ProCon.org Interns and Volunteers

ProCon.org is very appreciative of the talented and hard-working senior interns, interns, and volunteers who have helped us over the years. We have listed those talented individuals below in alphabetical order by category. Some have requested anonymity for their contributions, and we have excluded their names by request. All work submitted by volunteers is vetted by in-house staff and subject to our rigorous editing procedures.
Volunteer Research Opportunities			How to Volunteer or Intern at ProCon.org

I. Senior Interns (contributed 200+ hours in one year)
Name	Issue Site(s) Worked On	Year	Mini Profile
1. Sahira Auget	Health Care, ProCon.org, Euthanasia	2018	MA, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Chicago School of Professional Psychology (2019)
2. Brynn Grossman	Israeli-Palestinian Conflict	2015	BA, Religious Studies, University of Oregon
3. Mark Jokel	US-Iraq, Prostitution, Euthanasia, Felon Voting, Medical Marijuana, Under God	2009-2010	Research Assistant, Hollywood NOTE Foundation MA, Political Science, California State University at Northridge
4. Vahagn Karapetyan	Alternative Energy, 2012 Election, Euthanasia	2012	MPP, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Policy and Opposition Researcher at LA City Mayoral Campaign
5. Mara Laine	Obamacare, 2016 Presidential Election, Social Networking, Video Games and Violence	2015	MA, Liberal Studies, Dartmouth College BA, Philosophy, UC Santa Cruz
6. Allison Martins	ACLU	2009	Paralegal, Hudson Legal Agency LLB, Bachelors of Law, Salgaocar College of Law – University of Goa (India)
7. Lindsey Rooney	2012 Election, Born Gay	2011-2012	MMC, Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University BA, University of Michigan
8. Daniel Shaheen	Drinking Age, Gun Control, ProCon.org	2018	BA, Government and Politics, Wesleyan University (2019)
9. Yiming Shao	School Uniforms, Medical Marijuana, Teacher Tenure, Drinking Age	2014	MPP student, Pepperdine University BA, University of Nottingham (Ningbo, China)
10. Caleb Worner	Israeli-Palestinian Conflict	2012	International Studies Student, Class of 2012, Brigham Young University – Idaho
11. Sigrid Hsiju Yang	ACLU	2009	JD and LLM (Master of Laws), Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law BS, Bachelor of Laws, Tung-Hai University (Taiwan)

II. Interns (contributed 50+ hours in one year)
Name	Issue Site(s) Worked On	Year	Mini Profile
1. Mark Brisson	Illegal Immigration, Corporate Taxes & Jobs	2012-2014	US Coast Guard veteran BA, Political Science, UNC Charlotte
2. Rachel Espana	ACLU	2009	JD, UCLA School of Law – Entertainment and Media Law and Policy Program, class of 2009
3. Therese Franklin	Israeli-Palestinian Conflict	2012	Faculty Support Coordinator at UCLA School of Law MPA candidate at University of Southern California; BA, UCLA
4. Alexa Frcek	ProCon.org	2019-2020	8th grade student at Lincoln Middle School Plays the piano, does rhythmic gymnastics, and enjoys watching movies
4. André Frcek	ProCon.org	2016-2017	8th grade student at Lincoln Middle School Plays tuba in the Honor Band and fences after school
5. Rob Freeman	Business Operations	2017	World-class numismatist and philatelist
6. Duncan Hosie	Death Penalty, Under God in the Pledge	2012	Undergraduate student, Princeton University Former Congressional Intern for Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma, CA) and Legislative Aide for Rep. Jaquet (D-Ketchum, ID)
7. Corey Kennedy	Social Networking	2009	Loyola Marymount University Undergraduate, Class of 2013, Engineering Major Certified in Cancer Biology from UCSD
8. Ross Lenihan	2012 Election	2012-2013	Researcher, UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center MA, Cinema and Media Studies, UCLA BA, Film Studies, UC Berkeley
9. Ian Li	ACLU	2009	LLM, Masters of Laws, USC Gould School of Law LLB, Bachelor of Laws, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies School of Law (China)
10. Yiting Ling	Climate Change	2015	MPP candidate, Pepperdine University, Class of 2016 MA, Journalism, Communication University of China
11. Joan Lubin	Prostitution	2009	UCLA Undergraduate, Class of 2010, Philosophy and Women’s Studies Major
12. Soe Oo	Felon Voting, Vaccines	2015	Website and database developer BS, Cal Poly Pomona University
13. Robert Ortega	ProCon.org	2011	International banking and finance consultant MBA, Harvard University BA, BS, University of Pennsylvania
14. Danielle Osborne	Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Medical Marijuana, Critical Thinking	2017	BA, Economics & Government, Smith College
15. Clint Rodriguez	Medical Marijuana, Corporate Taxes & Jobs	2017	BA Candidate, Communications, University of Miami
16. Erika Schroeder	Golf, Medical Marijuana	2016	BA, Smith College (2017) Founder & President, local chapter, Operation Smile
17. Heidi Sickler	2012 Election	2011	MA, Harvard University BA, Carleton College
18. Hanna Terhaar	ACLU	2009	Freelance writer in France BA, Legal Studies, University of Wisconsin

