Ava Manaker
2026 Pelosi Scholar
Class of 2028
Major: Regional and Comparative Studies
Hometown: Swarthmore, PA
Ava is interested in Russian security issues, particularly Russian foreign policy towards post-Soviet states. Her interest in the post-Soviet space began after studying Russian in Kyrgyzstan with the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y). Through her research on Russian military reconstitution at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, Ava learned to conduct defense analysis to inform U.S. national security policy.
On campus, Ava works as an editorial assistant for the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, serves in leadership for the Georgetown International Relations Association, debates at the Philodemic Society, and enjoys taking Georgetown’s ballet classes. She aspires to work for the federal government on Eurasian security issues. Ava is grateful to be a Pelosi Scholar and excited to pursue her passion for public service.