Dr. McClanahan is a professor and chairperson of the department of communication at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.  She worked for the Junior State of America at their summer programs from 2005 to 2024. She taught classes in speech communication, political communication, congressional debate, leadership and public advocacy, and democracy and social media on the campuses of Stanford, Princeton, Yale, and American University. Dr. McClanahan's research interests are in the areas of critical media studies and persuasion, studying everything from the impact of social media on democracy to the content and reception of bad television shows.

"Like technology and viral trends, perspectives of individuals are changing rapidly. Understanding the focus of young people when it comes to politics and leadership is imperative as we work to improve our world. I love working with high school students, because they offer a unique perspective and energy that helps me understand their concerns."

"This program offers the opportunity to connect with students all over the world and live and learn together, which is invaluable. Our students bring different perspectives—from major cities to rural communities to American territories and freely associated states—our students are able to learn from each others' lived experiences and focus on how to create change for the future."

Stephen Magu previously taught with JSA Summer Programs from 2013 to 2024, including courses in international relations, comparative government, human rights, and conflict and stateless peoples. Outside of JSA, he has been in academia since 2000, gaining both local and international teaching experience. He is an Assistant Professor of Political Science, teaching at the Kenya Polytechnic, The The Technical University of Kenya, as well as Old Dominion University, Regent University, Hampton University, and Norfolk State University. An ardent believer in the power of educating youth who transform society, government, nations, the collective and the planet, Dr. Magu is a lifelong educator. He is a prolific author, novelist, and poet and has authored seven monographs—the latest masterpiece being A Contemporary Analysis of Kenya’s Foreign Policy (Springer, 2024). In Kenya, Dr. Magu is a farmer, spending part-summers raising cows and sheep. He plans to start a sister African continental youth civic engagement organization.

David McCuan is a strategic and creative thinker. His political science area of focus throughout his education is in American Political Institutions and Mass Political Behavior. His current research is centered on elections as well as terrorism. Dr. McCuan has numerous accomplishments in his career, including working as a Fulbright Teaching Scholar, serving as an expert witness on legislation in multiple states, and presenting his research at venues around the world. All audiences can view his media appearances on dozens of news outlets in which he offers strict bipartisan analysis.

From 2016 to 2024 Dr. McCuan taught in the summers with Junior State of America at various campuses including Princeton, Stanford, and American University. As a first-generation college student, he is passionate about working with young people and helping them accomplish their goals.

When not at home on his ranch, Dr. McCuan says "I am out exploring the beauty that is Northern California or on the water.  I am a sailor, so being out on the water on a sailboat is pure bliss."

Azamat Sakiev is an educator with a strong belief in the power of education as a social equalizer. He is deeply committed to extending educational opportunities to those who stand to benefit the most. His research and academic interests focus on political leadership and democratization, with particular emphasis on the Eurasia, Central Asia, and Middle East regions. Dr. Sakiev is currently a faculty member at Santa Rosa College and a lecturer at University of California, Berkeley. He taught with JSA Summer Programs for five years from 2018 to 2024, including courses in comparative government and alleviating global poverty. In addition to English, Dr. Sakiev also speaks Russian and Kyrgyz.