January 2014 Scholars

Martin Baughman '16

Marty is a sophomore at William & Mary majoring in International Relations. Originally from Rockville, Maryland, he chose the College for its vibrant students, professors, and alumni whom he is eager to meet during the program. He hopes to discover opportunities to pursue his fascination with international politics. On campus he is member of the Model UN team and plans to join the crew team next semester. For the past two summers he has been a counselor at the Dream No Borders program, helping foreign youth to improve their English. Next summer he plans to study abroad in Russia. In his free time, he enjoys travel, literature, and extreme sports. 

Emma-Jane Behrens '15

Lynne Boucher '14

Lynne Boucher is a senior at the College pursuing a major in Linguistics and a minor in Anthropology. Lynne works at the Writing Resources Center on campus tutoring both undergraduate and graduate student of all disciplines in any and all aspects of writing. She has also worked as a barista at Aromas, a family owned coffee shop in Colonial Williamsburg, and has volunteered as an ambassador to the College in the Admissions Office. Lynne plans to pursue a graduate degree in Public Health, and hopes to utilize her Linguistics background to facilitate communication across various domains of discourse between providers and the public. She is very excited for the opportunity to study in D.C. and hopes to further her knowledge of government and public policy to better prepare her for graduate school. 

India Braver '16

India Braver is currently a sophomore at the College double majoring in Government and Economics, with a particular interest in international issues. Originally from Warren, New Jersey, India hopes to reside permanently in D.C. one day if she doesn’t end up living abroad somewhere. She is delighted to have this chance to explore the city and learn more about her various fields of interest. On campus, she is involved with the International Relations Club, the W&M Debate Society, APO, and Alma Mater Productions, as well as doing research on the Reform Incentives project at the Institute for the Theory and Practice of International Relations. In her free time, India enjoys playing with puppies and reading good books. 

Efe Brock '14

Efe Brock is a current senior Government major at the College of William & Mary.  At 21 and graduating soon, he hopes to establish a non-profit focused on international aid and development some years down the road.  Born in the Netherlands to an American father and a Turkish mother, he and his family moved all over Europe before settling near Annapolis, MD in 2004.  In his spare time, he likes to spend his hours on the water sailing, most often with a retired army veteran named John.  Although a frequent tourist in our nation’s Capital, he is now excited to experience the new opportunity of experiencing it’s nuances more hands-on.

Davey Chadwick ‘15

Davey Chadwick is a Junior at the College of William & Mary pursuing a major in Marketing with a concentration in Process Management and Consulting. Originally from Ashburn, VA, he attended Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, Maryland. On campus, he is an Executive Editor of the Green & Gold Dispatch as well as the Marketing Manager of a newly founded application titled “Bannerstalker—” an application that assists students in registering for classes. In the Fall of 2014, Davey plans to apply to Masters of Public Policy and Masters of Public Administration graduate programs. In his free time, Davey is an avid sports fan who enjoys intramural sports and following his favorite professional teams such as the Buffalo Bills.

Charles de Azagra '15

Charles is a junior pursuing a degree in public policy. Originally from Winchester, Virginia, Charles spends his free time teaching for and competing on the William and Mary Fencing team and working at W&M IT part time. His policy interests include regulation, policy liberalization, and autonomy. The winter seminar, with its focus on the International consequences of US politics, is relevant to his field of study and will offer new perspectives from working professionals. When not working, fencing, or studying, Charles enjoys reading literature, playing chess, and meeting new people. He is extremely excited for the opportunity to live and study in Washington D.C. and is especially interested in meeting alumni with similar interests to his own. 

Sam Glover '16

Sam Glover is a Sophomore, majoring in Government and minoring in Management Organizational Leadership at the Mason School of Business. In the summer before his freshman year, Sam worked as a fellow for the Obama Campaign, doing grassroots political work in his hometown of Fredericksburg, VA. Sam spent his past summer in D.C. as a fellow in the  W&M DC Summer Institute on National Security, interning at the Department of Transportation in their office of Intelligence, Security, and Emergency Response. On campus, Sam is the Student Assembly Correspondent for the Virginia Informer and a member of the Spotswood Society, which gives tours of the Wren Building.  

Woojae Kim ‘15

Woojae Kim is currently a junior at the college of William and Mary completing a degree in International Relations. He grew up in Burke, Virginia, and graduated from Lake Braddock Secondary School. He’s involved in SPIMA, which travels to Ghana every summer in order to aid in order to foster sustainable growth, development and long-term community connections. In his free time he enjoys reading a good book and taking long naps in the shade. He’s excited at the opportunity the winter seminar is presenting, and looks forward to engaging himself in the course and experiencing DC.

Isabella Yunyu Liu '15

Isabella Yunyu Liu is a junior at William & Mary majoring in International Relations and minoring in Finance. She is originally from Anqing, a small town in Eastern China and has received education from Australia, the UK, Czech Republic, Belgium and Switzerland. She has just finished her internship at the European Parliament and is currently doing an independent research on China's trade defence instruments and free trade negotiations in Geneva and Brussels. During her last years at W&M she was on the executive board of the Public Policy Club and Consulting Club, and volunteering with the Development Ambassadors. She has enjoyed her European adventure so far and is looking forward to return to W&M in the spring.

