Written By: Annie Moskofian

(Glendale, CA) – The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region (ANCA Western Region) is thrilled to announce the commencement of its 2024 summer internship program. This year’s interns come from diverse backgrounds across the Western United States, each bringing a unique set of skills and a shared passion for advancing the Armenian Cause. Their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas will play a crucial role in achieving our objectives, implementing our projects and furthering the overarching goals.

Throughout the internship program, they will be deeply involved in various facets of our work, including Government Affairs, Media and Communications, Community Outreach, Coalition Building, and Research. This comprehensive 10-week program is designed not only to advance ANCA Western Region’s mission but also to significantly enhance the interns’ professional capabilities. By engaging in this immersive experience, they will build a robust skillset, expand their professional networks, and gain valuable insights into the intricacies of advocacy work. 

“Our internship program underscores ANCA WR’s unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders in the Armenian community,” said Sarkis Balkhian, Executive Director of ANCA WR. “We are confident that this year’s group of interns will make substantial contributions to our ongoing efforts and leave a lasting impact on our organization.

ANCA Western Region looks forward to a productive and enriching summer internship program, fostering growth, learning, and meaningful progress toward our mission of championing Hye Tahd.

The ANCA-Western Region 2024 Summer Interns are:

Alina Issakhanian—University of California, Davis (UCD), Political Science, concentration in International Relations with minors in Human Rights, Global Studies, and Environmental Policy and Planning.

Annie Moskofian—University of California, Berkeley – School of Law – Juris Doctor (J.D.) Candidate; University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Graduate, B.A. Human Biology and Society

Arda Terzian—University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Political Science

Artur Melkian—University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Graduate, Political Science, concentration in International Relations

Ellin Manoukian—University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Political Science, concentration in International Relations, and minor in Global Studies

Gary Shirikchian—University of Southern California (USC), Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

Isabel Nargizian—University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Political Science, and minor in Music Industry

Jemma Pogosian—Glendale Community College (GCC), Political Science

Alina Issakhanian is a fourth-year student at the University of California, Davis, studying Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and minoring in Human Rights, Global Studies, and Environmental Policy and Planning. Passionate about sustainability, policy, and law, Alina is dedicated to exploring the intersectionality of human rights and environmental policy and promoting justice through her work. She is also an active board member of UCD’s Armenian Students Association, where she works to amplify Armenian student voices.

Alina believes in immersing herself in all aspects of her fields of interest to gain a comprehensive understanding of the systemic issues she wants to tackle. For the past two years, she has worked as a shepherd with UC Davis Sheepmowers, leveraging campus sheep to explore how science, design, and practice can create accessible green spaces. Alina has also been a volunteer farmer, where she had the opportunity to explore and hear the voices of local farmers. These hands-on experiences allow her to understand the perspectives of workers and the practical challenges they face, enabling her to better assist them and address their needs.

In her role with the Associated Students of the University of California, Davis Gender and Sexuality Commission, Alina promotes intersectional gender and sexuality advocacy and awareness on campus. Through this position, she engages with her school’s associative student body to address the needs of the population and advocate for inclusive policies.

In her position with the ANCA WR Internship, Alina is currently researching and advocating for a boycott of the COP29 conference, which is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan, a state with multiple human rights violations. She is passionate about raising awareness on issues such as these and encouraging others to take a stand against injustice.

Annie Moskofian is an incoming first-year law student at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law. She recently graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Biology and Society. This summer, she is interning with ANCA Western Region, where she is conducting legal research on a wide variety of political issues regarding Armenia.

Annie’s professional experience includes an internship at Truth Initiative in Washington, D.C., where she contributed to policy research and played a pivotal role in implementing a no-smoke campus policy within the Los Angeles Community College District. At UCLA, Annie authored her senior thesis on the legal challenges surrounding palliative care. Additionally, Annie produced a research article and podcast on reproductive autonomy and the involuntary sterilization of women, which won an intradepartmental award. Following her graduation from UCLA, she worked as a Case Manager at a personal injury law firm.

Throughout her academic career, Annie has held numerous leadership positions. She founded and served as President of the Healthy Campus Initiative at Los Angeles Valley College, where she led advocacy actions to promote healthcare accessibility in underserved communities. Additionally, Annie served as an Advisory Board Member of the Teen Volunteer Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she mentored and trained hundreds of teen volunteers. 

At ANCA-WR, Annie aims to deepen her understanding of international humanitarian law as it pertains to Armenia. She is dedicated to leveraging her skills and knowledge to advance Hye Tahd, furthering her commitment to advocacy and justice for the Armenian community.

Arda Tazian is a second-year political science student at University of California, Santa Barbara, driven by a strong interest in social justice and humanitarian causes. With aspirations to pursue a career in law, Arda’s passion for advocacy and outreach was furthered by participating in the ANCA Summer Academy in 2022. Her experiences in the nation’s capital deepened her determination to create positive change through legal and social initiatives.

As a committed member of the Armenian Youth Federation, Arda actively engages with her local Armenian community, passionately advocating for a free, independent, and united Armenia. She is dedicated to preserving and strengthening her homeland. After establishing a Middle Eastern Club at her high school, Arda went on to become an active member of the Armenian Student Association at her university. As a current intern for the ANCA-WR, Arda will gain invaluable experience that will facilitate her in making an impact in the advancement of the Armenian Cause.

Artur Melikian is a graduate of UCLA, where he majored in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. Due to his interest in politics and law, Artur plans to attend law school. 

