Leadership & Community Engagement Fellows

Devin Boateng

Learning Economy

Devin Boateng is a sophomore from Springfield, Virginia, intending on majoring in Business marketing with a concentration in accounting. He has always been involved with various leadership positions and has taken that experience towards wanting to utilize it with a business major. He is involved with Lafayette Kids, a mentoring/tutoring program. He seasonally works at Macy’s fine Jewelry when he ventures home during breaks and home visits. He loves to gain knowledge and develop skills such as playing the piano or mastering the mechanics of a revered fighting game but also enjoys experiencing new things and hanging out with friends. He is still in the process of fully determining his plans for a career choice, but believes business and entrepreneurship will be the foundation of her future.

Keyyatta Bonds '21HeadFirst Summer Camps

Keyyatta Bonds '21

HeadFirst Summer Camps

Keyyatta Bonds is a sophomore at the College, planning to major in International Relations. She lives in Northern Virginia (Woodbridge) and is eager to further explore D.C.! Keyyatta participated in the D.C. Winter Seminar entitled “Urban Education: Policy, Practice, and Leadership” with Professor Stelljes, so she excited to continue expanding her network in D.C. with him as a guide. On campus, Keyyatta is on Alma Mater Productions’ (AMP) Live committee as well as on Council and serves as the Undersecretary for Socioeconomic Affairs under the Diversity Initiatives committee of Student Assembly Cabinet. She is passionate about inclusion and diversity and, in the future, hopes to work in the government as a Foreign Service Officer, local politician, or lawyer to address the inequity of the current system of government through policymaking.

Madeline BrownALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

Madeline Brown

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

Madeline Brown is a sophomore from Blacksburg, Virginia majoring in International Relations and Finance. She has great interest in the law, which has been stimulated by her internship with a local criminal defense firm. She is a member of the Undergraduate Honor Council, Co-Chair of the Earth Week Steering Committee, a member of Branch Out and other service initiatives, and involved in the WM2 and Pre-Law mentoring programs. Madeline hopes to take advantage of DC’s networking opportunities and learn more about advocacy and non-profits in the area over the course of the summer.

James Card '20USAID

James Card '20

USAID

James is a junior from Roanoke, VA majoring in International Relations and French and Francophone Studies. On campus, James is a member of the William and Mary Coast Guard Auxiliary, Peer Tutor at the Tribe Tutorzone, and an actor in Shakespeare in the Dark. Outside of the classroom, James enjoys playing guitar, hiking, and photography. He has studied abroad in both Montpellier, France and Guatemala and has gained a passion in international development. After being one of the first students to take a class in Ethical Leadership with Drew Stelljes and James Comey, he hopes to build on his knowledge of leadership and community engagement for the purpose of allowing his studies at William and Mary lead to meaningful impact at home and abroad.

Paxton Condon '19U.S. Marshals Service

Paxton Condon '19

U.S. Marshals Service

Gloria Cruz Olea '20House Committee on Education & Labor

Gloria Cruz Olea '20

House Committee on Education & Labor

Gloria is a Junior at the College of William & Mary, she is from Newport News, Virginia, pursuing a degree in History and an Educational Studies minor with a focus in Policy & Equity. On campus, Gloria is a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, Someone You Know, H.O.P.E’s Sex Health Branch, an Orientation Aide and walks backwards as a Campus Tour Guide. In her free time you can find her at The Daily Grind, drinking copious amounts of soy dirty chai lattes and gluten free muffins, and meeting with students as Teach For America’s Campus Ambassador. Gloria is passionate about closing the educational inequity gap, writing, graphic design, personality tests and astrological signs. She is extremely excited to spend the summer studying and interning in the Nation’s Capital through the Leadership & Community Engagement Institute.

Sean Doyle '21National Conference on Citizenship

Sean Doyle '21

National Conference on Citizenship

Sean Doyle is a sophomore at the College from Vienna, Virginia double majoring in Government and Sociology with a concentration in Social Problems, Policy, and Justice. On campus, Sean is an Orientation Aide, an executive board member of the Kappa Delta Rho fraternity, a coordinator for the Amnesty International club, and a mentor at the Merrimac Juvenile Detention Center. Off campus, he holds positions as both a Student Activist Coordinator and a National Youth Action Committee member for Amnesty International USA, helping to facilitate grassroots youth activism around the country. Within his work, he is extremely interested in addressing the racial and socioeconomic factors that perpetuate housing, drug, and incarceration inequalities. Sean is excited to spend the Summer in D.C., and he’s looking forward to exposing himself to new points-of-view and perspectives as a part of this institute.

