South Carolina
Rachael Parrish

Furman University

Rachael Parrish is a rising senior at Furman University, where she is majoring in political science and Asian studies.  Furman is a small, private liberal arts school in Greenville, South Carolina, and alma mater to Mike McConnell (Director of National Intelligence) and Secretary Dick Riley (former Secretary of Education).  Furman also serves as a center for political activity in South Carolina; in this academic year alone, Furman has hosted President George W. Bush, Senator Barack Obama, Senator Hilary Clinton, Governor Mike Huckabee, as well as political pundits James Carville and Ann Coulter.

In addition to her academic duties, Rachael serves in several student organizations, including the Riley Institute Advance Team, Furman University Student Activities Board, Chi Omega, and Admissions Ambassadors.  She has also been inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honors society, as well as Senior Order, an all-female honor society and Furman tradition.  During her college career, Rachael has participated in internships with the Riley Institute, Senator Lindsey Graham’s state headquarters, and KEMET Corporation in Suzhou, China.  In her free time, Rachael enjoys traveling, organizing and planning events, and making short films with her friends.

This summer Rachael is conducting research at her university, volunteering with a pro bono law project, and studying for the GRE and LSAT.  After graduating from Furman, she hopes to attend law school or graduate school and eventually enter the foreign service to work on improving international communications and business between the United States and Southeast Asia.

Prior to attending Furman, Rachael attended high school at the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora, Illinois.  Her parents, Richard and Anna Parrish, reside in Cobden, Illinois, and she has two sisters, Sarah and Maria.