Close menu Resources for... William & Mary
W&M menu close William & Mary

Identity, Power, and Profit

 Thomas Elmore
wm_cypher_green.png

Thomas Elmore

Thomas is currently pursuing a degree in marketing at W&M with aspirations to serve in a macro-level marketing role within the government. He is currently gaining valuable experience as an intern with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, where he has had the chance to apply those skills in the field. Beyond Thomas's career goals, his wife and him are planning to open a nonprofit clinic as she completes her studies, combining their efforts to make a positive impact in the community.
 Elif Erdogan
eerdogan.jpg

Elif Erdogan

Elif is a Sophomore from Virginia Beach studying International Relations on a Pre-Law track! She is interested in understanding how culture influences political actions and building bridges between countries. On campus, Elif is highly committed to giving back to her community as a Posse Scholar, Tour-Guide and an Undersecretary for the Diversity and Inclusion sector of W&M Student Assembly. Outside of academics, Elif enjoys reading, going on runs, and is always excited to take on new experiences. During her time in DC, she is eager to discover her go-to bagel shop!!
 Nina Bugg
nbugg.jpg

Nina Bugg

Nina Bugg is a junior majoring in Biology and Kinesiology on the premed track and she is so excited to have the opportunity to study in DC this winter break! A little bit about her is that she loves making coffee and spending time with my friends either going on walks, studying or watching movies together! On campus, she is president of the Kinesiology Club, the treasurer for a sexual violence prevention club, and a Peer Advisor and Orientation Aide! She is beyond excited to meet new people and open her eyes to new perspectives and opportunities through my journey in DC.
 Sam Gasteiger
sgasteiger.jpg

Sam Gasteiger

Sam Gasteiger is a senior from Fairfax, VA majoring in Public Policy with a minor in Gender and Sexuality studies. He has a strong passion for social and environmental issues and hopes to pursue a career in either policy or law. This past summer, Sam interned at Stantec consulting where he was able to gain experience in environmental justice and GIS analysis. 

 Muhammed "Mo" Al Saffar
masaffar.jpg

Muhammed "Mo" Al Saffar

Muhammed "Mo" Al Saffar is a FGLI neuroscience major and psychology minor at William & Mary, where he is a WMSURE and Monroe Scholar. Originally from Iraq, Mo brings a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equitable practices to his academic and professional journey. Driven by a passion for the intersection of neuroscience and public policy, he aspires to work in government as a consultant or advisor on neurological legislation.

Mo is also actively engaged in research as part of Professor Dickter’s Social Cognition Lab, where he explores social group perception and cognitive processes. Additionally, he serves as an advisor for a youth program focused on government processes, advocacy, and activism, guiding teens in leadership and civic engagement. Beyond these roles, Mo is involved in several other campus activities, bringing his dedication and enthusiasm to multiple aspects of university life.

Outside of academics, Mo is an avid musician, playing multiple instruments and participating in the Middle Eastern Music Ensemble. This involvement allows him to connect with his cultural roots while supporting his passion for intercultural expression.

Through his work, research, and advocacy, Mo strives to create a world where informed policy and diverse perspectives foster equitable opportunities for all.

 Greta Lin Risgin
grisgin.jpg

Greta Lin Risgin

Greta Lin is senior at William & Mary from Boston, MA. She is majoring in Data Science and Russian, Eastern European and Eurasian Studies. Last semester she studied Russian language at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Kazakhstan, and spent the summer doing research with the Charles Center in Tbilisi, Georgia. In her free time she enjoys drawing, sailing, and hanging out with her two cats (Snoopy and Smudge).
 Jada Bonds
jbonds.jpg

Jada Bonds

Jada is a materials science major interested in sustainability and corporate infrastructure. Outside of class she loves to bake and listen to kpop!
 Kseniya Rozhkova
wm_cypher_green.png

Kseniya Rozhkova

Kseniya Rozhkova is a senior at William & Mary. She is majoring in Economics and minoring in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Academically, she is engaged as both a teaching assistant and tutor for foundational economics and accounting courses, and furthers her understanding of economic analysis and policy through my research position on the W&M Federal Reserve Challenge team. Outside of academics, she serves as Vice President of Finance and Housing role for her sorority, Pi Beta Phi. She also works part-time as a sales associate at Orangetheory Fitness, where she gets to utilize her passion for physical and mental wellness.
 James Barber
wm_cypher_green.png

James Barber

 Arya Shryock
arayshryock.jpg

Arya Shryock

Arya is a senior pursuing a degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics, participating in the Winter 2024 seminar program. She has lived in Northern Virginia for most of her life before coming to W&M, and is excited to take her studies back home. Post-grad, she is excited to bring her knowledge and experience to D.C. In her free time, she enjoys reading, especially sci-fi, and finding new foods to cook for her and her friends.
 Connor Megill
cmegill.jpg

Connor Megill

Connor Megill is a senior from New Jersey majoring in Business Analytics and Data Science. On campus he is involved with the co-ed business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi and also likes to attend Tribe Adventure Program trips. He loves the outdoors, so hiking, camping and exploring are some of his favorite pastimes. He also really enjoy listening to music, playing the guitar, and has recently gotten into creative writing.
 Daniel Robbins
wm_cypher_green.png

Daniel Robbins

 David Omitogun
domitogun.jpg

David Omitogun

David is a junior studying Business Analytics at William & Mary's business school. He is a first-generation immigrant from Nigeria who enjoys art, history, and music.
 Dhanbee Suh
dsuh.jpg

