Meet the Student Advocacy Council (SAC)

Ola Pozor, President

International Policy and Development

Ola grew up mostly on the East Coast of the United States (Virginia), as well as her home country, Poland, where she loved learning languages, cultures, and ways of understanding/communicating with people with different perspectives and backgrounds. Through her education and global travels, she learned Polish, Spanish, Russian, a little bit of Galician & Ukrainian, and expanded her horizons in her education and international policy career. These interests brought her to study at MIIS, and her previous experiences in Higher Education administration and leadership fuel her interest in Student Leadership at MIIS!

Her Purpose behind the Presidency: she has always gravitated toward leadership positions due to her deep care for people’s wellbeing & flourishing, and her ability to empathize, advocate for others, and connect them to each other and to key resources. She also has significant experience in event-planning, leading meetings, representing groups, communicating to large audiences, and gathering diverse ideas and opinions. She has done so in previous roles such as the President of acapella group, lead Research Assistant of International Policy group, Choreographer of a theatre company, campus tour guide, English teacher - and now more recently at MIIS as a GA at Admissions, VP of the Slavic Culture Club, Fitness Instructor, and Student Constituent to the Board of Advisors. She has also loved getting to know so many students from different programs through teaching Zumba, taking classes in different departments, going on an Experiential Learning trip, serving on Sustainability Council, and just sparking conversations with folks around campus. It has been a joy to serve various communities in these positions and bring them closer to each other and to their goals, which she would strive to do as SAC President.

Creating a sustainable mechanism for students to voice their concerns and advocate for their interests is an essential part of shared governance in higher education and has quickly become a passion project of her. Over the past year and a half, she has learned all that she possibly can about MIIS through deep engagement in classes, clubs, work at Admissions, conferences, website rabbit holes, networking with faculty, staff, alumni, former Student Council members, and serving on the Student Leadership Task Force in 2023-2024. She vigorously collected data from students, pitched ideas to various boards and administrative groups, and co-led a Student Town Hall in Spring 2024 to gauge ideas on the new model of student leadership. She leveraged her knowledge and networks to design an Organizational Guidebook for the new Student Advocacy Council for her OrgDev class in Spring 2024 and helped the Task Force gain approval of the new model from administration throughout the spring and summer. In the absence of an election this past spring, she was honored to be appointed as the Student Constituent to the Board of Advisors and have already been serving in some of the expected roles of the SAC President. For instance, she has attended the Institute Board of Advisors meeting in Middlebury, Vermont, where she is representing the MIIS student body among Trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators - sharing stories, data, and recommendations for further action for the future of the Institute. She will make sure your voice is heard and strongly considered in the decision-making spaces of this school and will continue to do so!

Neshae Johnson, Vice President

International Policy and Development

Neshae is a first-year IPD/MPA joint degree student from Jamaica. She believes there is a need for student voices and student representation on the different boards that govern the Institute. She had experience in serving on student boards in the past at both the secondary and tertiary levels, where she served at the Senior Deputy Head Girl at her high school and as a researcher on the task force of her university’s Student Guild. She also brings a multifaceted international perspective that allows her to effectively represent the diverse combination of students. She sees this position as a great starting point to ensure inclusiveness of student perspectives in the operations of the Institute.

Neshae’s aim is to represent the voices of campus students at the Executive level and to ensure that decisions regarding the institute and our education is made within us and not only for us. As the first Vice President on the redefined Student Advocacy Council, she hopes to contribute her knowledge of program evaluations and system thinking to create a Student Advocacy Council that is impactful and contribute to an impactful model of student engagement.

Judy Dong, Communication Officer

Translation and Localization Management

Judy is in her first year of the TLM program at the Middlebury Institute. Before coming to MIIS, she lived in Massachusetts for two years, where she received a Christian education in a Christian college by living with a local American family. This was a precious opportunity for her to immerse herself in American culture and learn local communication practices. Prior to that, she worked as an English guide and interpreter for international visitors coming to China for business, travel, or residency. These life experiences have deepened her insights into and understanding of cross-cultural communication.

In her spare time, Judy is also an avid world traveler, having experienced many different cultures. She has a strong empathy for underrepresented communities. As she often says, “When we measure the quality of life in a culture, we should look at its weakest members, not its strongest, in order to draw a conclusion.” She believes that “how a culture treats its most vulnerable members is a true measure of its benevolence toward its people.”

