Fellowships for Bard College Undergraduate Students
The Hannah Arendt Center offers student fellowships for administration support, the Courage to Be Program, media and communications, and for the new Bard Leadership Program. Students are usually hired in the spring semester and summertime for the upcoming academic year. Apply through Handshake. Interested in becoming a fellow? Email us at [email protected].
Administration Fellows
Administration Student Fellows play a vital role in upholding the seamless functioning of the center's day-to-day operations. Their support extends to both the Executive Director and the HAC staff, encompassing a diverse range of responsibilities. These dedicated fellows contribute significantly to the preparation of the annual fall conference, ensuring its success. Furthermore, their involvement in the membership program lends a helping hand to its efficiency. In addition, administration fellows provide research support as needed. In essence, administration fellows are instrumental in maintaining the center's operational effectiveness.
Julia Kiernan
Julia is a third year student, looking forward to moderating into Written Arts with a focus in poetry. Her other academic interests include theology, continental philosophy, and Russian language. She has worked in special collections and archives at the Watkinson Library at Trinity College, Hartford, and as a research assistant at Bard. As a student at Bard, her interest in poetry has flourished, and she is excited to find ways to bring people together with a passion for experimenting with language. She is motivated by a deep passion for words and their many complexities, and she hopes to work with the Hannah Arendt Center to investigate the ways in which language can create open, collaborative, and loving spaces on campus.
Adriana Želmira Ondrejka
Adriana is a third year student looking to moderate in Historical Studies. She chose Bard due to the open and independent nature of its environment, as well as its dedication to the arts. At the Hannah Arendt Center she hopes to use her skills and energies to further the program’s mission as well as help grow the Bard community.
Courage To Be Fellows
The Courage to Be program is an undergraduate Common Course series that brings together students, faculty, and internationally renowned experts in diverse fields on the topic of courage. As part of our Courage To Be fellowship program, our student fellows organize events and collaborate with artists, writers, activists, and other professionals on our annual lecture series focusing on courage.
Svitlana Kukharuk
Svitlana Kukharuk is a senior majoring in Human Rights and the founder of the Ukrainian Solidarity Club at Bard College. In the summer of 2024, she served as a Development Intern at Freedom House in Washington, DC. She recently completed the Bard Globalization and International Affairs study-away program in New York City, where she also interned at PEN America. In 2023, Svitlana was awarded the Global Democracy Ambassador Scholarship, which allowed her to spend a semester as a visiting student at the University of Connecticut. Bringing her experience of living in Ukraine during the war to the campus, she has had the opportunity to serve as an ambassador of democratic values and educate her peers from around the world about the fragility and importance of democracy. Furthermore, Svitlana dedicated six months as a European Solidarity Corps volunteer at an NGO in Poland, where, among other tasks, she coordinated volunteers at a work camp focused on integrating Ukrainian refugee children.
Mahlia Slaiby
Mahlia is a second-year student pursuing a major in Written Arts with a secondary focus on Middle Eastern Studies. She is a part of Bard Women’s Soccer and the Bard Observer. Blending her interests in athletics and writing, she aims to expand the visibility of student-athletes within the greater Bard community through her written word. Beyond academic pursuits, Mahlia is deeply committed to making a positive impact in her community. As an ambassador for Morgan’s Message, she has led initiatives to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health among student-athletes, ultimately fostering a supportive environment and promoting mental wellness. At the Hannah Arendt Center, Mahlia is eager to combine academic knowledge and practical experience to engage in meaningful conversations and excel the program’s mission.
Tamana Sultani
Tamana Sultani is a second-year computer science major at Bard College with a strong interest in social activities and human rights. Passionate about making a positive impact, she is currently volunteering with Neighbors Link, an organization focused on asylum initiatives. In addition to her commitment to social justice, Tamana has conducted research on the Theory of Knots alongside her computer science professor. Tamana is eager to deepen her understanding of the intersection between technology and humanity, and she believes the Hannah Arendt Center for Humanities offers a unique opportunity to explore the philosophical and ethical dimensions of her work.
Research and Program Support Fellows
The Research and Program Support Fellows plays a crucial role in our organization’s academic initiatives. Responsibilities include conducting research on relevant topics, assisting with programs and our annual conference, and developing educational resources. The fellow also helps with our virtual reading group and to organize events, workshops, and lectures.
