For the Leaders in Advocacy Institute, Georgetown University is partnering with the Close Up Foundation to provide experiential learning opportunities that will guide students through leadership in the 21st century. Close Up is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that educates and inspires young people to become informed and engaged citizens. Since 1971, Close Up has partnered with schools and organizations across the country to inform, inspire, and empower young people to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy. Close Up program instructors will work directly with students in groups of 20–25 to facilitate discussions, lead simulations, and provide hands-on experiences throughout the week. All program instructors have college degrees, more than 120 hours of training in curriculum and methodology, and first aid and CPR training. To learn more about program instructors, visit the Close Up website.
Andrea Mayer
Andrea Mayer is the Academic Director of the National Security & Intelligence, Law, and American Politics Academies.
Andrea Mayer currently serves as the Director of Illinois in Washington, the Washington, DC academic program for the University of Illinois, and teaches a variety of political science courses. She is also the Academic Director for Georgetown University’s summer programs offered through the School of Continuing Studies –the National Security and Intelligence Academy, Law I Academy, Law II Academy and American Politics Academy. Since 2011, she has taught a number of undergraduate courses at Georgetown University and several other universities and programs in Washington, DC, and Colorado.
Prior to her work in academia, Dr. Mayer served as a trial attorney for nine years representing the federal government in several capacities, including Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, receivership counsel and agency counsel. Her work focused on employment law, fraud, venture capital and investment law, regulatory enforcement and governmental privileges. In addition, she worked as part of the legal staff of the U.S. Bankruptcy Review Commission and the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Dr. Mayer received her J.D. from George Washington University and her Ph.D. in Government from Georgetown University, after completing Ph.D. coursework at Georgetown and Harvard Universities. Her research and teaching interests center on the intersection between constitutional law, political behavior and social change.
Anna McMullen
Anna McMullen manages partnerships at the Close Up Foundation.
In this role she plans and executes civic education grants and programs for middle and high school students from all 50 states and all US territories. Prior to this role she was a program instructor for several years with the Close Up Foundation. She is originally from Wisconsin and attended Wartburg College in Waverly, IA where she earned a degree in Political Science and Journalism.
