The Human Writes editorial team is composed of several undergraduate students dedicated to platforming the most pressing human rights issues around the world. Each member brings their unique background and academic interests to their work in human rights and justice, creating a diverse and dynamic space for discussion and action. From advocating for women's and children's rights to exploring political affairs and international relations, our team is united by the belief in the power of storytelling to inspire change. Together, we strive to champion student voices, share important narratives, and bring the University of Minnesota student community into the global conversation on human rights.
Current Editor
Hugo James Breese (CLA '28) is the editor for the Human Writes blog for the 2026-2027 school year. He is a junior double majoring in political science and Spanish studies, and his academic interests include political theory, literature, and climate politics. As editor, Hugo hopes to encourage a broad range of students across the university to submit to the blog and engage more deeply with human rights advocacy.
Founding Members and Former Editors
The Human Writes team would like to highlight the students that served as the founding members and the original editors for the blog. Thank you for your hard work!
Sakiya Mohamed | Libby Nemitz | Madison Schemens-Plunk | Bridget Thuili
We would also like to thank our non-founding former editors:
Zukaina Al-Mohamed (2025-2026)
Contributors
Abdulle, Samia
Samia's Profile
Samia Abdulle (she/her) is a third year student studying Political Science, Business Law, and Global Studies at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Samia is passionate about social welfare policy and migration and she plans on pursuing law school after graduation. She is actively involved in the Human Rights Program, The Undergraduate Student Government, and the Student Legal Services Board of Directors.
Al-Mohamed, Zukaina
Zukaina's Profile
Zukaina Al-Mohamed (CLA '26) is a senior majoring in Global Studies with a minor Political Science. She is of mixed heritage, with her parents coming from both the Middle East and Latin America. Zukaina is passionate about queer issues that don’t often get talked about (e.g. being queer in communities of color). Her academic interests include international conflicts, tyrannical governments, fascism, and political dissonance. She also served as the Human Writes editor for the 2025-2026 school year.
They Can Try To Ban Our Books, but They'll Never Ban Our Desire To Learn
Breese, Hugo
Hugo's Profile
Hugo Breese is a junior majoring in Political Science and Spanish Studies. He is the editor of the Human Writes blog for the 2026-2027 academic year, and a member of the Undergraduate Human Rights Working Group.
Callahan, Sydney
Sydney's Profile
Sydney Callahan is a seventeen year old currently attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Postsecondary Enrollment Program. They have been writing for roughly four years, and their work has appeared in places such as The Weight Journal and The Goose, a literary magazine at the Perpich Center for Arts & Education. They are also a recent alum of the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio. When they aren’t writing, you could find them researching Arthurian mythology or bothering their two older sisters.
Cronje, Skye
Skye 's Profile
Skye Cronje is a second year Masters of Human Rights student focusing on labor advocacy at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the College of Liberal Arts. She works as a teaching assistant and is involved in many civic engagements, global citizenship, and human rights advocacy organizations and initiatives both on campus and in the Twin Cities. She is passionate about farmworker and labor activism, immigrant justice, youth empowerment, community organizing, and Latin America. Cronje is a recipient of the 2025 Sullivan Ballou Award for her extensive community involvement and advocacy for immigrant and farmworker communities.
The United States is Employing Militarized Violence and Tactics of War on its Own Soil
Diaz, Gabriella
Gabriella's Profile
Gabriella (Gaby) Diaz is an alumna of the College of Liberal Arts, class of 2024. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies, with a regional and thematic emphasis in Latin America and Human Rights and Justice. Gaby has recently stepped into the role of Bilingual Case Manager at People Serving People, and is incredibly humbled by the opportunity to serve the community in any way she can.
Heinen, Ceci
Ceci's Profile
Ceci Heinen is a fourth-year student at the University of Minnesota studying strategic communications and global studies with a minor in French studies. She works as the podcast producer at The Minnesota Daily and hopes to go into international communications when she graduates. She is looking forward to visiting the Boundary Waters this August with her family.
Hirsi, Mumtaaz
Mumtaaz's Profile
Mumtaaz Mahammud Hirsi is an Honors student at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, majoring in Psychology with minors in African American Studies and Public Health. She was the 2024–2025 Hrant Dink Memorial Scholar and currently works with the Human Rights Program’s Undergraduate Human Rights Working Group. Her work focuses on the intersections of mental health, equity, and human rights. Passionate about advocacy and justice, Mumtaaz aims to pursue a career in international human rights law, centering gender justice and post-conflict healing.