Aleksandar Vitanov
Aleksandar Vitanov is a student at the Conservatory of Music and the Political Studies Department at Bard College in Upstate NY, where he studies trumpet performance and U.S. foreign affairs. He previously attended the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan from 2018 to 2020. In 2017, he performed as a soloist with the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra. He was the recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Award and appeared on NPR's From the Top in 2018.
Bard Leadership Fellows
The Bard Leadership Program (BLP) provides students with a platform to enrich their college experience and grow into well-rounded leaders. As a collaborative effort between the Hannah Arendt Center and the Athletics Department, BLP champions a holistic approach to leadership that integrates intellectual exploration with physical training. Our Student Fellows play a pivotal role in supporting the program by organizing events, assisting with outreach and social media, and managing various administrative tasks. BLP fosters active community engagement and welcomes all students, regardless of athletic ability, to participate in this dynamic initiative.
Brandon Alchy
Hi, I am Brandon; my friends call me Alchy for my last name. I am a rising sophomore from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan majoring in Economics. I’m really looking forward to learning and diving into all the new opportunities and activities that make our campus so unique. With my insight as a student-athlete and my involvement in multiple committees, I hope to help unite our campus like never before! I find joy in hanging out with my friends, playing soccer, and, most importantly, being with my family. I have confidence that this collaboration with the Hannah Arendt Center and Bard Athletics will have an everlasting influence on our incredible Bard campus.
Julián Donas Milstein
Julián Donas Milstein is a first-year student at Bard intending to moderate into the Global and International Studies program. He is Uruguayan and grew up in Upper Manhattan. Before coming to Annandale, he spent a year taking Political Science classes at Universidad de La Republica in Montevideo, Uruguay. He also enjoys playing saxophone, running, hiking, and writing. As a leadership fellow at the Hannah Arendt Center, he hopes to bring an interdisciplinary perspective to the program and help build bridges between different groups on campus.
Keta Tavartkiladze
I’m Keta. I’m from Tbilisi, Georgia. I am a junior, studio arts major in Bard. I’m delighted to be part of the Bard community and have the opportunity to participate in social events and activities through the Bard Leadership Program. I get joy in making people feel welcome and seeing new connections and goals being formed. I am excited to be part of a team, share experiences, and learn from others. I spend my free time hanging out with my friends, painting, listening to music, or watching movies. I enjoy outdoor activities and I’m excited to see how Hannah Arendt Center collaborates with the Athletic Department to work towards the goal of this program. I believe that being part of BLP will be a memorable and valuable experience.
Media Fellows
HAC Student Media Fellows are student ambassadors who promote Arendt Center events through creative marketing, outreach, and publicity efforts. Gaining hands-on experience in event documentation and logistics, professional communications, and social media management, Media Fellows contribute to the Center's vibrant community while developing their creative communications skills.
Otto Harris
Otto Harris is a Sophomore at Bard College who is intending to major in Photography. They are from Berkeley California and have been having a great time exploring the east coast at Bard. Their interests include everything related to photography and videography as well circus arts, especially juggling.
Elena Hause
Elena is a second year student studying Music Composition and Biology/Environmental Studies. Her other academic interests include communications, sociology, and psychology, as she attempts to study the mindsets of communities and the ways disparate individuals can unite around social and political ideals. At the Hannah Arendt Center, she is excited to assist the organization in its publicity efforts and learn from the organization's varied and advanced philosophical and political discussions. In her spare time, Elena enjoys solving mysteries, performing onstage, and gardening.
Mohammad Naser Jamshidi
Naser is a Senior at Bard College majoring in Political Studies. Throughout his time at Bard, he's had the opportunity to work with various offices, gaining valuable and exciting experiences. His work with the Bard Center for Civic Engagement inspired him to contribute more to the community and enhanced his skills. Additionally, he spent a semester with Senator Michelle Hinchey’s office, where he conducted policy research and assisted with administrative and community outreach tasks. He is excited to work with the Hannah Arendt Center as a student fellow, as it provides an intellectual space for passionate, uncensored, nonpartisan thinking that reframes and deepens the fundamental questions facing our nation and the world.