Hello! My name is Samantha Skula and I’m from Chicago, IL. I’m currently a junior in Eliot House double concentrating in Government and History. I’m so excited to be a PCC this year and to help you navigate the Gov department and Harvard as a whole.
I’m particularly interested in democratic backsliding and how countries can fall into dictatorship, but also how they can return to democracy. I have found that history can explain some of these trends and influence how governments act in the face of these challenges. Some of my favorite classes in the Gov department highlight this overlap, including Gov 1249: Authoritarianism and Gov 1290: Democracy and Authoritarianism.
Aside from academics, I am involved in various government-related programs such as Democracy Matters and the Community Action Committee at the IOP, both focused on furthering community involvement and civic participation. I also work at Lamont Library in Government Documents, so I’m happy to answer any questions about navigating library resources. Outside of Harvard, I enjoy reading, listening to music, going to museums, and exploring the Boston area.
Whether you have questions about the Government or History concentrations, research, navigating Harvard, or just want to chat—please don’t hesitate to reach out!