William & Mary

Washington Center

American Politics 2017 Fellows

	Jenna Carroll '18 Jenna is a junior at William & Mary, studying Government and Finance. She lived in the suburbs outside of Philadelphia until she finished high school, and now lives on a farm in Linden, Virginia with her mom, stepdad, three horses, three cats, and two dogs. During her first two years of college, Jenna was a member of the varsity basketball team at William & Mary and volunteered with the Arc of Greater Williamsburg. She is currently studying abroad in Seville, Spain, where she volunteers with the Red Cross in an after-school program for socioeconomically disadvantaged kids. She takes pride in promoting a happy and healthy lifestyle for herself and those around her. Her favorite hobbies are running 5k races and drinking coffee, and she is very excited to spend the summer in DC exploring future career paths.
	Mia Chand '19 I am a sophomore majoring in Government and Economics and I will be participating in the American Politics Institute this coming summer. I have lived just outside DC, in Falls Church, VA, my entire life and I’m excited to spend more time in the city this summer. My interests vary by day but right now I’m interested in data analytics, geographical analysis, and the effects of public policy on our country. At W&M, I am involved in Merrimac Mentors, Student Assembly, Dining Sustainability, and Camp Kesem!
	Juan Garcia '19 Juan Garcia is a Sophomore at the College from Yorktown, Virginia. Because he was born and raised in Colombia, South America, Juan has a passion for Hispanic culture and is fluent in both English and Spanish. After spending various summers attending and volunteering at the Riverside Regional Hospital and American Legion Boy’s State, he is pursuing a double major in Government and Public Health. On campus he is involved in Men’s Club Soccer, Public Health Club, WCWM Radio club, Ukulele club and is a brother of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Juan is very excited to intern in DC, and use the experienced gained towards a career in Public Health Law.
	Nazrin Garibova '20 Nazrin Garibova is currently a freshman at the College of William & Mary. She previously attended Oakton High School in Vienna, Virginia and thus is an avid D.C. enthusiast - her appreciation for the District only grows with her evolving understanding of its political workings. She is planning on pursuing a major in government with a minor in biochemistry, and hopes to incorporate her love for politics as well as the sciences in her future studies and career. On campus, so far Nazrin has joined Young Democrats, Vox - Planned Parenthood, Tribe Club Hockey, and WM Figure Skating Club. She is looking forward to all the new experiences, knowledge, and opportunities that will be presented to her through the summer institute!
	Spencer Gilbert '20 Spencer Gilbert is a freshman at the College and is from Vienna, Virginia. He intends to double major in Government and Economics. Spencer has been interested in the political process for years, and volunteered with political organizations throughout high school, most recently as a fellow with Hillary for America. On campus, Spencer competes in parliamentary debate as a member of the William & Mary Debate Society, and is his hall’s representative to the Resident Hall Association. Spencer is extremely excited for the opportunities that the DC Summer Institute will present and is ready to experience life in Washington first hand! After graduation, Spencer hopes to work in legislative affairs either in DC or in Richmond.
	John Hager '18 John Hager is a junior at the College of William & Mary studying government. After graduating high school in Buffalo, NY, he studied at the George Washington University from 2014 to 2016. At William & Mary, he is part of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, and helps provide food to families in need in Williamsburg. He also has a passion for music, and hosts his own radio show on WCWM (and previously WRGW). He hopes that his experience with the American Politics institute will broaden his understanding of how our government operates with increasing political polarization in our nation’s capital.
	Laith Hashem '19 Laith Hashem is a sophomore at the college who plans to double major in Government and Economics. He was born and raised inside the capital beltway and has spent many of his summers in the service of his community through various nonprofits. Though he has enjoyed his time working with the Latino community in Mount Pleasant, he is eager to professionally engage with his academic interests with DCSI at the political heart of the city. In his spare time, he has a great passion for reading history, playing soccer, and enjoying the outdoors. He is also a violist of many years, but two years ago found renewed love for playing music in the cello and hope to soon successfully audition for the College’s symphony orchestra as a cellist.
	John Kearns '20 John Kearns is a freshman at the College from Medford, New Jersey. He is majoring in International Relations. He is part of the St. Andrews Joint Degree Programme and will graduate with a degree from William & Mary and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, after spending two years at each institution. John is a member of the IR Club and the College Republicans on campus. John is hoping that the Institute will introduce him to the professional world and prospects for a future career. He is interested to explore politics in DC the summer following a memorable election. In his free time, John likes to run, watch movies and follow the Philadelphia sports teams.
	Carl Lasker '20 Carl Lasker is a freshman at the College of William & Mary intending to major in either government or public policy and minor in psychology. He was born in Washington D.C., and grew up in Arlington, Virginia. Carl’s interest in policy and government was reaffirmed last summer when he interned for JDM Public Strategies, LLC, a lobbying firm in D.C. During his internship, Carl attended congressional hearings, took notes, contacted offices in the House of Representatives, gauged representative’s opinions on the issues, and provided write-ups to his boss. Carl is also passionate about working with children. He worked as a special shadow at a local religious school, and he spends his weekends on campus volunteering at a local community center to do art with children with special needs. Carl is looking forward to the opportunity to build on his classroom generated knowledge and learn how to foster real change this summer through an internship in D.C.
