Advisory Board

Anthony Barsamian ’86 (Legal Studies)
Managing partner of Hutchings, Barsamian, Mandelcorn & Zeytoonian, LLP

“Being a lawyer is a tool,” says Anthony Barsamian ’86 (Legal Studies), managing partner of Hutchings, Barsamian, Mandelcorn & Zeytoonian, LLP in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. “It needs to be applied to something relevant. Using that tool to advocate for others—both individuals and the community—is what brought me to where I am today." 

Andy Cantillon '91 (Political Science)
Senior Account Manager, Motorola

With a distinguished background in the computer software industry, Mr. Cantillon has demonstrated how a foundation in political science can open a wide range of opportunities across professional disciplines. 

Chuck Dolan '74 (Philosophy)
Executive Vice President, Prism Public Affairs

Mr. Dolan has a rich history in politics. He is a familiar figure on the campaign trail, having advised or managed Presidential and Congressional campaigns, state party conventions and platform committee hearings, and has served on the presidential Advisory Committee on Public Diplomacy. "As the motto says 'you were - you are UMass.'  It is part of my DNA and I would not be where I am today without my UMASS education," he says.

Joseph M. Donovan  '92 (Political Science)
Managing Director of Nelson Mullins Public Strategies Group

I've spent most of my professional career in business, press and politics and am a registered lobbyist.  UMass gave me countless opportunities to learn new things, make mistakes and realize that "it's the journey, not the destination" that makes us happy.  Politics has taught me that people like to be asked, and I don't mind asking. We have lots of alumni that are waiting to be asked how they can help UMass ... so where did I put my phone?

Paul J. Hohenberger '87
Development Officer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jeremy Hollister ’96 (Political Science)
Founder, President, and Creative Director of Plus et Plus

Is it possible to land a huge corporate ad campaign using mostly Popsicle sticks and glitter pens? Ask Jeremy Hollister ’96 (Political Science), founder, president and creative director of Plus et Plus, an innovative creative services studio in New York, and he’ll point to their JetBlue account.

Howard Levin ’75 (Political Science)
Counsellor at the Boston law firm RichMay

Serving on the Political Science Alumni Advisory Board, says Attorney Howard L. Levin ’75 (Political Science), “will be an interesting and energizing way to give back to UMass Amherst. Levin, who specializes in commercial real estate and business law, practices with the Boston law firm RichMay. For several years running, through a process of peer selection, he has been named to the group of elite lawyers in Massachusetts by Super Lawyers. Levin has a way of leaving marks of achievement on all of his endeavors.

Philip McNamara '97 (Political Science, Journalism)
Executive Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

Mr. McNamara is a shining example of how political science can prepare you for a career in the federal government. As Executive Director of Operations and Administration for the Office of the Secretary, he is responsible for all correspondence, briefing materials, and White House and Interagency Actions going in and out of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary’s offices.

Ashley Messenger '91 (Political Science, Philosophy)
Associate General Counsel, National Public Radio

As legal counsel for a very large non-profit media organization like National Public Radio, Atty. Messenger is an expert in the legal processes for gathering and disseminating information. By joining the Board, Messenger hopes to give back to the department that helped to shape her current professional career. “My experience at UMass was an important part of my life because I was exposed to a wide range of individuals with a wide range of life experiences, and seeing the perspective of others has been an important part of shaping my ability to do the kind of work I do now.”

Micaelah Morrill '04 (Political Science)

Originally from Iowa, Micaelah came to Massachusetts to attend UMass Amherst and most recently worked at the Massachusetts State Senate for the Cape & Islands District. There she held the positions of: Scheduler, Legislative Director, Budget & Communications Director, and Chief of Staff. "UMass helped me get where I am today and I hope I can play a role in helping other students write their own UMass success stories," she says.

Melissa Peacor '80 (Political Science) '85G
County Executive, Prince William County Government

As a manager of a very large county government in Virginia, Ms. Peacor knows intimately the ins and outs of public administration and public policy.

William Ramsey '97 (Political Science, English)
Chief Administrative Law Judge, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, Social Security Administration

The Honorable William Ramsey joined the Social Security Administration as a U.S. Administrative Law Judge in 2011 and was appointed the Chief Judge of the Boston Hearing Office in 2012. Prior to his appointment, Judge Ramsey worked as an Assistant Chief Counsel for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, an Assistant District Attorney in Plymouth County, and as a prosecutor for the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Generals Corps. He served in both Iraq and Afghanistan and taught Constitutional and Military Law on the faculty of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from 2003-11. He earned his BA from UMASS in 1997 and holds a JD from Northeastern University and an MBA from Babson College.