2023-2024 Scholars
Madelyn Bobko '27
Abel Yared '27
Adelia Purcell '27
Adelia Purcell '27
Alexis Dolack '25
Alexis is a senior studying international relations with a minor in economics. She recently spent one year abroad in Lisbon immersing herself in Portugal's rich culture, which is what motivated her to apply for the Global Scholars Program. Outside of her goals of becoming a future global policy-maker, her hobbies include anything creative. From being a member of TribeTones a cappella, to creating and hosting a weekly podcast for W&M students, Alexis loves seeing her work enjoyed by others. You can find her clocked in at the McLeod Business Library or the Swem TutorZone, and this summer she will be working with AidData's TUFF team as a research assistant. She was an intern for the Project on International Peace and Security, which reinstilled her belief that teamwork and communication are how global challenges will be addressed - and ultimately - resolved.
Alexis is thrilled to be a member of the Global Scholars cohort, and is looking forward to all the new ideas and perspectives that will come out of working alongside a diverse group of students.
Alexis Reese '27
Amelia Raffel '27
Ariane Naim '26
Bayne Nobili '27
In his other time, Bayne is heavily involved with the William & Mary Catholic Campus Ministry as a small group leader, altar server, and Sophomore Rosary organizer. He is also a competitive powerlifter and enjoys taking a load off in the gym, where you can find him most evenings.
Clio Cartin '27
Clio is a Sophomore majoring in Philosophy with a minor in Data Science, and studying Chinese at the College of William & Mary. She hopes to pursue a career at the intersection of foreign affairs and advanced technology. Clio has participated in language programs abroad in both Taipei, Taiwan, and Merida, Mexico. Prior to attending William & Mary, Clio interned at the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and at Crumpton Global LLC.
Career goals and academics aside, she serves as the Tribe Women's Rugby Team's Social Chair, a Committee Director for Model United Nations, and as Assistant Social Director to her sorority, Delta Delta Delta.
Bryce Cloonan '26
Connor Gold '26
Connor is a junior from Marblehead, Massachusetts studying Government and Global Business. Connor's primary areas of interests are national security, international business, and of course, U.S.-China relations. At W&M, Connor is very active in the International Relations Club (IRC) and has held numerous leadership positions in the organization involving project management, financial oversight, and media skills. Connor hopes to work in global consulting out of college before pursuing the foreign service. Outside of his studies, Connor is an avid movie fan and loves swimming, basketball, and traveling.
Daniel Russell '25
Daniel Russell is a rising senior double majoring in Government and Philosophy, focusing on comparative politics, with interests in comparative law and urban planning. He is an active member of multiple on-campus organizations, including the William & Mary chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society, Team Blitz club running, and the founding president of the Liberal Students League political debate group. Over the summer of 2024, Daniel studied abroad at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, and interned at the US Army Training and Doctrine Command. After graduation, he intends to continue his education through law school to pursue a career in public service.
Dylan Mantovani '26
Dylan is a junior studying international relations at William and Mary. Over the past year, he has worked with the Institute for Integrative Conservation, researching watersheds in Nepal. His research focused on the international agreements that Nepal, India, and China have. In addition to international relations, he has a passion for GIS courses and hopes to find a career in Geospatial intelligence. Dylan is excited to see how the Global Scholars Program can shape his understanding of international security and prepare him for his career. Outside the classroom, he is an active brother in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and a peer reviewer for the James Blair Historical Review. When he is not busy with schoolwork or extracurricular, he likes to explore the outdoors by hiking, camping, and skiing.
Elisabeth Nielsen '27
Elisabeth is a sophomore at William & Mary studying International Relations and Public Policy. She is interested in International Security and Defense. Last Summer Elisabeth held an internship with the US Army War College studying NATO's defense posture and the implications of the war in Ukraine. Elisabeth also served as research intern for the William & Mary Global Innovation Challenge (WMGIC) and is currently serving as their director of Recruitment, and currently serves on the Undergraduate Honor Council. She also currently works as a lifeguard for Campus Recreation. In her free time Elisabeth likes to read, bike, bake and learn new languages!
Ethan Sha '26
Ethan is a junior from Bristol, Tennessee studying International Relations with a minor in History. He serves as a Research Officer for the William & Mary chapter of the John Quincy Adams Society, researching and presenting on current issues in foreign affairs. He has also interned with the U.S. Army TRADOC’s Mad Scientist blog where he published articles on the future of asymmetric warfare in the Middle East. Ethan’s primary interests focus on the challenges and opportunities of shaping America’s image in strategic theaters. He is currently studying Arabic and hopes to pursue a career in diplomacy after graduation, potentially with a focus on the Middle East & North Africa region.
