About

CONTEXT OF ISLANDS

Pasquines is a nonprofit news organization, led and run by volunteers, dedicated to ending the insularity between the United States and its territories. We believe that the United States territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands, are needlessly absent from national conversations involving politics, policy, design, and innovation. At the same time, local discussions negate the impact that federal issues have on life in these jurisdictions. That is why we are focused on bringing local issues to the national conversation, and national issues to local consideration. In the face of a challenging environment for journalism, we seek to pioneer innovative news publishing that is focused on rising students and journalists; raise awareness of the existence and conditions of the territories; and inspire inclusion of these citizens in all critical considerations. With ardent tenacity to eradicate the insularity between the nation and the territories, we publish the context of islands.

The work by Pasquines is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

LEADERSHIP

William-José Vélez González

Editor in Chief

William-José Vélez González is a native from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, and a graduate from Florida International University in biomedical engineering, engineering management, with a minor in international relations. He served as the national executive vice president of the Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association for 5 years. He lives in Washington, DC, where he works at the National Congress of American Indians and runs Opsin, a nonprofit design studio dedicated to making design more accessible. He is the founder and Editor in Chief of Pasquines.

POSTS

Aras Troy

Political Affairs Associate Editor

Aras Troy is a US Army veteran and journalist and based in Washington, DC. He studies Global Affairs at George Mason University and Economics at the Paris Institute of Political Studies. Troy has worked in the US territories as well as internationally in Europe and Korea in national defense, humanitarian disaster relief, and archaeology. He is a Political Affairs Associate Editor at Pasquines.

POSTS

Daniel Ziebarth

Economic Affairs Assistant Editor

Dan Ziebarth is a senior Political Science major at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is interested in research and advocacy pertaining to economic policy, financial sustainability, and educational policy, and is currently writing his thesis on economic retrospective voting. Dan is currently applying to graduate schools to pursue a graduate degree in either public policy or finance. When not in class or at work, Dan enjoys playing and watching sports, exploring the outdoors, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

POSTS

OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT

Brian Gibson

Web Design & Development Coordinator

Brian Gibson is a Californian by birth and a Buckeye by choice graduating with a degree in Finance from The Ohio State University. Outside of work Brian enjoys traveling to experience different cultures. He currently resides in Washington, DC.

Stephenie Glisson

Human Resources & Recruitment Intern Coordinator

Stephenie Glisson was born in Panama City, Panama, and moved to Colorado at a very young age. She is currently a student at Colorado State University-Global Campus, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in human resource management. Stephenie received her bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2012. Aside from being an intern and full-time student, Stephenie enjoys being with her family and her two cats.

Ibukun Amosu

Human Resources & Recruitment Intern Coordinator

Ibukun is currently a student at Bestower International University Benin Republic, pursuing a degree in human resources management. He has led a non-profit organization, The Dominion Foundation steering the cause of providing a conducive environment free from health issues. Passionate about people development, he led HR related projects in a human capacity development and social enterprise supporting organizations discover their unique sustainability. Outside of work, he loves music and enjoys hanging out with friends.

Danielle Baxter

Human Resources & Recruitment Intern Coordinator

Danielle Baxter is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in human resources management at Strayer University. She will be graduating in the Fall of 2020 and will be pursuing her master’s degree in human resources in the future. Her hobbies are crocheting, knitting, spending time with her family, and hosting her podcast. She resides in Tennessee where she was born and raised.

FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT

Chandra Desai

Chandra Desai is from Buffalo, New York. She currently pursuing a degree at the George Washington University, majoring in international affairs. While on campus, she enjoys studying, attending lectures from prominent public servants, and participating in a variety of student organizations. She is passionate about social change. Upon graduation, Chandra hopes to attend law school. At Pasquines, she is an American Samoa Affairs Intern Correspondent.