	Corinne Loiseau '18 Corinne Loiseau is a junior at William & Mary. She’s majoring in Government with a minor in Creative Writing, and she grew up in Vermont. Last summer, Corinne interned for a political action committee headquartered in her hometown, and it only strengthened her excitement to experience politics in the more fast-paced Washington D.C. Currently, she’s studying abroad in France where she studies at a prestigious politics school and was able to watch the U.S. presidential election unfold from the perspective of her European peers. On campus, she takes part in student government and makes fundraising calls for the college. Corinne loves anything that has to do with writing, reading, public speaking, or travelling. She is passionate about learning and can’t wait to do it in every way possible in D.C. this summer.
	Rachel Reese '18 Rachel Reese is a junior at the College and is from Lovettsville, Virginia. She is majoring in government and considering a minor in art and art history. Rachel is a member of Chi Omega and serves as secretary of William & Mary Students for Stop Hunger Now. Outside of academics, she enjoys watching old movies, baking, and running. She is excited to be a part of the D.C. Summer Institute and hopes it will help guide her in her career. She looks forward to taking advantage of all of the opportunities this program has to offer.
	Parker Reynolds '20 Parker Reynolds is a freshman at the College from Montgomery, Alabama. She intends to major in government and minor in sociology. On campus, Parker is a Tribe Ambassador, a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, and a Club Tennis team member. In addition, Parker works as an administrative assistant at the McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in public policy or foreign affairs and is extremely excited to be working in Washington, DC this summer.
	Claire Roberts '19 Claire Roberts is a sophomore at the College from McLean, Virginia. She is planning on majoring in Public Policy and French & Francophone studies. On campus, she is a member of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, College Partnership for Kids, and Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She spent Summer 2015 interning at a local political office in Northern Virginia where she registered voters, worked on congressional campaigns, and learned about public policy at work on the local level. As a Northern VA native, Claire has always been interested in government and looks forward to having more hands-on experiences with policy making in DC. She hopes that she can play a small part in enacting real change and work towards a better society for all Americans. As a dual citizen of France and and the United States, Claire is also passionate about French language and culture and hopes to study abroad and intern in France in Spring 2017.
	Andrew Ruhnke '20 Andrew Ruhnke is a Freshman at the College, born and raised in Fairfax County, Virginia. He is intending to major in Public Policy with a minor in either Computer Science or Environmental Science and Policy. He loves following American politics, and engaging with anyone willing to talk about it with him! Here on campus, this interest has led him to joining College Libertarians, to keep hearing new perspectives. Outside of school, he is a board game designer and has designed a game on Julius Caesar's conquest in Ancient Gaul, published by GMT Games. He has long had the goal of working in the government, and is absolutely thrilled to get the chance to study politics in DC and get an internship in or around the government.
	Zack Thornburg '18 Zack Thornburg is a Junior at the College and is pursuing a double major in Public Policy and History. Zack is from the Northern Virginia Area, and has been passionately interested in politics throughout college, and he has a particular interest in intra-party politics and national security policy. On campus, he is co-Directing the Out of the Darkness AFSP walk for its second annual walk to promote suicide prevention. In Greek life, Zack is a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity as well as the Phi Sigma Pi Honors Fraternity. He is also a member of the Alma Mater Productions (AMP) Special Events committee and served as one of the AMP ambassadors to the NACA National Conference for School Programming in 2016. After graduation, Zack looks forward to applying to law schools and hopefully living in our nations capital!
	Parker Toro '18 Parker Toro is a junior studying Government and Sociology at the College. He is originally from Florida. On campus, he works in Residence Life as a Community Advocate. He is also a brother in Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity, and William & Larry, an organization dedicated to lobbying, researching, and writing equal rights policy for the LGBTQ community. Parker interned with the Patrick Murphy for Florida senate campaign over the summer in one of the most contentious races of 2016. He is excited to live and work in D.C. for the summer and delve deeper into the current American political environment. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a master’s degree in public policy and work closely with policy at the state and federal level. Outside of school, Parker enjoys documentaries, tennis, and spending time with his dog, Cooper.
	Sean Willner '19 Sean is a sophomore at the College of William & Mary from Arlington, Virginia. He is hoping to double major in Government and Marketing with an unofficial minor in French/Francophone studies. Last summer, he studied abroad in Montpellier, France, where he learned about French culture and gained an international perspective on world events. He hopes to go abroad again for a semester to Brussels, Belgium to learn more about international politics and continue improving his French. On campus, he works as an Opinions and Online intern for the Flat Hat (the official student newspaper of the College), is a member of the publicity crew for the Sinfonicron Light Opera Company (a group that meets for the second half of winter break and produces light operas), and plays club tennis. Sean is thrilled to be involved in the DC program and apply his longstanding interest in domestic and international politics to an internship.
	Annelise Yackow '18 Annelise Yackow is a junior at the College and an International Relations major with a Public Health minor. She is from Nashville, Tennessee and has had previous experience interning for one of Tennessee's U.S. Senator's campaigns along with interning with her state party. She has also interned for AidData. On campus, she is in her third term of serving as a Student Assembly senator for the class of 2018 along with chairing the Student Assembly Finance committee and serving as the Secretary of the Senate. She is also a member of Gamma Phi Beta and has served on the executive panel for Women's Initiative in Leadership. She is extremely interested in learning about how domestic policy and foreign policy interact and is very excited for this coming summer.