Student Staff

No one knows the GW experience better than a GW student. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is proud to have a dedicated team of student staff members who welcome guests to campus in our Welcome Center, lead campus tours, connect with prospective students and families via email and phone, and assist us with on-campus and virtual programming!

Get to know our Student Ambassadors and Student Admissions Representatives members below. To learn more about GW or have your questions answered, contact our office - our students will be happy to talk about their experience and assist you on your journey to GW!

Student Ambassadors: Our Ambassadors are the student leaders in our office, leading campus information sessions and assisting with programming throughout the year.

Jack Palaian

Class of 2024
School: School of Engineering & Applied Science
Major: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Concentration: Aerospace
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Student Orgs: Interfraternity Council, Delta Tau Delta, Club Ultimate Frisbee, GW Baja, GW Student Association, Posse
Ask me about: Ask me why I chose Engineering at GW!

Mikaila Loughlin

Class of 2024
School: Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
Majors: Cognitive Neuroscience (B.S.) and Psychological & Brain Sciences (B.S.)
Minor: Criminal Justice and Mind-Brain Studies
Special Academic Program: University Honors Program
Hometown: Beddington, ME

Student Orgs: GW Ballroom (President), Psi Chi
Ask me about: The University Honors Program, Small Town to Big City Transition, College Costs & Financial Aid, Dance/Music Student Organizations, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Federal Work Study/Student Employment, Undergraduate Research, Work/School/Life Balance

Antara Cleetus

Class of 2025
Schools: Elliott School of International Affairs, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Major: International Affairs
Concentration: Conflict Resolution
Minor: Public Health
Special Academic Program: University Honors Program
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA

Student Orgs: The Delta Phi Epsilon Foreign Service Sorority, the Student Association, GW Bhangra, & OneWorld GW
Ask me about: Boba places and cultural dance orgs on campus!

Diego Uriarte

Class of 2025
School: Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
Major: Economics
Minor: Sustainability
Hometown: Guaynabo, Puerto Rico

Student Orgs: Club Soccer, PRSA, RHA
Ask me about: Economics, sports, and activities in the District

Emme Pitts

Class of 2025
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Majors: International Affairs
Concentration: Security Policy
Minor: Geographic Information Systems
Special Academic Program: Women's Leadership Program
Hometown: Andover, MA

Student Orgs: Women in International Security—GWU, the Eta Society for Global Affairs (Formerly known as DPE)
Ask me about: The Elliott School, Women's Leadership Program, the Mount Vernon Campus

Grace Songer

Class of 2025
School: Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, and School of Media & Public Affairs
Majors: Political Science and Political Communication
Minor: Art History
Hometown: Alexandria, KY

Student Orgs: Generic Theatre Company, Alpha Delta Pi
Ask me about: Fraternity and Sorority Life on campus!

Hannah Parker

Class of 2025
School: CCAS
Majors: Psychology
Concentration: Pre-med
Minor: History
Hometown: Sharon, MA

Student Orgs: Balance, GW dance marathon, Greek life, club figure skating team.
Ask me about: Disability Support Services (DSS, accommodations), going into GW undecided, club sports, volunteering opportunities (especially with the therapy dogs at Children’s National Hospital)

Jeremy Kohler

Class of 2025
School: School of Media and Public Affairs
Majors: Journalism and Mass Communication
Minor: Religion
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

Student Orgs: Acapella, Student Theatre, School Newspaper
Ask me about: GW a capella, student theatre, and journalism!

Josh Daley

Class of 2025
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Majors: International Affairs and French Language, Literature, and Culture
Concentration: International Development
Hometown: Summit, NJ

Student Orgs: Generic Theatre Company, Sigma Iota Rho
Ask me about: The Elliott School, student arts organizations, foreign language programs

Kyle Balfour

Class of 2025
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and Elliott School of International Affairs
Majors: Political Science and International Affairs
Concentration: International Environmental Studies
Hometown: Wellington, FL

Student Orgs: President of GW Young Black Professionals in International Affairs
Ask me about: Political Science, International Affairs, Cultural/Ethnic Organizations, New Student Orientation, Mount Vernon Campus, Study Abroad, Finding Internships, Things to Do in D.C.

Sophi Snyder

Class of 2025
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences and School of Business
Majors: Communication and Business
Concentration: Security Policy
Minor: Political Science
Hometown: Columbus, OH

Student Orgs: Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity
Ask me about: Fraternity and Sorority Life, Double Majoring

Stephanie Spector

Class of 2025
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Criminal Justice
Minors: Psychology and Women's, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
Hometown: Boston, MA

Student Orgs: GW Reproductive Autonomy and Gender Equity (RAGE) and GW Criminal Justice Student Association. Work on advancing reproductive and sexual healthcare on and off campus! I've helped make Plan B accessible 24/7 for $10 in campus vending machines and launched a bunch of sexual health initiatives. Generally involved in a lot of campus activism and political advocacy on campus.
Ask me about: Ask me about student activism, undergraduate research/publications, balancing internships with classes/extracurriculars, and combined degree programs at GW!

