Tanisha - WCL Fellow Office Hours

Our Weissman Fellow Office Hours are back! Stop by to Talk to Naomy about: the semester in DC, Archival Research, Advocacy and Organizing, and receiving the Gilman Scholarship


About Noamy:
Naomy Poot Ibarra is a junior at Mount Holyoke College, passionately dedicated to decolonizing academic and professional spaces. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a Minor in Environmental Studies, alongside a certificate in Native American and Indigenous Studies, Naomy is committed to critically examining power structures, fostering inclusivity, and driving social change. Their academic journey has led them to explore a diverse range of subjects, including intersectionality, social justice, and the lived experiences of historically marginalized communities. Naomy's particular focus lies in understanding the intricate connections between Indigenous rights, gender equity, and political engagement. In the fall of 2023, Naomy conducted research on settler colonialism through an independent study with Professor Adam Hilton, focusing on the impact of settler colonialism on land dispossession and the interactions of resistance and resilience within Indigenous justice movements.


Through experiences like interning at the ACLU’s National Political Advocacy Department during their participation in the MHC Washington Semester Program at American University in the Fall of 2023, Naomy has honed their skills in public policy and human rights advocacy. Recognized as a Future History Maker Award recipient for their work surrounding Indigenous Justice by Estee Lauder and Hispanas Organized for Political Equality and selected for the CHCI 2022 Leadership Conference, this demonstrates Naomy's commitment to effecting change. Through academic pursuits and activism, Naomy seeks to challenge dominant narratives and empower marginalized voices. Their goal is to continue this work in D.C., where they hope to further contribute to policy initiatives and social justice causes.

Our Weissman Fellow Office Hours are back! Stop by to talk to Tanisha about Lynk on the Road NYC, RA Applications, LLCs, The UVA Roadmap Scholars Program, and Cultural Org Involvement!

About Tanisha:
Tanisha Liang is a junior double majoring in Politics and East Asian Studies from Boston, Massachusetts. She is an involved member of the Mount Holyoke community, serving as co-chair of Asian Students Association, the Resident Advisor to the French Floor, a Weissman Leadership Fellow, and she is a founding member and Outreach Coordinator for Cantonese Club. Academically, Tanisha is on the pre-law track with hopes of becoming an attorney in the educational law field or the labor law field. She is also interested in regional case studies of China and Hong Kong.In the past, she has done work with small think tanks that aim to increase awareness and clarity on ballot questions, local politicians, as well as doing research to create unbiased policy briefs. Most recently, she had the pleasure of going to the University of Virginia School of Law as part of the Roadmap Scholars Program to take classes on law subfields like constitutional law, educational law, and criminal law. She was also was able to meet and speak with Senator Tim Kaine at the Capitol! Outside of school, Tanisha loves to rock climb, try new restaurants, and she is on a mission to find the perfect matcha latte in Western Mass.