Bard NYC began in 2001 as the Bard Globalization and International Affairs (BGIA) program, offering intensive courses and an internship experience in international affairs. In 2022, the program expanded into additional fields of study and was renamed Bard NYC. At present, there are over 1500 Bard NYC alumni/ae around the globe.
Our Alumni/ae
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Beppe Lovoi (BGIA ’02)United Nations Dept. of Political and Peacekeeping Affairs“It was thanks to BGIA that my internship developed into a work opportunity, and it gave me the push that I needed to apply for other jobs and to develop an international career. I got a job in the United Nations, and now I’ve been in the UN for 20 years. I think it’s all because of BGIA.”
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Olivia Yanchik (BGIA ’20)Atlantic Council“During my time with BGIA, I came to understand the value of mentorship from senior-level professionals in my field of interest—an opportunity made possible through my internship at the Carnegie Council. In addition to BGIA’s well-rounded coursework, I received my first publication opportunity and gained firsthand exposure to think tank work, experiences that helped shape my career and led to my current role.”
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Aditi Mishra (Bard NYC ’22)Harvard Law School“It wasn’t until the Bard NYC program that I was really, absolutely set on going to law school, because I had really amazing mentors in the program. It made me really understand not only is the law my passion, but it’s academically where I’m most inclined as well.”
BGIA Alumni/ae Board
Term of participation listed below.

Rachel van Horn
President, Fall ’11
Rachel van Horn

Rachel Van Horn is a Senior Program Officer at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a Congressionally funded non-profit in Washington, D.C. that supports democratic initiatives around the world. At the NED, Rachel works on the Eurasia Programs team, drawing on her experience as a regional affairs specialist to manage a portfolio of grants to civil society initiatives throughout the former Soviet space.
Rachel’s professional career has included experience in government, private sector, and NGOs, and several postings abroad including in Russia, Georgia, and Poland.
Rachel holds a BA in Political Studies and Russian from Bard College and an MA in Russian, Eastern European, and Central Asian Area Studies (REECA) from Harvard University.

Yousif Yahya
Vice President,
Summer ’15
Summer ’15
Yousif Yahya

Summer ’15
Yousif Yahya is an entrepreneur, investor, and ecosystem builder focused on emerging markets, particularly in Africa. As the Founder of Savannah Innovation Labs, he has played a pivotal role in fostering startups, and leading venture-building initiatives in Sudan and beyond. His work spans venture capital, market research, and advisory services, helping businesses navigate complex markets.
Yousif’s experience includes commodity trading, agribusiness, and financial services, positioning him at the intersection of industry and investment. He has managed projects exceeding €5 million, collaborating with diverse stakeholders, from governments to the private sector. A global citizen Sudanese born in Zimbabwe and raised across Kenya, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, and the U.S., Yousif is passionate about unlocking Africa’s economic potential.

Amanda Turcios
Secretary, Summer ’19
Amanda Turcios

Amanda Turcios is a first generation Latina Bronx native who is deeply passionate about youth development, community organizing, and writing. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Ursinus College in Anthropology and Sociology, with minors in Latin American Studies, Gender & Women’s Studies, and Politics. She completed BGIA in the Summer of 2019 and was an intern with the Harlem Educational Activities Fund. Her experience coincides with local grassroots organizing in the South Bronx, and promoting positive youth development to the new generation. She has worked with the Alexandria Ocasio Cortez for Congress campaign, Safe Horizon, Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, the Sadie Nash Leadership Project, and is now a Program Coordinator at the Casita Maria Center for Arts and Education where she offers free after school and summer day camp programming to elementary children of the South Bronx.

Ruth Tekleab
Community Chair, Summer ’18
Ruth Tekleab


Stephon Camara ’21 ’22
Spring ’22
Stephon Camara ’21 ’22

As a young professional, Stephon is interested in helping create transformative measures that will improve the livelihoods of marginalized communities and drive creative and impactful solutions to issues like climate change.
Stephon holds a B.A in Global International Studies and an M.A in Global Studies from Bard College.

Regina Fuller-White
Summer ’08
Regina Fuller-White

Regina received her undergraduate degree in Spanish and International Studies from Wofford College and attended the Bard Globalization and International Affairs program in the summer of 2008. She has Ph.D. in Comparative International Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s in African studies from the University of Ghana. She is based in Washington, DC.

Aram Martirosyan
Summer ’18
Aram Martirosyan

While at BGIA in the summer of 2018, he interned with Oxford Analytica. Aram has also worked as as a fellow, researcher, and analyst at the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region working on advocacy and genocide prevention.
Aram obtained a Bachelor’s degree in February 2020 from Hampshire College, where he majored in International Relations and Political Economy and obtained a Five-College International Relations Certificate. His senior thesis discussed the clashes between local, regional, and international actors in the Syrian northeast and the impact of those clashes on Syrian Kurdish political and economic development.

Kendra Mills
Spring ’15
Kendra Mills


Liana Mitlyng Day
Fall ’11
Liana Mitlyng Day


Anna Pycior
Spring ’08
Anna Pycior


Hector Rivera
Summer ’10
Hector Rivera

He holds a BA in Theater and Political Studies from Bard College at Simon’s Rock and is currently enrolled at the CUNY School of Professional Studies. His background in community engagement, racial analysis, and social justice pedagogy all form the foundation and approach for his practice.

Jennifer Ronald
Fall ’03
Jennifer Ronald

Jennifer holds a BA in Political Science and Global Studies from Bard College and a BSN from the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and currently lives in Brooklyn with her spouse and their very energetic toddler.
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Contact the BGIA Alumni/ae Board: [email protected]
Join the Chace Lecture Series List (email [email protected])