Judy is drawn to MIIS because of its diversity, inclusiveness, and open-minded atmosphere. She would be a great advocate for students, especially international students, serving as a voice for them in the school administration. Her goal is to empower the unheard voices on campus and encourage them to speak out. She believes her life experiences and the qualities she has developed will enable her to be a humble listener and an effective communicator between students and faculty.

Marley Uyemura, Historian

Translation and Localization Management

Marley is a first-year TLM student from Los Angeles, California. She enjoys learning, collaborating with others and creating welcoming spaces wherever she goes! As a part of the SAC, she will ensure that meetings flow smoothly and that MIIS community members remain informed about the latest SAC news and decisions. With her keen attention to detail and enthusiasm for community engagement, she is well-prepared to serve on MIIS’ first ever Student Advocacy Council.

Abby Rogers, GA Representative 

Office of Admission

Abby is from New Hampshire; But she has been loving her life on the West Coast so much! Before arriving at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, she had worked as an English language assistant in France for two years. As a cross-cultural communicator, she would like to work abroad again after graduating from MIIS. When she is not studying, she has been taking advantage of the beautiful scenery around Monterey by going on hikes and beach walks. As a GA in the Admissions Office, she is often in contact with new and prospective students, so she is excited to help shape what the MIIS experience will be like for future members of our community. 

Sonam Lhaki, GA Representative

Office of Reslife

Sonam is from Bhutan. She loves learning languages, meeting people from different cultures, reading, taking walks on the recreational trail and watching the cute otters! she hopes that she can contribute by representing the residents living in Munras Residence Hall and by also sharing her experiences as a student at MIIS. 

Teagan Klinkner, GA Representative

NPTS Program

Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies Graduate Student at MIIS
 

JiaKai Deng, GA Representative

Office of Marketing and Communications

JiaKai is a first-year International Policy and Development (IPD) student originally from China. He works as a Graduate Assistant in marketing and communication office at MIIS. His passion lies in international policy and development, and he has had the opportunity to work with world organizations such as the United Nations World Food Program and the World Economic Forum, contributing to initiatives that promote global development and sustainability. Outside of his academic and professional pursuits, he loves traveling, exploring different cultures, and spending time outdoors. As a representative from the Marketing and Communications Office in Student Advocacy Council, he wishes to serve the student body and ensures students’ ideas and concerns are well communicated and delivered to faculty. He is very excited to hear students’ feedback and willing to collaborate to strengthen the collaboration in MIIS community.

Habiba Mickdad, GA Representative

Students of Student Services 

Habiba is originally from Tanzania. She is currently pursuing a degree in Non-Proliferation and Terrorism Studies at MIIS. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, cooking, exploring diverse cultures, and participating in meaningful dialogue. She is deeply passionate about conflict transformation and empowering young people through dialogue and community-building.

As a council member, she aims to bring a collaborative and inclusive approach to addressing student needs. Her leadership and peacebuilding experience has shown her the value of active listening and creating spaces where all voices are heard and respected. She is excited to work alongside her peers to build a more connected and supportive student community here at MIIS.

She looks forward to engaging with all the students and helping make this year a fantastic one for the entire student body.

Chelsea Flores, GA Representative

Office of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Chelsea was born and raised in New York with Central American roots, she has always had a deep interest in culture, gender roles, and storytelling. She is passionate about community advocacy and literary translation.

She earned her undergraduate degree from New York University, where she double majored in Spanish and Psychology, with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. She is constantly seeking new ways to combine my professional interests in translation and community wellbeing, with a particular interest in mixed status families. Understanding diverse narratives across Latin America through art and history is very important to her.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking, reading comic books, and making collages. She looks forward to learning from her peers and representing the decisions and preferences of MIIS campus to ensure all faculty, staff, and students feel comfortable and welcomed here.

Jiahui Lin, GA Representative

Office of International Student and Scholar Services

Jiahui Lin is a second year Conference Interpretation student from China. She works as a graduate assistant in International Student and Scholar Services Office. She is excited to serve MIIS community as a SAC representative. 

Sydney Low, GA Representative

IEM Online Program

Sydney is an IEM online program student. Having had the privilege to engage in study abroad and international programs herself, her goal is to make invaluable global experiences accessible to all students seeking enrichment and immersion, with the firm belief that the world is a classroom. Because they provide such a unique learning opportunity, her love of and appreciation for study abroad and international programs only continues to grow. 
 