Adriane Lopez ‘15 

Adriane Lopez is a junior at the College pursuing a double major in Latin American Studies and Public Policy. She is a first generation American born of immigrant parents from Bolivia and is from Herndon, Virginia. This past spring, she interned at the National Council of La Raza in DC. On campus, she is a member of the Latin American Student Union and is part of the Multicultural Ambassador Council at the Admissions Office. She is passionate about Latin American history, international development, policy issues affecting the Latino community in the US, and learning new languages. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, playing trumpet, and spending time with her little sister.

Yaseen Lotfi ‘17

Yaseen is a Freshman at the College of William and Mary with an intended major in International Relations and an intended minor in Middle Easter Studies.  He hails from Jew Jersey, but he is of Egyptian and Spanish heritage.  Yaseen is involved in the Middle Eastern Student Association as part of their Social and Development committees.  He is also part of the Student Hip Hop Organization and is going to be a staffer in high school Model UN conferences hosted by William and Mary’s International Relations Club.  Yaseen enjoys rap music and hip hop culture as well as writing spoken-word poetry (not performing).  He is excited for the DC Winter Seminar because of the opportunities and experiences it will provide.  It will also discuss the connection between domestic policy and foreign policy, the latter being the focus of his studies.

Amanda Lutick ‘16

Amanda is a sophomore at the College of William & Mary pursuing a double major in Finance and International Relations with a concentration in Management and Organizational Leadership. Originally from Manasquan, New Jersey, she graduated from Wall High School in 2012 and was salutatorian of her graduating class. This past summer, she studied abroad in Budapest, Hungary through the Mason School of Business and interned with the commercial loan department at Manasquan Savings Bank. On campus, Amanda is a member of Chi Omega, a Development Ambassador, a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a Global Ambassador, and employee at Phonathon. In her free time, she enjoys running through Colonial Williamsburg, participating in campus activities, and socializing with friends. Amanda is looking forward to the opportunity to study in Washington D.C. and to gain a greater understanding of U.S. domestic and international politics. She hopes to use this experience to further develop her professional skills, to sharpen her political awareness, and to provide insight on future career paths.

Rose Mayo '16

Rose is currently a sophomore pursuing a double major in Public Policy and Finance. Originally from Knoxville, TN she is excited to explore the many thrilling opportunities in the DC area. On campus, Rose is an Epéeist with the William and Mary Fencing Club. She also devotes her time to the Spotswood Society, where she enjoys giving tours of Historic Campus and sharing the history of the college with visitors, students, their families, and alumni. She is an avid lover of Virginia history and spends her spare time traveling, singing, and spending time with friends. Over the summer, Rose worked as a runner in a law firm in her hometown, increasing her interest in the interaction of the law and policy. During her time in DC, Rose hopes to not only learn more about the influence of United States politics in the global arena, but also to experience the culture and history of the nation’s capital and potential career options. 

Johnathan Nowakowski '17

Johnathan Nowakowski is currently a freshman at the College and planning to double major in a combination of Government, Public Policy, or Economics. Born in Chicago, he graduated from William Fremd High School and interned for Senator Mark Kirk over the 2012 summer. On campus, he participates in the Economics Club, College Republicans, Movie Club, Students for Education Reform, and the debate team. He loves traveling, everything political, and is a huge movie buff. Johnathan is looking forward to living in D.C. and learning about possible careers and the policy making process. 

Kirsten O'Haver '14

Kirsten O'Haver is a senior at the college of William and Mary where she is majoring in Sociology and minoring in Management and Organizational Leadership. Kirsten started college at the University of Wisconsin - Madison where she was primarily interested in healthcare. This interest has transitioned to a more institutional or business focus. Kirsten has interned with Thomson Reuters in NYC and Covidien (a medical solutions firm) in Boston. On campus, Kirsten is in a social sorority and also involved with the Consulting Fellowship program at the Mason School of Business where her project is working for a government lab, Jefferson Labs. In her free time, Kirsten likes running, yoga, and television marathons on Netflix. She is excited to spend a week in Washington DC and determine if it is somewhere she would like to live next year, as well as meet new W & M peers.

Keabra OpongBrown ’16 

Keabra OpongBrown is a sophomore at the College, pursuing a double major in International Relations and Hispanic Studies. She is from Woodbridge, VA and attended Forest Park Senior High School in Prince William County. On campus, she is a member of the varsity cheerleading team, a Peer Diversity Facilitator for extended orientation, and a member of the Tribe Club Gymnastics team. She also works with athletics to recruit rising college freshman to Tribe football, is a member of the William & Mary string quartet, and plays national anthems for sporting events at the College. She enjoys cooking, exercise, and homeopathic remedies to cure body ailments. She also has an insatiable passion for language learning and is trilingual. After graduation, she hopes to volunteer with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. 

