Carroll Political Science Newsletter - Spring 2026
Moot Court Builds Momentum in First Season Back
Carroll College celebrated the successful completion of its first fall season of Moot Court competition since the program relaunched this year, with all three Carroll teams competing at American Moot Court Association (AMCA) regional tournaments throughout November.
Carroll students gained firsthand experience in appellate-style advocacy, presenting arguments before panels of judges, and engaging with challenging legal questions. Each tournament Carroll faced competition with long-established programs from across the country, offering students valuable preparation for future seasons. The teams were very competitive but ultimately did not advance out of the regional tournaments.
Kristine D. Kuenzli, J.D., who coaches the program, shared her thoughts on the season: "I am incredibly proud of all of our Moot Court Team members. This newly restarted team represented Carroll College with a grace and excellence that far transcended their results. These students argued with intellectual rigor, supported one another with genuine charity, and embodied the very best of fraternal correction and encouragement. They grew remarkably in legal reasoning, poise under pressure, and above all in the camaraderie that comes from pursuing truth together. We look forward to building on the experiences from this year."
Students echoed this sense of growth and community throughout the season.
“This was my first Moot Court competition. I was at first worried because I was very new to it,” said John Goodwin. “After each round I would pick up new ideas and critiques that helped me become more comfortable. This is one of the best experiences I have had at Carroll, and I am very appreciative of our coaches and the college for supporting us.”
“Being able to practice and then compete for Moot Court in Iowa was an amazing experience,” said Ella Kuenzli. “It taught me how to synthesize law cases, prepare an oral argument, effectively deliver that argument, and field difficult questions. These skills will greatly benefit me as I apply to law school and pursue my future career.”
Reflecting on the final regional of the fall, Reagan Long added, “This tournament was a fantastic opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge I have developed through the Carroll College Moot Court program in a truly competitive setting. Delivering oral arguments alongside other teams has been both challenging and rewarding, and this experience has fostered a strong sense of community among my teammates and our dedicated coaches.”
The six students representing Carroll this fall included:
Hadley Wilcox (junior, Kennewick, WA) and John Goodwin (junior, Helena, MT) at the South Texas Regional in Fort Worth, Texas, November 1–2
Ella Kuenzli (senior, Bigfork, MT) and Michael Faccenda (sophomore, Great Falls, MT) at the Drake Regional in Des Moines, Iowa, November 14–15
Kate Wilkins (sophomore, Holladay, UT) and Reagan Long (sophomore, Livingston, MT) at the Southern California Regional at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles, November 22–23
To learn more, visit www.carroll.edu/moot-court-team.
Support Moot Court
The Moot Court Team is fundraising to help cover travel costs for upcoming competitions. You can show your support of the team through our cause on Saints Giving Day — a 24-hour campaign running March 19–20, noon to noon — with donations welcome even after the campaign wraps up.
Alumni Spotlight: Rachel Prevost '20
Rachel Prevost '20 serves as the Executive Director of Montana Farmers Union (MFU). Prior to this role, she most recently served as the Membership Services and Government Affairs Director at MFU.
Montana Farmers Union is the state's oldest and largest grassroots organization that advocates for family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. They provide agricultural education for youth all across the state, put on workshops for farmers/ranchers (everything from crops and livestock focus to rural EMS and ag advocacy), and educate consumers.
Rachel’s time at Carroll in the political science department provided her with a strong foundation in critical thinking and analytical skills that she uses daily. These are especially key when advocating in Montana’s state capitol or in D.C. for legislation and policies to support family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. With a focus on elections and government, along with majoring in communication studies, Rachel’s time at Carroll has helped her strive toward making a positive impact in rural communities. From advocating for accessible quality rural healthcare to fair markets for American farmers and ranchers, Carroll gave her the tools and network to hit the ground running at a high level.
In 2020, Rachel had the opportunity to talk about the importance of rural broadband during the Democratic National Convention Roll Call. Since then, Rachel has continued to be committed to supporting family farms and ranches all around the state. Growing up on a farm and ranch in Northeastern Montana, Rachel expresses what an honor it is to now work with farmers and ranchers as they share the trials and joys in rural/ag life, helping MFU as an organization provide stronger advocacy and provide impactful educational conferences for farmers and ranchers.
