Elena Ashburn graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida with a B.A. in Political Science and International Studies (Europe) in May 2026. She also completed minors in Philosophy, African Studies, and Family, Youth, and Community Sciences. At the Center, she assists with event photography, as well as website and social media content. During her time at UF, Elena was a Florida Cicerone, an ambassador for the Center for African Studies, and actively involved in the Women’s Student Association and the Center for Undergraduate Research Board of Students. She served as a research fellow for the Political Science Department and the Center for European Studies. Her past professional roles have been with Open Primaries, the National Military Family Association, the American Political Science Association, and the Department of State. She is an incoming MPP student at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy.