Political Science Undergraduate Council

Mission Statement

Our mission is to help the UCLA Political Science department address the needs of undergraduate students, build community, and enhance the intellectual life of undergraduates in the department. As part of that mission, we seek to promote inclusivity and to create more avenues for the interests of our diverse student body to be heard. We also strive to help our fellow students succeed in the major and beyond. The Council serves as a bridge between students, faculty, and staff so that we can work together to build our department and our community.

The Council

Risha Trivedi (Chair)

My name is Risha Trivedi and I am a fourth-year double majoring in Political Science and Communications, with a minor in Professional Writing. Outside of PSUC, I serve as President of LeGal at UCLA, Law Forum Director of Pre-Law Society, and Director of National Desi Dance League. I look forward to pursuing a career in either business litigation or constitutional law! Other than school, I love exploring LA through its food and coffee scene, as well as spending time with my friends.

Karina Nanda (Director of Community Building)

I’m a third-year Political Science major and Education Studies minor from Orange County, California. I am passionate about women’s rights, international human rights, and education policy. Outside of the PSUC, I am involved in Bruin Belles Service Association and research at UCLA. During my free time, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, traveling and watching reality TV. In the future, I hope to be an attorney, judge, or law professor. Fun fact, I was born here at UCLA!

Avery Bradley (Community Building)

My name is Avery Bradley and I am from La Cañada Flintridge, California. I am a fourth year, second year transfer Political Science student with a minor in History. I have a passion for law and politics, and I hope to become an attorney where I can be an advocate for others. At my time at UCLA I’ve gotten involved in student government and transfer student clubs. Some of my favorite hobbies are watching movies, baking, and shopping!

Kait Davies (Community Building)

Hi everyone! I’m Kait, a second year Bruin from Westlake Village, California. I feel extremely grateful to be here at UCLA and am studying Political Science, Public Affairs and History. I’m still contemplating what I do postgrad; but, I want to ensure whatever field I enter it’s one that can help other people. Outside of the Political Science Undergraduate Council, I am a self proclaimed trader joe’s snack enthusiast, enjoy yoga, Formula One, and love live music! Let’s have a great year Bruins!

Amanda Nguyen (Community Building)

I am a fourth year Political Science major with a minor in Public Affairs and Global Studies. I chose to major in political science because of the applicability of what I learned in previous government-related classes which has inspired me to pursue public interest law. In my free time, I enjoy going on runs, reading thrillers and romance books, and listening to Taylor Swift at any time of day. I look forward to working with my fellow polisci majors and I can’t wait to make the most of my last year at UCLA!

Cecilia Choy (Director of Scholarly Engagement)

My name is Cecilia Choy, and I am a third-year English, Political Science, and Labor Studies triple-major. Growing up with a brother with special needs led me to different paths of advocacy, which is where I found my passion in law. Outside of the Council, I am also the Head of Operations in the USAC External Vice President’s Office and one of the Law Forum Directors in Pre-Law Society at UCLA. I am born in raised in Los Angeles, so I love catching up with friends in cafes and shopping malls!

Charlotte Chan (Scholarly Engagement)

I am a third year from Hong Kong with minors in Statistics and Data Science, and French. As an international student who has lived in over three countries, my experiences have sparked a deep interest in international relations and foreign policy. I am eager to pursue a career in diplomacy, NGO work, and government affairs where I can contribute to shaping international policy and addressing global challenges. My hobbies include content creation, dancing, and cooking good asian foods!

Josephine Murphy (Scholarly Engagement)

My name is Josephine Murphy and I am a second-year double majoring in History and Political Science with a minor in Russian Studies. I am originally from New York City and grew up with a great appreciation for politics, journalism, and law — interests I hope to intertwine as a journalist or constitutional lawyer. On campus, I’m involved with the Daily Bruin as an Assistant News Editor and am a research assistant within the department. I am also currently interning for a EdSource, a nonprofit newsroom focused on education in California. In my free time, I love trying new restaurants, finding new foods to put chimichurri on, and walking my dog.

Jacob Ralph (Scholarly Engagement)

I am a first-year Political Science major from Pasadena, California, with interests in government affairs, law, and diplomacy. I’m passionate about using dialogue to bridge divides and policy challenges. At UCLA, I look forward to working with my peers to foster meaningful discussion and strengthen student engagement within the Department of Political Science. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing on the UCLA Club Cricket and Club Spike ball teams and exploring new cuisines from around the world.

Sebastine Chun (Co-Director of Peer Advising)

Hi everyone! My name is Sebastine Chun, and I am a first-year student from Porter Ranch, California, double majoring in Public Affairs and Political Science while double minoring in Philosophy and Professional Writing. Ever since I was young, I have had a passion for public service, leadership, and giving back to my community. Through this council, I was able to further this by creating and implementing the Buddy System Program, which aims for students to get mentored by their peers while also building community within the major. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in Corporate Law and Public Policy and to continue giving back to the community while also hanging out with friends, hanging out at the beach, cafe hopping, and crocheting beanies for local hospitals!