Silent Scars: The Psychological and Physical Effects of Mass Atrocities on Women
Horkey, Allison
Allison Horkey is pursuing a Master of Human Rights with a concentration on program and policy evaluation.
Izuora, Sharon
Sharon's Profile
Sharon Izuora (CLA '25) is majoring in Political Science, History, and African & African-American Studies. In her free time, Izuora enjoys reading and watching international TV shows.
Breaking Barriers: Empowering Children Affected by Parental Incarceration
Jordan, Madeline
Madeline's Profile
Alumna Madeline Jordan (CLA '24) works in counterterrorism and national security policy in Washington, D.C. where she applies her sociological background to study behavioral patterns, social relations, and religious motivations of international terrorists. As a UMN student, she served as a research intern for the Center for Victims of Torture, where her research on international relations and human rights in the Middle East & North Africa sparked her passion for international women's rights advocacy.
Equal Opportunities for All: Promoting the Human Rights of Women in the MENA Region
Kaunda, Livinia
Livinia's Profile
Livinia Kaunda is a PhD candidate in Educational Policy and Leadership at the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota. Her research examines the intersection of educational policy and educators’ support of adolescent mothers in Sub-Saharan Africa and Malawi. She is especially interested in how locally grounded support systems, precisely teachers, caregivers, and community members can be included in policy dialogue and be leveraged to improve educational access and success for adolescent mothers. She has over 10 years of experience in education, including teaching in Beijing, China, and currently serves as a graduate instructor at the University of Minnesota.
Rethinking Western Models of Support for Adolescent Mothers in School
Knutson, Logan
Logan Knutson graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2026. He has an academic and professional interest in criminal law, having previously worked for a criminal defense firm and served as president of the law school’s Criminal Justice League. His favorite experiences from law school include drafting orders during judicial externships, volunteering at criminal expungement clinics, and working as a Student Instructor in the law school's legal writing course. Logan is clerking for Hennepin County Juvenile Court for the 2026–27 term.
Mohamed, Sakiya
Sakiya's Profile
Sakiya Mohamed (CLA '26) is a junior studying political science and business law. Sakiya has served as a member of the Human Rights Program Undergraduate Working Group for two years. She enjoys reading and writing, especially if it pertains to government and law. Outside academia, she likes to learn languages, travel, and try new sports.
Murua, Paulina Santizo
Paulina's Profile
Paulina Santizo Murua is a student in the Master's of Human Rights Program at the University of Minnesota. Originally from Guatemala, she is interested in migration and displacement issues and policies in Latin America, specifically in northern Central America, as well as the intersection of business and human rights
Invisible Within Borders: Recognizing Internal Displacement in Guatemala
Nemitz, Libby
Libby's Profile
Libby Nemitz (CLA '26) is a junior studying Asian and Middle Eastern Studies and Global Studies, with a focus on international relations and human rights, and a minor in Political Science. She works as a Program Communications Assistant for the Human Rights Program and is one of the chief editors of Human Writes. As a sophomore, Libby served as an inaugural member of the Human Rights Program Undergraduate Working Group, further deepening her commitment to human rights advocacy. With a strong interest in women's and children's rights, adoptee rights, and political affairs in Asia, she strives to make a meaningful impact in the field of human rights.
Nanjing’s Women, Sudan’s Survivors: Ending Rape as a Weapon of War
Pallan, Serena
Serena's Profile
Serena Pallan is a non-degree seeking student at Towson University, currently taking undergraduate courses with a focus on global health and human rights. Passionate about using research and advocacy to address health disparities, she explores ways to improve access to care and amplify marginalized voices
Return on Condition: Health and Human Rights in the Rohingya Repatriation
Pricket, Annika
Annika's Profile
Annika Prickett is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota. She studied psychology, political science, and Spanish, and has a particular affinity for languages. Throughout her time at the U, she specialized in Latin American affairs, and she particularly enjoyed learning about Latin film and literature. She is currently working with The Advocates for Human Rights and preparing to teach English as a second language in Spain. In the future, she hopes to attend graduate school for international relations and is an aspiring diplomat. In her free time, Annika enjoys dancing, getting into a good book, and travelling.
Rahmoune, Sarah
Sarah's Profile
Sarah Rahmoune is a student of Political Science, Global Studies, and Sociology of Law at the University of Minnesota. As a first-generation Algerian-American and a dedicated community organizer, she focuses her work on education, human rights, the global economy, North African politics, and social justice. Her writing is shaped by her personal experiences, academic studies, and a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices.
