Curriculum Team

Program Instructors

Jerome Allen

Education:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BA - Dramatic Arts and Environmental Studies

Hometown:
Greenville, NC

“I’m eager to work as a Close Up instructor, not only to teach what I know about politics in DC, but also to learn from students how their background and education shapes their experience.”

Junee Aranico

Education:
University of Maryland-College Park, BA - Criminology and Criminal Justice

Hometown:
Largo, MD

“Close Up’s mission to inspire, inform, and empower young students is critical in creating a more tolerant and educated generation of citizens, who will be unafraid to talk about what they believe in.”

Mitchell Baker

Education:
Drew University, BA - English

Hometown:
Bethesda, MD

“At Close Up, our mission to increase political efficacy in youth is important because they are our future senators, representatives, and other political figures! I’m excited to show students a world class city and use the plethora of history that’s contained within.”

Jacob Israel Chilton

Education:
American River College, AA - Jazz Studies

University of California – Davis, BA - English

Johns Hopkins University, MA - English

Hometown:
Baltimore, MD

“Washington, DC, is rich with history, symbols, power, and contradiction–all ideal objects of examination and analysis. I couldn’t ask for a better classroom to teach in.”

Tim Cleasby

Education:
Guilford College, BA - Political Science

Hometown:
Washington, DC

“The most exciting part of being a Close Up program instructor is the ability to interact with students from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about political issues. It’s rewarding to play a role in inspiring them to be civically engaged adults.”

Devon Constable

Education:
Towson University, BA - English

Hometown:
Baltimore, MD

“I am excited to work at Close Up because I think it’s important to get young people out of a traditional classroom setting. Using Washington, DC, as the interactive classroom, students become excited to participate in the democratic process.”

Jeffrey Croyts

Education:
Ohio University, BA - Political Science

Hometown:
Warren, OH

“The most exciting part of being a Close Up instructor is learning about students’ life experiences, and showing them how to relate that to the nation’s politics, culture, and history.”

James Dennehy

Education:
Christopher Newport University, BA - Political Science

Hometown:
Ashland, VA

“The most exciting part about being a Close Up instructor is connecting students from different backgrounds, and facilitating productive policy discussions in the heart of where these national debates occur.”

Alex Escobar

Education:
Loyola Marymount University, BBA - emphasis in Entrepreneurship

Hometown:
Long Beach, CA

“I love working at Close Up because their programs gives students and instructors a unique opportunity to meet other people from diverse backgrounds, respectfully engage in challenging discussions, and arrive at their own conclusions freely.”

Katherine Garvey

Education:
Montana State University, BA - Global Studies

Hometown:
St. Paul, MN

“What inspires me about Close Up is seeing students participating in government, not just in theory, but also in practice."

Benjamin Grossman

Education:
University of Colorado-Boulder, BA - International Relations

Hometown:
Morrison, CO

“I’m enthusiastic about working at Close Up because it brings in students from across the country, and opens them up to the possibilities, as well as the challenges, of our democracy.”

Cassie Hill

Education:
University of California-San Diego, BA - Communications

Hometown:
Alameda, CA

“The greatest thing about being a Close Up instructor is seeing students begin to feel empowered to develop and voice their opinions on the important issues facing their generation.”

Ian Hendrie

Education:
Mount St. Mary’s University, BA - Political Science

Hometown:
Potomac, MD

“Working at Close Up allows me to meet students from a multitude of backgrounds, and to facilitate the development of civic skills that empower those students to shape the world around them.”

Zainab Imbabi

Education:
University of Mary Washington, BS - Economics and Political Science

Hometown:
Born in Khartoum, Sudan; Raised in Woodbridge, Virginia.

“The best thing about being an instructor at Close Up is using DC as a classroom. The sheer abundance of things to see and do will stimulate critical thinking and energize students throughout the day.”

Selina James

Education:
California University of Pennsylvania, BA - Political Science

Hometown:
Greensburg, PA 

“The most exciting thing about using DC as a classroom is facilitating discussions at monuments, museums, and neighborhoods because it provides real life context to current issues. Students get the benefits of siteseeing important places while being educated on policy and history.”

Dwayne Jeffrey

Education:
State University of New York at Geneseo, BA - International Relations

Hometown:
Brooklyn, NY (by way of Georgetown, Guyana)

“Close up gives me the chance to interact with a soon-to-be voting body of citizens! I’m excited to get to ignite their political efficacy and learn about the different issues they are passionate about.”

Kyle Jones

Education:
The Catholic University of America, BA - Political Science

Hometown:
Youngstown, OH

“Democracies offer innumerable benefits to young people. By supporting their political passions, we are creating a better tomorrow for America.”

George Kronlage

Education:
University of Virginia, BA - History and Foreign Affairs

Hometown:
Fairfax, VA

“Close Up’s mission is important because democracies rely on an active and informed citizenry. By informing, inspiring, and empowering American youth to be those active citizens for life, Close Up can supplement the vital role of public education in fostering positive citizenship.”

