Power, Politics, & Persuasion

This past year, Sydney transferred from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville to William & Mary. Sydney is a remote student this semester and has not been able to be on campus. She is currently studying Economics but plans to study Marketing once she can (hopefully) be admitted to the Business School. She is passionate about marketing, retail, and social media management. She likes to spend time with her chocolate lab, Wrigley, and family in her free time. She is very excited to be apart of the D.C. Winter Seminars since she will be able to learn while connecting with classmates and people in-and-out of the W&M community.

Undra Tsend is a junior from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia pursuing a major in International Relations and a minor in Russian and Post-Soviet Studies. She is interested in international organizations that pertain to security, economic development, and diplomacy and thus hopes to learn key skills to effectively fine-tune communication and influence in the field. Her interests on campus vary from serving as the communications person for the International Relations Club and editing articles for W&M's journal of international studies, The Monitor, after having previously worked at the Global Research Institute as a research assistant for two years. In her free time, one can find Undra practicing her shaky Russian language skills at the Russian House and routinely purchasing the roast beef sandwich and spicy potato chips at the Cheese Shop (amazing combination).

Jack is a junior from Vienna, Virginia studying Public Policy and Economics at the college. On campus, Jack is a member of the Men's Ultimate B Frisbee team, involved in the Reformed University Fellowship faith group, and served this past fall as an orientation aide for the incoming class of new students. Jack developed a particular interest in studying about the electoral incentives that guide behavior by political elites, and this interest has steered him to this seminar in Politics, Power, and Persuasion in order to better understand the motivations and strategies that underpin tactical decision-making. Jack is excited to meet and network with alumni and professionals during this winter seminar!

Kristy is currently a junior at The College of William & Mary majoring in accounting. Over the past eight years, she has traveled to several foreign countries and lived in numerous amount of states. While living in South Carolina she worked in the restaurant industry and in Hawaii she worked in the retail sector. While traveling to several countries including China and Singapore her interest in the business world was peaked. She decided to pursue a future in business accounting and is eager to travel more and learn everything the D.C. seminar has to offer. After graduation, she has plans to pursue a Masters of Accounting and hopes to work in public accounting. Outside of school, she is a mother of two, a military spouse, and an avid golfer.

Kimberly Lores is a junior at W&M studying Public Policy and English. She is originally from Long Island, New York. On campus, she can be found working as a consultant at the Writing Resources Center, volunteering with the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, writing for The Flat Hat, and training as an advisor in the Conduct and Honor Advisor Program. She is passionate about local government and has interned in the Federal and State Aid Division of her township. Kimberly is excited to participate in the seminar and learn about power, politics, and persuasion.

Mikayla Huffman is a Junior at W&M, majoring in physics and minoring in geology and (unofficially) mathematics. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a Ph.D. in planetary science. Currently, her research focuses on impact physics in our solar system. She has done research with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, the Southwest Research Institute through NASA's SUPPR program, and William & Mary. Mikayla is a Makerspace Student Engineer on campus, and is part of the leadership board for W&M's chapter of the Association for Women Geoscientists. Outside of class, she loves to discuss battle tactics for Dungeons & Dragons and play video games with friends. Mikayla is more than excited to study in DC this winter and to expand her networking abilities!

Bryan is a junior Neuroscience major from Atlanta, GA. He is very involved in neuroscience research at William & Mary and would like to pursue research and medicine after college. Outside of school, Bryan is on the Club Swim team and social chair for his fraternity, Beta Theta Pi. He is looking forward to learning about a new field in Power, Politics, and Persuasion!

Conrad Ning is a junior at W&M and he plans to major in Data Science. He is an international student from Taiwan. On-campus, he is a member of the club volleyball team. He is also a member of the Taiwanese American Student Association and Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He is also a big fan of basketball, his favorite player is Chris Paul. He looks forward to the DC Winter Seminar and learns insightful knowledge from the Seminar!

Miles Hahn (he/him/his) is a current sophomore at the College of William & Mary and is originally from Arlington, Virginia. Miles intends on majoring in Public Policy and Chinese and is particularly interested in working for the government in some form, whether that is as a civil servant, Foreign Service Officer, or member of the intelligence community. On campus, he is involved in many activities including Alma Mater Productions, International Relations Club, Community Council, and the Appeals Committee. This past summer he worked as an intern at the Smithsonian Associates, working to design family and youth programming. Outside of school, he loves to cook, play piano, and bake and is a die-hard Washington Nationals fan.

Alyssa is a sophomore studying International Relations and Public Policy at W&M. On campus, she is on the club soccer team, the JQAS exec board, a member of VOX Planned Parenthood, and in a sorority. She is extremely excited to get to know everyone and have a fun in winter seminar class!

Garrison is a junior at W&M studying biology on a pre-dental track. While originally growing up in North Carolina, he currently lives in Mendham, New Jersey. On campus, he is involved in TribeTHON, Habitat for Humanity, the W&M Dental Society, and the Delta Chi Fraternity. In terms of the future, Garrison plans to attend graduate school immediately after finishing his time at W&M.

