Contact TFAS

U.S. Programs Staff

U.S. Programs Staff

Ms. Shane Mazzella
Vice President, U.S. Programs
smazzella@tfas.org
Shane Mazzella has over twelve years of program management experience in the nonprofit sector. As Director of U.S. Programs for The Fund for American Studies, her responsibilities include overseeing all of the TFAS summer and semester academic internship programs. Prior to that, she directed the organization’s programs in philanthropy including the summer Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service and programs for professional leaders in the philanthropic sector. Previously, Shane served as Vice President of Legal Affairs & Administration for the Center for Individual Freedom, where she managed the organization’s legal programs. She also worked as a program manager for a Michigan volunteer center where her primary responsibility was promoting volunteerism and charitable activities on college campuses. Shane currently volunteers with a number of community nonprofit organizations including the Junior League of Northern Virginia and Stop Child Abuse Now! of Northern Virginia where she serves on the Boards of Directors. Originally from Michigan, she graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in psychology from Western Michigan University and is an avid Detroit Red Wings fan.

Recruitment and Admissions

Ms. Mary Connell Stankus, Director, Recruitment and Admissions
mstankus@tfas.org
Mary Connell serves as the Recruitment and Admissions Director and is responsible for organizing the recruitment efforts and overseeing the admissions process for the Washington, D.C. programs. Mary came to The Fund for American Studies five years ago as its Admissions Assistant and then served as the Georgetown Institutes Coordinator. Mary is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in art history. During her junior year of college, Mary studied at University College London in England for a semester. Mary grew up in New Hampshire, but has called Arlington, VA home for the past five years.

Ms. Dana Faught, Coordinator, Recruitment and Admissions
dfaught@tfas.org
Dana Faught serves as the Coordinator for Recruitment and Admissions for TFAS’s Washington, DC programs, specializing in the four Georgetown summer Institutes as well as Capital Semester. She is responsible for our website content, student communication and serving as an admissions & financial aid counselor to incoming students. She previously interned for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources where she worked within the office of communications to organize and promote the Ohio State Fair. She is a graduate of Northeast Ohio's Mount Union College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in media studies and writing. While in college, Dana was actively involved in her sorority, worked on her campus newspaper and volunteered with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter by designing the organization’s promotional materials. She enjoys exploring D.C., cooking and cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Mr. Alexander Jue, Assistant Recruitment and Admissions
ajue@tfas.org
Alexander Jue came to The Fund for American Studies after spending a year teaching and working for the French Education Ministry in Tours, France. He is a 2010 graduate of The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio where he received his Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and French.

As a student, Jue worked heavily in his school’s admissions office interviewing prospective students, coordinating visit programs, fielding inquiries, and working closely with admissions staff on a daily basis. He also served as the president of his school’s student government association, was a varsity cross country runner, and enjoyed welcoming students as an orientation leader. Furthermore, Jue has spent time working with a local free clinic and nonprofits, as well as researching sustainable development practices in Senegal, West Africa.

Originally from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Jue loves travelling, photography, cooking, and learning about new cultures.

Program Management

Mr. Joe Starrs, Director, Institute on Political Journalism (IPJ) & Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems (ICPES)
IPJ@tfas.org
Joe Starrs came to TFAS as Director of the Institute on Political Journalism after a number of years working in radio, television and public relations. He formerly served as Vice President of Communications for Veritas Media Group where he produced documentaries and radio as well as television commercials. He also provided on-camera media training for government officials and business executives. In addition, Joe worked as a senior correspondent for FCF News where he interviewed members of Congress, White House officials, political candidates and policy makers. He produced over 2,000 hours of various television broadcasts dealing with Capitol Hill, the Supreme Court, and Privacy and Technology issues. Joe has appeared on Fox News, CNN, Good Morning America, the BCC and numerous other print and broadcast media outlets. He resides in South Riding, VA with his wife and six daughters. Joe enjoys reading, hiking, and playing with his mini-Australian Shepherd, Bella.

Ms. Haley Heieck, Manager, Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems (ICPES) & Institute on Economics & International Affairs (IEIA)
ICPES@tfas.org; IEIA@tfas.org
Haley Heieck first joined the staff in 2008 to assist in the recruitment and admissions efforts for Washington, D.C. based programs and now acts as the Coordinator for the Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems. Haley first came to The Fund for American Studies as a student in its Institute on Business and Government Affairs (IBGA) in 2007. During that summer she interned with Koch Industries. Originally from California, Haley is a graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in business administration and a minor in political science.  In her free time she enjoys traveling, black and white photography, and is an avid college football and basketball fan.

Ms. Stacie Allen, Coordinator, Institute on Business and Government Affairs (IBGA) & Legal Studies Insitute (LSI)
IBGA@tfas.org ; LSI@tfas.org
Stacie Allen joined The Fund for American Studies in 2011 as a program coordinator in its Institute on Business and Government Affairs and the Legal Studies Institute after working as a graduate assistant for the California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) D.C. Internship Program.

Originally from California, Allen is a graduate of CSUF with a Masters degree in political science and a Bachelors degree in international affairs and political science from California Lutheran University. She came to Washington in 2009 as a deputy campaign manager responsible for assisting with grassroots outreach for a Virginia Delegate candidate in the 45th District. Prior to relocating to the east coast, Stacie worked for the City of Los Angeles and supported an internet marketing firm in business development. In her free time, Stacie enjoys traveling, reading and exploring D.C.

Ms. Kristen Wright, Coordinator, Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service (IPVS)
IPVS@tfas.org
Kristen Wright is an IPVS 2008 alumna as well as a former IPVS program adviser. 

Wright is a 2009 graduate of Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio where she received her Bachelor of Arts in sociology with a minor in psychology.  As a student, Wright served as student director for special projects in the Office of Community Outreach, as well as an alternative break trip Leader.  Wright also worked in the Admission’s Office as a tour guide, a dance marathon morale captain, and served as an orientation leader. Before returning to TFAS, Wright served as an AmeriCorps VISTA coordinating the Bonner Leader Program at the College of Charleston. In her free time Wright enjoys music, spending time with friends and cheering on her home town Buffalo Bills.

Ms. Lily Harrison, Director, Capital Semester (CS)
Semester@tfas.org
Lily Harrison serves as the Director of the Capital Semester program. She previously worked as the policy and internship coordinator for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in Washington, D.C. She also served as a legislative assistant for ALEC's policy department, where she pursued issues of information technology, telecommunications, taxes and health care. She is a graduate of Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Ind., where she double majored in theoretical mathematics and economics.

Ms. Lauren Goldberg, Assistant, Special Programs
lgoldberg@tfas.org
Lauren Goldberg (B 09) came to The Fund for American Studies in 2009 as a student in the Institute on Business and Government Affairs. She later served as the IBGA program advisor and was selected as a TFAS freedom scholar in 2010. Today she is special programs assistant.

Goldberg graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a B.A. in business administration focusing in marketing and logistics. She marched in the Pride of the Southland Marching band, was active in the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and participated in intramural and on-campus events.
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The Fund for American Studies
1621 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20009

P: 800.741.6964 or 202.986.0384
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For admissions questions please contact:
admissions@tfas.org