Donna Welles
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Texas, I earned my BA in “Russian, Eastern European, and Eurasian Studies” with a minor in Government. I also received a Public Interest Scholarship from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
I studied Russian history, politics, economics, language, and culture for a year at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia. I lived with a Russian family throughout my stay and am fluent in the Russian language. I also traveled extensively throughout Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, making the 6-day journey from Petersburg to Ulan Bataar, Mongolia via Irkutsk and Lake Baikal.
I also participated in UT’s Honors Thesis program, writing a thesis that framed and resolved the paradox of how the Russian people can support President Putin and still value democratic norms.
Contact: DonnaWelles@gmail.com