A Citizen of the World: Riona Magesh’s Commitment to Learning, Service and Change

When asked what one word she hopes people will remember when they think of her, Riona Magesh chooses one that is as ambitious as it is fitting: cosmopolitan.

To Riona, the word represents more than being worldly. It reflects her belief that people have a responsibility to care about injustice even when they are not directly affected by it.

“As people living on this earth, we have a responsibility to fight for justice for others, regardless of whether it has an impact on us or not,” she said.

That belief guides Riona, a junior Government and Politics (GVPT) major from Frederick, Maryland. Whether she is assisting with research, learning how state government operates, or welcoming visitors at the GVPT front desk, she is driven by the same goal: to understand the world more deeply so she can help change it.

Riona’s interest in political science began after taking an Advanced Placement government course in high school. The following summer, she attended a civics and government program that challenged her to become more informed about current events and public affairs. It was there that Riona began to see political science as more than an academic subject. Political science could give her the knowledge and tools to examine society’s most pressing problems, conduct meaningful research, and improve people’s lives. The program also introduced Riona to a keynote speaker affiliated with the National Organization for Women. Inspired by the speaker’s message, she returned home and started a local women’s advocacy club. The experience turned her growing interest in politics into an early commitment to leadership, service, and community involvement.

At the University of Maryland, Riona has continued to explore that commitment inside and outside the classroom. As a research assistant to GVPT Ph.D. student Jessica Reese, she has reviewed scholarly literature and gained hands-on experience with coding and other technical aspects of political science research. The opportunity has given her an early look at the research process and encouraged her to consider pursuing a Ph.D., alongside her interest in law school. This fall, Riona will explore the legal field more directly through an internship at an immigration law firm.

One course that strengthened her research interest was GVPT203, taught by Professor Calvert Jones. Through discussions and international case studies, Riona examined authoritarianism and democratic backsliding as complex global developments rather than distant or abstract concepts. For her final project, she studied Hungary and the political developments that have contributed to the erosion of its democratic institutions over the past 15 years. The project helped her recognize patterns, including the suppression of dissent and restrictions on independent media, that can emerge across different political systems.

Riona also gained firsthand experience in government through an internship with the Maryland General Assembly. Working inside the legislature, she saw how state leaders navigate public policy, respond during periods of political uncertainty, and manage a complicated relationship with the federal government. The experience challenged some of her assumptions about how institutions operate and showed her how political decisions can affect people’s lives.

As a student employee at the GVPT front desk, Riona is often one of the first people students and visitors meet when they enter the department’s main office. She wanted to work in the office because she enjoys its welcoming environment and the opportunity to meet new people each day. Her desire to connect with and support others is central to how Riona defines success.

“Success means achieving my higher purpose in life,” Riona said. “That means giving back to the community and making others feel welcome and supported. I want people to feel like they are in an environment where they can be heard.”

Riona is especially concerned about economic inequality, humanitarian crises, climate change and women’s rights.

Whether she ultimately chooses law, research or public service, Riona’s purpose is already becoming clear: to use what she learns to serve others, confront injustice and help people feel heard.

It is what being cosmopolitan means to her—not simply understanding the world, but accepting responsibility for making it better.

 

Published on Thu, 09/10/2026 - 10:55