Mariana Eraña Salmerón '21Generation Hope

Mariana Eraña Salmerón '21

Generation Hope

Mariana Eraña Salmerón is a sophomore at William and Mary studying Global Studies with a European concentration and French. On campus, Mariana is a Peer Advisor in the Academic Advising office, serves in the Catholic Campus Ministry as Evangelization Chair and as a small group leader, teaches religious education to Hispanic kids in the community, and works at the restaurant named LOKAL located in Colonial Williamsburg. Having lived in four countries and studied abroad in France in 2014 and 2016, Mariana speaks Spanish, English and French. She is deeply interested in the overlap of government and education work within the international community, and hopes to be able to use her own experiences of living abroad to help transcend cultural and linguistic barriers. In her spare time, Mariana dances hip-hop with Syndicate, she sings Praise and Worship at church, goes on nature walks, journals and spends time with friends and family over coffee or tea. Having received her American Citizenship recently, Mariana is incredibly excited to be able to spend the summer in Washington, D.C. to work to bring positive change in her new home country.

Emily Finto '21SOS Children's Villages

Emily Finto '21

SOS Children's Villages

Emily Finto is a sophomore at the College from Richmond, Virginia. She is majoring in Economics and plans to add a double major in Public Policy. Emily is the Public Relations chair at Catholic Campus Ministry, the Chief Financial Officer for Kappa Alpha Theta sorority for 2019, as well as a classroom assistant with Griffin School Partnerships. After college Emily hopes to join the Peace Corps' Education Program or travel on a mission with The World Race. Ultimately, she plans to pursue a career with a government agency or NGO for global economic development. She hopes to combine her academics and passion for others with her remaining studies at William & Mary as well at the DC Summer Institute this summer.

Victoria Gonzalez '22

Victoria Gonzalez is a freshman from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. She plans to major in International Relations and minor in History. At the college, Victoria plays bass clarinet in the William & Mary Wind Ensemble, is Assistant Director of Technology for the International Relations Club, and competes with the Club Gymnastics team. In her spare time, Victoria enjoys exploring Williamsburg, spending time with friends, and relaxing on a sunny campus bench. Post-undergrad, she hopes to live and work in Washington, DC, doing internationally-focused project work in human rights, environmental preservation, education, or social justice.

Eve Grill '21Generation Hope

Eve Grill '21

Generation Hope

Eve is is a current sophomore at the College of William and Mary, from Vienna, Virginia. She was born and raised just outside of DC and is extremely grateful to have the country’s political scene in her backyard. She is excited to finally be a part of the inner workings of government rather than viewing it from a distance, and learn about the countless opportunities DC has to offer! She is currently studying Government and English and is excited to combine her passion for politics with her eagerness to get involved and learn about her community in a hands-on manner. In addition to Government, Eve is extremely interested about learning about and engaging with other cultures. On campus, she is involved in Griffin School Partnerships as the Communications and Logistics Coordinator, Camp Kesem as a Fundraising Coordinator, and Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority as the Alternate Panhellenic Delegate. She is very humbled to have an opportunity to further explore leadership and community engagement this summer!

Victoria Hernandez '21

Victoria Hernandez is a sophomore at the College from Richmond, Virginia. She plans on double majoring in Government and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies. Outside of the classroom, Victoria is a member of the social sorority Delta Gamma, the College’s Official Dance Team, a member of the Pointe Blank Dance Company and Zodiacs Hip Hop Crew. She also works as the Director of Social Awareness for her sorority, Delta Gamma. She interned at the International Rescue Committee, a non-profit, over the summer that resettles refugees in the greater Richmond area. She helped teach refugees about American Culture as well as a Job Readiness Class to help facilitate the process of becoming self-sufficient within the U.S. After graduation, she plans on going to law school and study international human rights law, specifically in Latin American and Spanish speaking countries. She has a passion for helping women and girls and would like to focus on women’s rights within international human rights law. She is so grateful and excited to be given the opportunity to participate in this institute and cannot wait to start her time in D.C.!