III. Volunteers (contributed 20+ hours in one month)
Name	Issue Site(s) Worked On	Year	Mini Profile
1. Justin Abbasi	Euthanasia	2014	JD candidate, Class of 2015 Seattle University School of Law
2. Anastasia Austin	Immigration	2016	Litigation and Trial Paralegal BA, International Global Studies and Russian Studies
3. Erica Bianco	ACLU	2009	CA, NY, and NJ Licensed Attorney JD, Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University
4. Kevin Coffee	Felon Voting, Sports and Drugs	2011	Communication Researcher and Consultant MA, Communication Studies, California State University at Northridge
5. Elena Colle	ACLU	2009	JD, University of Modena (Italy) MA, Communications Policy, City University, London (England)
6. Steph Domond	Minimum Wage, Churches & Taxes, Drinking Age	2019	BA, University of Southern California (2019) Teacher, USC’s Building Future Leaders Program
7. Michael D. Dulberger	2008 Election	2008	BE, MSME, MSM, Founder & President, Informed For Life, Inc.
8. Josh Eisen	Social Security	2015	MPP Student, University of Southern California Price School of Public Policy BS in Strategic Design and Management, The New School
9. Grant Hubbard	ACLU	2009	JD, Georgetown University Attorney of 30+ years
10. Brian Jung	Medical Marijuana	2013-2014	BS, Chemistry, University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) Former Research Assistant, UCSC
11.Lawrence M. Kohn	ProCon.org	2018	President, Kohn Communications Business Development Coach and developer of BizDevCoach
12. Angela Koussian	Prostitution	2012	MPP student, Pepperdine University BA, Chapman University
13. Keith Lea	2008 Election	2008	BS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Software engineer and programmer
14. Spencer Levitt	Golf, Prostitution	2016	Tournament Coordinator for Chaminade Speech & Debate Society, Special Olympics Volunteer
15. Christopher Lippi	ACLU	2009	Math Instructor, Vistamar School MA, Mathematics, San Francisco State University
16. Johnny Lo	ACLU	2009	VA and MD Licensed Attorney JD, Washington & Lee University School of Law
17. Jamie Lowry	ACLU	2009	CA and NV Licensed Attorney JD, University of Michigan Law School
18. Melanie McClinnis	ACLU	2009	CA Licensed Attorney JD, McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
19. Dillon McGrew	ACLU	2009	Law Student, Class of 2011, Georgetown University Law Center
20. Morgan Metcalf	Prostitution	2013	Former intern for US Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) BA, Brigham Young University
21. Pavan Nagavelli	ACLU	2009	New Applications Specialist, Oliff & Berridge, PLLC BA, Political Science, Allegheny College
22. Robyn Nolan	ACLU	2009	FL, DC, and MD Licensed Attorney JD, Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center
23. Lindsey Phoenix	ACLU	2009	Law Student, Class of 2010, Saint Louis University School of Law
24. Kim Ray	ACLU	2009	CA Licensed Attorney and Paralegal of 17+ years
25. Tracey Resetar	ACLU	2009	Adjunct Instructor, Paralegal Studies, State University of New York LLM, Masters of Laws, Osgoode Hall – York University (Canada)
26. Jonathan Saine	ACLU	2009	FL and CO Licensed Attorney JD, Syracuse University College of Law
27. Kharaam Sharifpour	Gay Marriage, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict	2015	Masters of Intl. Public Policy and Management, USC Price School Masters of Natural Disaster Management, University of Tehran
28. Nicholas Singh	Medical Marijuana	2012	Chemistry and Chemical Engineering student, Arizona State University Former Coordinator for Project CURE
29. Zack Spratling	Alternative Energy, Corporate Taxes & Jobs	2016-2017	Management Consultant MA, Accounting, Georgia State University BS, Industrial Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology
30. April Wong	PRO/CON @ The Pier	2018	Commercial and editorial photographer; Founder, alovecreative.com Former marketing manager
31. Kate Wraith	Illegal Immigration, Medical Marijuana	2015	LLM, Lancaster University Research Associate, Omega Research Foundation
32. Gulcin Yilmazer	ACLU	2009	MA, Project Management, Keller-Graduate School of Management MS, Food Science, Rutgers University

