Interns

Olivia Cornforth serves as the Communications and Events intern at the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. She received her B.A. from Columbia University and is currently pursuing her M.A. at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, where she studies security policy with a concentration on U.S. national security. 

In her free time, Olivia enjoys reading, college football, and being outside, and she is very much looking forward to traveling again.

Ella Gallagher serves as the Combatting Human Trafficking Program Intern at the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. She is a junior at Arizona State University, studying Business Law with a minor in Philosophy. She has a passion for serving others and hopes to go to law school to become a prosecutor.

Outside of her studies, Ella serves first-year students as a Community Assistant in ASU Housing and manages the philanthropic sweethearts competition for ASU Chi Omega.

Liana Hutton is the McCain Global Leadership Initiatives intern at the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. As an undergraduate at Wake Forest University studying sociology, with a concentration in crime and criminal justice, and anthropology, Liana hopes to pursue a career in criminal law or civil rights & anti-discrimination law. With a law degree, she hopes to become a leader who advocates for people's human rights when it comes to violations in the criminal justice system and elsewhere.

Before joining the McCain Institute, Liana interned for Michigan Justice Advocacy, a social welfare non-profit organization whose mission is to develop meaningful policies, programs and legislation for those affected by crime and incarceration. In addition, she is involved in Alpha Phi Omega, the National Co-Ed Service Fraternity at her university, Best Buddies, Survivor's Best Friend and more.

Liana is from Hilton Head, S.C, and enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family in her free time. She is looking forward to contributing to and working with the McCain Global Leaders team and is excited to see what she learns over the next few months.

Kylie McNamara is a legal extern with the Preventing Targeted Violence program at the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. Kylie is an honors fellow in her second year at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. She is looking forward to taking a variety of courses this semester, like intellectual property and environmental law, and she hopes to study at ASU’s Washington, DC, campus next spring.

Kylie completed her undergraduate degree at Tulane University in New Orleans, where she majored in political science and minored in social innovation and social entrepreneurship. As an undergrad, she interned at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services and at the Tulane Institute on Water Resources Law & Policy. These experiences reinforced her interest in attending law school. Outside of school, Kylie enjoys hiking, traveling and is an avid New Orleans Saints fan.

Emma Murphy is an intern with the Human Rights & Democracy program at the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University.

She is currently working towards a B.A. in political communication and international relations with a concentration in conflict and conflict resolution at the George Washington University.

Andriy Nix is an intern with the Human Rights & Democracy program for the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. A recent graduate from Christopher Newport University, Andriy is eager to join the Institute’s team. 

Prior to joining the McCain Institute, he interned at the National Endowment for Democracy, an organization focused on promoting democracy throughout the world. Afterwards, he worked for Zygimantas Pavilionis, the chairman of foreign affairs for the Lithuanian Seimas.

Devon Rodriguez is an intern with the Preventing Targeted Violence program at the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. Devon is currently earning a B.A. in terrorism & security studies, a B.A. in sociology, and a M.S. in terrorism & homeland security policy from American University.

Prior to her work at the McCain Institute, Devon interned at various organizations dedicated to combatting terrorism. Misogynistic incel terrorism is Devon’s primary research interest. She also researches youth radicalization and has crafted resources for parents and teachers on strategies to reduce extremism.

Originally from Green Bay, Wisc., Devon currently resides in Washington, DC.

Emily Sorkin is the International Rule of Law & Security program intern with the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. As a recent graduate of Boston University with a B.A. in international relations and a minor in political science, Emily is excited to further explore her areas of expertise in foreign policy and security studies. During the final year of her undergraduate degree, Emily successfully defended her honors thesis, explaining the recent normalization between Israel and the UAE. 

Previously, Emily served as an admissions intern at the International Institute of New England, in which she worked with immigrants, refugees and asylees in the Boston area. She looks forward to continuing her studies by pursuing a graduate degree within the next few years. 

Emily is a passionate writer who enjoys working and collaborating with others. She currently resides in New Jersey and spends her free time playing guitar, cooking and taking long walks with her dog.