MEET THE TEAM
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KATE BIRCH
President; Founder
Kate is a senior studying International Relations and Global Studies and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. She was inspired to create SCEE while closely following protests in Belarus and felt that there needed to be a space on campus for those passionate about Central and Eastern Europe. She aspires to spread awareness about critical social and political issues occurring in the region and to support organizations advocating for civil rights alongside her fellow Longhorns.
SYDNEY WILLETT
President; Founder
Sydney is a senior studying Linguistics and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. She helped to create and joined SCEE because of her family's connection to Slovakia, Hungary, and the Vlax Roma community. She hopes to raise awareness about marginalized communities in the region and encourage more peaceful relations by forging connections between young people in the US and Central and Eastern Europe.
KAITLIN MOE
Vice President
Kaitlin is a senior studying International Relations and History with minors in Slavic Languages and Business and Public Policy. She decided to join SCEE because of her love for the Czech culture and language. She is particularly interested in early 20th century nationalism in Central and Eastern Europe.
KHLOE WAGNER
Programs Director
Khloe is a junior studying Linguistics and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies. She is also pursuing a minor in Russian. She is very excited to be a part of a group of people who share the same passion for learning about Central and Eastern Europe and the complex issues that exist in the region.
EZRA POMEROY
Social Media Director
Ezra is a senior studying Government. They first gained interest in Central and Eastern Europe during their time in the Navy. They wanted to expand their knowledge of the area as well as advocate for and educate on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community in particular. They hope that the connections they facilitate between UT students and NGOs, activists, and fellow students in the region will inform our cohort's understanding of the world and empower them to strive for greater equality.
STERLING MOSLEY
Internal Director
Sterling is a junior studying International Relations and Global Studies, History, Government, and Economics. He is also pursuing a minor in Portuguese along with certificates in Security Studies and Spanish. He joined SCEE to help advocate for and aid those within a region that deeply interests him. He believes that the continual advancement of democratic practices and civil rights should be a top priority, and he would like to work towards that becoming a reality.
WHITNEY PATTERSON
Outreach Director
Whitney is a senior studying International Relations and specializing in National Security. After taking a course on post-Cold War Russian foreign policy, she became interested in Central and Eastern Europe, and particularly interested in issues of political suppression and religious conflict in the region. She has had a long-standing interest in human rights advocacy, and through SCEE she wants to further connect with activist groups in the region to expand her knowledge of current political and social issues.
LUIZAÂ GRUNTMANE
Financial Director
Luiza is a senior studying International Relations and Global Studies with a minor in French. Her family is originally from the small Baltic country of Latvia, and she has always stayed knowledgeable about her home country's political and cultural landscape, but she is excited to learn more about other countries in the region. Additionally, she hopes to pull together a successful fundraiser, so that SCEE can grow and expand its future opportunities!
ANGELINA BRAESE
Ethnic Minority Rights Chair
Angelina is a sophomore studying International Relations and Global Studies. She is pursuing a certificate in Security Studies and minoring in German. Born to a Bosnian Serb mother, she has always been intrigued by the social, political, and economic complexities of the Western Balkans and Eastern Europe. She looks forward to contributing to the improvement and normalization of inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations in the region during her time in SCEE.
KARLA GAMBOA
Women's Rights Chair
Karla is a junior studying Government and Spanish. Her family originally is from Venezuela, so growing up with both American and Venezuelan cultures has derived a passion for her to learn about other cultures. Through SCEE, she hopes to build her knowledge and inform other general members of issues occurring in the region. She hope to spark a passion in members and encourage them to also join the movement to bring about awareness and change.
NELLY AKHMADIKINA
LGBTQIA+ Rights Chair
Nelly is a senior studying Biology and Public Health with a concentration in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She was born in Sterlitamak, Bashkortostan, Russia, a small republic near the rural mountains. Though she already knows how to speak Russian, she hopes to learn about the other Slavic countries in SCEE. She also hopes to create relationships with LGBT organizations in the region and learn more about how these groups organize for their communities and what struggles they may face.
HANA BREDSTEIN
Democratic Reform/Political Rights Chair
Hana is a junior studying International Relations and Global Studies with a concentration in International Security and a minor in Chinese. Her family immigrated from Russia when she was a child, so she feels a strong connection to Eastern Europe, which she hopes to deepen and explore through SCEE. She wants to learn more about how to best use her platform as a global citizen to help a region in great turmoil.