1 Post

Diego Ríos Gavino

Diego Eliezer Ríos Gavino, a native from Fajardo, Puerto Rico, is a student currently based in Washington, DC. As a junior at George Mason University pursuing a BA in Government and International Politics, he is passionate about social change on the islands. As a result, he’s been a volunteer leader and intern for progressive candidates locally in the mainland United States and in Puerto Rico. Diego Ríos is a Puerto Rico Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

2 Posts

Dipa Bhattacharyya

Dipa Bhattacharyya is currently in her sophomore year at Westfield High School. She moved to the United States in 2013 from India and quickly discovered her natural interest in the fields of journalism and marketing. In Westfield, Dipa is an editor of the school newspaper, the Watchdog, and is also involved in several other extracurricular clubs including Model United Nations, DECA, UNICEF, and Speech and Debate. When she is not doing schoolwork or watching Black Mirror, Dipa enjoys going for hikes or baking cupcakes. She also designates her winter and summer vacations to volunteer at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington DC, specifically in their Drug Rehabilitation Department. After high school, Dipa is looking forward to cultivating her passions and pursuing a degree in the field of marketing. She is a Social Media Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

0 Posts

Emerlynn Shibayama

Emerlynn is a senior at Emerson College studying visual and media arts production with a focus on design. At Emerson, she is heavily involved in Emerson's two production organizations, EIV and Emerson Channel as a Production Designer or an Executive Producer. Emerlynn currently runs the social media accounts for a student-run sitcom that she co-created and understands that audience engagement is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference in the digital world. She is passionate about producing works that address issues of inclusivity and human rights. Emerlynn enjoys reading and drawing digitally during her spare time. She is a Social Media Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

0 Posts

Fred Edwards

Fred is currently pursuing a law degree and a master of arts in international affairs at American University, where he founded and is currently the President of the Political Law Society. He earned his bachelor of science in managerial economics from George Mason University, and he remains involved there through his Masonic lodge which is affiliated with the school. Fred’s father was in the Air Force and worked in England for a time, giving Fred the unique opportunity to earn two high school diplomas, one English and one American. He is a Political Affairs Correspondent at Pasquines.

8 Posts

Garret Obrien

Garrett O'Brien is from Washington, DC and is currently pursuing a degree in social studies at Harvard University. He writes for the Harvard Crimson newspaper and the Harvard Political Review on campus and hopes to pursue a career in journalism in the future. When not writing, he spends his free time playing soccer and watching Jeopardy. Garrett is a Federal Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

2 Posts

Jasmine Holt

Jasmine Holt is in her junior year of high school at Maple Grove Senior High. She participates in multiple extracurriculars in and out of school which allows her to prove her leadership skills on a daily basis. During school hours, she holds various roles such as being the secretary for Student Government, president of Green Club, and founder of Bring Change to Mind. When she is not a regular high school student, Jasmine is a representative for the Teen Advisory Board for Bring Change to Mind’s national organization, a Climate Change Town Hall panelist along with multiple politicians and experts in Minnesota, and works as a Starbucks Barista while balancing out other hobbies such as music for fun. She is a Political Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

2 Posts

Jemille Duncan

Jemille Q. Duncan was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has been working in politics since he was 14-years-old. Currently, Jemille works as a Legislative Assistant in the Pennsylvania State Senate. In that capacity, he writes legislative analyses, aids in the drafting of legislation, and offers his unique perspective on a variety of political issues. He has several articles published in local newspapers. Jemille is an Opinion Correspondent at Pasquines.

3 Posts

Jett Ballantyne

Jett Ballantyne is currently a sophomore at Williams College in Massachusetts, studying political science and astrophysics. His interest in school has been international relations, with a particular focus on nuclear-weapon states and Latin American countries. Jett is a Federal Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

2 Posts

Katie Cabral

Katie Cabral is a rising senior at Elon University in North Carolina. She is double-majoring in journalism and international global studies with a minor in criminal justice studies. Cabral is from Washington, DC, and hopes to move back to a major city after she graduates in spring 2021. Cabral has worked as a sleepaway camp counselor for the past three summers, but she is ready to begin her work in the world of communications. She is a Puerto Rico Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

1 Post

Laura Freeland

Laura Freeland is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in international relations at Boston University and plans to attend law school. She has cultivated a passion for human rights, justice, and international policies. Consequently, she is actively involved in her school’s Model United Nations and frequently volunteers in her local community. She is a Political Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

2 Posts

Leora Singer

Leora Singer is an incoming senior at NYU studying Political Science and minoring in Film Production and Spanish. Her interests include political theory, public policy, and the role of media in politics. She is a Political Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

2 Posts

Maame Attakora

Maame Attakora is currently a rising junior majoring in media, culture and communication at New York University. As a Global Media scholar, she just finished a study abroad experience in Paris, France, and has plans to continue studying abroad before she graduates. Apart from her strong interest in media production, Maame loves to write and create content. She has had experience working as a marketing and branding intern for an NGO, production assistant and content creator for other on-campus clubs and organizations. At Pasquines, she is a Social Media Intern Correspondent.

