The staff at APSA work diligently to provide members with high quality resources, tools, and other materials relevant to the discipline. In each “Meet the Staff” section, we aim to showcase select individuals behind the American Political Science Association and the responsibilities of each role. Most of the APSA staff are based in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area while other staff remain remote.
JENNIFER AARONSON
Jennifer Aaronson is the Associate Director of Human Resources. In this role, she leads people operations and helps to develop APSA’s people strategy to make the association an enticing and rewarding place to work—where the organizational culture promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and actively works to dismantle the practices and processes that uphold systemic racism and inequity. Immediately prior to joining APSA, Jen was the Sr. HR Generalist at Prosperity Now. Prior to that, she worked in politics and nonprofits as a field organizer, fundraiser, and project coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from UC Santa Cruz and a Master of Professional Studies in Human Resources Management from Georgetown University. Jen is originally from Southern California, and in her spare time, she enjoys going to baseball games, finding new dessert places to check out, and going on walks with her dog Carson.
BEN GOODRICH
Ben Goodrich serves as APSA’s Associate Director for Government Relations and Public Engagement. He enjoys a wide array of responsibilities including leading APSA’s government relations portfolio and managing programs to encourage engagement of political scientists with the greater public. Ben joined APSA in 2023 after four years with the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA) where he led the organization’s public affairs efforts and supported government relations programs on behalf of the greater social and behavioral science community. In 2021, Ben was selected to represent the United States at the Y7 Summit, the under-30 advisory body to give recommendations to the G7 nations’ governments. Born and raised in the Upper Midwest, Ben graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2018 and enjoys live music, video and board games, and museums in his free time.
ELIZABETH MEEHAN
Elizabeth (Bit) Meehan serves as the Manager, Research Grants. She carries out APSA’s research grant programs, particularly support for early career research grants like the Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (DDRIG) program. She received her BA in Political Science at Northwestern University and her PhD in Political Science from George Washington University. Her dissertation research was funded by the National Science Foundation. Bit enjoys live music, national parks, and clothes thrifting.
ALEJANDRA SAMPSON
Alejandra Sampson is the Program Associate for APSA’s Governance and Congressional Fellowship Program. Prior to joining APSA she collaborated with the Pan American Health Organization and The Department of State. Alejandra holds a BA in International Relations, a postgraduate degree in Economic Development and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Latin American Philosophy. She is interested in political communication and governance, enjoys traveling, cooking and walks with her dog.
STEVE STOUPA
Stephen ‘Steve’ Stoupa is the Director of Finance and Administration. Steve joined APSA in 2023 and brings more than 30 years of progressive accounting and finance experience leading the accounting departments of a variety of non-profits throughout the past 25 years. It was at Price Waterhouse where he was an audit staff for 5 1/2 years that he found his love for the missions, staff and volunteers of non-profits and decided his future career path. Steve is a lifelong resident of the DC Metro area and is actively licensed as a CPA in the Commonwealth of Virginia. He continues his professional development as a member of both the AICPA and VSCPA and is a proud father of two wonderful and successful young daughters in their 20s.
CAROLINE STROH
Caroline Stroh is the Program Assistant, Member Services. She recently graduated from the University of Maryland with a BA in Criminology & Criminal Justice, where she was a member of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Honors Research Program. Most recently, she was a Research Intern with the Justice Policy Institute. She is originally from Pennsylvania. In her free time, she works part-time as a yoga studio assistant in DC, and she enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time outdoors.
SAMANTHA WIRTH
Samantha Wirth serves as the Program Associate for the Centennial Center and International Programs. In her role, she supports the Centennial Center’s grant and award programs alongside APSA’s international initiatives, with special focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Prior to joining APSA in 2022, Samantha worked in public policy and nonprofit development in New York City. She received her MSc in Social Anthropology from the London School of Economics and her BA in Global Studies from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame. In her free time, Samantha enjoys pottery, listening to music, and seeking out the best lox bagel.
