The Public Affairs blog was started by Dr. O’Keef, Adrian Gillem, and Tamar Nadibaidze in 2013. Since then, the team has 5 members- Dr. A. Mihalache-O’Keef, Kalie Morris, Mihdi Agbaw, Michaela Johnson and Devon Mitchell.
Our goal is to serve the Public Affairs community by highlighting our community members, advertising our department’s triumphs, as well as reporting on the news of our students and faculty in order to strengthen and unify our community.
Dr. Andreea Mihalache-O’Keef, Faculty Supervisor
Dr. Mihalache-O’Keef is a native of Romania. She grew up during interesting times, when her country was learning to function as a democracy and to compete in the global market. Mihalache-O’Keef’s grandparents owned a small farm and vineyard. That is where she first noticed the connections between food culture, democratization, and globalization. Mihalache-O’Keef became curious about the interplay of the international economy, domestic politics, and human welfare, and pursued this interest through her B.A. in International Studies and Art History at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (’03), her Ph.D. in International Relations at Penn State University (’11), and her research fellowship at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School (’09-’10). She continues her research on multinational corporations, food security, and environmental policy at Roanoke College, where she teaches courses on international politics, global political economy, human security, research methods, and this May term travel course on food politics and globalization in Romania.
When she is not in the classroom or working with students on independent research projects, internships, grad school applications, and campus events, Dr. Mihalache-O’Keef enjoys traveling, painting, reading mystery novels, and watching Dr. Who and Star Trek.
Kalie Morris, Writer
Morris is a senior Criminal Justice major with a minor in Sociology from Roanoke, Virginia. When not in West Hall, Morris can be found in Admissions working as a Maroon Ambassador or The PLACE as a First Year Mentor. She is also involved in Greek Life, NSLS as the chapter president, and various other honor societies. After graduation, she hopes to find a job in the Criminal Justice field.
Mihdi Agbaw, Writer
Agbaw is a junior who is planning to major in International Relations, minor in Sociology and have a concentration in African Studies. Agbaw is from Rocky Mount, North Carolina and when not found in West, he can be found mentoring middle schools and participating in devotional gatherings. After graduation, Agbaw is hoping to head back to North Carolina to attend graduate school.
Michaela Johnson, Writer
Johnson is a senior Political Science major with a minor in Religious from Robbinsville, New Jersey. When not in West Hall, Johnson can be found on the Roanoke College Swim Team. She is also works as a Maroon Ambassador in Admissions. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school.
Devon Mitchell, Writer
Mitchell is a senior International Relations and Communications double major from Merrimack, New Hampshire. When not in West Hall, Mitchell can be found in Admissions working as a Maroon Ambassador or WRKE as a Radio Show Host. She is also involved in Greek Life, and is a service leadership fellow. After graduation, she hopes to work for the department of state international visitor leadership program.