0 Posts

Madison Johnson

Madison Johnson graduated magna cum laude from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, with a degree in political science and English, and a minor in public policy. Her coursework pertained to American government and politics, as well as domestic policy, and her thesis project focused on the role of higher education in America. Her interests focus on the relationship between the American government and its people and working to create policies that benefit all Americans through collaboration and bipartisan research. Madison’s research, editorial, and writing background span all different sectors, from Congressional records and legislative research to online blogging and editing. She is a Federal Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

2 Posts

Mohamed Osman

Mohamed Osman is a United States Virgin Islands Affairs Intern Correspondent with Pasquines. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in international relations which he obtained from Oakland University in 2014. In 2017, he returned to Oakland to do post-bachelor credits, which he earned the following year. Prior to his stint with Pasquines, Mohamed was a foreign affairs intern with the Borgen Project.

1 Post

Roger Solorzano

Roger Solorzano is currently enrolled in the Professional Writing Certificate Program at Northern Virginia Community College. He also obtained a bachelor of arts degree in global affairs at George Mason University. He wrote political and economic research papers as a student at GMU. He wants to work on his writing, editing, and proofreading skills to write and publish articles and build a blog in the future. Roger is an Economic Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

1 Post

Sara Zhang

Sara (Mengyang) Zhang obtained her bachelor’s degree at the University of Sydney, majoring in media and communication, computer science, and music. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University. She has valuable experience and education in news journalism, writing skills, graphic design and video production. She also has valuable achievements through targeted, well-written copy and content for the web, campaigns, and print media. Sara is a Guam Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

5 Posts

Simon Gardehl

Simon Gardehl is currently a senior at Roanoke College in Virginia. There, Simon studies international relations with a particular interest in applying theories to international relations. Simon hopes to continue his learning after Roanoke at graduate school. He anticipates to further evaluate and write about how decisions in the political economy field can be explained through certain theories. Simon is an Economic Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

4 Posts

Steven Doering

Steven Doering is currently a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying political science. His primary areas of focus are financial crises, voting habits, and the role rhetoric plays in elections. Steven is an Economic Affairs Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

5 Posts

Yidan Fan

Yidan Fan is a master of communications student from Johns Hopkins University, concentrating on corporate and nonprofit communication. Fan also holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Jinan University in China. Fan has previous work experience in the media industry. She worked as a political news reporter in a Chinese newspaper company. During her internship at Hubei Daily, Fan interviewed and reported on two local and national sessions, the most important political conferences in China, and published over 50 news articles. She is a Social Media Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

13 Posts

Zoe Godwin

Zoe is currently pursuing a marketing degree at Saint Louis University, where she will graduate in December 2020. When she is not doing schoolwork or binging Netflix, she enjoys volunteering with the National Kidney Foundation and the Humane Society of Missouri. She is a Social Media Intern Correspondent at Pasquines.

0 Posts

Featured

US House Committee to hold hearing on voting rights and elections in the US territories

Featured

Fanohge Coalition calls for Guam self-determination

Featured

Equally American calls for Human Rights Commission to examine disenfranchisement in US territories and DC

Featured

US House Committee to hold hearing on voting rights and elections in the US territories

Featured

Guam as America's frontline against Chinese expansion

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Territorial delegates respond to coronavirus

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Officials in Puerto Rico try to balance public health precautions with economic stability

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A safer way to help economies: visit national parks

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How each US territory is planning to reopen their economy

About

CONTEXT OF ISLANDS

William-José Vélez González

Aras Troy

Daniel Ziebarth

Brian Gibson

Stephenie Glisson

Ibukun Amosu

Danielle Baxter

Chandra Desai

Diego Ríos Gavino

Dipa Bhattacharyya

Emerlynn Shibayama

Fred Edwards

Garret Obrien

Jasmine Holt

Jemille Duncan

Jett Ballantyne

Katie Cabral

Laura Freeland

Leora Singer

Maame Attakora

Madison Johnson

Mohamed Osman

Roger Solorzano

Sara Zhang

Simon Gardehl

Steven Doering

Yidan Fan

Zoe Godwin