Kateri Kuhn

Education:
The Catholic University of America, BA - Drama and History

Hometown:
Wauwatosa, WI

“I’m super excited to use DC as a classroom because it encompasses both our nation’s past and present, as it continues to move forward.”

Nathan Lavender

Education:
University of Georgia, BA - Political Science

Hometown:
Atlanta, GA

“I’m excited about working at Close Up because it gives me a chance to work interactively with people from all over the country. Close Up’s mission is important because too many people take our democracy for granted. These programs can give a generation of young people the resources they need to change the country.”

Patrick Lowman

Education:
San Diego State University, BA - Political Science, Public Law Certificate

Hometown:
Sacramento, CA

"The most exciting thing about using Washington, DC, as a classroom is showing students the real people that have enacted real change through citizen action. Seeing the students light up as they visit the magnificent structures is a bonus!”

Emily Meuers

Education:
American University, BA - Anthropology

Hometown:
Naples, FL

“Though it is easy to feel tense by the politics in Washington, I’m always eager to show young activists that they already have the power to make the world a better place. Through Close Up, they learn how to form their own opinions about controversial issues, and be part of a collaborative community of passionate people.”

Isabel Miller

Education:
Amherst College, BA - History

Hometown:
Thurmont, MD

“Young people are the foundation for our future. It is important to provide students with the necessary tools and knowledge as they grow to become leaders and change- makers. Close Up's programs help students to achieve this goal by providing them with experiences in citizenship and showing them how to be active and engaged citizens.”

Cindy Nguyen

Education:
University of Wisconsin-Madison, BS - Botany and Political Science

Hometown:
Fairfax, VA

“The best part of being an instructor at Close Up is being able to inspire and understand the thoughts and opinions of our future leaders.”

Albertus Rowan

Education:
Gettysburg College, BA - Philosophy

Hometown:
Rockville, MD

“The most exciting thing about being a Close Up instructor is being able to help students think through the most challenging political issues facing the nation today.”

Ashley Rubi

Education:
University of Virginia, BA - Anthropology and Linguistics

Hometown:
Chesterfield, VA

“The most exciting thing about using DC as a classroom is being able to punctuate lessons with monument visits and discussions with members of Congress. Visiting museums that solidify learning and allow students to better retain the information is an important part of being a responsible citizen of a democracy.”

Camila Salvador

Education:
McGill University, BA - Latin American Studies and World History

Hometown:
Washington, DC

“Washington, DC, is one of the most powerful cities in the world, but more than that it is a place where a vibrant culture and people exist and flourish. I’m excited to work with young people on figuring about how they feel and think about increasingly complicated, and often overwhelming, political issues.”

Alexa Sanchez

Education:
Florida International University, BA - International Relations

Hometown:
West Palm Beach, FL

“At Close Up, I’m a part of a team where everyone whole-heartedly believes in the mission of informing, inspiring and empowering the youth. A thriving democracy requires an informed and active population, and using DC as a classroom is an incredible way to show students just how much their voices matter.”

Jessica Shainker

Education:
Rhodes College, BA - Public History

Hometown:
Sandy Springs, GA

“What I like most about Close Up is its uniqueness. Its programs allow students to come together for respectful, productive debate that is focused, not on partisanship, but on policy itself.”

Isaac Shorser

Education:
American University, BA - Justice and Law with Criminology concentration; MS - Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy

Hometown:
River Forest, IL

“I am passionate about empowering kids to be more politically involved through Close Up’s programs. It is never too early to become more engaged in our political system, and I am very fortunate to inspire young people to increase their political efficacy.”

Jessica Shuler

Education:
Hillsdale College, BA - History

Hometown:
Cadillac, WI

“Being part of Close Up will allow me to show students the incredibly beautiful, powerful, and historically-rich Washington, DC. I’m excited to hear the different perspectives of students all across the nation.”

Sarah Strum

Education:
The College of Wooster, BA - International Relations

Hometown:
Washington, DC and Potomac, MD

“I enjoy being an instructor at Close Up because I get to engage students on how to be active participants in their country’s democracy. Students can see their textbooks come to life as they walk through DC, and observe the things they’ve learned in action.”

Shaina Thomas

Education:
University of Oklahoma, BA - African/African American Studies; M.Ed. - Instructional Leadership and Academic Curriculum

Hometown:
Tulsa, OK

“The most exciting thing about using Washington, DC, as a classroom is that it provides students with experiential learning opportunities beyond a traditional classroom setting. These direct experiences bring civic education to life!”

Ben Turner

Education:
University of South Carolina, BA - Journalism

Hometown:
South Bend, IN

“The most exciting part of being a Close Up instructor is helping students discover and develop their role in our system of government.”

Olivia Vásquez

Education:
Berry College, BA - Spanish and Economics

Hometown:
Augusta, GA

“As a Close Up instructor, I thoroughly enjoy getting to learn all of the different perspectives and experiences from students all over the country. Showing students that the city is alive, not just with government or politics, but with a rich culture and history that shaped American values, is by far the greatest part of the job.”