Outside of his interests in International Relations, Ethan reviews submissions for the James Blair Historical Review undergraduate historical journal and plays for the William & Mary Club Volleyball team. He also enjoys playing chess in his free time.
Ian Harman '26
Ian is part of the Class of 2026 and is from Raleigh, North Carolina. He is studying International Relations at William & Mary, focusing on economic security and international finance, and he hopes to establish a career in the defense sphere. Ian is currently a research assistant for the Teaching, Research, and International Policy (TRIP) Project, a founding member of the Wargaming Lab at William & Mary, and a summer research assistant for AidData's Tracking Underreported Financial Flows (TUFF) team. He enjoys listening to music, sailing, and watching hockey.
Jada Luxene '27
Jada is a sophomore at the university and intended to major in Global Studies with a concentration in the Middle East and a minor in Arabic. Her career aspiration is to merge her interests in culture and advocacy, contributing to organizations that champion cultural heritage, human rights, and global cooperation.
Jack Long '27
Jack is a rising sophomore at William & Mary studying International Relations and Philosophy. During the summer of 2023, he conducted research abroad on community-based conservation and ecotourism in Mbhashe, South Africa for the Institute for Integrative Conservation. On campus, he serves as an Associate Editor for the Flathat News video department, Deputy of Internal Affairs for the International Relations Club, Recruitment Chairman for Phi Gamma Delta’s Rho Tau chapter, and Undersecretary of Policing for the W&M Student Assembly. Jack, who is still exploring career paths and honing his interests, anticipates utilizing his role as a Global Scholar to pursue additional research and internship opportunities relating to security, conservation, and trade.
Joshua Budzinski '25
Joshua is a Senior studying International Relations, with a concentration in international security, and is minoring in Hispanic Studies.
Josiah Canon DeSarro-Raynal '25
Josiah studies history in W&M's Joint Degree Program (JDP) with the University of St Andrews. His current research interests focus on modern Chinese history, and after graduation hopes to pursue graduate school and begin a career in academia. He excitedly hopes GSP will complement research for his honors thesis and give him valuable experience in the interdisciplinary field of China studies.
Outside of class, Josiah maintains an interest in student advocacy regarding academic issues, having previously served as History Degree Representative for the JDP Executive Committee and currently as Student Assembly's Secretary for Academic Affairs. He also enjoys classical music, budget traveling, and writing.
Justin Eng '26
Justin Eng is a Government & Economics double major at W&M set to graduate summa cum laude in May 2025/2026. As a Global Scholar he is interested in project management, policymaking, and consulting roles connected to emerging markets and development economies, mostly in the energy, natural resources, and infrastructure sectors. He is also interested in how the US and China communicate and relate to developing countries.
He is an intern at DHInfrastructure, an international development consulting firm, covering investment mechanisms and market structure in infrastructure and utilities. He will intern in international development in Washington DC in summer 2024. He is an inaugural fellow at a research lab, The Global Democracy Project, that covers protester and regime tactics in social movements. He interned three times at the U.S. Army War College, conducting case studies and statistical tests on counterinsurgency, military aid, and war in Ukraine.
He is President for a Foreign Policy club (one of the largest chapters in the US) and heads finance for the Global Innovation Challenge (largest international relations case competition) and The Monitor: Journal Of International Studies. He works with the W&M administration to organize initiatives (over 20 events, 80+ discussions, that engaged thousands of students) and represents the college at conferences (SLD, FDLDP, NATO II) and to organizations (NATO, USAWC).
He counsels 3-5 other clubs, and mentors students. On the side he sings in an a capella (Barbershop@Nicholson), is part of an art club (Continent), and self-studies Chinese.
The son of two full Pell Grant recipients, he has turned to economics and business to help improve living standards and build futures in underserved nations. He is optimistic that we can all change the world, and is eager to be a part of the journey for this Global Scholars cohort.
Kiran Savkar '26
Kiran is junior studying Economics at the College of William & Mary. He is especially interested in economics as it pertains to public policy and government, specifically surrounding areas such as trade policy and urbanism. As the son of two immigrant families hailing from opposite sides of the globe, and having grown up in the cultural melting pot of Brooklyn, NY, Kiran is a firm believer in the value of diversity in experience and perspectives, and hopes to meet and work with people from across the world over the course of his education and future career. Outside of the classroom, Kiran is the President of the William & Mary Debate Society, and a member of the Club Sailing team. He also enjoys playing the classic board game "Diplomacy", which has recently become a fixture (and often also a source of discord) amongst him and his friends.
Landen Broocke '27
Landen Broocke is a sophomore from Richmond, Virginia, studying History and Education at William & Mary. She aspires to begin her career as an educator post-graduation and eventually move into the realm of educational policy and reform. Landen is thrilled for the opportunity to broaden her horizons and deepen her understanding of pressing global issues through the Global Scholars Program. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, volunteering, and spending time with friends and family.