Zachary is a sophomore transfer student from the University of Mary Washington. He plans on applying to the Business School and majoring in Finance with a concentration in Business Analytics. He hopes to get into investment banking and eventually private equity after graduating. On campus, Zachary is involved in the Mason Investment Club, the Howard J. Busbee Finance Academy, the Climbing Team, and Greek life. In his free time, he loves cycling, playing the piano, and spending time outdoors.

Julia Campbell is a junior at William & Mary majoring in Biology and Government. She hails from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and is interested in many different topics at the intersection of biology and political science, including public health and pandemic preparedness. On campus, Julia is involved in Professor Settle's SNaPP lab, the W&M Public Health Club, and Phi Sigma Pi. She is excited to learn more about influence and power dynamics within governmental organizations!

Sofi is a senior majoring in History with a minor in Psychology. She has worked at the National Center for State Courts in the Knowledge and Information Services division and currently works as a Resident Assistant at William and Mary. She sings as a part of Tribetones A Cappella group where she serves as Gig Manager and has been an active member of Pi Beta Phi women's fraternity since her first year. She plans to work in the public sector following graduation, and is incredibly excited to learn more about the power of persuasion!

Will Berger (Class of 2023) is a sophomore at William & Mary who is planning on majoring in Government and minoring in Business Management. He is on the hockey team, in Greek life, and involved in political, service, religious and academic interest organizations on campus. After college Will seeks to earn a Master of Public Policy or similar degree and work in national security, lobbying and/or public service. He is looking forward to studying business in the Power, Politics & Persuasion course in the political environment that accompanies most W&M D.C. programs.

Ben is a sophomore at William & Mary with an intended major in finance, a concentration in supply-chain management, and a minor in public health. He is from Arlington, Virginia, and is therefore familiar with Washington D.C. Around campus, Ben is involved as the social media chair for his fraternity, Sigma Pi, and he also is involved in club and intramural sports. He is very interested in supply-chain management and wants to pursue an MBA in his future.

Kate Arnold is a junior at William & Mary from Woodbridge, VA. She is a double major in Government and Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies on a pre-law track. She is passionate about law because she believes it is a powerful tool to help others and hopes one day to either be a public defender or an attorney for a civil rights law firm. On campus, she lets her inner legal nerd loose with undergraduate Mock Trial and Merrimac Mentors. In addition to pre-law activities, Kate is a member of Kappa Delta sorority and Health Outreach Peer Educators. During her downtime, you can find Kate taking night walks through CW with friends or sitting on the Terrace. She is a total extrovert and loves meeting new people, but be warned that she is known to share lots of information about niche topics, including but not limited to: American Girl Dolls, the Amish lifestyle, Taylor Swift, and early 2000s TV shows.

Heather Christensen is a Sophomore at The College of William and Mary majoring in Geology and minoring in Classical Studies. On campus, she is the Secretary of the Barksdale Treble Chorus and the Social Media Planner for Eta Sigma Phi, the Classics Honor Society, and is a sister of Nu Kappa Epsilon, the music sorority. Heather has volunteered with WilliamandMaryTEDx and has been named Key Volunteer with the Marine Corps Marathon for her help over the years. After college, she plans to earn her PhD in the field of geology and work at the Museum of Natural History. Eventually, she would like to be a professor at a university and share her love of learning with future students. She has always been fascinated by life in DC and is excited to take part in the power, politics, and persuasion running rampant in the city.

Robert is a junior at W&M and is majoring in Computer Science and Business Analytics: Data Science. On campus, he works for the Computer Science department helping students in the computer lab, plays for the club tennis team, and is a member of Students for University Advancement. During his free time, Robert likes to cook, run, and play basketball. After graduation, he hopes to be a software engineer for a company that serves its greater community.

Alejandra is a junior at W&M from Fredericksburg, VA. She is majoring in Accounting and Finance with an Economics minor. On campus she is involved in her sorority Pi Phi as VP of Finance and Housing as well as The Flat Hat Newspaper as Internal Business Manager. Alejandra is excited to learn more about the importance of power, politics, and persuasion in an organization and network with alumni this winter!

Richard is a junior at William and Mary studying Government and Business Analytics. He’s from the suburbs of Northern Virginia. He’s previously done work with AidData on their TDF team and has done two diplomacy labs offered by the Global Research Institute. Most recently, he was an Operations Intern at a regional grocer chain located in the Northeastern United States. Outside of his academic studies, he enjoys reading, writing, and contributing to his fraternity, Alpha Epsilon Pi. At home, he has a wonderful beagle named Lulubelle. While not trying to find internships or working, he’s a substitute teacher for Loudoun County Public School.

Jacquie is a junior studying International Relations with a minor in Hispanic Studies. She is involved on-campus in Kappa Alpha Theta and Reveille A Cappella where she is the PR/Media Director, for both. She also works as a waitress at Outback Steakhouse, a Day Care student helper, and a DoorDash delivery driver on the weekends. Jacquie's parents were both in the military so she moved all over, but she currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia.

Ian Peverall is a junior at William & Mary studying Finance with a concentration in Business Analytics. Ian is from Alexandria, Virginia, and has an interest in the intersection of Business and Politics. On-campus, he is a member of a social fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega, and the William & Mary Club Swim team. Ian is excited to participate in the DC winter seminar while learning about two of his academic interests!

Emma is a transfer student studying history and Chinese.