Welcome to new HRTS graduate students

The Human Rights Practice Program welcomed nearly 20 new graduate students in the summer and fall of 2023. You can meet some of them using the links below. If you are a current HRTS graduate student, undergraduate major or minor, or alum of the program and would like to have your profile added to the website, please contact Prof. Raymond Smith at <raymondsmith@arizona.edu>

 

 

Warda Belkass

 I started volunteering with different NGOs at the age of 15, and this ignited in me a keen interest and love for human rights and social justice. It also exposed me to the various challenges vulnerable populations face, how limited existing social frameworks can be, and the dire need for passionate and effective human rights practitioners. Read more...

 

 

Connie Bracewell

I am currently an 8th grade English Language Arts teacher and a college English instructor in North Carolina, where much of our farming and service sectors are solidly upheld by the work of immigrant and migrant workers. However, as is the case in communities across the United States, there is a great deal of prejudice and push-back in relation to these members of our society. Their ability to have a respected place in the United States and for their contributions to be valued are central to my desire to study human rights practice. I wish to be a stronger and learned advocate for this population.  Read more...

 

Lisa Chavez

 My main areas of interest/focus within the field of Human Rights Practice include international human rights mechanisms, community engagement, advocacy and policy work, research and analysis, building specialized skills, and practical experience. The United Nations system alone is an area of focus with studying and understanding the processes and procedures involved. I also am interested in having opportunities for internships, fieldwork, or practicum placements with human rights organizations, NGOs, government agencies, or international institutions. Read more...

 

Janell Clemente

 I am interested in women's rights with a specific focus on empowering women's voices, independence, and autonomy. I am here because I want to understand and learn what is already happening around the world, and locally, and what avenues and organizations are doing things I see myself participating in, or creating. I am interested in areas such as sex trafficking, war crimes against women and girls, and religious oppression. Read more...

 

 

Sam Darling

My main interest lies in system development, specifically the development of diverse, equitable, and inclusive systems. It tends to be easier to identify the things about a system that “shouldn’t be” but how should it be? We need to dismantle the system but what do we build in its stead? My skill set mainly revolves around creating decolonized frameworks and structures that encourage safe spaces and allow for growth and personal freedom. Read more...

 

 

Yair Davidowitz

My areas of interests are the Israel/Palestine conflict with an extension to the MENA region, disability accessibility and rights, conflict resolution, and public policy and advocacy. I applied to the Human Rights Practice Program as it ties nicely with my bachelor’s in Deaf Studies from the University of Arizona and my master’s in international development from Gallaudet University. I hope that I can expand on that with this program by extending my activism, knowledge, and pursuing in a field that works with communities around the globe. Read more...

 

Kelsey Flores

 I am interested in learning about the cultural roots that undermine girls and women in their communities yet encourage them to get married and pregnant. I am interested in the indigenous people living in countries where colorism is prominent. For example, dark-skinned Latinos are seen as inferior compared to light-skinned Latinos. I am interested in understanding how religion affects women’s rights. I am interested in how the education system in the United States can be improved to provide a better learning environment for children with neurodivergent disorders. Read more...

 

 

Hannah Gentry

 I decided to join the Gender-based Violence Graduate Certificate program because I have a desire to better understand the dynamics of gender-based violence, specifically on college campuses, and to give back to the community by educating about the topic and assisting survivors. I'm seeking a stronger understanding of gender-based violence beyond what I’ve learned as a Criminology and Higher Education student. Read more...

 

 

 

 Hanna Royer

 My main area of interest in the Human Rights Practice is Conflict Resolution and Peacekeeping in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. I have a focus in the Israel and Palestine region, since the conflict has been ongoing for years, and it is impacting people on both sides. There are a lot of factors in the conflict such as history, and politics, and it interests me because of the perspective that shapes the human interaction and societies. Intersectionality plays a big picture in the conflict because of history and politics that intertwine.  Read more...

 

 

Lauren Schram

I am extremely interested in creating and maintaining equitable living conditions for marginalized populations.  I have a heart for the African people and I have been very interested in hearing about the work that has been done in the different regions of Africa.  I also care deeply for my community and I see so many things that could be done differently and more equitably.  There is a lack of empathy and understanding about topics of human rights in my community and I feel like it is something that could change.  Read more...

If you are a current HRTS graduate student, undergraduate major or minor, or an alum of the program and would like to have your profile added to the website, please contact Prof. Raymond Smith at <raymondsmith@arizona.edu>