Melisa Lima-Preciado (Co-Director of Peer Advising)

My name is Melisa Lima-Preciado and I am a fourth-year first-generation undergraduate double majoring in Political Science and Public Affairs. Driven by my passion to address injustices in my community, I aspire to pursue a career in criminal law. Outside of serving on the Political Science Council, I intern with the Los Angeles County Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Equity Initiative, serve as a fellow for the Social Justice Learning Institute, and work as a legal assistant at a law firm. I also act as the Director of Internships for the USAC Internal Vice President’s office and volunteer with multiple nonprofits outside of campus.

Kai Carpenter (Peer Advising)

My name is Kai David Carpenter and I’m a third year Political Science and History major from El Segundo. I transferred to UCLA in one year from El Camino College and Santa Monica College and am passionate about aiding other community college students in their academic journeys. I have experience working on and managing local-level campaigns as well as assisting with legal work for a nonprofit organization dedicated to reclaiming illegally acquired land from Black families and plan on attending law school. In my free time, I like to run long distances, rock climb, practice historical trivia and geography games, and read fiction, nonfiction, and primary sources.

Ashley Velasquez Lemus (Peer Advising)

My name is Ashley Velasquez Lemus, and I am a third-year student double majoring in Political Science and Labor Studies from Sacramento, California. As a first generation Latina, my background and experiences have inspired me to advocate for immigrant rights and pursue a career in immigration law. In addition to my role on the council, I serve as an Academic Advancement Co-Chair for the First-Generation Pre-Law Association and volunteer with a couple nonprofit organizations. In my free time, I enjoy exploring new cafes and going to the gym!

Peer Advising

Zoom Information for Office Hours

Join Zoom Meeting

https://ucla.zoom.us/j/93588811075?pwd=xcjD6u4aGEs7rZYnY7bfZgi5wrgEI9.1

Meeting ID: 935 8881 1075

Passcode: 453267

Political Science Undergraduate Journal: DEMOS

As an annual publication of collaborative efforts between undergraduate students at UCLA and the larger undergraduate community, DEMOS is dedicated to showcasing academic excellence of undergraduate students’ in political science research. As an organization made by UCLA undergraduates, DEMOS is dedicated to serving the undergraduate community and beyond by giving students a chance to publish their work, gain writing and publishing experience, and put a spotlight on valuable research. We encourage undergraduates of any major to participate in DEMOS. DEMOS does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnic group, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or any other status.

FAQ: Submit or Get Involved with the Journal

Essay submission

We are currently accepting applications for the 2023-2024 cycle.

What requirements apply to submissions?

Your paper must contain original arguments or analyses. We do not accept book reviews or opinion essays on current and topical events. Your submission cannot contain material that has already been published elsewhere (without appropriate citation or acknowledgment). Your research paper must also comply with the substantive, stylistic, formatting, and anonymity requirements described: All papers should be no more than 6,000 words but no less than 2,500 words, and should include a cover page as a separate word document with your full name, email address, affiliation (college, major, and year), the title of your paper, and a short abstract. The paper itself should contain no identifying information whatsoever. All submissions should relate to the discipline of political science

Who can submit?

We will accept submissions from any undergraduate student regardless of the college, major, or minor.

Where do I submit?

You can submit your application(s) by visiting these google forms. Click here to submit an application for the editor position.
Click here to submit your research paper for publication in the journal.

Working on the Journal

You can join our editorial team by submitting an application to be an editor on the 2022-2023 cycle of the DEMOS. Click here to submit an application.

What ways are there to help out?

The administrative side of the journal is divided into two parts: a) the Selection stage and b) the Editorial Review stage. As part of (a), readers will help during the selection process by reviewing submissions according to a provided rubric. (b), editors will work with the selected authors to prepare and polish submissions for publication. All editors and reviewers will be credited in the print and electronic versions of the journal.

How do I apply?

Please send an email here while providing the following information and answering the following questions.

Full Name
Year at UCLA
Major(s)/Minor(s)
Political Science Courses Taken
What is your availability like?
What, in your opinion, makes for a good political science paper?
A writing sample written for a political science course. While any length is acceptable it should be sufficient to offer an accurate representation of your writing skill.

2022 – 2023 Members

Co-Chief Editors:

Riddhi Patel: riddhijpatel21@g.ucla.edu
David Gjerde: davidgjerde@g.ucla.edu

Manager of Publication:

Evan Holter

Editors:

Heeya Firdaus
Sharanya Choudhury
Tamara Nogueira
Dylan Tzung
Mika Villavert
Sophia Hua
Erik Movsessian
Jennifer Buckley

Research Authors:

Jennifer Mei
Luis R Garcia Chavez
Seth Bobrowsky
Tess Louie

Resources and Links

Undergraduate Research Center for the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Schedule a consultation with UCLA’s subject librarians for help with your discipline or field of study

UCLA’s Undergraduate Writing Center

WI+RE is a learner-led community at UCLA focused on helping individuals in their writing and research projects

Chicago Style Formatting Guidelines