and is a double major in Public Health and Policy Studies. Sean explores his passion for music and radio as a DJ for WSOE and is a member of the radio station’s executive board as the podcast director. Additionally Sean explores his academic interests as the vice president of the Anthropology & Sociology club. Caring strongly about leadership and wanting to give back, Sean has been a mentor for the Elon Phoenix Leaders, a program that teaches Elon students what leadership is and how to be a good leader. After graduation, Sean intends to go to law school and become a labor rights attorney to fight on behalf of the rights of workers.
Kate Harbour
Kate Harbour is a first-year student from Alexandria, Virginia studying Political Science and Strategic Communications with a minor in Policy Studies. Outside of academics, Kate is a Civic Engagement Ambassador for Elon Votes, a volunteer at Loy Farms, and a member of Elon Volunteers. Kate’s policy interests include healthcare affordability, youth substance abuse prevention and restorative justice.
Niara Legette
Niara Legette is a junior from High Point, North Carolina. She is majoring in Public Health and Policy Studies with minors in Peace and Conflict Studies and Health Communications. Her policy interests include health and social policy. Outside of her studies, she is the President of the Transfer Student Organization.
Katherine McCormick
Katherine McCormick is a senior from Apex, North Carolina. She is majoring in Political Science and Policy Studies with minors in Public Health and Peace and Conflict Studies. Katherine is the Lead Voting Ambassador for Elon Votes and a research assistant for Dr. Bono-Lunn. She is an Honors Fellow and is currently working on her undergraduate thesis titled “The Woman Who Almost Broke the Glass Ceiling: A Comprehensive Analysis of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Political Belief Systems.”
Ashley Ramirez-Martinez
Ashley Ramirez Martinez was born and raised in Burlington, North Carolina. She is double majoring in Biotechnology and Policy Studies. Her policy interests include k-12 education and early education. She is a member of the Odyssey Program’s cohort of 2027. Outside of being an Odyssey member, she is the founder of Community Connections where she plans fun and educational events for local pre-school classes.
Avery Sloan
Avery Sloan is a junior from Apex, North Carolina. She is majoring in journalism with minors in political science and leadership studies. Avery is involved with Elon News Network where she is the managing editor of The Pendulum, Elon’s weekly paper. She is interested in local politics and policy, specifically pertaining to criminal justice and education. She is also a leadership fellow and works at the Moseley Front Desk on campus.
Quin Student
Quin Student is from Raleigh, North Carolina and is entering his senior year at Elon. Currently he is a double major in Political Science and Policy Studies. Quin’s main policy interests are centered around foreign, defense and Native policy. Currently, Quin is member of both Elon’s Model United Nations as well as the Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Following graduation, Quin hopes to attend law school to and receive his J.D.
Previous Staff Members
Class of ’23:
Tamara Evans
Amaya Gaines
Larissa Moelber
Class of ’24:
Aleezah Adams
Parker Brownell
Brandon Emons
Curran Gilster
Ethan Haqq
Tori Kelleher
Danny Nickel
James O’Neill
Aaron Simansky