Mission Statement

The Dreier RoundTable at Claremont McKenna College is dedicated to cultivating responsible and collaborative leaders who value public service and civil discourse. Our mission is to inspire students to engage with diverse perspectives and promote understanding through meaningful conversations and hands-on experiences. As future leaders in the public sphere, we aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to drive positive change and advance the common good.

DRt’s mission reflects the legacy of trustee and alumnus David Dreier’s 32-year career in public life, and CMC’s mission to foster “leadership in business, government, and the professions, and to support faculty and student scholarship that contribute to intellectual vitality and the understanding of public policy issues.” DRt is particularly focused on issues Dreier emphasized throughout his Congressional career: international trade, immigration studies, institutional development, and information flows. DRt plans to build on his work in those areas, among others.

The DRt also hosts the Annenberg – Dreier Commission, a special focus program that seeks to strengthen the free flow of goods, services, capital, information, ideas and people throughout the greater Pacific. Inspired by the Congressional work of Chairman Dreier, the ADC is an affiliated program under the Dreier Roundtable focused on addressing policy challenges within these areas by developing concise, actionable recommendations that are readily adoptable by key stakeholders.

Founder: David Dreier

Director: Michael Fortner

Co-Directors: John Pitney, Terril Jones

Program Coordinator: Alejandro Villegas (’21)

Managers: Mateo Colbert, Melanie Kallah

Advisory Board: Governor Steve Bullock (’88), Aditya Pai (’13)

Melanie Kallah, Manager

Melanie Kallah is a member of Claremont McKenna College’s class of 2025 as a recipient of the prestigious McKenna Merit Scholarship. She is studying International Relations and studied Geopolitics and Arabic abroad in Amman, Jordan for the Fall 2023 semester. Melanie was drawn to the Dreier Roundtable both because of it’s goal to inspire future public servants amongst students and because of it’s appreciation of civil discourse. As Co-Manager she hopes to establish the institute on campus so that the DRt may invest in students and students may invest in the DRt. She brings to the role extensive research and leadership experience and a strong interest in public service. Beyond DRt, she is the DEI Director of the CMC Model United Nations team, ranked 1st internationally. She is also a Committee Lead at the CARE Center, and a research assistant at the Gould Center. Outside of work, she loves playing piano and painting! 

Mateo Colbert, Manager

Mateo is a member of Claremont McKenna College’s Class of 2025, he is majoring in International Relations. He is passionate about understanding how domestic policy influences international affairs and believes this intersection is crucial to comprehending global dynamics. As Co-Manager of the Dreier Roundtable (DRt), Mateo is committed to fostering civil discourse on campus. His goal is to create spaces where students can engage with diverse perspectives, promoting a more united student body equipped to address shared challenges. Mateo also studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, focusing on Humanitarian Law, and is actively involved with ASCMC and serves as a Resident Assistant.

Jacob Smagula

Jacob Smagula is a junior at CMC dual-majoring in Government and Middle Eastern Studies. He joined the Dreier Roundtable to examine inequity and the power of public policy to impact people’s lives, and to further develop his understanding of complex issues and leadership skills. In addition to his role as a DRt Fellow, he is a Research Assistant for the “Race and Islam” Lab at The Gould Center and works at the Athenaeum.  

Julius Skestos

Julius Skestos is a junior at Pitzer college majoring in Political studies, focusing in comparative politics. Growing up in Columbus OH Julius had friends of varying political orientations and was always happy to provide and facilitate points of connection between people of different political backgrounds. This commitment to bipartisanship led him to join the Dreier Roundtable in 2022 because of the Roundtable’s commitment to fostering civil discourse, working across political lines, and encouraging public service. Expected to graduate in 2025, Julius continues to work as a Dreier Fellow assisting both with creating a newsletter and with other Roundtable functions to continue the mission of inspiring interest in public service and encouraging bipartisanship. Outside of academics Julius likes music, outdoor adventures, collecting antiques, traveling, and meeting new people.

Kylie Ha

Kylie Ha is a member of Claremont McKenna College’s class of 2026 and is a recipient of the Shaw Wagener Global Family Scholarship. She is studying Public Policy and International Relations, and has interests in national defense, international security, and counterintelligence. Kylie joined the Dreier Roundtable in 2023 because of the program’s spirit for public service and its commitment to educate, shape, and promote students into future leaders of public policy and civil discourse. As a Student Fellow, she hopes to continue her life-long passion for public service, as well as closely examine and advocate the power of public policy in homelessness through tiny home communities and urban planning. In addition to her role as a DRt Fellow, Kylie is also a Cadet in the Army ROTC Program, Student Director of Student and Parent Engagement at the Office of Admissions, Finance Manager for the Claremont International Relations Society, and Co-Founder of 5C Triathlon Club. Outside of work, she loves studying the Arabic language, venturing outdoors, and hopes to study abroad in Geneva, Switzerland with a focus on International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy.

