Brandon P. Ranallo-Benavidez
Last Updated: September 2016
Education
American University, Washington, D.C.
Ph.D., Department of Public Administration Policy, expected May 2019
Primary Major, Public Administration, degree expected May 2019
Secondary Major, Public Policy, comprehensive exam passed May 2016, degreeexpected May 2019
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, May 2014
Bachelor of Arts, Frenchwith Honors Distinction, May 2014
Minor, Women's and Gender Studies, May 2014
Minor, Religious Studies, May 2014
Final GPA: 4.0
Research Appointments & Fellowships
Research Assistantship as Ph.D. Student, American University2014-Present
Supervisor:Dr. Jane Palmer, Professional Lecturer, Department of Justice, Law & Criminology
Research Assistantship as Ph.D. Student, American University2014-Present
Supervisor:Dr. Jane Palmer, Professional Lecturer, Department of Justice, Law & Criminology
Civic Engagement Fellow, Carl Albert Research Center, University of Oklahoma2011-2014
Supervisor:Dr. Glen Krutz, Associate Director, Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center
Civic Engagement Conferences
National Campaign Conference, Institute of Politics, Harvard UniversityOctober 2013
Conference Title:Change Agents: Tools for Effective Advocacy
National Campaign Conference, Institute of Politics, Harvard UniversitySpring 2012
Conference Title:Mobilization 2012: Strategies and Skills for Encouraging your Campus to Vote
Publications
2013-2014 Religious Studies Student Journal, University of OklahomaSpring 2014
Article Title:“Straight Hate: The Fight for GLBT Inclusion in Hate Crimes Legislation”
Research Experience
Honors Research Assistant, University of Oklahoma2011-2012
Supervisor: Dr. Pamela Genova, Chair, Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Synopsis: Searched databases to find sources on japonisme (the influence of the “discovery” of Japan on French high culture); read materials for pertinent information; edited text; compiled works cited pages.
Honors Research Thesis, University of OklahomaFall 2011
Advisor: Dr. Bernadette Takano, Associate Professor of French
Synopsis: Produced an original honors thesis, written entirely in French, that explores Voltaire’s critique of religion and society in his Siècle des lumières philosophical fiction works.
Research Funding
Civic Engagement Fellowship, Carl Albert Research Center, University of Oklahoma2012-Present
Supervisor:Dr. Glen Krutz, Associate Director, Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center
Stipend: $800 per semester
Honors Research Assistant Program, Joe C. and Carole Kerr McClendon Honors College2011-2012
Supervisor:Dr. Pamela Genova, Chair, Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
Stipend: $750 per semester
Academic Committees
Student Ambassador, Student Action Committee on Retention and Performance2013-Present
Director:Dr. Nancy LaGreca, Academic Chair, Associate Professor of Latin American Literature
Synopsis: Convene weekly to discuss student retention and performance; vote on policy changes and degree requirement alterations; formulate ideas to fulfill goals of professor efficacy and student learning; deliberate ongoing research projects; brainstorm ideas to increase student turnout for upcoming events.
Social Justice Advocacy
National Campaign Ambassador, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University2012-Present
Synopsis: Co-create a national coalition to raise awareness of sexual violence on college campuses; collaborate with other ambassadors to ensure maximal effectiveness of national sexual violence prevention initiatives; coordinate to compile an absentee voting check sheet to help students register for and obtain ballots from home precincts; facilitate an intercollegiate video conference; participate in leadership training; attend lectures on effective outreach and activism.
Peer-Educator, Step In Speak Out Rape Prevention Program, University of Oklahoma2013-Present
Advisor: Melanie Adams, Programming Coordinator, Women’s Outreach Center
Synopsis: Spend 40+ hours a semester presenting to students about risk assessment, prevention, and advocacy in potential incidents of sexual violence; inculcate effective strategies to intervene and mitigate sexual assaults; disseminate information about community resources for survivors of sexual violence.
Student Activist, Sexual Assault Awareness Advisory Committee, University of Oklahoma2013-Present
Synopsis: Convene with faculty and students to design consciousness-raising programs; establish mandatory university trainings to reduce sexual violence; inform resident advisers and housing personnelabout sexual assault prevention; compose articles for campus newspapers across the country.
Sooner Mosaic: Social Justice Symposium, University of OklahomaMarch 2014
Synopsis: I will speak about the need for coalition building to combat inequality. To fashion truly effective social activism, we must share our experiences and be receptive to the viewpoints of diverse communities.
Youth Initiatives Assistant Coordinator for the Southeast Region, Jari Askins for Governor2010
Mentor: Kelbie Kennedy, Campaign Co-Chair for the Southeast District
Synopsis: Devised outreach programs with other campaign officials; hosted voter registration drives and issue forums across the state; coordinated with other elected officials; discussed important political topicswith voters; called voters; placed road signs; knocked on doors.
Campus Involvement
Brandon P. Ranallo-Benavidez
Last Updated: September 2016
OU Young Democrats (2009-Present)
Political Science Club (2009-Present)
LGBTQF Student Association (2009-Present)
Big Event Co-coordinator for LGBTQF community service (2011-2013)
Initiative for Better Campus Leaders (2009)
Religious Studies Student Association
(2013-Present)
Vice-Président of the French Club
(2010-2013)
Honors Student Association (2009-Present)
Oklahoma Academic Team (2009-2012)