Legacy Award Fellows
Milovan Dakic
2025-26 VPAF103-Legacy Fellow
Milovan Dakic is a native of Terre Haute, IN and graduated from Indiana State University with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Geographic Information Science (2020). Milovan is currently an active-duty Captain in the United States Air Force and is pursuing a M.S. in Global Security Studies from Angelo State University. His previous research focused on Central Asia and Iran, and he has published research on Iranian international relations in the Journal of Military Sociology. Milovan studies Persian and is an alumnus of the Department of State Gilman Scholarship and Fulbright Hays program (2019). In his current capacity as an Air Advisor, Milovan has worked extensively with the Nigerian, Tunisian, Thai, and Colombian air forces and has spent time in both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan supporting Air Force security cooperation programs as a regional subject matter expert. He hopes to further work in this sector and intends on becoming a Foreign Area Officer.
Angela Yu
2025-26 VPAF103-Legacy Scholar
Angela Yu is currently a graduate student at Georgetown University’s Security Studies program with a concentration in international security. She completed her undergraduate studies at Georgetown, earning a Bachelor of Science in International Political Economy with a minor in Statistics in 2025. Her academic and professional interests lie at the intersection of economics and defense, examining the funding mechanisms of illicit actors and the implementation of financial security measures. Angela previously interned with the Department of Defense and currently works as an analyst for a government contracting firm with a focus on defense infrastructure and supply chain security. Angela hopes to become a leader in the national security space and prevent future attacks on the American people as well as critical financial and infrastructure systems.
Jordanna Yochai
2024-25 Legacy Fellow
Jordanna Yochai is a Master’s of International Affairs candidate at Columbia University’s School of International & Public Affairs (SIPA). Her coursework focuses on defense and security issues, particularly within Africa and the Middle East. She is a member of the 2024 Columbia University International Fellows Program (IFP).
Jordanna served within the Department of Defense, in both analytic and policy capacities. She also conducted research for the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Middle East Institute, the Wilson Center, and the Chicago Project on Security & Threats. Jordanna’s research was published by the Iran Primer, the Islamists, Peacefare, and the Chicago Journal of Foreign Policy. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations.
Jordanna has traveled and worked in Africa and the Middle East. She hopes to advance conflict resolution in these regions.
UPDATE June 2025
Jordanna Yochai has written that the VPAF103-Legacy Award facilitated her academic, intellectual, and professional growth, as she completed her degree requirements and published two articles in the Atlantic Council ("Mauritania Should Mediate in Mali. Here's How." and "To Improve its Sahel Policy, the US Must Update Four Assumptions"). Jordanna will next begin a year-long Boren Fellowship that will enable her to learn local languages and complete a research internship.
Joseph Lim
2024-25 Legacy Scholar
Joseph Lim is a native of Naperville, Illinois and graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a B.S. in Finance (2022). He commissioned in the United States Army as an Active Duty Military Intelligence Officer and is currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington. In his first two years, Joseph served as a Battalion Intelligence Officer overseas and is currently a Platoon Leader in a Brigade Military Intelligence Company. Joseph is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Law at Northwestern University and hopes to implement what he learns to make a positive impact in the U.S. Intelligence Community. In his free time, he loves to run, cycle, and play with his Golden Retriever, Charlotte!
Update June 2025
Joseph completed his Master of Science in Law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law while continuing to serve as a U.S. Army Intelligence Officer. Joseph noted that his program of study directly enhanced his knowledge and abilities as an Intelligence Operations Officer, enabling him to develop protective policies for a task force of over 2,000 Soldiers, improving operational outcomes and data governance. During his award year, he also led a Humanitarian Service Mission supporting wildland firefighting efforts in Cascade, Idaho, was able to complete a Pacific Pathways deployment to the Philippines, and conducted a combined joint exercise with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Joseph stated that the financial support provided by the program eased the burden of tuition during these operations away from home and allowed him to stay focused on both mission success and academic completion.
Joseph said, “One of the most meaningful moments of the year was the opportunity to brief the VPAF103 panel on emerging national security threats. This experience deepened my appreciation for the organization’s mission and allowed me to share insights from both legal and operational perspectives, drawing on frameworks across Diplomacy, Information, Military, and Economic domains. The award has had a lasting impact on my academic and professional journey. It helped bridge my understanding of national security and the legal dimensions of innovation, reinforced my commitment to public service, and connected me with a broader network of mission-driven peers. I am sincerely grateful for the support and remain committed to paying it forward by raising awareness of the program and contributing to organizations that share its values of leadership and service.”