Yana Gelman

Class of 2025
School: Milken Institute School of Public Health
Major: Exercise Science
Minor: Nutrition
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Student Orgs: MEOR DC, GW Dance Marathon, American Medical Women's Association
Ask me about: Jewish life on campus, pre-health advising/pre-health tracks, public health, and working on campus!

Ethan Lynne

Class of 2026
School: School of Media and Public Affairs
Major: Political Communication
Hometown: Ashland, VA

Student Orgs: Student Government Association, Residence Hall Association, GW College Democrats
Ask me about: Student Government, Residence Halls, Student Life, Activism on campus, Transitioning from a rural area to a city.

Kai Amarante Naranjo

Class of 2026
Schools: School of Media and Public Affairs and School of Business
Majors: Political Communication and International Business
Minor: Political Science
Hometown: Weston, FL

Student Orgs: Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, GWFC, GW Dems
Ask me about: Professional Greek Life on Campus, Double Majoring at GW, Starting your own club at GW, the best food spots in D.C.

Meera Durvasula

Class of 2026
Schools: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business
Majors: Communications and Marketing
Minor: Sustainability
Hometown: Groton, MA

Student Orgs: GW Bhangra, GW George's Army, GWPalooza Homecoming Weekend, and Generic Theater Company
Ask me about: Maintaining one's cultural identity when transitioning to GW, getting involved in the arts, school spirit at GW, and living off-campus/exploring DC

Peyton Gallant

Class of 2026
School: School of Media and Public Affairs
Majors: Political Communication
Minor: Business
Hometown: Tallahassee, FL

Student Orgs: GW Student Government Association, GW Dance Marathon
Ask me about: Financial Aid, SMPA, best coffee shops on campus
Student Admissions Representatives: Our A-Team (student representatives) works in the Admissions & Alumni Welcome Center and our customer service center, answering questions from prospective students and families in person, by email, and on the phone. Have a question or want to contact a specific student? Get in touch with us!

Sophia Boyer, class of 2025
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Political Science (Public Policy Focus)
Minor: Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies
Hometown: Akron, OH

Student Orgs: GW RAGE, GW Democrats, Girlup GW

Ask me about: Student life and activism!

Chloe Baker, class of 2026
School: Milken Institute School of Public Health
Major: Public Health
Minor: Emergency Health Services
Concentration: Pre-Medical Studies
Hometown: Ticonderoga, NY

Student Orgs: Research at GW Medical School, GW AMWA, GlobeMed at GW, Pi Beta Phi

Ask me about: Pre-Health Track(s), On-Campus Research, Milken Institute of Public Health, Mount Vernon Campus, Greek Life, and Student Involvement!

Caroline Banholzer, class of 2026
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Chemistry
Minor: Biology
Hometown: Huntingtown, MD

Student Orgs: TEDx Foggy Bottom, Alpha Chi Sigma

Ask me about: Chemistry at GW

Charlie Basa, class of 2026
School: School of Media and Public Affairs
Major: Political Communications
Minor: Film Studies
Hometown: Wyckoff, NJ

Student Orgs: Philippine Cultural Society, GW Film Production Club

Ask me about: Good food spots, fun things to do around D.C.

Darianny Bautista , class of 2026
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Political Science and Philosophy
Concentration: Public Affairs
Hometown: Belleville, NJ

Student Orgs: Phi Alpha Delta Pre- Law fraternity, Current Miss Mount Vernon 2024 vying for the title of Miss District of Columbia

Ask me about: Policy/Law, transfer admissions, and Disability Support Services

Chloe Blackburn , class of 2026
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs
Concentration: Environmental Studies
Minor: Economics
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Student Orgs: Alianza, WRGW, YBPIA, Onero Institute

Ask me about: The Afro-Latina Experience at GW, The Black experience at GW, How to make the best of your time at GW, Being across the country/far away from home, Global Energy Security, Environmental Justice, Research in Latin America (specifically in Central America)

Ella Brown, class of 2025
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Environmental and Sustainability Science
Concentration: Earth Science
Minor: Data Science, GIS
Hometown: Fishkill, NY

Student Orgs: Theta Tau, GW Data Science Association, Club Spikeball, Responsible Fashion Collective

Ask me about: combined degree programs, sustainability on campus, best coffee shops around D.C.

Emma Bussan, class of 2025
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs
Concentration: Security Policy
Hometown: Janesville, WI

Student Orgs: GWxDC, Corcoran Dance Concert

Ask me about: The Elliott School, dancing at GW, and being gluten-free in D.C.

