Current Students

Over 200 students are currently enrolled in interdisciplinary REES bachelor's and master's degree programs, undergraduate minors, graduate certificate program, a concurrent bachelor's/master's degree program, graduate-level dual degree programs with professional schools, and departmental graduate-level programs with a REES focus.

REES Master's and Dual Degree Students

Incoming Graduate Students, FALL 2009

Jamie Carlisle is an MA student in REES who decided after studying in St. Petersburg, Russia that she wanted to focus on the region for future research. She completed a congressional internship in Washington, D.C., where she gained a better understanding of American-Russian relations. She would like to research nationalism in emerging democracies, primarily examining how culture and educational systems relate to nationalism. While interested in all former communist states, she is particularly interested in Russia and Ukraine. She received a BA from Elmira College in political science, international studies, and English literature.

Amanda Getty is an MA student in REES. She is interested in identity formation among contemporary Russian youth. Namely, how have the proliferation of capitalism and Western notions of individualism shaped the first generation of post-Soviet Russians, and how will this ultimately affect how Russia positions itself in a global context? Amanda received a BA in modern literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and worked in the Russian media before entering graduate school.

Rutherford Hubbard is a dual degree student in REES and Law. His areas of interest are in the role of legal frameworks in post-conflict reconstruction and the use of law in guaranteeing human rights during crises. He is currently researching human rights abuses in Armenia, where he served two years in the Peace Corps. Rutherford graduated from Carleton College with a BA in political science.

Maria Smith is a dual degree student in REES and Public Policy. Before coming to U-M, Maria spent two years with the Peace Corps in Azerbaijan, where she learned about regional issues and studied Russian and Azeri. She is now interested in studying the history and politics of the former Soviet Union, particularly in the Caucasus and Central Asia, and plans to return the region to work. Maria earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame in the Program of Liberal Studies.

Lyndsay Stiff is a dual-degree student in REES and Law. She is interested in the culture, history, languages, and current events of Russia and Eastern Europe as a whole, but her focus is mainly Russian language and culture, having studied in St. Petersburg. She hopes to expand her knowledge in these areas so that she may work in a law firm or company involved in international business with Russia. Lyndsay graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Russian and Japanese. She has completed one year at Michigan Law School and is an active member of the UM Ballroom Dance Team.

Kelly Trimble is an MA student in REES who has a never-ending thirst for traveling and learning about new cultures. She is interested in both 19th and 20th Century Russian literature, World War II in Eastern Europe, and ethnic conflict in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. She plans to research ethnic conflict in the region, focusing on human rights issues. Kelly graduated from West Virginia University with a BA in Slavic and East European studies and Russian language.

Incoming Graduate Students, FALL 2008

Kevin Brown is a pursuing a REES M.A. along with a master's in Natural Resources and Environment. He is interested in environmental protection in countries of the former Soviet Union. Kevin plans to study how GIS mapping of natural systems can aid the sustainable economic development of a region, and also how those practices can be applied to the political and cultural specifics of Russia and its neighbors. Kevin received his B.A. in Russian from the Evergreen State College.

Jessica Fisher is a dual-degree student in REES and Public Policy. As a result of spending over three years volunteering and then working in Ukraine, Jessica is eager to improve her understanding of the Ukrainian nation, its people, language, and current policy challenges. She is particularly interested in researching the creation and implementation of international and domestic policy throughout the former Soviet Union aimed at spurring economic growth and the effect it has on strengthening democratic society and governance. Jessica received her B.A. in history from Northwestern University and served in the Peace Corps before beginning graduate study.

Katherine Langer is a dual-degree student in REES and Public Policy. She is particularly interested in the growth of the non-profit sector in Eastern Europe. In addition, she plans to study European Union enlargement, especially in terms of globalization, immigration, and domestic and international policy. Katherine has her B.A. in anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley. After completing her undergraduate degree, Katherine worked for City Year in San Jose.

Milena Tercheva is an M.A. student in REES. She is interested in the parallel post-communist development of Bulgaria and the Russian Federation, and the impact of this on the subsequent integration of Bulgaria into the EU. She plans to study the lessons of transition in Bulgaria and other countries of the former Eastern Bloc. Milena graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a B.A. in international relations.

Ryan Voogt is an M.A. student in REES and is interested in the history, culture, current events, and geopolitical issues of Russia and Eastern Europe as a whole. More narrowly, his focus is on Hungary and Romania, having volunteered in those countries. He plans to study the history of socialism in the entire region, conflicts between peoples, and current trends. Ryan has a B.S. in civil engineering from Calvin College, and has done coursework in Russian history, literature, and culture at Michigan State University.

Travis Winter is an M.A. student in REES. He has a broad interest in the cultural and intellectual history of Imperial Russia. He plans to investigate in how high art, popular culture, and religion interacted to shape collective historical memory and national identity during that period, as well as the long-lived and widespread influence of German romanticism upon Russian intellectual and artistic traditions. He is also interested in comparing the development of higher education in Russia with that in Western Europe and the United States. Travis received his B.A. in history from Kansas State University.