Rajput, Paria Anjum
Paria Anjum's Profile
Paria Anjum Rajput is a student at Forman Christian College (FCCU) studying Political Science with a minor in Criminology. Primarily interested in politics and criminal justice, Paria intends to explore how legal systems and governance intersect with social concerns. Wanting to make a difference, Paria is committed to the works of political and legal academics as well as substantive discussions around human rights issues. At FCCU, Paria is involved in different activities as a way toward a life of purpose and positive social change.
Parachinar: A Land of Tussle and Potential Fortune
Samuel, Jessica
Jessica's Profile
Jessica Samuel is a recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she earned her Bachelor’s in Independent Studies with concentrations in Management, Global Studies, and Journalism. She recently completed her role as the Communications and Development Intern at Global Rights for Women, where she supported advocacy and educational initiatives. Her work reflects her passion for storytelling and amplifying marginalized voices, and she remains committed to advancing human rights and creating lasting, systemic change.
Sehgbean, Darlington
Darlington's profile
Darlington Sehgbean, also known as Destined, is a Master of Human Rights student at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and the College of Liberal Arts. He works with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office Be@School program at Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, supporting students and families through early intervention, resource navigation, and community based care. He is passionate about migration policy, refugee protection, and advancing human rights through practical solutions that strengthen stability and belonging. His dedication to human rights is shaped by his first-hand experience as an immigrant. He is a recipient of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s Advocacy Champion Award for his work and dedication to community advocacy and student leadership.
Liberian Refugees on Temporary Protected Status: Dignity on a Timer
Shaw, Madelynn
Madelynn's Profile
Madelynn Shaw (CLA '25) is a senior studying Global Studies with a concentration in human rights and minors in Spanish and Political Science. Shaw is currently pursuing her passion for human rights through participation in the Human Rights Program Undergraduate Working Group.
Stern, Riley
Riley's Profile
Riley Stern (CLA ’26) is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota, with majors in economics and mathematics, and minors in public health and creative writing. She is a student founder and senior research assistant at the Human Rights Program’s new experiential research and advocacy learning lab, the Human Rights Collaboratory. She is passionate about issues of food, water, and energy justice, climate change mitigation, sustainable development, and public information dissemination. In the future, she hopes to pursue a research career related to climate policy and energy economics.
Strudwick, Skylar
Skylar's Profile
Skylar Strudwick (CLA '26) is a junior currently pursuing a double major in Psychology and Sociology with a focus on public policy and human rights. She serves as a member of the 2024-2025 Human Rights Program Undergraduate Working Group. Outside of the Working Group, Skylar is also a Pre-Law Society mentor, CLA Student Board Council member, and Treasurer for FUSE. She is passionate about community outreach in the Jewish community and holds a particular interest in genocide studies, women's rights, and Jewish studies.
Schick, Katherine
Katherine's Profile
Katherine Schick is an Honors first-year student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, majoring in History and Global Studies with a minor in Economics. She also works as a researcher for the Human Rights Program’s Rights ColLaboratory. Her many interests include war studies, humanitarian crises, and justice and accountability mechanisms. Schick hopes to continue writing about such issues and pursue a career in international development.
Sarazine, Berni
Tetteh, Daniel
Daniel's Profile
Daniel Tetteh is a junior at the University of Richmond, studying History with minors in Data Science and Spanish. Daniel is a research assistant in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota this summer. He is passionate about American social history and tech policy.
Berni's Profile
Singh, Avantika
Avantika's Profile
Avantika Singh is a PhD student in Political Science at the University of Minnesota, where she studies the spatial and structural dimensions of violence. Beginning Fall 2026, she will continue her doctoral studies at the University of Michigan. She earned an MA in International Human Rights from the University of Denver, where she served as Project Lead for the Perceived Mass Atrocities Dataset Project and as a Graduate Research Assistant at the Sié Chéou‑Kang Center. Her professional background spans directing a global mass‑atrocities dataset project, advancing feminist leadership and peacebuilding research, monitoring human rights across South Asia, examining genocidal violence in Bosnia, and supporting migration policy development with the UN–IOM in Papua New Guinea. A ThinkSwiss Fellow, she has conducted research at the Graduate Institute, Geneva, and holds additional degrees in development studies and international humanitarian law.
Haitian Child Soldiers: A Saga of Starvation, Poverty, and Deprivation