About the Authors

Lucy Banion is a senior at the University of Missouri-Columbia graduating in May 2026 with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis in History and Peace Studies. Her time in the human rights program at Webster University during her first two years of undergraduate studies strongly influenced her research and academic pursuits. She will continue her education at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law and plans to work in the immigration field.

Cayla Chun is a senior student-athlete at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. A triple major in Political Science, Russian Studies, and Asian Studies with a concentration in International Relations, Chun’s interests lie in government, intelligence, and international security research.

Meghan Meehan graduated from Webster University-Sant Louis in May 2025 with a degree in International Human Rights and a minor in French. She also received the university’s International Distinction Award. Meehan studied abroad in Leiden (The Netherlands) and Vienna (Austria), as well as participated in a faculty-led study abroad program to the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador. She has an interest in Indigenous studies and migration. Since graduation, Meehan has been working at a law firm in Saint Louis that works to provide financial compensation to those diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Arya Prachand is a junior at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She is studying Political Science and Arabic language, with a concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies. She recently conducted a research project examining the relationship between Critical Race Theory and college enrollment in Chicago. She presented her findings at various political science conferences around the United States. Prachand hopes to pursue a career in international diplomacy, using her language skills and problem solving to further global peace initiatives.