IV. Volunteer Research Opportunities

ProCon.org seeks volunteers to help with research, events, and special projects that advance the ProCon.org mission. Volunteers work directly and primarily on impactful projects with a minimal amount of mundane stuff that we are all unfortunately saddled with. Volunteers get a terrific experience, relationships with our staff and our network, our deepest gratitude, and recognition on the above list of volunteers and interns (unless you prefer anonymity).

Some of the projects for which we specifically need talented volunteers include:

Researching new and improved quotes from authoritative experts to use in the quotes sections of our 70+ topics
Updating existing arguments and building new arguments with support from studies, experts, and authoritative sources
Updating existing research projects with latest data, normally from government sources such as CDC, WHO, FBI, etc.
Using graphic design and marketing know how to develop promotional materials for website, social media, print, and event displays
Coding/programming using WordPress, PHP, MySQL, HTML, and Java to make website improvements
Proofreading existing content to find and fix grammar, spelling, links, layout, and other problems
Fundraising – that includes grant writing, creating peer-to-peer campaigns, and working our CRM software
Something in your area of expertise that you think we need

V. How to Volunteer or Intern at ProCon.org

If you are interested in volunteering or interning at ProCon.org, please send an email to jobs@procon.org titled “Re: Volunteering” and include:

your resume,

your cover letter explaining

a. the number of hours per week you can work,

b. which project(s) of the ones listed above that you’d like to work on,

c. an explanation of your relevant experience and interest, and

d. any questions you have for us.

One clear, authoritative, and current pro quote and one clear, authoritative, and current con quote in response to the question “Should the US Use Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) to Extract Natural Gas?” It is OK to edit quotes using ellipses. Quotes should not already appear on the Alternative Energy ProCon.org website. Source links or PDFs should accompany your research.

Our volunteers and interns work offsite, usually from their homes. To be credited as a volunteer, you’ll need to complete at least 20 hours of volunteer work in one month (not to exceed 8 hours in a day and 80 hours in a month) and submit weekly progress emails (number of hours worked that week, that month, and total to date, plus a 1-2 sentence summary of what you worked on).

After 50 hours of volunteer work, your title would be changed to Intern.

If you surpass 250 hours of volunteer work, then we’d change your title to Senior Intern. Internships cannot exceed 500 hours. Assignments and acceleration within the internship program are based on your interests, available projects, and quality of work submitted.

Failure to submit progress emails for two consecutive weeks will normally result in automatic termination of the volunteership and related recognition. Volunteerships and internships may also be terminated at ProCon.org’s discretion for poor quality of work and other reasonable reasons.