Artur is currently participating in the ANCA WR Summer Internship Program and the Young Kim for Congress Internship Program. He has previously held various roles, including Senior of the Year at UCLA (2024 AYA), intern for the Bruin Leaders Project (UCLA SOLE), member of UCLA’s Armenian Students Association, Hidden Road Initiative, Pre-Law Society, and Legal Underground club. Artur also captained the UCLA ASA team to victory in the All-ASA Quiz Bowl in 2024. Additionally, he was nominated to host the annual Charles E. Young Event (SOLE) and served as an Ambassador for the Seniors Give Back! Project. In April 2024, Artur was selected as an Advocate & Intern for the Armenian Assembly of America’s Advocacy Summit.

In Armenia, Artur was a member of Hay Aspet (Armenian Knights), an educational charity focused on folk dance, music, history, and mythology. He is a graduate of Sayat-Nova Musical School in Yerevan, Armenia, with a specialization in classical vocal and piano.

A dedicated sports enthusiast, Artur regularly goes to the gym and enjoys gymnastics, boxing, taekwondo, swim, hand-fighting, and chess. Beyond sports, he enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.

Artur’s address to his colleagues is: “There are no easy and impossible aims, aims are hard but possible to achieve – you just need to work hard, forget what is giving up, and try to help others if they need your help – your fairness and kindness will be worth your time.” 

Ellin Manoukian is a second-year student at UCLA majoring in Political Science, with a concentration in International Relations and minoring in Global Studies. She is also a contributor at the Daily Bruin, UCLA’s student newspaper, writing for the explanatory journalism section. After graduating, she plans to attend law school.

She has been an active member of Homenetmen Scouting since the age of six, currently serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster at Homenetmen Glendale Ararat Chapter. She also earned her Eagle Scout in 2022, as part of the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts. Through scouting, she represented Hometmen’s Western U.S. region at the 2024 Pan-Homenetmen Jamboree in Armenia last summer. After participating in the ANCA Rising Leaders Program in Washington D.C., she applied to the Western Region internship to actively work towards advancing the Armenian cause in the United States. This summer, Ellin will focus her internship on government affairs, research, and media related to Armenian-American legislative priorities.

Gary Shirikchian is a second-year student at the University of Southern California (USC) majoring in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics on the pre-law track. During his internship in the summer with the ANCA, Gary plans on focusing his time and efforts in the Research and Writing and Government Affairs Divisions, where he hopes to analyze the ongoing refugee crisis in Armenia due to the recent influx of more than 100,000 former citizens of the now dissolved state of Nagorno-Karabakh. 

Gary has been an active member of his community for years, as he has even traveled to Armenia to promote educational and community-building projects amongst Armenian youth. He has been a longtime supporter and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities and special needs youth. As a coach for the organization Homenetmen Hrashq, an organization dedicated to providing special needs youth with the opportunity to participate and compete in athletic training and competitions, Gary has had the honor to coach several athletes and watch as they grow and improve their skills for the past six years.

Defending those who cannot protect themselves is a concept of the law that inspires Gary to pursue such a career. He felt inspired in his recent semester at USC where he participated in an undergraduate human rights course and was introduced to the sector of human rights law. Throughout his internship over the summer Gary not only hopes to gain invaluable experience with the ANCA, but he hopes to contribute to the organization’s ultimate goal to preserve the human rights of the Armenian people and hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable.

Isabel Nargizian is a sophomore at UCLA on the pre-law track studying Political Science and minoring in Music Industry. As a songwriter and performing artist, she hopes to pursue a career in entertainment law to ensure all artists’ rights are protected. On campus, Isabel is on the executive board of UCLA’s F.L.Y organization which supports impoverished mothers and children in Gyumri, Armenia through service learning trips and educational initiatives. Additionally, she was selected as a UCLA USAC (Undergraduate Student Association Council) Presidential Intern and is the Student Representative of UCLA’s Music Industry Association.

Isabel’s fervor to support the Armenian community motivates her to address issues of Armenian visibility and identity in all her pursuits. In 2023, Isabel was named the winner of the Young Armenian Poets Award by h-pem and IALA for her poem “Mother My Shadow” which grapples with the notion of Armenia’s lack of discernibility on the world stage. Furthermore, as an AYF counselor and a member of the Hidden Road Initiative, Isabel is committed to mentoring Armenian youth, spanning from the diaspora to rural villages in Armenia.

Jemma Pogosian is a student at Glendale Community College pursuing an Associates Degree in Political Science. Her mission is to preserve Armenian culture, religion, and traditions within U.S. society, ensuring the history and roots of her community remain alive. Jemma has actively participated in rallies, attended ANCA-organized conferences and town hall meetings, and volunteered in political campaigns to manage voter participation in the Armenian community. With years of involvement and dedication, she now serves as a student commissioner for the City of Glendale Arts and Culture Department, where she facilitates interactions among artists, promotes art activities, and helps reinforce the city’s pride.  

From 2015 to 2019, Jemma dedicated her efforts to both ArmeniaFund and Unified Young Armenians (UYA) Organizations. In 2020, she co-founded Armenian Hero, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing aid to families, soldiers, and displaced individuals affected by conflict. Jemma is also involved in the Glendale Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, where she meets with legislators representing the Glendale area. Jemma’s participation in the ANCA Rising Leaders three-day seminar in Washington, D.C., provided her with invaluable insight into how elected officials work on Capitol Hill. Now, she is eager to gain further experience in public affairs through her internship at ANCA-WR.

Through her involvement in the ANCA-WR summer internship program, Jemma hopes to strengthen her advocacy skills and raise awareness about critical issues by understanding the nuances of our political system. Jemma aims to be a leader who motivates, empowers, and inspires the Armenians community to protect their heritage and advocate for their rights.