Staff

Institute for Korean Studies

portrait of Sean Dolan in professional attire

Assistant Programs Director

Sean Dolan is the Assistant Programs Director for the Asian Studies Suite at the Elliott School. In his role, he oversees budgeting, grants management, and financial and administrative matters for the GW Institute for Korean Studies (GWIKS), the Sigur Center for Asian Studies, the GW East Asia National Resource Center (NRC) and for various Asian Studies programs and faculty members. Sean graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in International Affairs and French. After college, he first moved to Korea as an English teacher and then completed an M.A. in International Relations at Sogang University in Seoul. After graduate school, he spent several years working for an international education company in Texas, where he managed admissions for study abroad programs in Korea and several other countries. He later returned to Seoul to direct on-site operations for study abroad programs in Korea. Prior to moving into his current role, Sean previously served as the Program Manager for GWIKS.

Program Manager

rmu123@gwu.edu

Raveena Ugale is the Program Manager for the GW Institute for Korean Studies at the Elliott School. She is coming to us with past experience as an English language instructor in Seoul, South Korea; as the Senior Editor for the Seoul National University Journal of International Affairs; and as a Research Intern at the East-West Center in Washington, DC, among other incredible experiences. Interwoven through her professional experience, Raveena has earned a M.A. in International Studies from Seoul University in Seoul, South Korea; a B.A. in International Affairs from the George Washington University in Washington, DC, and has studied abroad at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea and Sciences Po (also known as the Paris Institute of Political Studies) in Paris, France. Notably, Raveena authored a master’s thesis on U.S. interventionism in the Korea-Japan conflict. Prior to moving in her current role, Raveena served as Project Associate at CRDF Global, a non-governmental organization that delivers capacity building trainings all over the world.

Program Coordinator

takara.askew@gwu.edu

Takara Askew is the Program Coordinator for the George Washington University Institute for Korean Studies (GWIKS) at the Elliott School. She brings a diverse background of academic and professional experiences to her role. Takara earned her M.A. in Applied Diplomacy, with a concentration in International Public Service from DePaul University in Chicago in November 2023. Prior to that, she completed her B.S. in Global Studies, with a minor in Information Technology and Management from Illinois Tech. Her passion for Korean studies was further enriched during her study abroad at Korea University in Spring 2019, where she immersed herself in Korean culture and language. Takara’s academic interests focus on non-proliferation and peacekeeping in East Asia, particularly on the Korean Peninsula. Her dedication to research and scholarship underscores her commitment to advancing understanding and dialogue in Korean studies. Professionally, Takara has a wealth of experience. She recently served within the Public Affairs Department at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, where she honed her skills in communication and outreach. Notably, Takara was selected as a 2024 Presidential Management Fellow, reflecting her commitment to public service and leadership. Takara is excited to contribute to the vibrant academic community at GWIKS and looks forward to engaging with students, scholars, and practitioners in the field of Korean studies.

East Asia National Resource Center

professional portrait of Richard Haddock

Program Associate

lisa.lackney@gwu.edu

Dr. Lisa Lackney is the Program Associate for the East Asia National Resource Center. She graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2020 specializing in Japanese cultural history; her primary research is on the emotional experience of modernity in Japan during the 1920s-1930s. She has written and presented on a variety of topics including transhumanism in anime, Boy’s Love manga, and samurai films.

Program Coordinator

r.kincaid@gwu.edu

Robert Kincaid is the Program Coordinator for the East Asia National Resource Center. He graduated from American University in 2021 majoring in International Relations with a regional focus of East Asia and the Pacific and specializes in cross-strait relations and the U.S-China relationship. His research interests also include U.S- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) relations. He has previoiusly worked in international exchange programming and has experience assisting with the coordination and execution of the State Department’s Young Southeast Asian Leaders Association (YSEALI)..