Sonia Kinkhabwala '21Volunteers of America

Sonia Kinkhabwala '21

Volunteers of America

Sonia is a sophomore at the College who hopes to major in Sociology and minor in Management and Organizational Leadership. She is originally from Glen Ridge, New Jersey and holds the Garden State very close to her heart! On campus, Sonia is a tour guide and Tribe Ambassador. She also enjoys volunteering with the Office of Community Engagement and is in the process of planning an initiative to connect W&M students and Williamsburg senior citizens in mutually beneficial relationships. In her free time, Sonia loves to hammock, listen to Oprah’s different podcasts, and relax with friends and family. She is so grateful for the people and experiences that lift her up, and is confident that being a part of the Leadership and Community Engagement Institute will make her better equipped to give back to a world that has given her so much.

Antonella Nicholas '20National Endowment for the Arts

Antonella Nicholas '20

National Endowment for the Arts

Antonella Nicholas is a junior at the College of William and Mary, pursuing a Public Policy major and a minor in Italian Studies. On campus, she currently serves as President of Orchesis Modern Dance Company, and as the music director and pianist for the Catholic Campus Ministry. She grew up in Alexandria, Virginia, where she interned for two summers as a news writer at the Alexandria Gazette Packet. Her journalistic experience fueled an interest in the relationship and communication between non-profits, local government, and active citizens. She is eager to analyze these institutions with greater scrutiny through hands-on experience this summer with the Leadership & Community Engagement Institute.

Henry Quinn '21

Henry Quinn is a sophomore from Denver, Colorado, majoring in International Relations and Economics. Henry is a member of the international relations club service committee and is an undergraduate tour guide on campus. He has a passion for public speaking and community service and is on the executive board of the Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity. Henry is excited to use his time in D.C. to gain more experience in the workplace and to challenge himself in a new environment. Henry plays on the William and Mary club soccer team and enjoys getting outdoors when he has free time.

Salma Rashid '20Safe Kids Worldwide

Salma Rashid '20

Safe Kids Worldwide

Salma Rashid is a junior at the College from Woodbridge, Virginia. She is majoring in Government with a minor in Management and Organizational Leadership. Salma is a Facility Supervisor at the Student Recreation Center, a Resident Assistant, and the Administrative Intern with Housing Partnership, Inc. She is on the executive board for the Minority Pre-Law Association, a member of African Cultural Society, and a mentor with Pearls of Great Price. She is still undecided on what she wants to do after undergrad but is looking forward to exploring what this summer institute has to offer and is excited to spend the summer in DC networking and discovering the city in a new way!

Maddie Talnagi '20EPA

Maddie Talnagi '20

EPA

Maddie Talnagi is currently a junior at the College of William and Mary, where she is a psychology major and history minor. On campus Maddie is a Tribe Ambassador, a Spotswood Society member, a Global Medical Brigade member, and a sister of Kappa Delta sorority. Maddie is from Virginia Beach, VA where she earned her Associate’s degree in social science from Tidewater Community College. While in community college Maddie was a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and graduated summa cum laude in May 2018. Maddie is highly interested in historic preservation and has worked with the National Trust for Historic Preservation as well as Preservation VA. In addition to historic preservation, Maddie is involved with nature conservation and education and spent her summer working in Italy as an Au Pair. After graduation Maddie hopes to attend graduate school for nonprofit leadership or international relations and social justice. Outside of the classroom, Maddie can be found hiking, kayaking, and restoring oyster habitats. She is looking forward to exploring career opportunities and living in the Nation’s capital.

Caitlin Walker '21Department of Justice

Caitlin Walker '21

Department of Justice

Caitlin is a sophomore from Richmond, VA majoring in Government and Geology. On campus, she is involved on the executive boards of the Swing Dance Club and Figure Skating Club, as well as hosting a weekly radio show through the WCWM campus station. She also works as a Resident Assistant and as the WMPD student employee. She enjoys photography and is very excited to spend the summer living in an extremely photogenic city. Throughout this institute, she is eager to experience the liveliness of Washington, D.C. life and to discover the connection between societal views of both the current political polarization within the U.S. and debates on topics regarding climatology to their impact on individual citizen engagement in their localities.

Maggie Wells '21

Maggie Wells is a sophomore at the College pursing a major in Sociology and a minor in Educational Studies. She is originally from Danville, Virginia. On campus, Maggie is the Social Chair of Tri Delta, a Facility Supervisor at the Student Recreation Center, and a Teaching Fellow for the Sharpe Scholars Program. In her free time, Maggie likes to read, run, and hike. Maggie participated in the D.C. Winter Seminar “Urban Education: Policy, Practice, and Leadership” with Professor Stelljes, and is excited to continue living and learning in D.C.