Hattie Polson
Hattie Polson, originally from Vermillion, Kansas, is set to graduate from Kansas State University in the spring of 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and a secondary major in global food systems leadership. Throughout her time at Kansas State, Hattie dedicated herself to creating the organization “Food Security Scholars,” spearheading initiatives aimed at eradicating on-campus food insecurity and establishing undergraduate research opportunities focusing on Kenyan food systems. In 2023, Hattie was honored as a Harry S. Truman Scholar, recognizing her leadership potential, academic excellence, and commitment to public service. During the summer of 2023, she completed an internship with Cargill as a commodity trading intern, where she collaborated directly with producers to facilitate local grain transactions and promote the adoption of technology and carbon sequestration practices to enhance agricultural businesses. Raised on a farm in northeast Kansas, Hattie’s upbringing instilled in her a deep connection to producers, inspiring her to pursue a master’s degree in agricultural economics and continue her research to address hunger issues and enhance the livelihoods of farmers worldwide.
Paola Saldana Galvan
Paola Saldana Galvan, hailing from Chicago, Illinois, earned her bachelor’s degree at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, majoring in International Relations as a first-generation college student. Paola’s internship journey includes positions with several non-profit organizations. In the summer of 2022, she interned with the Safe Passage Project, a non-profit providing pro-bono legal assistance to immigrant and refugee children facing deportation, serving as a Legal Intern. Following this, she interned with RESULTS UK, a charity organization advocating for an end to global poverty through grassroots advocacy and lobbying, based in London, England, where she studied abroad in Winter 2023. At RESULTS UK, she held the role of Policy Intern, contributing to discussions on international development topics. Paola also interned with Bread for the World, a Christian non-profit dedicated to ending hunger domestically and internationally, as a Government Relations intern. Additionally, through her involvement in Model United Nations, where she served as her university’s club President for three years, Paola had the opportunity to engage with various diplomatic missions in the U.S. Recently, she conducted field research on agricultural systems and fishing sectors in The Gambia and intends to continue her research in the future. Paola will pursue a Master of Science in Agriculture – Agribusiness at Illinois State University starting in Fall 2024.
Bryce W. Scott
Bryce W. Scott, originally from the Bronx, New York, is currently completing his undergraduate studies at the esteemed South Carolina State University. He is majoring in Agribusiness and minoring in International Business. Bryce actively participates in various organizations, including Alpha Phi Alpha, 1890 Research & Extension Scholarship, Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANNRS), TRIO Program, Students Engaged in Entrepreneur Development (SEED Project), International Student Association (ISA), Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and The Environmental Action Club. Following his graduation, Bryce plans to pursue a Master of Science in Agriculture and Economics at the distinguished Kansas State University.
Karuna Taylor
Karuna Taylor, originally from Decatur, Georgia, and raised in Dehradun, India, graduated with a degree in Biology and a minor in Sociology from Covenant College. Driven by her passion for nutrition and sustainable community development, Karuna embarked on a journey to pursue a career in agricultural policy and food security in the developing world. She gained valuable experience working on a demonstration farm cultivating tropical plants and trees in Fort Myers, Florida. Karuna is thrilled to join the IAFP Fellows 2024 cohort. She will be attending Texas A&M University in College Station, TX this fall.