Sydnie Miller, GA Representative

Sustainability Council

Sydnie Miller is from Montreal, Canada. She is currently in the Enviromental Policy and Management program, where she studies Natural Resources management. Her passion for the environment has grown up alongside her! She has always loved hiking, camping, climbing, canoeing, truly any activity that allows her to be outside. This has translated to a desire to tackle sustainability issues, to make sure that these activities and spaces are protected. She wants to ensure that personal behaviors and institutional actions are representative of positive environmental action, which is why she is overjoyed to represent the Sustainability Council for SAC

Julie Montedoro, GA Representative

Office of the Library

Julie is a second-year TLM student from France. Her background is in Communication and Human Resources, and she was also a yoga teacher (here on campus too!). She has always been looking for ways to bring mindfulness into her daily lives, whether at a personal level or in the community. This can be as easy as stopping to admire the sunset, and going for a hike, or practicing yoga, and organizing events that serve people and the planet. Being involved in student advocacy council is a great opportunity for her to support each other and bring positive change for each student at MIIS, and for all the incoming students in the future.

Jingyuan Yin, GA Representative

IPD/MPA/TED Program

Jingyuan Yin, a graduate student in the International Trade and Economic Diplomacy program at MIIS, holds a Master of Laws from City University of Hong Kong. In 2024, she completed a six-month internship at the International Criminal Court’s Archives Management Department under a national scholarship program. Jingyuan has also interned at the Shandong Provincial High Court, a Guangdong law firm, and the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration. Currently, she serves as a Graduate Assistant for the IPD/MPA/ITED programs. 

Lelani Leszkay, GA Representative

EPM Program

Leilani Leszkay is in her final semester of the Environmental Policy & Management program and she was born in Hawaii and raised in California. Her passion for improving our food system through corporate engagement, behavior design, and sustainability management drives her. She has a deep love for all life on this planet and doing all she can to protect and restore it. Previous to coming to MIIS she worked as a plant-based nutritionist guiding companies, individuals, and organizations in adopting plant-forward, climate-friendly menus and hope to expand this work. Her focus is on the vital intersection of climate, sustainability, and food where she is working to scale innovative solutions to drive lasting change in our food system. She hopes to represent the student body of EPM and bring attention to any issues and pain points there might be while working with the Student Advocacy Council to find solutions. When not working on class projects, you’ll find her hiking and running outdoors, going to the movies, baking vegan desserts, sewing, and generally geeking out on local flora and fauna.  

Sue Su, GA Representative

TLM Program

Sue Su is in her last semester in TLM program. She is originally from Taiwan and she loves reading, yoga and pilates. she speaks multiple languages, fluent English, Mandarin and Japanese. She is looking forward to collaborating with Student Advocacy Council on behalf of Translation and Localization Management Program. 

Irina Gonzalez Marquez, GA Representative

IPD Program

Irina Gonzalez Marquez was born and raised in Argentina. She moved to the United States in 2018, when she became an au pair through a cultural exchange program that allowed her to immerse in a world of diverse cultures and travel across the states with people from all over the world. After the program, she began her undergraduate education in global studies, where she became interested in research and writing about global issues, and where she participated in the Model United Nations. Through this experience, she became determined to build a career path through which she can leave a positive mark in the world, by helping others. Now, as a first semester IPD student, she is enjoying the mountains and beach of Monterey while she continues to grow international development competency, build a community at MIIS, and continue honing her personal and professional skills. She is excited to represent CACS in the SAC and help foster an engaged and collaborative community.

Edwin Xi, GA Representative

TI Program

Edwin Xi is the Program GA of TI Department
Passionate, driven, and always eager to learn, he takes pride in dedicating himself to his academic pursuits. Throughout his studies, he has strived for excellence, and he is committed to expanding his knowledge and exploring new possibilities. Being raised in the coastal city of Shenzhen, China’s Silicon Valley, has shaped his perspective, instilling the values of optimism and modesty he carries today. His interests are diverse and fulfilling, from hiking and table tennis to photography and making Cantonese cuisine. He is always seeking new challenges and opportunities to grow. For him, building strong relationships with others is of the utmost importance. He looks forward to meeting everyone and forming lasting connections. Kindness, respect, and open communication are values that he holds dear, and he is eager to share his experiences and support his fellow university peers.