Lee Benzinger grew up in St. Louis, and they are excited to be returning to the region Ph.D. student in Sociology at Washington University. They attended undergrad at Williams College in Massachusetts from 2020 to 2024. As an undergraduate, Lee’s research focused on the intersection of politics, religion, and economics among rural Evangelical Christians – as a Ph.D. student, they hope to continue pursuing this interest in how class, religion, and politics are intertwined in American culture. Outside of their studies, Lee has worked as a writing tutor and as a freelance writer for online entertainment websites. They love oil painting, fiber arts, and spending time with their two tortoiseshell cats.