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2018 Urban Education Students

Abby Peterson
is a sophomore, from Falmouth MA. She has not yet decided on a major, however, she is considering pursuing public policy or education as possible fields of study. On campus, Abby is a part of a service organization, Circle K International, and has enjoyed serving as a part of the board for that organization. She has especially enjoyed getting to volunteer in the schools in the Williamsburg area. She looks forward to an educational and enjoyable week in Washington DC.
Christina Hayden
Keyyatta Bonds

is a freshman at the College from Northern Virginia. She plans on majoring in International Relations with a minor in Philosophy. She is the Co-Publicity Chair forthe William and Mary Chapter of the NAACP and hopes to get further involved with other multicultural organizations at the college. Keyyatta is using this experience to highlight an aspect of the government and policymaking which is of much interest to her. As a student who is familiar with the various learning environments that this country has to offer (going to high school in Northern Virginia but being educated in younger years in Birmingham, Alabama), she wants to learn more about the policies that have shaped the American education system and their effect on different areas in the U.S. Also, Keyyatta is excited to be exploring D.C. from a different angle.

Caitlyn Whitesell
is a sophomore at W&M, majoring in Spanish. Growing up in Lexington, VA, she has been interested in pursuing a career in education since elementary school. This interest has expanded to a desire to experience cultural immersion through studying abroad and possibly teaching abroad in the future. During summer 2017, she studied in Cadiz, Spain, and plans to study in Seville, Spain for spring semester 2018. While on campus, she volunteers in local schools as a mentor or tutor with Griffin School Partnerships, and lives in the French house in hopes of improving her language skills and widening her world-view.
C John Cahill
DaVon Maddox
I am a junior at the College, pursuing a psychology major and sociology minor. On campus, I am a SPAN Coordinator, lab assistant, AMP member, and member of Delta Gamma. Growing up in Richmond, I am surrounded by different forms of art (wall murals, museums, etc.), but my favorite way of expressing myself is through journaling. Life is like a story to me, so documenting each day on a page helps me reflect on all of the chapters I have been through. My goal for the D.C. Winter program is to get a better understanding of children and their own individual stories through their educational experiences. I think this will help me gain new insights and perspectives necessary to pursue my career in child advocacy law.
Hannah Caffacus
is a junior majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Native Studies. On campus, she works for Campus Recreation as an ACSM Certified personal trainer, Small Group Training Supervisor and SGT coach, and is a part of Sandbox Improv and Tri Delta sorority. She is excited to spend her winter break in the nation's capital participating in the W&M D.C. program!
Hannah Hicklen
Jason Vargas-Ortega
is a sophomore from Alexandria, Virginia. He is intending to double major in History and International Relations. Jason plays viola and is part of the W&M Symphony Orchestra. He hopes to become a teacher and apply to the School of Education’s Five-Year Program. Jason is looking forward to learning about education policy and practice this winter.
Karyn Cumming
is a sophomore planning to major in English and Latin American Studies, and is hoping to pursue a Masters in Secondary English Education with an ESL endorsement. She is on the executive council for her sorority, Phi Mu, a Girl Scout leader, and a website coordinator for the Mason School of Business. In the past, Karyn has interned at Smiths Group in their government relations department and worked as a middle school music and dance teacher.
Mary Kasputis
Rachel Wilmans
is a sophomore from Leesburg, Virginia, pursuing a degree in English with a potential minor in gender, sexuality, and women's studies. On campus, she is involved in William and Mary's student newspaper, The Flat Hat, and Delta Gamma sorority, and she works at the Writing Resources Center in Swem. Rachel is also a tutor with Griffin School Partnerships, a student-run organization in the Office of Community Engagement that works with kids in local schools. Seeing the problems within Williamsburg's public school system inspired her to take this course, as well as her interest in becoming a teacher after she graduates.
Robert Metaxatos

I am a Freshman from Bloomingdale, Illinois hoping to major in English and/or Philosophy with the plans of ultimately becoming a college professor. On campus, I am thus far involved as a writer for the Flat Hat, copy editor for The Gallery, soon-to-be Brother of APO, and Tribe Ambassador. My foremost passion is writing poetry and prose, something that continues each day under the auspicious goodness that pervades campus. Also meaningful in my life is tutoring younger students in various subjects, more specifically on why to be excited about those subjects! What cannot be described well in words is the opportunity to attend the Urban Education seminar, a rare moment of experiential growth—K-12 education in the United States would benefit from positive, egalitarian change, and there is no doubt that the peers with whom I go to DC are equipped to light the academic world if they so desire. 

Shaina Greenberg
is a sophomore from Centreville, VA pursuing a double major in Government and Psychology. She is interested in mental health advocacy, early childhood education, and exploring the intersection of health interests and public policy. Shaina is passionate about improving wellness on our campus through the Mental Health branch of Health Outreach Peer Educators and teaching group fitness classes with Campus Recreation. She also works for the Office of First Year Experience as an Orientation Aide and is a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. She is so excited about participating in the Urban Education seminar and learning more about the education inequities that exist only a short distance from her hometown.
Zach Meredith
is a Junior at the College studying American Studies and a self-designed Urban Studies major. Zach is interested in the built environment and how it affects and is affected by various interconnected social, economic, and cultural processes. Working upon this interest, he is passionate about equitable urban policy & design, documentary research, and history-- and hopes to someday be able to work at the intersection(s) of all three.
Emily Ratliff
is a junior majoring in English and minoring in Psychology. On campus, she is involved in Tribetones A Cappella and Rhythm and Taps tap dancing club. Emily was inspired to take this course after an internship in curriculum development and accessibility this summer showed her how many issues need to be addressed in the provision of education for all students. She is looking forward to the Urban Education seminar and the chance to see the education system in operation both at the policy level and in the school system itself.
Hannah Malowitz

I am a junior at the College, majoring in Public Policy and minoring in Management & Organizational Leadership.  On campus, I am involved in Freshmen Orientation, Lafayette Kids, and Greek Life. This past summer I had the chance to study abroad through William & Mary's Goa, India program. I spent two months traveling India and falling in love with its culture and beauty. Coming from Connecticut, I am eager to spend some time exploring the D.C. area. I hope to one day work in the field of education policy, which makes this program very exciting! 

Alexandra Harris
Marcell Subert

is a freshman at W&M hoping to pursue a path in public policy. On campus he is involved with the DoG Street Journal and off campus he volunteers for local political campaigns. Growing up outside of D.C. he has become familiar with the city and is hoping to discover more about its education system and education policy. In his free time he likes to haunt coffee shops and libraries. 

 

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Danielle Abshier