Jessica Parks '14

Jessica is currently a senior at William and Mary, double-majoring in History and Russian/Post-Soviet Studies. She is from Fredericksburg, VA. She studied abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia, in summer 2013, and has taken the Fall 2013 semester off to complete a State Department internship in Vilnius, Lithuania. During the seminar, she looks forward to visiting sites of interest, especially the main State Department building, and chatting with alums about where they ended up after graduation. On campus she is primarily involved in Alpha Phi Omega and a couple of its various community service affiliations (mainly College Partnership for Kids and Habitat ReStore). In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places (both at home and abroad), reading, belly dancing, and kicking butt at Mario Kart.

Meredith Robinson '14

Meredith Robinson is a senior at the College of William and a native of Virginia Beach. Majoring in Government and Anthropology, she hopes to make use of both fields in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning. On campus she hosts a radio talk show and is on the executive board for Anthropology Club. She is also apart of Global Architecture Brigades, a program aimed at organizing sustainable building projects for communities in need. She is specifically interested in international politics and regional development, and she is excited to witness the policy process from a new perspective in the nation’s capitol. In her spare time she likes to travel, do yoga, and keep up with political news blogs. 

Alexandra “Allie” Rosenbluth ‘15

Allie Rosenbluth is currently a junior at the College of William & Mary pursuing a double major in Government and Environmental Science and Policy. She is originally from DC suburb Vienna, Virginia. At William & Mary, Allie is an active member of the Sailing Team, Alma Mater Productions’ Sustainability and Diversity Committee, and service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. On the William & Mary Sailing Team Allie is not only an accomplished competitor but coaches practices, is the regatta chair, and the former fundraising committee chair. Allie is thrilled to be studying in DC over her Winter Break. She is most excited to hear from speakers on International Climate Change Policy, her academic passion, and other environmental issues. She is also eager to explore new parts of DC she has not yet experienced with the guidance of the William & Mary Washington Winter Seminar. In her free time Allie enjoys sailing, traveling, yoga, hiking, watching retro movies, and gluten-free cooking.

Evan Straka '15

Evan Straka is a current junior at the College of William & Mary.  He is majoring in International Relations and also hopes to receive a minor in Economics.  He is especially interested in the economic development of Latin America and its economic relations with the US.  This past summer, Evan Straka interned at the US International Trade Commission.

Grace Thomas '14

Grace Thomas is currently a senior at the College of William and Mary pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. Originally from Vero Beach, Florida, she graduated from Vero Beach High School. On campus, she is a member of the Varsity Cross Country and Track team and Phi Sigma Pi honor fraternity. She has also volunteered with children’s programs in the Williamsburg area such as the Head Start program and Parks and Recreation Before School Care. Last summer, she taught writing to seventh grade students in Denver, Colorado through the Breakthrough Collaborative program. After graduation, she hopes to teach for several years before becoming involved in education reform. She enjoys running, reading, cooking and crafting. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to spend time in Washington D.C., where she was born, and learn about the ways in which non-profits are able to influence policy outcomes.

Jocelyn Westray '16

Jocelyn is a sophomore at the College pursuing a major in International Relations with a focus in the Middle East and Arabic Language. She is originally from Lovettsville, Virginia, in Loudoun County and she was the Graduation Speaker of Merit for the first graduating class of Woodgrove High School. On campus she is a leader in the faith based group, Baptist Collegiate Ministries, and a member of Nu Kappa Epsilon Music Sorority. She is also heavily involved in Relevant Church and is a leader of its new youth group. In her free time she enjoys singing and playing guitar and piano, as well as writing her own music. She is looking forward to studying in Washington this winter so that she can expand her horizons and learn in a new and exciting way.

Diana Winter '16

Diana Winter is a current sophomore at the College pursuing a major in International Relations with a potential minor in Anthropology.   Hailing from Springfield, VA, Diana graduated from the Madeira School in McLean, VA having developed a keen interest in women’s rights.  After coming to William and Mary, she became a member of Alpha Phi Omega Community Service Fraternity, Tribe Sailing and is currently a Resident Assistant in DuPont Hall.  Diana has always been interested in issues relating to International Development after growing up with her mom’s stories about growing up in Kenya and she hopes to travel to the far corners of the globe after graduation while working with non-profits, government agencies, etc. to promote the development and expansion of women’s education worldwide.  In her spare time she loves meeting new people, listening to music, venturing into the outdoors, or just taking a break and watching TED Talks online.   She cannot wait to spend a week in D.C. getting to know other dedicated William and Mary students and meeting professionals who might be able to offer up some valuable lessons.

John Yoest '17

John Yoest is a prospective Government major at the College of William and Mary. He is a currently a Freshman, having graduated from Yorktown High School, in Arlington, Virginia. John is a pitcher on the Division 1 Varsity baseball team. John was elected Vice President of Advocacy for the Freshman Class of 2017. He is a Boys State Alumnus. In his spare time, he enjoys playing guitar, watching Netflix, and following current events.