Dhanbee Suh

Dhanbee Suh is a sophomore studying Economics and Business Analytics (Supply Chain) at William and Mary. She is interested in behavioral economics, ground level impact on the microeconomic scale, and interdisciplinary STEM applications. She most recently interned at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), supporting decarbonization and energy policies for buildings across the nation. In her free time, Dhanbee enjoys music – concerts, playing instruments, and acapella, as well as exploring the cities and nature around her.
 Emmanuel Sampson
esampson.jpg

Emmanuel Sampson

Emmanuel is a double major in Physics and Philosophy with a concentration in Engineering and Applied Design. With creative interests in film and electronics, he is often seen in research labs on campus or capturing moments as a campus photographer for the Charles Center. Outside the classroom, Emmanuel spends much of his time working as a studio writer and serving as president of the William and Mary Robotics Club. Emmanuel aspires to maintain a balanced life where he can pursue technical advancements while finding ways to communicate complex ideas to the general public.
 Ethan Judson
ejudson.jpg

Ethan Judson

Ethan Judson is a rising Senior at William & Mary pursuing a degree in Finance with a concentration in Business Analytics and an Economics minor. Ethan is a big people person who loves building connections and getting to know people more deeply. He is an ambitious, knowledge-hungry, and passionate student who craves environments to challenge himself. Some of his favorite hobbies include going to the gym and reading The Wall Street Journal. As an active member of the Howard J. Busbee Finance Academy & Investment Club, he hopes to build on his knowledge and experiences by taking on challenges in the finance field.
 George Zhou
wm_cypher_green.png

George Zhou

George Zhou is a junior at William & Mary majoring in Government. As an international student from China, George has always sought to bring a unique perspective to his studies and a deep interest in law and politics. He is passionate about examining how legal and political systems around the globe address issues of equity and justice. His academic journey has been enriched by courses in public policy, local government law, and international politics. These helped him understand how laws protect rights and shape power structures. George's passion for law grew through his experience as a paralegal at Junhuan Law, LTD., where he assisted with corporate and labor rights cases, focusing on wrongful termination and compensation claims. Outside of the legal field, he developed his advocacy skills as a volunteer with The Compassion Advocacy Network, promoting justice and inclusion for local marginalized communities. Outside of the classroom, George enjoys soccer, music, and cars, and is eager to connect with others on these interests. He is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese and would love to share his language skills with classmates. George aims to attend law school after graduation and use his background to advance equity and justice as a future lawyer.
 Owen Brian Rempfer
orempfer.jpg

Owen Brian Rempfer

Owen is a dedicated scholar at William & Mary, driven by a passion for understanding human experience and creating impactful solutions that integrate psychological insight with technological advancement. Majoring in computer science, he combines his studies with an intense interest in humanizing artificial intelligence, exploring how emotional intelligence and adaptability can be modeled to support diverse needs in real-world contexts.

Owen’s research delves into the intersection of neuroscience, computer science, psychology, and philosophy, with a particular focus on consciousness, motivation, and the mind’s adaptability. He’s committed to understanding and advancing tools that bridge the gap between theory and application, aiming to address challenges in mental health, inclusivity, and education. His unique approach draws on his personal journey of constant self-improvement, where he’s cultivated resilience, adaptability, and a perspective that values proactive growth over reactive change.

Outside of academia, Owen actively engages with entrepreneurial and leadership opportunities that allow him to share his insights, often working on projects that foster a more empathetic and socially aware future. As a scholar in the D.C. Semester program, he looks forward to expanding his understanding of diversity and workplace equity, collaborating with others who are equally committed to making a difference.

 Parah Shaw
pshaw.jpg

Parah Shaw

Parah Shaw is a sophomore at William & Mary. She intends to major in Finance with a concentration in Marketing and a minor in Africana Studies. Through her studies, Parah is committed to learning about the finance world and the histories of the African diaspora. Parah has gained practical experience through retail jobs and her current roles as a Student Fellow for the WMSURE Program and a Mentor for the Monroe Scholars Program! On campus, she is involved with Tribe Innovation, the Lemon Project Society, ESSENCE-Women of Color, and The Women’s Network.
 Qicheng Sun
wm_cypher_green.png

Qicheng Sun

 Seleste Reyes Ambriz
wm_cypher_green.png

Seleste Reyes Ambriz

 Helen Lu
hlu.jpg

Helen Lu

Helen Lu is a sophomore at W&M. She majors in Chemistry. Although she is an international student from China, she attended a boarding school at Lititz, Pennsylvania. She loves reading, cooking, spending time with her family, talking with friends, and playing with her dog. For her career, she plans to go into the pharmaceutical field.
 Cindy Zhang
wm_cypher_green.png

Cindy Zhang

 Pengyu Zhao
pzhao.jpg

Pengyu Zhao

I am an international student from China, currently studying mathematics. Alongside my academic pursuits, I have a deep passion for music and sports. I particularly enjoy rock music and play the guitar, which allows me to express my creativity and connect with others who share similar interests.

In addition to music, I am a devoted football fan and have supported Manchester United for seven years. My love for the team has brought me countless memorable moments, as I eagerly follow their matches and discuss tactics with friends. Football is more than just a sport to me; it’s a community that fosters camaraderie and shared enthusiasm.

Balancing my studies with my interests in music and football is essential for my overall well-being. Playing guitar serves as a creative outlet, helping me unwind after a long day. On match days, I immerse myself in the excitement of football, cheering for my team and engaging with fellow fans.

As I navigate my time as a student abroad, I look forward to exploring opportunities that blend my passions with my academic background. Whether it's participating in music clubs or joining local football communities, I aim to make the most of my experiences. Ultimately, I hope to forge connections that enrich my life and contribute to my personal growth.