Elisa Thomas

Elisa Thomas is a junior within Barrett, the Honors College studying sociology and minoring in justice studies, political science, and educational studies. She is also working towards obtaining her certification in socio-legal studies, economic justice, and political entrepreneurship. Her connection to the Difference Engine came from her passion for justice and equity. She is planning to defend her thesis in the Spring of 2022 with the help of Ehsan Zaffar and Dr. Esma Gel. Alongside her work at the Difference Engine, she currently works at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, in the Community Engagement Programs department, as an office assistant.

Prior to this work, Elisa participated in the Barrett College Fellows program and worked with Dr. Sampson as a research assistant to help advance equity in school boards. In the summer of 2021 she was accepted into ASU’s Capital Scholars Program and interned at The Borgen Project, which allowed her to work with Congressional leaders at the state and national level. In the summer of 2020 she was selected to be a part of the Sanford School’s SUPER program and conducted research alongside Sanford School faculty and postdoctoral research fellows.