Laynee Scholtz '27
Nolan Coughlin '25
Nolan is a rising senior at the College of William and Mary interested in East Asian Politics, International Law & Justice, and broadly the role culture plays in International Politics. He is completing a degree in International Relations while pursuing varied interests such as fencing, teaching, and campus advocacy. In the Spring of 2024 Nolan wrote his capstone degree paper examining the interaction between the media landscapes of the United States and the People’s Republic of China. During recent summers, Nolan has held internships at Price Benowitz LLP and worked on two political campaigns.
Outside of his career and academic experiences, Nolan captains the William & Mary Fencing team as a nationally rated epee fencer and serves on the advisory board of the Haven, a university resource center for those impacted by sexual and gender-based violence. He also enjoys hiking, skiing, and reading when not pursuing the above.
Nolan Jansorn '27
Nolan Jansorn is a Class of 2027 student at W&M studying government, economics, and classical studies. He's interested in learning more about the legal field, and potentially working in government or law.
Samantha Korff '27
Samantha Korff is a junior studying Government. She is interested in transitional justice, authoritarian legacies, and democratic backsliding. Outside of GSP, Samantha is the marketing chair for William & Mary’s chapter of Planned Parenthood: Generation Action, a tutor for adults with developmental disabilities through the ARC of Greater Williamsburg, and a volunteer at the Heritage Humane Society. Samantha enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling in her free time.
Samuel Li '26
Samuel is an international student studying Economics and International Relations. He will be a junior in the 2024-2025 academic year. Samuel has lived in Guangzhou, China all his life before college, but has attended international schools using American curricula. He has native proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and English. This uniquely cross-cultural background contributes to his interest and passion in foreign affairs.
Professionally, Samuel is interested in developmental economics, trade theory, international institutions, and US-China relations. He hopes to explore these areas in greater depth through seminars, discussion with professionals, and internships.
Soeun Lee '27
Soeun is a sophomore at W&M who intends to major in International Relations and minor in linguistics. She speaks Korean, English, and some Spanish, and has experience teaching these languages to diverse groups of students as a teacher over the years. Soeun is interested in exploring the impacts of language, culture, and education in government settings. She is thrilled and grateful to learn more about these topics and beyond through the Global Scholars Program. She hopes to find a career where she can employ her love for translating, learning, and teaching languages on a larger scale. Outside of class, Soeun is the Communications Chair for Asian American Student Initiative, the Social Chair for Taekwondo Club, as well as a member of the Inside Out Theatre poetry club and various theatre groups at W&M. She also enjoys translating lyrics, making stuffed animals, and snuggling with her bird, Tendo.
Sophia Shebay '27
Sophia Shebay is a sophomore at William & Mary from Houston, Texas studying history and international relations. Sophia hopes to use her passion for history in the field of international politics and diplomacy. She is a member of the Spotswood Society and Student Conduct Council, among other things, and spends her free time reading, going to the rodeo, and seeing friends.
Spencer Krivo '25
Spencer is a senior studying international relations and data science at William & Mary. Passionate about government service, he has a background in public policy analysis and comparative government research. He is fluent in German and loves researching topics of foreign policy and politics in his freetime. He hopes for a future working for the federal government, or working in a consulting or research capacity in the field of foreign aid or foreign policy.
Stephen Moreau '26
Stephen Is a rising junior at William & Mary who is double majoring in Economics and Chinese studies. Stephen spent 15 years in China before returning to America for university. This experience has helped him develop a fluency in Mandarin and a deep appreciation for Chinese culture. Stephen's passion for economics drives his academic pursuits, and he is constantly seeking to understand the complexities of global markets and economic policies. His proficiency in Mandarin not only enhances his academic experience but also allows him to maintain strong connections with his friends from China. While Stephen is not yet certain about his career path, he is eager to leverage both his Chinese language skills and his passion for economics. He is open to exploring a variety of opportunities, including roles in business, the State Department, government think tanks, or other avenues that would allow him to make the most of his unique background and academic strengths.
Vanessa Broadrup '25
Vanessa Broadrup is a senior at William & Mary studying International Relations and Japanese. On campus, she is involved in the Alexander Hamilton Society and will serve as Vice President of Programming for the 2024-2025 academic year. She is also a member of W&M's Spotswood Society. Vanessa was recently published in the Spring 2024 edition of W&M’s International Relations Journal, The Monitor, for her research on panda diplomacy. She spent the 2022-2023 academic year studying at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan, and participated in a selective internship experience teaching English the following summer. After graduation, Vanessa plans to join the workforce and attend graduate school.