Minority Leadership Program

Georgie is a second-year MPA candidate at TSPPA with a bachelor degree in Diplomacy and International Relations. Her expertise is concentrated in international development Management; she has been working with development projects for the past 9 years in her home country, Haiti. She is passionate about women’s rights, social justice, governance and sustainability in the practice of public administration. After the completion of her program at TSPPPA, Georgie looks forward to using her new skills and knowledge to offer opportunities for social and economic advancement to underprivileged communities. During her free time, she enjoys reading, exercising, dancing, trying out new cuisines, or embarking on new adventures with family and friends.

Terran Potter is a second-year Master of Public Administration student concentrating on communications and advocacy. He is rather early in his career, having graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland at the beginning of the pandemic with a Bachelor of Science in both Psychology and Political Science. After working on and off at non-profits and volunteering during the 2020 election he decided to go back to school at GW. During the summer he completed a fellowship at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation in which he discovered a passion for placemaking and community development. Other topics he feels strongly about include mental health awareness, gun reform, government reform, and racial equity. Beyond school and work Terran enjoys hiking, gaming, and Dungeons and Dragons.

Skylar Wynn is a second-year Master of Public Policy student concentrating on racial equity, gender, and social policy. She currently works as a Research Program Associate at the Global Women’s Institute which specializes in researching gender-based violence. She works on several projects that focus on strengthening best practices for supporting survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), strengthening research equity on GBV in conflict-affected settings, and capacity building for gender and development professionals. She is passionate about addressing the unique needs of Black women and girls and the role and responsibility policy has in addressing inequality. Skylar received her bachelor’s degree with honors in Women’s Studies from Old Dominion University, where she was also the recipient of the Anita Clair Fellman Service-Learning Scholarship, the Carolyn Rhodes Undergraduate Scholarship, Women's Studies Student of the Year Award, and an International Research Award. She also currently serves on the Graduate Student Ambassador Program through the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences here at GW and as a co-chair of the Minority Leadership Program, also based at Trachtenberg. During her free time, Skylar enjoys serving as a volunteer at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, spending time with her family, friends, and her dogs, and exploring new places and cuisines.

Maryam Arab is a first year MPP student at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and
Administration. She is currently a legislative intern at the United States Senate and a Student Administrative Assistant for the Trachtenberg School. Maryam is from St. Paul, Minnesota and received a bachelor's degree in Sociology. At the Trachtenberg School, she would like to concentrate in Social Policy with a focus on wealth and income inequality.

Atlanta native Tylar Lewis is a Public Policy Coordinator Intern with the Harris Strategy
Group. She is also a graduate student at George Washington University studying Public
Policy with a concentration in state and local politics. She is a member of both Minority
Leadership Fellowship and Women Leadership Fellowship. Tylar graduated Magna Cum
Laude from Howard University at the age of 19 with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

Tylar previously graduated from Georgia State University with an Associate’s degree in
Sociology, with honors, while also obtaining her High School Diploma from DeKalb Early
College Academy with Honors and Distinction at the age of 17. Tylar previously interned
with Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) in the United States Senate. She has also canvassed and
participated in phone banks for the New Georgia Project and Georgia Democrats.

Deven Petel is a first-year Master of Public Policy student concentrating on regulatory policy and program evaluation. This will be his second degree from the George Washington University, having graduated in 2019 with a double major in International Affairs and Economics. Upon graduating, he was awarded the John Henry Cowles Prize from the Elliott School of International Affairs for academic excellence and leadership. Prior to returning to GW, he previously worked on economic and financial analysis and policy research at Cornerstone Research.  He is particularly interested in labor issues, renewable energy, and financial regulation. In addition to the MLP, he is also the Treasurer of the Trachtenberg Student Organization.  Outside of school and work, Deven enjoys spending time with his wife Nora and their mini golden doodle Penny, trying new foods and restaurants, reading, and cheering for bad sports teams.

Kimberly Whitehead is a first year MPP candidate with a concentration in foreign policy and national security. She is a graduate of Hampton University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. Her interests are women and children's rights, international affairs and corporate social responsibility. When Kimberly is not studying, she enjoys reading, visiting museums, trying new restaurants and spending time with family and friends.

Kendra Wood is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Administration at The George Washington University and works full time as an Assistant Chief Clerk of Debates for the Office of Official Reporters under the Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives.

In the Office of Official Reporters, she is responsible for keeping track of all legislative business on the House of Representatives Floor and publishing the Congressional Record at the end of every legislative day.

Prior to joining the Office of the Clerk, Kendra graduated in 2015 from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Marine Science concentration. Since then, she has been involved in politics with the House of Representatives, and local government in Prince George’s County, Maryland and Washington, DC.