2019-2020 Resident Fellows

Kosta Karamanakis – Floors 2 & 4

My name is Konstantinos Karamanakis, but you can call me Kosta. I grew up in Dudley, Massachusetts and I studied Political Science and History at Boston College, where I was a Resident Assistant.

I am passionate about public service. I previously served as an appointee of Governor Deval L. Patrick and I interned at the U.S. District Court in New Hampshire this past summer.

Outside of class, I enjoy talking with friends, visiting family, reading biographies, and drinking Greek coffee. I am looking forward to an exciting year with you all. Welcome to Georgetown!

Rachel Ungar – Floors 5 & 6

Hi, I’m Rachel. I’m from San Francisco, California, where I grew up surfing, scuba diving, and practicing martial arts. I graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in History. Before coming to law school, I worked for a refugee rights organization in Argentina and then for the research centers at Stanford Law School. In my spare time, I volunteered as a mentor and advocate for survivors of human trafficking in the East Bay.

Since coming to law school I have worked for the ACLU of Hawaii, San Diego District Attorney’s Office, served on the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal, and been both the Co-President of the Human Rights Action-Amnesty International and Women’s Rights Issue Director for the ACLU of Georgetown Law. Outside of classes, I love going to yoga classes and out to the movies with friends. I’m always happy to answer any questions or help in any way that I can. Welcome to Georgetown!

Tooba Hussain – Floors 6 & 7

Hello! I’m Tooba and I hope that my headshot does not make you as uncomfortable as it makes me! I grew up in New Jersey with five siblings, several cats and even a goat at one point. I attended Rutgers University-Camden where I studied Political Science and Urban Studies. At Rutgers I was actively involved in Residence Life, Student Government Association, Political Science Society and Muslim Student Association. I even had a phase when I worked as a security guard for Campus Police!

After coming to Georgetown, I became involved in the Muslim Law Students Association and interfaith programming on campus. I spent my summer interning for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. Alongside classes I enjoy reading, bubble tea, spoken word poetry, trying new food with friends and people watching (but not in a weird way). I can’t wait to help Gewirz Residents make the most of their experience!

Harsimar Dhanoa – Floors 8 & 9

I grew in Los Angeles, California and lived there until I moved to DC for law school. I graduated from University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in psychology and a minor in public affairs, where I was involved with residence life, along with several other organizations. After graduating I worked for a year coaching my old high school’s Academic Decathlon team, where we ultimately went on to win the 2018 national title.

At Georgetown, I’m a Technology Law & Policy scholar, managing editor on the Georgetown Law Technology Review, and involved in OutLaw. Outside of classes, I love playing board games and reading in coffee shops. Welcome to Georgetown!

Megan Lipsky – Floors 10 & 11

Hi everyone! I was born and raised in Miami, Florida and attended the University of Miami for undergrad, majoring in political science and philosophy. I am a rising 2L involved in Moot Court, Georgetown Law ACLU, the Hoya Lawya Runners, and the Office of Student Life as a Resident Fellow. I love exploring DC’s local bookstores and coffee shops, running down the mall, and cooking a homemade meal — with something chocolatey for dessert of course! Welcome and cheers to a wonderful year!

2018-2019 Chaplains in Residence

Mary Novak – Floor 11

Mary J. Novak serves Georgetown Law Center and the School of Continuing Studies as a mission integrator, chaplain and spiritual director with a particular focus on Ignatian Spirituality and Pedagogy at the intersection of psychology, spirituality and the work of justice. Mary studied and trained in theology, spirituality and spiritual direction at Santa Clara University and the Washington Theological Union from which she earned a Masters of Arts in Pastoral Studies. She has extensive experience in pastoral ministry, including the ministry of spiritual direction, having served in hospitals and universities for over 15 years.

A graduate of Santa Clara University Law School, Mary practiced for over a decade in the areas of California water, energy, environmental and natural resources law, first at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and then at Ellison & Schneider. While at Orrick, she served on a team pursuing a capital appeal for a man on the largest death row in the United States. She was a member of the Clinical Law Faculty at  Santa Clara University Law School and later, she served as the Director for Faculty Development in what is now the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education at Santa Clara University.

Another area of Mary’s study and practice is peacebuilding, having studied at Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. She focused her final project at the Washington Theological Union on Catholic Peacebuilding in the context of Kenya’s post-conflict reconciliation where she lived for a year. She returned to the U.S. to serve the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in their conflict with the Vatican. Mary currently serves as Chair of the Board of the Catholic Mobilizing Network to End the Use of the Death Penalty and Promote Restorative Justice.

James McCann, SJ, PhD – Floor 11

Fr. Jim McCann, S.J., a native of Chicago, joined Campus Ministry at
Georgetown in 2018. After theological studies in Paris, he completed a doctorate at Princeton University, specializing in international politics. He has taught at Loyola University Chicago and Xavier University in Cincinnati. He headed the U.S. Office to Aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union and later served as rector of the Oriental Institute in Rome, a graduate school specializing in the Christian East. He has lived in Europe and Central Asia and has enjoyed working with students from all over the world.