The Center for the Philosophy of Freedom is proud to celebrate the graduating students of the 2024 – 2025 academic year. Featured below are a few of the students obtaining either their PhD in philosophy or their Master in Legal Studies with support from the Freedom Center. Congratulations to all graduates of the University of Arizona!
Philosophy PhD Graduates
Travis Quigley
Degree: PhD in Philosophy
Dissertation: Place-Based Liberalism
What’s Next: Travis is joining Wake Forest University’s Philosophy Department as an Assistant Professor.
Path to This Field: His work focuses on moral and political philosophy. In particular he is interested in concepts that hope to balance individuality and community in liberal society.
Favorite Memory: Winner of the 2024 Fink Prize for Outstanding Graduate Student, Travis credits the Freedom Center as a cornerstone of his academic development. Travis is also already a highly published author! Check out his publications here.
”The Freedom Center has been a big part of the success of the Arizona Philosophy department. I've benefited directly from its resources and opportunities and indirectly through the insights of the faculty the FC has supported.
Travis Quigley, PhD in Philosophy
Liz Levinson
Degree: PhD in Philosophy
Dissertation: Cogs in the Machine: Understanding Contributions to Our Own Oppression
What’s Next: Liz will begin a postdoctoral research position at the University of Virginia.
Path to This Field: A graduation gift from her BA in philosophy—the book Justice and the Politics of Difference by Iris Marion Young—sparked her interest in philosophy. Mentorship from faculty like Allen Buchanan on ideology, Jerry Gaus on social norms, and Tom Christiano on theories of power differentials helped shape her thesis and future career path.
Favorite Memory: “I met my fiancé and the best friend group I’ve ever had at the U of A philosophy department.”
”Get in the habit of writing a lot early on, even if you delete everything you’ve written. Habits are stronger than the dreaded blank page anxiety.
Liz Levinson, PhD in Philosophy
Ben Keoseyan
Degree: PhD in Philosophy
Dissertation: Plato and the Greek Origins of Nomocracy
What’s Next: Ben will begin as an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the Wilkes Honors College at Florida Atlantic University.
Path to This Field: A long-standing interest in Plato and the foundations of law led Ben to explore how ancient conceptions of rule by law influence contemporary political theory and how law can be used to limit abuses of political authority.
Favorite Memory: “I will always be grateful for the opportunity to attend and learn so much at the many Greek and Latin reading groups I attended with Julia Annas, Nathan Oakes (PhD, 2022), and Caleb Speakman, and all the classicists who joined us over the years.”
”Try to read at least a little bit of philosophy every day. And start trying to publish as early as you can!
Ben Keoseyan, PhD in Philosophy
Master of Legal Studies (MLS) Graduates
Troy Kinney
Degree: Master of Legal Studies (MLS), concentration in Economics
What’s Next: After retiring from 27 years of teaching high school English Literature, Economics, and Government, Troy is turning his attention to writing—both fiction and nonfiction—and exploring teaching opportunities at classical academies or the college level.
“I plan to draw on what I’ve learned in this program to develop deeper, more thoughtful work across both forms [fiction and non-fiction]. Whether it’s storytelling or analysis, this degree gave me sharper tools.”
Path to This Field: Troy entered the program on a lark after his interest was sparked by the Ethics, Economy, and Entrepreneurship curriculum he began through his school district. It evolved into a deep dive into law and economics, culminating in his joining MLS degree program!
Favorite Memory: “In my very first class, I was completely lost. It had been a long time since I’d taken an Economics course—actually, I hadn’t since high school. I’d read a few books, Freakonomics and Economics in One Lesson, but sitting in that classroom felt like I was a dog paddling in a pool full of fast-swimming fish. I was definitely making a splash with some of my questions, but to his credit, the professor loved it. Eventually, I found my rhythm and felt right at home in the cohort.
”If you're doing this program online, know that it's no lightweight version—it’s challenging, engaging, and at times, intense. I found the flexibility helpful, but I also had to push myself to stay disciplined and ask questions. The professors were responsive and brought great energy to some really fascinating topics and cases. At one point, I mentioned one of our assignments to a lawyer friend, and he said it sounded more rigorous than what he remembered from his law school. So, take it seriously, pace yourself, and don’t be afraid to dive in—even when it feels like deep water.
Troy Kinney, Master of Legal Studies
Michael Saragosa
Degree: Master of Legal Studies (MLS), concentration in Law & Economics
What’s Next: Michael continues in his dream role as co-owner of a public affairs and government relations firm, which he runs with his wife. With over 14 years in the business and experience as a local elected official for the past six years, he plans to apply his studies to the complex public policy issues he encounters regularly.
Path to This Field: A lifetime in politics and public service made the MLS a perfect match for expanding his grasp of the legal and economic underpinnings of policymaking. The program was a great fit to support the work he does daily.
Favorite Memory: “In Professor Gast’s class (Law 504- American Public Affairs) we were discussing NFIB v. Sebelius, and the whole program just clicked into place for me how all the classes in the MLS program built on each other. At that moment, I realized how much I had learned since starting the program and was grateful for having this opportunity to enhance my education after 24 years since first graduating from college.”
”Study hard, but have a work/life balance too. It's important for your well-being and will make you a better doctor/lawyer etc. And, don’t get stuck in the theoretical – apply what you have learned to real-life situations and see if your theories hold outside the state of nature.
Michael Saragosa, Master of Legal Studies
Jim Welty
Degree: Master of Legal Studies (MLS), concentration in Law and Economics
What’s Next: Jim is relocating to Kansas City with his wife and pursuing a career in project management or non-profit leadership.
Path to This Field: With a background in teaching Government and Economics, Jim sought to enhance his understanding of the systems shaping law and market behavior. The MLS program offered a dynamic and practical extension of his prior teaching experience.
Highlight Achievement: In 2023, Jim received the Arizona Award for Excellence in Teaching Financial Literacy—a major milestone in his education career.
Program Reflection: “The Freedom Center has given me a solid foundation in legal and economic theory to be able to navigate business environments as well as academic spaces, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn from brilliant professors and classmates.”
