Lara Kavalauskas

Lara Kavalauskas is a junior majoring in International Studies-Global Security, History, and Political Science with a certificate in European Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her interests include foreign relations, international law and policy, and the intersections of identity and political boundaries, particularly as they relate to migration and the Americas region. With a passion for research, Lara takes a deeply historical approach to understanding contemporary events and ideas.  

Lara’s recent projects have focused on current and alternative policies to address criminal governance in Mexico, examining community-based security initiatives, and a historical analysis of the preservation of Slovak ethnic identity through St. Anthony’s Parish in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She is currently in the process of publishing work in the CIRA Journal and the Wisconsin Magazine of History related to this research. 

Outside of CIRA, Lara is also involved in the Pre-Law Society at UW-Madison and independently volunteers for local non-profit organization Open Doors for Refugees as a child-minding volunteer while parents attend English classes. In her hometown of Delafield, Wisconsin, Lara holds several positions at a local restaurant including ToGo Specialist, Delivery Specialist, Certified Trainer, and Safety Officer. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, live music, watching documentaries, thrifting, and spending time outdoors.