William & Mary

Washington Center

Fall 2013 Program Scholars

	Ryan Boles '15 Ryan Boles is currently a sophomore at the college of William and Mary pursuing a double major in Philosophy and Public Policy. Originally from Gloucester, VA, he graduated from Mathews High School and Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School for Marine Science. On campus, he is Vice President of Public Policy Club, Residence Hall Association representative for the Ludwell Complex, and a member of The Kenya Sustainable Village Project which travels to the Nyumbani Village every winter to implement a life skills program for graduating students in the village. He loves to travel, napping, movie marathons, video games, and adding songs to a large, carefully crafted, personal music library. He is excited to have the opportunity to live in D.C, witness policy making in the beltway, and explore potential future careers.
	Sam Brecker '15 Sam is a sophomore at William and Mary majoring in International Relations with an intended minor in Environmental Policy. He is from Williamsburg, VA and has lived there for the past 9 years. Sam involves himself with the Club Ultimate Frisbee “A” team and serves as their Social and Media Chair and likes to help out with hosting the middle school and high school model UN conferences at the College. He is also a volunteer for Circle K International and enjoys photography and singing in his free time. Sam is excited to learn more about DC, broaden his network, and understand what it means to be in the working world, especially within his field of interest.
	Andrew Bryant '15 Andrew Bryant is a sophomore at the College from Arlington, Virginia. He is majoring in economics. He is looking forward to the W&M in Washington program so he can gain work experience, learn more about international economics and to learn more about how economic policy is formed. Andrew is involved with the Economics Club, the mentoring organization Students With A Goal and the Delta Chi fraternity. In his free time, Andrew enjoys skateboarding, napping and reading magazines and the news.
	Chris Buchholz '15 Chris is a junior at the College of William & Mary pursuing a double major in Economics and History. Originally from Somers, New York, he graduated from Somers High School in 2011 and was captain of the varsity golf team. He began working at Somers Pointe Golf Club at thirteen, and for the past year has worked for IBM in marketing for their Inside Sales division. On campus Chris is a board member of the College Republicans, and a member of the club golf team. In his free time, he enjoys going to the movies, keeping up to date on the latest tech, and working out. Chris is very excited for the opportunity to study in the nation’s capital and to gain a greater understanding of global economic integration. He hopes to use this experience to further develop his work skills and to help decide his path after graduation.
	Fangwei "Ferra" Chen '15 Ferra Chen is currently a sophomore who studies Finance at Mason Business School at William and Mary. She also wants to minor in economics and concentrate in marketing. She is pursuing her goal of a career in international business. Ferra is an international student who is originally from Nanjing, China. On campus, she is working on diversity and international affairs. She is one of the founders and the current public chair of Chinese Undergraduate Student Association, one of the founders and Design Editor of China Impression Magazine. She has been an elementary Chinese teaching assistant since her freshman year. She is also an active member of Syndicate Hip-pop Team. Ferra is excited for the opportunity to pursue her passion for international economy and business in a professional setting in DC for the fall.
	Michelle Clark '14 Michelle is a senior [as of Fall 2013] double majoring in Public Policy and Environmental Studies from Manassas, Virginia. On campus, Michelle is a lock on the women's rugby team, webmaster of HOPE (Health Outreach Peer Educators) and part of the Healthy Relationships / Sexual Aggression branch, a member of the national honor fraternity Phi Sigma Pi, co-founder of Catan Club, and she drives for Steer Clear most weekends. Michelle is studying globalization and development in Goa, India over the summer before she returns to her native NOVA for this program, and then her final semester in Williamsburg.
	Robert "Justin" DeShazor '15 Justin is a sophomore at the College of William and Mary pursuing a double major in Economics and Government. A native of Richmond, Virginia, his work as a research intern with AidData has immersed him in the field of international development assistance, providing a strong foundation from which to understand the consequences of globalization and the impact of Washington's think tanks and agencies on its deepening. His position as a Resident Assistant, as well as his volunteer work as a tutor with Literacy for Life, has enabled him to form strong bonds with the William and Mary community, greatly enhancing his time at the College. Although his hectic schedule allows little spare time, Justin enjoys winding down with friends over intense games of Mario Kart and he is anxiously awaiting the new season of Game of Thrones. In addition to the new experiences and opportunities, Justin is thrilled to explore Washington D.C. and all that this bustling city has to offer.
	Xuyang "Yasmine" Gao '16 Yasmine Gao is a rising sophomore, intending to major in International Relations. Originally from Beijing, China, Yasmine is an international student. She loves experiencing different cultures and this spring break, she will be in Honduras building a school for a remote village. And this summer, she is studying abroad in Europe. She is excited to experience a semester in Washington,DC and everything the city has to offer.
	Elena Gillis '14 Elena is a senior at William and Mary pursuing a double major in International Relations and Economics. She grew up in Russia and after graduating from high school she moved with her family to Harrisonburg, VA. Elena is interested in economic and political development across countries as well as comparative cultural studies, focusing on literature, art, and philosophy. In her free time she enjoys yoga, drawing, and dancing. While in Washington, DC she is hoping to familiarize herself with the working environment in the city, gain more professional experience, and choose a further career path.
