Laura Prokić holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology with minors in Psychology and Philosophy from Willamette University and a Master of Public Administration with a focus in Global Leadership and Management from Portland State University. Her research interests include youth political participation and leadership, democratization, civil society, and public administration reform in transitioning democracies. From 2013-2015 she served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in The Gambia, where she trained teachers in new teaching methods and helped local youth address their development priorities. From 2016-2019 she worked with U.S. State Department youth leadership exchange programs, helping youth from across Africa, the Middle East, South America, Central/Eastern Europe, the South Pacific, and the U.S. learn the skills needed to become community and global leaders.