Cody Gardiner
2023-24 Legacy Fellow
Cody Gardiner completed his bachelor’s degree at Emory University, where he double majored in international studies and history with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. After graduation, he interned at CNN before working for three years in risk and intelligence analysis. Cody currently serves as a threat manager on Meta’s Dangerous Organizations and Individuals team, where he conducts research on terrorist organizations, criminal entities, and hate groups. He is a master's student at Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program (SSP), concentrating on international security issues. After graduation, Cody intends to pursue a career focusing on the intersection of transnational crime and national security.
Max Goldberg
2023-24 Legacy Scholar
Max Goldberg is an accelerated BA/MA in International Relations student at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, with minors in Geography, and Atrocity Studies and Practices of Social Justice. Growing up in three countries across two continents thanks to his parent’s employment in the federal government, Max seeks to enter into the family business of national security. His completed internships with USAID, USDOS, the American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats Project, and at multiple agencies within the intelligence community, in addition to his travels across 25 countries and language proficiency in Spanish and Polish, have endowed Max with a unique understanding of the global security environment and the threats demanding an appropriate response. The Victims of Pan Am Flight 103 Legacy scholarship will greatly assist Max’s continued efforts to leave behind a safer, more secure world and deliver justice to victims of violent extremism, aggression, and terrorism.
Andres Morana
2022-23 Legacy Fellow
Andrés Morano completed his bachelor’s degree at Virginia Tech, pursuing an international education across numerous countries including Jordan, Oman, and France. After graduation, Andrés served in the United States Army for four years.
Andrés is currently pursuing his master’s at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) where he renewed his study of Arabic, national and international security, counterterrorism, and transatlantic defense. He believes that strong cross-cultural relationships contribute to terrorism prevention and national security efforts. After graduation Andrés intends to build upon his prior experience fostering international partnerships with a career as an American Foreign Service Officer.
Timothy Foye
2022-23 Legacy Scholar
A graduate of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, Timothy Foye obtained his BA in International Relations and Political Science. While at Duquesne, Timothy was a Department of State sponsored Gilman Scholar studying Arabic in Jordan. Additionally, Timothy had several internships with the Departments of Defense, Justice, and State.
Timothy is presently a graduate student at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Medford, MA, obtaining his Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy. Timothy is interested in national security and US foreign policy and intends on continuing with a lifelong career in public service.
Aya Yousuf
2021-22 Legacy Scholar
A graduate from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Aya Yousuf obtained her BA in political science and economics. Currently, she is a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) obtaining her MA in international relations. She is interested in national security, counterterrorism, and US foreign policy
Chloe Wawerek
2021-22 Legacy Fellow
Chloe Wawerek enlisted into the United States Army in 2015 within the Military Intelligence branch. She served for five years with one deployment to Afghanistan. During her time enlisted she earned an Associates degree in Persian Farsi, and a Bachelors degree in National Security. She is currently attending Georgetown University to earn her Master of Science in Foreign Service. After completing her Master’s degree, Wawerek will return with as a commissioned officer to the United States Army. Her background is in innovation and emerging technology with focus on military applications for improvements in national security. Fields of interest focus on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Nicholas R. Benton
2020-21 Legacy Fellow
Nicholas joined the United States Navy in 2012 and served four years before returning to college at Portland State, where he received his bachelor’s degree. During his undergraduate years, Nicholas studied in both Moscow and London, and he has worked at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo. Nicholas is currently a graduate student at Georgetown University. He plans a career as an analyst focused on national security and emphasizes the need for developing understanding across cultures in order to positively impact terrorism prevention and national security.
Kelly Abbinanti
2019-20 Legacy Fellow
A graduate of the University of Virginia with a master’s degree in security studies from Georgetown University, Kelly has worked as an analyst for the U.S. Department of State and defense consulting firms. She is pursuing a degree at Georgetown’s Security Studies Program (SSP) and plans to become a state department foreign service officer.
Katherine “Katie” Rahmlow
2018-19 Legacy Fellow
She is a graduate of Hamilton College in Clinton, New York and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, and is an analyst in Washington D.C. Katie, finished her master of public administration degree at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School in June, 2020 where her areas of interest are technology law and policy, as well as cybersecurity.
Allison Miller
2017-18 Legacy Fellow
She is a graduate of Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Virginia. Her Legacy Award was renewed in 2018-19 to enable her to complete her research examining how community engagement can prevent violence. Her dissertation specifically focused on violent extremism and gang violence. Dr. Miller completed both her Masters in Public Health and her PhD in May 2020.