	Erika Johnson '14 Erika Johnson is a junior at the College from Midlothian, Virginia, a suburb of Richmond. She transferred from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, in Fall 2012. At William & Mary, she is a member of the Equestrian Club, volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters at Matthew Whaley Elementary, and works at the W&M bookstore. She is currently pursuing a double major in Government and Psychology. Erika is interested in global politics, and is excited to have an internship and potentially a career in the field upon graduation in Spring 2015. Before that, she would like to spend a semester studying abroad in Madrid, Prague, or London. When she isn’t working or in class, she hopes to spend as much time as possible experiencing the rich, diverse culture of the nation’s capital.
	Katie LeCornu '16 Katie LeCornu is a rising sophomore at the College of William and Mary, and is planning to major in International Relations and Accounting. Originally from Austin, Texas, she is eager to experience the culture and excitement of Washington, D.C. On campus, she is an alto saxophone player in the school Pep Band. She has enjoyed becoming involved in volunteer organizations such as Branch Out and Circle K International. Katie has a love for the French language and dreams of travelling the world. From the W&M in Washington program, she hopes to gain first hand insight into daily decisions regarding economic relations. Katie is thrilled to explore the city and to discover potential career paths.
	Catherine Mahoney '15 Catherine is a junior at William and Mary pursuing a major in Economics and a minor in Mathematics. She is from Oakton, Virginia. At William and Mary, Catherine is a member of the Tribal Dancers, the college’s dance team that performs at home football and basketball games. In addition, she is a part of the Project on Environment, Food, and Conflict (ENFOCO), an interdisciplinary research initiative that studies food security in the developing world. As part of the project, she traveled to Jinja, Uganda and spent one month in a research partnership with the National Fisheries Resources Research Institute during summer 2012. Catherine looks forward to gaining experience in Washington in the institutions where foreign security and development policy is made. In her free time, Catherine enjoys dancing, swimming, cooking, and speaking French.
	Kameron Melton '15 Kameron Melton is a junior at the College pursuing a major in Public Policy. She grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and currently resides in Chesterfield, Virginia, a Richmond suburb. Back in Williamsburg, Kameron served as secretary of the Class of 2015 and as Parliamentarian for her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. She is thrilled to be studying in the vibrant capital city this semester! In D.C., she hopes to learn the bipartisan, problem-solving techniques of think tanks and rub elbows with our nation’s best! For fun, Kameron enjoys shopping, dancing, and traveling.
	Roma Moradian '14 Roma is an International Relations major and Economics minor at the College. Proudly born in Toronto, Canada and raised in Mclean, Virginia, she quickly fell in love with all the fun and opportunities that D.C. has to offer. She discovered her passion for foreign policy after interning for a Congressman and Member of the Committee on Foreign Relations, and has shared that love as a member of the William & Mary International Relations Club ever since! Aside from Model U.N., Roma serves as the alumni liaison to the IR club, represents the finance committee for the College Democrats of America, and is the College Caucus Chair for the Virginia Young Democrats. In her free time, Roma enjoys watching Caps games, hanging out in coffee shops, and jamming out to electronic music. Recently granted the Clinton Global Initiative Scholarship, Roma will be studying abroad in Dubai this summer to further her interest in Middle Eastern Culture and is excited to be living and learning in D.C. this fall!
	Donald Thibeau '16 Donald is currently a freshman at William and Mary. He is pursuing a double major in economics and international relations. He grew up in Dubuque, Iowa before moving to Glenview, Illinois. He spent his summer working at the advertising firm Adelstein Liston in Chicago. On campus, he works for Campus Recreation as an intramural referee and is on the Men’s Club Volleyball team. He is excited about being in a vibrant city and getting some excellent work experience through the Washington Program next semester.
	Megan Woodward '15 Megan is an Economics major, Finance minor at the College and is looking forward to exploring all that Washington, D.C. has to offer. Despite having lived all over the U.S. thanks to the military, she calls Yorktown, VA, home. On campus, Megan is President of Public Policy Club, Secretary of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, and a member of the Howard J. Busbee Finance Academy, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, and Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society. Megan has also cultivated a passion for ballroom dance, serving on the Executive Board of the W&M Ballroom Dance Club and on the W&M Planning Committee for Dancing with the Williamsburg Stars. She is a dedicated movie buff and enjoys singing, traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends. Megan is beyond thrilled to be joining the W&M in Washington team and hopes to expand her global perspective through her internship and classes in pursuit of a career in international trade law.
	Brendan Zehner '15 Brendan is currently a sophomore at the College of William and Mary and a government major. He is from Glenside, Pennsylvania, right outside Philadelphia. On campus he is a volunteer tutor for College Partnership for Kids. Brendan is thrilled by the opportunity of studying for a semester in the nation’s capital. He is especially excited by the combination of learning about economic history and working in an internship focused on economic policy. In his free time, he enjoys talking, napping, and writing.