Austin Andersen

Austin Andersen is a member of Claremont McKenna’s class of 2025 majoring in International Relations. He is studying abroad during the Spring 2024 semester due to his deep interest in learning about life outside of the U.S., particularly when it comes to unique cultures and different political systems. He became interested in the Dreier Roundtable after an insightful meeting with Professor Fortner regarding drug laws in the 1970s and 1980s, which further stimulated his intrigue in the role of public policy on a day-to-day basis for individuals across the country. He also hopes to make strides towards cultivating an environment of open dialogue as a Dreier Fellow. As a journalist for the Claremont Independent, he brings a strong background in research and writing. Outside of the DRt, Austin plays defensive back for the CMS football team and is a member of the CMC Social Life Working Group. Apart from academics, he loves to be in nature, travel to foreign countries, and listens to all types of music, particularly EDM, Reggaeton and Country.

Johnny Russell

Johnny Russell is a rising second year student at Claremont McKenna College from Orlando, Florida. Johnny wanted to be a Dreier Roundtable fellow because he saw it as a great opportunity to work alongside such accomplished 5C students and faculty who share his own emerging passion for politics and public policy. A government major, Johnny believes that the institution’s goal to promote healthy civil discourse around campus will reshape the way he thinks about pressing social and political issues in America today. Thus, he hopes to gain from his experiences as a fellow some helpful tools to become a thoughtful participant in the American political system and most importantly an open mind. In addition to the Dreier Roundtable, Johnny is a first year guide and member of the nonprofit organization Student Connections.

Eliza Gunter 

Eliza Gunter is a student at Claremont McKenna College in the class of 2027. She is a dual major in Classical Studies and Government, and hopes to combine these two passions in her work and studies. Eliza was drawn to the Dreier Roundtable’s robust commitment to fostering open dialogue and civil service both on campus and beyond. In addition to the Dreier Roundtable, Eliza is the Director of Operations for the Claremont McKenna Mock Trial team, and a member of the Claremont Colleges Debate Union. She is also a First Year Guide at CMC. In her free time, Eliza enjoys hiking, swimming, and intramural sports.

Sadie Brown

Sadie Brown is a member of Claremont McKenna’s class of 2026 majoring in History with a Gender and Sexuality Sequence. At the Dreier Roundtable, she is a Media and Communications Fellow and works towards growing Dreier’s different platforms and student outreach. Sadie joined the DRt in 2024 because of the program’s dedication to public service and its commitment to educate students on different matters of public policy and civil discourse. In addition to her role as a DRt Fellow, Sadie is a liaison for the History and GSS Departments, and a member of the Athena Women’s Soccer Team where she is the starting goalkeeper.

Peter Dien

A member of Claremont McKenna Class of 2025, Peter Dien has spent his undergraduate experience conducting historical research, editing for The Student Life newspaper and developing humanities-driven stories to analyze the complex political and economic issues of our time. He is dual-majoring in History and Film Studies, which are two academic interests he aims to synthesize through a career in developing research, crafting narratives, and using the power of media to connect the global Vietnamese diaspora and embed reconciliation within the community. At the DRt, Peter works with the social media team to update the website, gauge online traffic to enhance user engagement, and create comprehensive graphic design campaigns to serve the mission of the institute. For fun, Peter loves watching movies on his Criterion Channel account, listening to Stevie Wonder, writing stories, and reading the latest book accumulating dust on his shelf.

Ranya Sharaf

Ranya Sharaf is a member of Claremont McKenna College’s class of 2027, and a McKenna Merit Scholar. She is currently studying International Relations and Economics, with interests in diplomacy and political economy. Ranya was drawn to the Dreier Roundtable due to its commitment to educate and promote students into future leaders and civically engaged citizens. Having worked in public service, government, and policy before, Ranya is excited to pursue similar endeavors in college and help educate and engage more of her peers. As a Drier Roundtable Fellow, she looks forward to continuing her long time passion of advocacy and public service, especially by studying and bringing awareness to the effects various policy initiatives have on different subgroups of people. Beyond the roundtable, Ranya serves as the Director of Wellness for the College Programming Board, a Consultant for the Pomona Consulting Group, and as a fellow for the Kravis Center’s Leadership Development Program. She looks forward to her first year serving as a Drier Fellow, and is excited to work alongside the roundtable’s outstanding members and faculty.