Student Leadership Board
Jasper Boers '22
PRESIDENT
Jasper Boers is a junior in Timothy Dwight College studying Ethics, Politics, and Economics. He has served for two years on the Buckley Program’s board, first as Events Director and then as Speakers Director. He is thrilled to be leading the Program this year, and as President intends to further challenge intellectual and institutional complacency at Yale. After graduation, he hopes to pursue work in geopolitical research or government service. At home in Maryland he enjoys endurance running, gardening, and exploring the many historical sites in and around the nation’s capital.
Hovik Minasyan '22
VICE PRESIDENT
Hovik Minasyan is a junior in Morse College studying political science. From Los Angeles, Hovik hopes to either work for the Justice Department or pursue a career in academia.
Kevin Xiao '23
SPEAKERS DIRECTOR
Kevin is a sophomore in Pauli Murray College majoring in Political Science. He hails from just outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is a devoted fan of the Eagles. At Yale, he is a proud member of the Tory Party and competes on the Moot Court team, where he is eager to discuss anything and everything about American politics. Outside of classes, Kevin loves a good game of chess and can often be found binging Netflix’s stand-up comedy section.
Rosie Braceras '23
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR
Rosie is a sophomore in Benjamin Franklin College from Concord, MA. She is majoring in History with a concentration in politics and law. Originally a member of the class of 2022, she is taking a gap year for the 2020-21 school year, working at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Haven. At Yale, she is a proud member of the Tory Party of the Yale Political Union. In her free time she enjoys drinking tea, learning about British history, and watching the Boston Bruins.
Mathis Bitton '23
ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR
Mathis Bitton is a sophomore in Ezra Stiles College studying philosophy and political theory. Hailing from Rabat, Morocco, he is involved in the Yale Political Union, writes editorial for the Yale Daily News, and has worked on French political campaigns. Mathis is an avid fan of Leo Strauss, and hopes to pursue doctoral studies in political theory.
Ryan Gapski '24
OUTREACH DIRECTOR
Ryan is a sophomore in Pierson College studying Ethics, Politics, & Economics. Originally from San Diego, California, he enjoys hiking, learning about geography, and playing chess in his spare time. He also likes folk music, mafia movies, and Spanish Colonial architecture. On campus, Ryan is involved with Migration Alliance at Yale, the St. Thomas More Catholic Center, and The Politic. He hopes to attend law school after graduation.
Rachel Bitusky '23
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Rachel is a sophomore in Timothy Dwight College from Jacksonville, Florida, majoring in Economics and pursuing certificates in Energy Studies and Russian. She hopes to end up working in the renewable energy sector or in ESG investing. At Yale, Rachel serves as the treasurer for the Yale Ballet Company and is a proud member of the Tory Party. In her spare time, Rachel can be found playing the piano or admiring the stars of classical Hollywood cinema.
Quinten Rimolde '23
EVENTS DIRECTOR
Quinten is a sophomore in Pierson College from Duluth, Minnesota, and is studying Global Affairs. He hopes to pursue a career in either governmental service or politics. He is a proud member of the Yale Tory Party and can be caught occasionally in the opinion section of the Politic. When not participating in academics or extracurriculars, Quinten can be found in the Sterling library’s stacks, paying homage to the remnants of what was once considered entertainment.
Putt Punyagupta '23
SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
Putt is a junior in Saybrook College majoring in History. He looks forward to overseeing the Buckley Program’s online presence and providing only the most thoroughly accurate, constructive, and fact-checked content about Buckley activities to fellows and followers. Outside of the classroom, he is involved with the Yale Political Union and Yale Russian Chorus. Putt spends much of his spare time nurturing interests in gastronomy and trying to become a polyglot.
Libby Snowden '24
RECRUITMENT DIRECTOR
Libby Snowden is a first-year from Norfolk, Virginia and potential Chemistry major in Berkeley College. Outside of Buckley, she’s a member of the Moot Court team, an Advising Fellow in the Yale chapter of Matriculate, and a first year ambassador on the Berkeley College Council. She’s always excited to make her weekly walk up Science Hill for lab and eager to snap photos of campus.
Clay Skaggs '24
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF,
THE BEACON
Clay Skaggs is a first-year in Branford College who hopes to study Ethics, Politics, and Economics and East Asians Studies (Chinese concentration). As an Air Force ROTC cadet, he hopes to pursue a career in military intelligence in which he can contribute to US strategy regarding China. Outside of class, Clay can be found speaking at Tory party debates and performing magic with the Yale Magic Society or at the world-famous Magic Castle in his hometown of Los Angeles.
Michael Samaritano '24
MANAGING EDITOR,
THE BEACON
Michael Samaritano is a first-year in Pauli Murray College who hopes to study History and Political Science. He hails from across the Sound on Long Island, and is an active member of the Yale Political Union’s Federalist Party. He is especially interested in the intersection between religion and politics, and currently serves as a member of the Undergraduate Council for the St. Thomas More Catholic Center at Yale. In his free time, Michael can be found reading history books or rooting for the Yankees.