Jalyn Wheatley

Education:
University of Arizona, BA - History and Africana Studies; MA - History

Hometown:
Tucson, AZ

“The best part about working with Close Up will be teaching students how to apply what they learn here to create change in their home communities.”

Joe Winn

Education:
James Madison University, BA - Political Science

Hometown:
Winchester, VA

“Close Up's mission forms the foundation that makes great citizens and future leaders.”

Lauren Ebersole

Education:
Catawba College, BA - Political Science

American University, MA - Ethics, Peace and Global Studies

Hometown:
Hagerstown, MD

“The best part of working at Close Up is hearing and seeing those moments when students make connections between what they’re learning on program and their own lives back in their communities.”

Julianne Forzano

Education:
West Virginia University, BA - Interdisciplinary Studies; MA - Secondary Social Studies Education

Hometown:
Wheeling, WV

“The best part of working at Close Up is being able to work with and impact students from all over the country with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, especially since youth engagement is so important to our democracy.”

Emily Gibson

Education:
Northern Arizona University, BA - History and Art History

University of Pennsylvania, Teaching Certification

Hometown:
San Leandro, CA and Phoenix, AZ

“I love working for Close Up because I believe that young people are a vital part of the American political environment. Every week we get to help students to become actively engaged in their communities and the country.”

Kevin Gomes

Education:
Georgetown University, BA - English

Hometown:
Grand Island, NE

“The greatest reward of working with our instructors is witnessing the value of engaged citizens in action; their example inspires me as much as it inspires their students.”

Elisa Ferrara Gunduz

Education:
Boston University, BA - Political Science and History

Hometown:
Hackensack, NJ

“I love working with students through the Close Up Foundation because we are giving them the opportunity to engage in controversial public policy discussions that spark a passion to continue to be active participants in our democracy. While also instilling values of civil discourse and an understanding of how policy affects others.”

Katie Jones-Gray

Education:
University of Kansas, BA - Architectural Studies and History of Art

University of Texas at El Paso, M.Ed. - Special Education

Hometown:
Kansas City, MO

“It's so inspiring to see, week after week, that students can and do have engaging discussions, that they listen and learn from each other, and that they form a community where all members work together to solve the problems we face today.”

Moneka Lyons

Education:
Oklahoma State University - BSBA Marketing

Thomas Edison State University -MBA Management

Hometown:
Heidelberg, Germany

"Close Up’s mission is an important and valuable piece for our young people in today’s society. It lets our young people know that they can make a difference and provides them with the tools necessary to implement change within their own communities to make an impact!"

Sante Mastriana

Education:
University of Pennsylvania, BA - International Studies and Chinese Language and Culture

Hunter College, MA - TESOL Education

Hometown:
Philadelphia, PA

“Every day at Close Up I have the opportunity to change the lives of young people across the country and empower them to change the future. It’s hard to beat that.”

Allen Pinn

Education:
University of Virginia, BA - History

Hometown:
Lynchburg, VA

“I love working with students from all over the country. It’s interesting to see how they interact with one another and how their viewpoints differ.”

Meredith Polm

Education:
University of Maryland, BS - Psychology and Public Health

University of Missouri, MA - Education

Hometown:
Baltimore, Maryland

“I love meeting students with unique perspectives and seeing those perspectives grow as they engage with new people from across the country and experience Washington, DC, together.”

Shawn Ralston

Education:
Binghamton University, BA - English and Literature

Hometown:
Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, NY

“Close Up provides individuals with the opportunity to engage in challenging dialogue with people from all walks of life.”

Katie Whitmire

Education:
University of Virginia, BA - American Politics and History

Hometown:
Yorktown, VA

“I love working with students from across the country and seeing them exposed to different viewpoints that they may not hear in their own communities.”

Our Curriculum Team

Close Up’s Program Instructors are the heart and soul of our programs and ensure students have a safe, rewarding, and fun experience!

Our instructors have over 120 hours of curriculum and methodology training and are certified in First Aid and CPR.

MEET OUR TEAM

Program Leaders

Senior Program Instructors

Program Instructors

Teacher Program Specialists

Curriculum Team

Close Up was the GREATEST experience of my life!..

I’m all pumped up from the program! …

Close Up gave me the chance to have my voice heard, …

Close Up made me realize how SIGNIFICANT my thoughts and views are…

Our Curriculum Team

Close Up’s Program Instructors are the heart and soul of our programs and ensure students have a safe, rewarding, and fun experience!

Our instructors have over 120 hours of curriculum and methodology training and are certified in First Aid and CPR.

MEET OUR TEAM

Program Leaders

Senior Program Instructors

Program Instructors

Teacher Program Specialists

Curriculum Team

Close Up was the GREATEST experience of my life!..

I’m all pumped up from the program! …

Close Up gave me the chance to have my voice heard, …

Close Up made me realize how SIGNIFICANT my thoughts and views are…

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