About Me

Ben Mermel is a member of American University’s Class of 2023, working towards a Dual Major Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies and Political Science as well as a Certificate in Advanced Leadership Studies from the American University School of Public Affairs Leadership Program.

Ben hails from Central New Jersey, and is particularly interested in the fields of national security, defense, and intelligence and how they relate to responsible governance. This interest was garnered after a National youth Leadership Forum program in Washington D.C., where he earned the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Whilst in the Leadership Program, Ben worked on a group project tasked with the amelioration of water potability for a select contingent of Anacostia residents. As a group, they were able to provide clean water to lead contaminated homes in the District, and in doing so, gained a valuable opportunity to interact with the community and contribute.

Currently, Ben is a sophomore and a second-year student in the Leadership Program, and is working on providing critical civic education to middle school age children in his home state of New Jersey. Ben hopes to pursue a career in the field of national security, and provide the public with his skills and expertise.