AFJN Welcomes Our 2026 Summer Interns

Makelah is a Junior at the University of Kentucky majoring in Human Communications and minoring in International Studies and Law & Justice. She is participating in the Fund for American Studies Summer 2026 internship program based in Washington, D.C.

Makelah considers herself to be a very bold and ambitious young woman. From her freshman year through her junior year, she has persevered and developed strong academic and social skills. She has volunteered with kids and performed well in social media roles. By studying abroad in London, England, and attending a Model United Nations conference in Atlanta, Georgia, she has gained extensive experience in foreign affairs and international relations, considering herself a jack-of-all trades.

For the Fall 2026 semester, she has been selected for a paid fellowship to tutor and mentor students from all backgrounds. This experience will continue to strengthen her skills in socialization, problem-solving, and language development: essential traits for careers in foreign politics, international relations, and public policy. She hopes to one day become a foreign service officer and serve citizens across all nations.

Peaches L. Dargbeh is a junior at Lafayette College from Liberia, West Africa. Peaches is currently participating in The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) Summer Program in Washington, D.C. She is majoring in International Affairs with a minor in Sociology. Previously, she participated in the Washington Semester Program at American University, where she further explored public policy, leadership, and global affairs.

Peaches’s interest in international development, human rights, and women’s empowerment is rooted in her experiences growing up in Liberia and her commitment to expanding educational and economic opportunities for young women. As the founder and executive director of Aid-Her Liberia and the BooksBox Campaign projects in Liberia, she has led initiatives focused on girls’ entrepreneurship, literacy, leadership development, and access to educational resources. Her work centers on addressing barriers facing women and girls while promoting sustainable community development through education, advocacy, and economic empowerment.

As a SheCan Scholar and Dyer Fellow, Peaches is interested in learning more about policy advocacy, international development, U.S.-Africa relations, and the role of law in advancing human rights and social change. Through her academic studies, leadership experiences, and internships, she hopes to gain practical insight into policymaking and international cooperation. Her long-term goal is to pursue a career in law and international affairs, working to strengthen educational access, gender equity, and human rights while advancing meaningful partnerships between the United States and African nations.

Riley DeSarbo is a rising senior at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he majors in international relations with minors in Africana studies and geography. Riley is passionate about U.S.- Africa relations and security topics in Sub-Saharan Africa. Riley’s research interests gravitate towards West Africa and the Sahel. In 2025, Riley had the opportunity to research extremist violence and security developments in the region as a research intern at the International Center for Terrorism Studies. This July, Riley will build on this research through the Cambridge Security Initiative as a Sir Richard Dearlove Scholarship recipient. Riley has enjoyed representing Ethiopia and Kenya at model United Nations conferences, learning the importance of multi-lateral cooperation and international organizations. Riley is excited to be a part of AFJN this summer, hoping to deepen his understanding of African affairs and the research and advocacy that drives them. He is grateful to approach these topics through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching.

Aiden O’Connell is an international affairs major with a concentration in African conflict at Lafayette College. As someone with experience on the African continent, he combines hands-on field research with skills learned as a college student, including media creation, analytics, and writing. Aiden is currently participating in the American University Washington Semester Program, where he is furthering his understanding of the American political and legal systems. As a summer intern, he hopes to broaden his research skills and learn important advocacy skills.

Arthur Queiroz holds a B.A. in Political Science with a focus on International Relations and Diplomacy from Saint Mary’s College of California (SMC), where he graduated magna cum laude. His interest in international affairs stems from his bicultural upbringing, being raised in America by Brazilian immigrant parents who prioritized quality education and acquisition of world cultural knowledge through travel and lived experience.

During his undergraduate studies, Arthur served as the Speaker of the Senate for SMC Associated Students, Saint Mary’s College’s student government organization. He presented his undergraduate capstone research project, analyzing the abuse of diplomatic immunity by foreign service officers and their families in order to evade prosecution for human rights violations and other serious criminal offenses, at the 2025 SMC Student Leadership Conference. He also published an award-winning analysis on the creative and destructive powers of violence, focusing on Hannah Arendt’s and Franz Fanon’s differing definitions of the term through the lens of Chinua Achebe’s seminal work Things Fall Apart, in the 2026 edition of The Undergraduate Spectrum, SMC’s yearly academic journal devoted to showcasing exemplary work from the Collegiate Seminar Program.

Arthur began his role as an Africa Faith and Justice Network intern in the summer of 2026. Through his work, he is interested in learning more about advocacy-driven policymaking, broadening his understanding of global geopolitical dynamics, and sharpening his professional skill sets, while learning how best to create value for the institution.