Ambassadors

Kathleen (Katie) Bailey 

Katie Bailey is a second-year student majoring in Social Relations and Policy in James Madison, and criminal justice in the College of Social Science. Katie is from Quincy, Michigan and is active on campus with University Activities Board, State Service Dogs, West Circle Hall Government and MSU Lions. She is a research aid for TRUSST Lab and, in her spare time, Katie enjoys time with friends, watching MSU softball and basketball and hanging out in the MSU Union and the STEM Building. 

One day, Katie hopes to work in campaign management or forensic psychology.

Sydney Bayoneto (she/her)

Sydney is a third-year student from Brighton, Michigan, double majoring in International Relations and Comparative Cultures and Politics with minors in French and European Studies. In addition to working as an ambassador, Sydney is a legislative intern for the Michigan House of Representatives. In her spare time, Sydney enjoys attending Spartan Basketball games, hanging out with friends and reading.

Jolie Dabaja (she/her/hers)

Jolie is a first-year student from Northville, Michigan, double majoring in Comparative Cultures and Politics and Social Relations and Policy with a minor in Muslim Studies. She is a member of the Michigan State Pompon Team and is involved in clubs such as Empowering Women in Law and the Arab Cultural Society. In her free time, she enjoys going on runs, shopping, watching her favorite shows, and cooking with her mom.

Following graduation, Jolie hopes to attend law school where she will eventually specialize in advocating for immigrants and immigrant policy.

Glykeria (Gia) Economopoulos (she/her/hers)

Glykeria, or Gia, is a third-year student majoring in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy and Comparative Cultures and Politics, with a minor in Bioethics through the Lyman Briggs College. She is originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (North of the Mackinac Bridge).

During Gia's time at Michigan State, she has participated in Spartan Moot Court Team and currently works in the James Madison Human Rights Lab. She also directs the VIMMSU Blog Team — Michigan State’s fashion program — and works as a tutor for the Student-Athlete Support Services office. Both culturally Greek and involved in Greek life on campus, Gia is the director of social awareness in her sorority, Delta Gamma, and remains connected to other Greek students on campus through the Hellenic Student Association. In her free time, Gia enjoys traveling, reading and going on walks around Michigan State’s campus. She hopes to attend law school and eventually become an attorney with a focus in medical malpractice.   

Gabrielle Faulk 

Gabrielle is a senior majoring in Social Relations and Policy with a minor in Educational Studies. She's from the Saginaw/Freeland area and is involved in a number of organizations and groups on campus. Gabrielle is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; serves as the Diversity Inclusion Chair for MSU Big Sister/Little Sister; is a mentor for the JMC Mentor Program and belongs to MSU Family Law Society. In her spare time, she enjoys attending MSU football games, cooking and drawing.

Gabrielle's goal is to be advocate for justice in the educational system.

Lekhana Gogineni (she/her)

Lekhana is a second-year student from Wixom, Michigan. Prior to Madison, Lekhana was an international student in Chennai, India for eight years. In addition to majoring in Social Relations and Policy, Lekhana has minors in Political Economy and Philosophy and Law. Lekhana is the secretary for James Madison College Women of Color (JMCWOC), is a member of Empowering Women in Law, and is a member of Delta Phi Epsilon Foreign Service Sorority. When she isn't busy with all of her extracurriculars and studying, Lekhana enjoys spending time with friends, playing basketball and traveling.

Andrea Guitron-Ortiz

Andrea is a first-year student from Rochester, Michigan. She plans to major is Social Relations and Policy and minor in Chicano/Latino Studies. Andrea is active on campus as she is a member of the following organizations: Latino Leaders in Policy, JMC Women of Color, Freshman Class Council and MSU Swift Squad.

Sammy Leggett

Sammy is a first-year student double majoring in Social Relations and Policy, and Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy. He's from Grand Rapids, Michigan and enjoys playing broomball, hiking and hanging out with friends. He's very excited about his upcoming study abroad experience in London. 

Sammy is an active member of the JMC community as he serves as a senator in JMC's Student Senate and is the P.R. chair for the W.E.B. DuBois Society. When he graduates, Sammy hopes to help is community by running for political office.

Elizabeth Maciel (she/her)

Elizabeth is a first-year student from Detroit, Michigan. She plans to major in International Relations with minors in Spanish and Latino Studies. Elizabeth is active on campus through various registered student organizations such as JMC Women of Color, Detroit Made, TRIO, MAGIC and more. She enjoys playing sports, helping people and engaging in social issues with her community.

Jhace Metzger 

Jhace Metzger is a second-year student majoring in International Relations. Jhace is also studying minors in German and Arabic for which he plans to be proficient in by the time he graduates in 2026. He is originally from Grandville, Michigan and is excited to take advantage of all the study abroad and research opportunties that JMC and MSU have to offer. In his free time, Jhace loves to go outside as he is a big fan of running, climbing, and playing tennis. Jhace is also involved in MSU's salsa club.

Jai Patel

Jai is originally from Memphis, TN but is most recently from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is majoring in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy in James Madison with another major in public policy in the College of Social Science. Jai also has a minor in Leadership of Organizations. He's involved in JMC Student Senate, Residence Halls Association (RHA) and Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU). 

Jai enjoys stargazing and hopes to someday become a politician or a federal judge.

Tess Phillips (she/her/hers)

Tess is from Livonia, MI and has double majors in Comparative Cultures and Politics, and Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy. She also has a minor in Spanish with a goal of becoming professionally proficient by the time she graduates in 2027.

Tess is active with MSU College Democrats and works with Associated Students of Michigan State (ASMSU) to organize campus events for the class of 2027. In her free time, Tess enjoys walking around campus, thrifting and getting boba with friends. After graduation, Tess plans to work in global advocacy for policy change to address human rights abuses.

Liam Richichi (he/him/his)

Liam Richichi is a third-year student majoring in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy and minoring in Business and Organizational Management. He is interested in the consulting and lobbying field and interns in Lansing at a lobbying firm. Liam also keeps himself busy by working at a restaurant as a server and leading the MSU Democratic Club. In his free time, Liam enjoys spending time with friends and family, exploring the world of real estate, traveling, and learning new things. As an ambassador this year, Liam hopes to meet as many prospective students as possible and show them all the great parts that James Madison has to offer.  

Claire Smith (she/her/hers) 

Claire Smith is a second-year student majoring in Social Relations and Policy and minoring in Educational Studies, Portuguese, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. She is a second-generation American with Brazilian heritage who grew up in Metro Detroit. She is involved in JMC Student Senate, Portuguese club, and College Connect at MSU. She works for JMC's Marketing and Communications Department where she contributes to college social media and news. Additionally, she is a research assistant in the College of Education. After college, she hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a career in Higher Education.