University of Richmond

Founding Members 

The Center for Politics & Policy was founded by six students.

Nicole Conner

Nicole Conner, a native of Dorset, Ohio, graduated from the University of Richmond in 2007 with a double major in women, gender and sexuality studies and international studies with a concentration in world politics and diplomacy.

While at Richmond, Conner was active in WCGA, as the 2007 class president and a senator, the new member selection chair and vice president of WILL. She was active in ODK, Phi Alpha Delta, Alpha Chi Omega, Mortar Board and the Women Educating Women Committee.

Conner has traveled to twenty-two countries, loves big cities and admits to having a slight obsession with Westhampton College. She first became involved with the Center for Politics and Policy when she was working on a project with Jaime Settle and recognized the importance of designating a professor or mentor to assist undergraduate students in developing research projects in political science and policy. Few undergraduate institutions provide opportunities for their students to participate in substantive research; Conner envisioned the center becoming a valuable and unique asset to the University of Richmond. Conner is currently a student at the Fordham University School of Law in New York City.

Matt Fontana 

Matt Fontana, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, graduated from the University of Richmond in 2007 with a double major in history and political science.

While at Richmond, Fontana was a Richmond College Student Government Association senator, a member of the University Debate team, a member of the Richmond Young Democrats and a member of the Model United Nations team. Fontana got involved with the Center for Politics and Policy at its inception by drafting the founding documents, finding the center a permanent location to call home and meeting with both members of the faculty and students to gauge and foster support for its creation. Even though Fontana graduated before the center became a reality, its creation was important to him because it increases the opportunities to do meaningful political science research surrounded by people who share the same passion. Fontana is currently a student at Villanova Law School.  

Ethan McWilliams

Ethan McWilliams, from Fairbanks, Alaska, graduated from the University of Richmond in 2007 with a double major in leadership studies and political science, receiving honors in leadership studies.

While at Richmond as a Bonner Scholar, McWilliams was the RCSGA president, a member of JSGA and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and involved in residence life. McWilliams is credited with proposing the original concept, creating the Center for Politics and Policy, to Dr. Dan Palazzolo. McWilliams envisioned the center offering focused programming, opportunities for student involvement and a heightened sense of political awareness around campus. A key player who was involved from the very beginning, Ethan deserves credit for much of what the center has become today. Currently, Ethan McWilliams monitors the progress of the center from northern Indiana, where he is a student at the University of Notre Dame Law School.  

Meredith Hayles Patrick

Meredith Hayles Patrick, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is currently a senior at the University of Richmond, and a double major in political science and accounting.

A University Scholar, Hayles Patrick is a member of Delta Gamma, Pi Sigma Alpha, the club water polo team, the club tennis team, Golden Key and Americans for Informed Democracy.  Hayles Patrick is a National Merit Scholar, studied abroad in the Netherlands, enjoys cooking and aspires to be just like Paula Deen when she grows up. Hayles Patrick became involved with the Center for Politics and Policy Studies during her sophomore year at the request of Dr. Palazzolo. Hayles Patrick participated in the initial brainstorming and planning secessions, turning what started out as a vague idea into a focused plan. Currently, Hayles Patrick is working on research with Dr. Palazzolo and Doug Rubin, another CPPS founder. After graduation, Meredith plans to work in public accounting.  

Doug Rubin

Doug Rubin, from Baltimore, Maryland, is currently a senior at the University of Richmond and will graduate in 2008 with majors in political science, criminal justice and urban practice and policy. At Richmond, Rubin is the president of the Campus Activities Board and a member of the Men’s Ultimate Frisbee Team.

Rubin participated in the early stages of the center's development, and met with the dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, Andrew Newcomb, to pitch the idea. Since then, he has met with various members of the Department of Political Science and has been a driving force behind the development of the center. Rubin believes the Center for Politics and Policy will provide a much needed research arm for the political science department and encourage more students to pursue graduate degrees in the future. Currently, Rubin is working, in conjunction with Meredith Patrick and Dr. Palazzolo, on a research paper on the state of federalism in America. 

Jaime Elizabeth Settle 

Jaime Elizabeth Settle, from Tucson, Arizona, graduated from the University of Richmond in 2007 with a major in political science and a minor in biology. 

Settle’s academic focus was science policy, and her senior thesis was on embryonic stem-cell research policy. While at Richmond as an Oldham Scholar, Settle was president of Omicron Delta Kappa, the class of 2007 senator to the Westhampton College Government Association and the Academic Affairs Committee chairwoman. As a student member of the Presidential Selection Committee, Settle was the co-founder and co-chair of the Presidential Welcome Committee. She was a member of the Task Force for Undergraduate Experience and the co-founder and co-president of the campus program, Bursting the Bubble, a program designed to encourage civic engagement and cultural exploration of community activities. 

Settle was a member of the Mortar Board Honor Society and the Political Science Honor Society and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Sigma Alpha and Delta Gamma fraternities. She was also the recipient of the 2007 University Mace Award, a 2007 Distinguished Leadership Award from Westhampton College, the Spencer D. Albright Book Award and the May Evans Scholarship. Settle studied abroad in Sebastian, Spain. 

Along with Fontana and McWilliams, Settle helped choose and design the physical location of the center, met with the Dean and the political science faculty and developed the initial idea into a feasible plan. Settle is now pursuing a Ph.D. in political science at the University of California in San Diego. She is continuing to study science policy but is extending her focus to include genetic influences on political behavior.