Fall 2020 Scholars

Claire is a rising senior from Richmond, Virginia. She is studying Government and Economics and is particularly interested in Constitutional Law and Government Advocacy. Claire also enjoys studying the governments of other countries and recently had the opportunity to study abroad in Rome, Italy and appreciated the introduction to European politics. During her semester in D.C., Claire is looking forward to gaining real life experience and having the opportunity to work and study in the nation’s capital.

Kelly Chen is a fourth-year Public Policy Major and Hispanic Studies Minor. She was born in San Francisco, CA and grew up in Kaohsiung, Taiwan; her experiences living between different cultures have motivated her interests in community development, urban planning, and grassroots social change. Previously she was an intern at City Blossoms, a D.C.-based nonprofit, where she fell in love with gardening, building kids-driven green spaces, and ultimately with the city of D.C. itself. She is looking forward to going back this fall, where she hopes to continue exploring career opportunities in the region. In her spare time she likes to cook and to shop for tiny succulents online. And she is always on the lookout for good Asian food.

Frank is a rising senior from Hangzhou, China. Majoring in International Relations and Public Policy, he is particularly interested in international political economy, geopolitical affairs, international development, and various socio-economic policies. On campus, he is a research assistant at the Social Networks and Political Psychology (SNaPP) Lab, where he develops and runs experiments related to political behaviors on social media. Frank is a member of the W&M debate team, which is something he has been participating in since high school. Outside of schoolwork, Frank plays the violin, loves basketball, and enjoys traveling. He has been to 7 countries outside China. Through the DC program, he hopes to realize his dream of working in an NGO or think tank.