PEERS

 Professionals in European, Eurasian, and Russian Studies (PEERS)

About Us 

Professionals in European, Eurasian, and Russian Studies (PEERS) is a graduate and undergraduate student organization at the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University. We are dedicated to fostering academic and professional engagement around the issues impacting Europe, Eurasia, and Russia. Our mission is to increase awareness and promote a global understanding of these regions while facilitating interaction between students, scholars, and professionals. 

 Events and Opportunities 

PEERS offers a range of opportunities for student involvement, including: 

1. Cultural Engagement – Experience and explore the diverse cultures of the region through cultural events, film screenings, and more. 

2. DC Site Visits – Exclusive visits to embassies, think tanks, federal offices, and other institutions to gain first-hand insights into policy and diplomatic practices. 

3. Professional and Alumni Networking – Connect with professionals and Elliott School alumni working in the field to explore career paths and expand professional networks. 

4. Events on Regional Topics – Participate in discussions with regional experts, guest speakers, and faculty on key issues shaping Europe, Eurasia, and Russia today. 

5. Debates, Socials, and Game Nights – Engage with peers through friendly debates, social gatherings, and casual game nights. 

6. Collaborative Events – Coordinate joint events with students from Georgetown University and SAIS for broader academic interaction. 

Interested in joing PEERS? Click below!

Executive Board

 Kristina Aleksanyan, President 

Kristina Aleksanyan is the President of the PEERS and a second-year student in the European and Eurasian Studies program at the Elliott School of International Affairs. She also serves as the Russia Program Coordinator at the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (IERES). 

Megan Arline, Vice President 

Megan is a graduate student at the Elliott School of International Affairs, where she is pursuing an M.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in International Security, expected May 2026. She earned her B.A. in International Relations and Comparative Cultures and Politics, with a minor in European Studies, from Michigan State University in April 2024. 

While at Michigan State, Megan taught digital literacy at the Refugee Development Center in Lansing, Michigan, and studied abroad at the University of Cambridge through the Institute of Continuing Education. She is currently learning Russian and continuing to improve her French. Her academic interests include nuclear policy, arms control and nonproliferation, U.S.-Russian relations, Eurasian geopolitics, and U.S. national security. 

Samuel Ruggio, Event Coordinator 

Samuel is pursuing a Masters in International Affairs with a concentration in Europe, Eurasia, and Russia from the Elliott School. He is from the San Francisco Bay Area and attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ., where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Global Security and Intelligence Studies, with a concentration in Intelligence and Security, and minors in Defense Studies, International Relations, and Cyber Intelligence and Security. He studied Russian throughout college, studying abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia during the summer of 2019 with CIEE, and online through the Project GO program during the summer of 2020. 

Bridie Bolger, Secretary 

Bridie Bolger is the Secretary of PEERS, and is currently working towards her Bachelor’s in International Affairs and concentrations in Europe-Eurasia and Security Policy. She is now interested particularly in the development of new security strategies, as well as international politics. She is also an administrative assistant at the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies (IERES), where she assists multiple programs with an emphasis on PONARS (Program on New approaches to Research and Security in Eurasia). 

Matthew Kewley, Assistant Director of the Institute for European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies, serves as the staff supervisor of PEERS. He can be contacted at mkewley@gwu.edu.