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Stephen Forrest
Dr. Stephen Forrest teaches international relations courses at Carroll College, where he focuses on helping students connect theory to real-world decision-making through application and mentorship. His courses invite students to grapple with contemporary global challenges and to understand how institutions actually function when values, interests, and constraints collide.
Stephen works full-time as a consultant with Public Knowledge, a public-sector consulting firm focused on strategy, governance, and institutional decision-making. His work involves helping public and nonprofit institutions solve tough, high-stakes problems at the intersection of policy, organizations, and leadership. This ongoing professional work directly informs his teaching, allowing students to engage with current cases and institutional dynamics drawn from real practice.
Stephen holds a Doctorate in History from the University of Oxford, a Doctorate in Adult Education from Oklahoma State University, and a Masters in the History of International Relations from the London School of Economics.
At Carroll, Stephen also works with a small cohort of students through the St. Catherine Scholars Program, which provides sustained mentorship and structured preparation for undergraduates pursuing ambitious academic and public-service pathways. The program emphasizes clarity of purpose, strong analytical and writing skills, and the confidence to meet high expectations—helping students imagine what they might contribute and how to prepare for it.
Across his work in consulting, teaching, and mentorship, Stephen is committed to helping students see how ideas become action, and how thoughtful, well-prepared individuals can serve effectively within the institutions that shape public life.
Students Share Scholarship on National Stage
In October 2025, Carroll students Ashlynne Jeffries, Kate Wilkins, and Leah Melvin had the opportunity to present their research at the National Student Research Conference hosted by the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. The conference brought together undergraduate researchers from across the country to share their work, exchange ideas, and explore future academic opportunities. Thanks to the generous support of donor Julie Bilbao, the students were able to take part in this invaluable experience.
Sharing about the event, senior political science student Ashlynne Jeffries said, “During the conference, I was able to connect with students from across the country, learning about a wide array of subjects and themes. I even learned how game theory could apply to animal populations!” She presented her research on housing as a social determinant of health in Helena, examining how housing instability affects community well-being. She added, “Being able to share my findings with students from across the country was a special experience, and I was able to hear so many perspectives on the issue and learn how the housing crisis is impacting communities across the country.”
"The research conference at UPenn was such a blessing,” said sophomore Kate Wilkins, who presented research on the evolution of human rights, tracing how the concept has developed over time. “This conference not only allowed me to practice my research and presentation skills, but also showed me what a conference is like! I learned more about how to network, how to ask good questions at a panel, and how to be a good audience member to someone else's research presentation. I left this weekend feeling more empowered to do future research and feeling more connected to the broader undergraduate community."
Leah Melvin, a sophomore studying political science, presented her comparative thematic analysis of policy solutions to judicial sentencing. For Leah, this conference was a valuable experience to dive deeper into the network of her field: “From connecting with fellow student researchers at the conference events to sharing my research with them during poster sessions, there were many opportunities for connection. Additionally, the Q&A sessions with graduate program advisors from a variety of disciplines helped clarify some future possibilities for continued work and study in the academic world.”
Perspectives & Discussions: Featured Lectures & Panels
Over the course of the semester, Carroll College welcomed a range of speakers and discussions that invited students and community members to engage with pressing questions in politics, law, and history. By bringing in knowledgeable voices from across these fields, the events encouraged meaningful dialogue and a richer perspective on complex issues.
Immigration Panel
On Thursday, February 19, 2026, Carroll College hosted a panel focusing on immigration law and Catholic social teaching. Featuring Dr. Alex Street, Bishop Austin A. Vetter, Andrea Sweeney, Esq., and Dagim Degaro '24. The event—open to the public—invited discussion at the intersection of faith and reason with lectures on the history of immigration in the US, Catholic social teaching, legal pathways to citizenship, and personal experiences with the system. The panel provided students and community members with the opportunity to ask questions and engage in productive discourse.
Constitution Day Lecture
On Monday, September 15, 2025, Carroll College hosted its annual Constitution Day panel, featuring three esteemed faculty members: Dr. Alex Street, Dr. Andrew Thomas, and Dr. DJ Cash. The event, open to students and members of the Helena community, facilitated a robust discussion on the historical foundations, economic dimensions, and international influence of the United States Constitution.
