Urban Education Fellows

Olivia is a junior studying neuroscience and public health at William and Mary! She is from Durham, NC and her post-graduation plans are currently to go to veterinary school. On campus, she is involved in the Undergraduate Student Conduct Council, Delta Delta Delta, and works at a psychophysiology research lab! In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, and take lots of walks in CW! She is very excited to learn more about how her interests in health outcome inequities overlap with inequalities in urban education!

Zaria is a senior from Surry, Virginia, majoring in psychology and minoring in educational studies! On-campus, Zaria is involved in Griffin school partnerships, community council executive board, and brown table talk. She is currently conducting research that examines diversity in award-winning beginner books. She hopes to become a licensed counseling psychologist. This career goal stems from the lack of diversity and inclusion in the field and her hopes to fill the gap. When Zaria is not actively working towards her goals, she enjoys reading, meditating, and journaling while sipping hot tea. She is eager to expand her knowledge of educational policies through this course.

Faith Odom, a Danville, Va native, is an academic junior studying Psychology at W&M. On campus, she participates in Griffin School Partnerships and Brown Table Talk. Her career goals includes becoming a Physician's assistant with a concentration in the specialty of women's health. Her favorite activities include baking and spending times with friends. She is very excited to further her knowledge on education policy as well as provide a diverse perspective to the program.

Kacey is a sophomore from Herndon, Virginia. On campus, she's involved with Griffin School Partnerships, the W&M Wind Ensemble, and the Heideman research lab. She is excited to be part of this Winter Seminar and learn more about education beyond the student perspective!

Anna Gruneich is a Junior studying Marketing and is from Park City, Utah. On campus, she is involved with the Entrepreneurship Center, TEDxWilliam&Mary, Women in Business, and Alpha Chi Omega. During her free time, you can find her walking around Colonial Williamsburg with friends or doing anything crafty!

Alex is a junior studying government and film at William & Mary. He is from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, and around campus he is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and co-president of the Film Society at W&M.

Elizabeth Holemans is a sophomore at W&M, who is originally from Arlington, Virginia. She is planning on majoring in government and minoring in sociology. She is planning on pursuing law school after graduation.

Jessica is currently a Junior at W&M majoring in Government and minoring in Education Policy from Baltimore, Maryland. She is involved in her social sorority and Someone You Know, William & Mary's Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Advocacy group. Additionally, Jessica serves on the Fraternity Sorority Life Steering Committee on Sexual Misconduct, and as an Orientation Aid. She has previously served as a Classroom Assistant at Mathew Whaley Elementary School through Griffin School Partnerships. Jessica looks forward to discovering the opportunities to erode systemic inequalities within public school systems through this course.

Alex Johnson is a junior from Burke, VA studying English and Linguistics. She works in the Writing Resources Center as a peer-consultant and peer-administrator, plays cello in the Symphony orchestra, and researches disability discourse as a research assistant in Dr. Cochrane’s Discourse Analysis lab. After school, she plans to stay for the 5th-year master's in Secondary Education so that she can teach high school English before moving on to work in school administration and policy. It’s her dream to eventually become the Secretary of Education! Outside of school, her favorite hobbies include painting, sending snail mail, and playing Super Smash with her housemates.

Nic is a senior studying Finance and Data Science. Nic is from Fairfax Virginia, and he went to Flint Hill School in Oakton for the majority of his life. When Nic graduates, he is going to work as a consultant at Ankura in Washington D.C. At William & Mary, Nic participates in Greek Life, Finance Academy, and IM Sports. In his free time, Nic enjoys going to the gym to lift or play pick up basketball, playing video games, and watching tv (mostly comedy). Nic has a little brother who is a freshman at UVA, who he is very close with. Nic is excited to participate in the Urban Education winter seminar, and is looking forward to meeting everyone soon.

Karen is a junior from outside of Philadelphia studying mathematics at W&M, and she hopes to earn her Master's in Education through the fifth year program so that she can teach high school calculus. Outside of her academics, she works as a tutor at the Writing Resources Center, sings in Reveille A Cappella, and plays ultimate frisbee on Cypress. Even though she won't experience DC, she is still excited to learn about different types of education in different environments and the ways that location impacts learning.

Caitlin Dolt is a junior from Dallas, Texas currently studying Physics and Classical Studies at W&M. Outside of class, Caitlin researches Isaac Newton's Principia, volunteers with APO, and is on exec for the Society of Physics Students. Her hobbies include volunteering, watching documentaries, and playing MarioKart. She is very excited to take Urban Education to prepare for a successful teaching career!

Soleil Ephraim is a senior majoring in Sociology and Hispanic Studies at W&M. She is from Annandale, Virginia. Outside of class, Soleil has found her home on campus through her involvement in FASA (Filipino American Students Association) and Zodiacs, an urban hip-hop dance crew. During winter break she is eager to participate in the Urban Education DC Seminar to learn about the distribution and execution of education in the United States. In particular, Soleil is interested in better understanding how schools assist in identity formation and maintain gender and racial hierarchies. In the future she hopes to engage in advocacy and community-building work that focus on her intersecting passions of environmentalism, feminism, and health care.

