Mission Statement
To establish a student-run publication hosting a nonpartisan political forum for University of Florida students on issues and policy matters affecting the state of Florida.
Florida Political Review is affiliated with the Bob Graham Center; however, all opinions published represent the opinions of individual contributors and not FPR or the Bob Graham Center itself.
Email us at floridapoliticalreview@gmail.com with questions, comments or concerns.
Executive Board
Andy Shodell
Editor-in-Chief
Andy is a senior from Miami, FL, studying English and political science with a minor in sustainability studies. Outside of class, he works as a student assistant at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service and a tutor in the UF Writing Studio. Andy is also an executive director of Engage Florida, and previously served as a junior account coordinator at Sachs Media Group and a communications intern in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. He enjoys editing and writing articles, speeches, poems, and whatever else he can think of.
Contact: andrewshodell@ufl.edu
Makiya Seminera
Managing Editor
Makiya is a senior from Crystal River, FL, majoring in international studies and Arabic with a minor in mass communications. This summer, Makiya is interning in Columbia, SC, with The State newspaper as both a politics and government reporter and an audience intern. She has served numerous positions at The Independent Florida Alligator, including The Avenue editor, university administration reporter, opinion editor, and social media manager. After graduation, she plans to go to graduate school to prepare herself further for a career in journalism.
Contact: semineram@ufl.edu
Danielle Dietz
Copy Editor
Danielle is a senior from Winter Park, FL, double majoring in political science and statistics with a certificate in data analytics. As a UF University Scholar, she was awarded a scholarship to undertake research exploring the impact of distance and time away from the primary unit on voter affiliation. In addition to FPR, Danielle is a research assistant studying the impact of recent VBM legislation and redistricting efforts across the US, the internal communications director for UF's Campus Diplomats, and is involved with UF's election data science working group. After graduation, Danielle plans to pursue a career in public policy or data analytics.
Mia Cafaro
Copy Editor
Mia is a junior from Tampa, FL studying political science and criminology with a minor in leadership. In addition to FPR, she is the treasurer for Reformed University Fellowship (RUF). Mia is hoping to go to law school after she receives her undergraduate degree, and plans to study criminal law.
Alexa Herrera
Copy Editor
Alexa is a junior from New York studying journalism with a minor in leadership. Outside of FPR, she is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. After graduating from UF, she plans to attend graduate school to prepare herself for a future career in a newsroom.
Alexandra Staller
Elections Editor
Alexandra is a junior from Jericho, New York majoring in political science. In addition to the Florida Political Review, she is a co-director for the Pre-Legal Honor Society’s Mentor/Mentee program and a member of the Phi Mu fraternity. In her free time she loves to watch movies, go on long walks around campus, and (on most days) go to the gym. After graduating from UF, she plans to attend law school.
Charles Horowitz
Treasurer
Charles is a junior from Weston, FL, majoring in political science and classical studies. He is part of the Political Science Honor Society and the Broward County Jewish Democratic Caucus, among other commitments. Charles also operates his own site called Policy Reform Now, where he publishes articles regularly. After graduating, Charles plans to go to law school, become an attorney, and eventually President of the United States. He feels very strongly about Key lime pie being Florida's official state dessert.
Evan Smith
Director of Internal Affairs
Evan is a junior from Fort Myers, FL, studying political science and history with a minor in statistics. Outside of FPR, he is the president of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society and the debate captain of the UF Speech & Debate Team. Furthermore, he will serve as the research intern for the Center of European Studies at UF in the fall. Evan plans to teach high school social studies after graduation, and eventually work in public policy and politics.
Maria Varas
Director of External Affairs
Maria is a junior from Orlando, FL, majoring in business administration. In addition to her work with the Florida Political Review, she is the Law-Related Director for the UF Pre-Legal Honor Society. Maria is also a former member of the UF Symphony Orchestra and a legal intern for Jolly Esquire PLLC.
Staff Writers
Alexandra Staller
Alexandra is a junior from Jericho, New York majoring in political science. In addition to the Florida Political Review, she is a co-director for the Pre-Legal Honor Society’s Mentor/Mentee program and a member of the Phi Mu fraternity. In her free time she loves to watch movies, go on long walks around campus, and (on most days) go to the gym. After graduating from UF, she plans to attend law school.
Evan Smith
Evan is a junior from Fort Myers, FL, studying political science and history with a minor in statistics. Outside of FPR, he is the president of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society and the debate captain of the UF Speech & Debate Team. Furthermore, he will serve as the research intern for the Center of European Studies at UF in the fall. Evan plans to teach high school social studies after graduation, and eventually work in public policy and politics.
Maria Varas
Director of External Affairs
Maria is a junior from Orlando, FL, majoring in business administration. In addition to her work with the Florida Political Review, she is the Law-Related Director for the UF Pre-Legal Honor Society. Maria is also a former member of the UF Symphony Orchestra and a legal intern for Jolly Esquire PLLC.
Mia Cafaro
Mia is a junior from Tampa. FL studying political science and criminology with a minor in leadership. In addition to FPR, she is the treasurer for Reformed University Fellowship (RUF). Mia is hoping to go to law school after she receives her undergraduate degree, and plans to study criminal law.
Ronin Lupien
Ronin is a junior at the University of Florida studying biomedical engineering. He also serves as the Marketing Coordinator for Generational Relief in Prosthetics and as VP for the Bioethics Society at UF. After graduating, Ronin hopes to work in prosthetics development at a non-profit.