Margot Flanders is a Senior studying Theatre with a minor in English. Her areas of focus include Theatrical Education, Arts Administration, and Directing. She spends most of her time in rehearsals but is also the President of Shakespeare in the Dark, the Production Manager for the Sinfonicron Light Opera Company, and the Treasurer for the Theatre Students Association. She is also currently the Producing Intern for a virtual theatre company, Aguas Arts Ink. When she is not busy with theatre, Margot can be found reading (hopefully somewhere in the woods), playing with her dogs, or trying to make the perfect cup of tea.

Risa is a senior studying Latin American Studies and Economics at William & Mary. Her topics of interest include racial dynamics in the Americas, labor economics, and urban issues. She is currently residing in Puerto Rico doing research on migration and racial identity among Dominicans in the United States. In the past, she has been involved with Amnesty International and hopes to get into NGO work post-graduation.

Brian is a junior studying Public Policy. Outside of school, he is the president of a William & Mary a cappella group, the Stairwells, and is also an active member of the social fraternity Delta Chi. He enjoys spending his time singing, drawing, and skateboarding. He is very excited to learn about urban education and be in D.C. over this winter break.

Noah Dalbey is a Junior at the College, studying Sociology with a concentration in Social Problems, Policy, & Justice. In addition to focusing on the sociological discipline, Noah enjoys the multidisciplinary environment of W&M, and has taken advantage of classes in a variety of topics, including; Architecture and Urbanism, Politics, American Public Policy, and Music. Noah is a native of the DMV area (Maryland to be specific), and is extremely excited to learn from Professor Stelljes in the Urban Education class.

Collin is a junior from California studying government and environmental policy. He is involved with leading outdoor trips, Habitat for Humanity, and a cappella at the university. Collin is passionate about wellness policy and is excited to develop his understanding of urban educational systems through the winter seminar program.

Kathy is a senior majoring in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics. At W&M, she is a member of the Society of Women in Computing. She also works at the Technology Support Center and the Sadler Center as A/V technician. She is very excited to learn more about inequality in education and ways to mitigate it.

DeJah Robinson is a sophomore from Northern Virginia. She is majoring in Linguistics with a minor in Arabic Language and Literature. She is a W&M Scholar and the chair of Alma Mater Productions’ (AMP) Impact Committee. Additionally, DeJah served as a peer in the Reves Center’s Virtual Conversation Partner Program this past fall and is currently one of the student representatives for the Modern Language’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. After she graduates from William & Mary, DeJah plans to attend law school or work for the United States Department of State in hopes of helping school districts obtain equal access to education domestically or internationally.

John is a sophomore from Shelby Township, MI majoring in Kinesiology and Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health on the pre-physician assistant track. He is involved as an Orientation Aid, Tribe Ambassador, and Health Peer Educator. He is also apart of the Student Assembly as well as social and service fraternities.

Helen is a junior from Charlottesville, Virginia studying English and Public Health at William & Mary. She is involved in Amnesty International, Vox, Active Minds, and Delta Gamma on campus. Helen is passionate about social justice and hopes to go to law school someday to work in health care reform and policy. In her free time, she is passionate about reading, writing, campfires, concerts, and overalls.

Jennifer Hundley is a junior at William & Mary studying Public Policy and Psychology. Her passion for children fuels her academic interests and desire to work in education policy. Over the summer, Jennifer served as the Customer Service Management Intern for EdConnective, a startup that works to ensure teachers are prepared to provide students with excellent, and equitable, education. In Williamsburg, Jennifer tutors middle school students through the Griffin School Partnership, is a middle school Wyldlife mentor, and teaches ballet to students at Greenwood Christian Academy. On-Campus, she has served as the Scholarship Director for Kappa Alpha Theta, is Co-Captian of the William & Mary Dance Team, and is a member of Pointe Blank dance company. Additionally, she is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Lamda Delta, and Pi Sigma Alpha academic honor societies. She has loved the opportunity to explore new interests at William & Mary and become deeply involved with her community and classmates. As a member of the Urban Education Winter Seminar, Jennifer looks forward to further pursuing her interest in promoting equitable education. 

Hammond is a junior from Boston, MA studying International Relations and Finance. On campus, she is involved in her social sorority Delta Gamma, Club Sailing, and APO. She's excited to be experience the DC Winter Seminar and further her understanding of Urban Education

Jessica is a junior from Long Island, NY, majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Art and Art History. At W&M she is involved in the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, a member of the club sailing team and is part of a mentoring program for middle school girls through the Society of Women in Computing. She is also involved in her social sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, and served as the Assistant Membership VP. Jessica is passionate about education and taught at a software coding camp over the summer. She is excited to learn more about urban education during this DC program!

Christian Manigo is a native of Virginia Beach, graduating from the Legal Studies Academy at First Colonial High School in 2019. He is currently a sophomore at William & Mary majoring in Government and minoring in Educational Studies with a concentration in Policy and Equity. On campus, Christian is involved in Student Assembly as Undersecretary for Socioeconomic Affairs within the cabinet of Diversity Initiatives. He is also a Student Fellow for the William & Mary Scholars Undergraduate Research Experience (WMSURE) program, which focuses on providing unique research opportunities to BIPOC and first-generation students and assisting those students in navigating a predominantly white institution. Most recently, Christian engaged in research under the supervision of Professor Janise Parker of the School of Education, which focused on culturally responsive practices in public schools and levels of self-determination in African-American students and its impact on academic achievement. While he plans to attend law school after graduation, he maintains a deep and growing passion for equity in education. He hopes to be able to acquire skills through this program that will allow him to bridge both his career aspirations of being a lawyer and his passion for promoting equitable education.