Catalina Campos, class of 2024
School: Elliott School of International Affairs, School of Business
Major: International Affairs and Business
Concentration: International Development
Minor: Sustainability
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia

Student Orgs: UNICEF, Consulting 360

Ask me about: Internships, involvement on campus in the business school, international student experience

João Cardoso, class of 2025
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs
Concentration: Latin America
Minor: Socio-cultural Anthropology
Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil

Student Orgs: GW Poker Club, The Brazilian Student’s Association (BRASA)

Ask me about: Being an international student at GW, the Latin American studies program at GW

Katherine Carroll, class of 2026
School: School of Media and Public Affairs
Major: Political Communication
Special Academic Program: University Honors Program
Hometown: Carlisle, MA

Student Orgs: Alpha Delta Pi sorority, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, George’s Army Executive board, GW College Democrats, GW Votes Ambassador

Ask me about: I am interested in politics and school spirit!

Julianna Chavez, class of 2027
School: Elliott School of International Affairs, Milken Institute School of Public Health
Major: International Affairs and Public Health
Minor: Data Science
Special Academic Program: Civic House
Hometown: San Dimas, CA

Student Orgs: Phi Alpha Delta, Kesem, Nashman Center

Ask me about: Public Health, Data Science, AI, coding, the Vern, being far from home

Alessia Cocconcelli, class of 2024
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, School of Media and Public Affairs
Major: Journalism and Mass Communication and Political Science
Hometown: Maracaibo, Venezuela

Student Orgs: Venezuelan Perspectives, GW Undergraduate Law Review

Ask me about: Law, Social Justice

Chloe Elie, class of 2025
School: Milken Institute School of Public Health
Program: BS/MPH Dual Degree Program
Major: Public Health
Concentration: Pre-Medicine
Hometown: Lancaster, PA

Student Orgs: Student Theater (Forbidden Planet Production), Dance (GW Balance and District K), Camp Kesem, Every Nation Campus

Ask me about: Feel free to ask me about anything related to Pre-Medicine at GW, Public Health, the BS/MPH (4 + 1) program, Dance, Religion, and Theater orgs, and Languages courses at GW (French and/or Korean)!

Darren Frankel, class of 2025
School: Columbian College of Arts & Sciences and Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs
Concentration: Comparative Political, Economic, and Social Systems
Minor: Spanish and Law & Society
Hometown: Voorhees, NJ

Student Orgs: Mock Trial, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, GW Undergraduate Admissions, Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, GW Saxophone Quartet, C-Brass Pep Band, Forbidden Planet Productions Theater Company, GW Hillel, Chabad

Ask me about: student orgs on campus/campus involvement

Grace Gleason, class of 2025
School: Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
Majors: Criminal Justice and Political Science
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Ocean City, NJ

Student Orgs: PAD Pre Law Fraternity, Army ROTC

Ask me about: Pre-law, military law, anything military specifically Army, the beach, South Jersey, bagels, adventures in D.C.

Zakee Hamawi, class of 2026
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs and Economics
Hometown: Singapore

Student Orgs: Singapore Association, Undergraduate Consulting Program (UCG), John Quincy Adams Society (JQAS), Institute of Politics (IOP)

Ask me about: International Admissions, IB Credit Transfers, International Affairs and Economics majors, Double Majors, Study Abroad programs.

Ava Hamelburg, class of 2026
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs
Concentration: Comparative Political, Economic, and Social Systems
Minor: Political Science; Spanish and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Culture
Hometown: Sonoma, CA

Student Orgs: EJAN, Swing Left, Nashman Center

Ask me about: The Vern, Career Advising

Katerina Henjes, class of 2025
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs
Concentration: International Development
Minor: German Language and Literature
Hometown: Rye, NY

Student Orgs: The Onero Institute, GW Club Boxing, GW German Club, TNBS, and the Hult Prize OnCampus GW

Ask me about: Elliott School of International Affairs, LGBTQ+ Inclusion 🌈

Adriana Hernandez Jimenez, class of 2026
School: Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
Major: Criminal Justice
Minor: Political Science
Special Academic Program: Civic House
Hometown: Seattle, WA

Student Orgs: Organization for Latin American Students, and the Criminal Justice Student Associate

Ask me about: Civic House, living on the Mount Vernon Campus, the Criminal Justice program, being first-generation, and the Latinx community at GW.

Samuel Hoover, class of 2026
Schools: Columbian College of Arts
Major: Political Science
Minors: Philosophy and History
Hometown: St. Joseph, MN

Student Orgs: GW Jazz Orchestra, GW Orchestra, GWU Club Cross Country, GWU Phi Alpha Delta (pre-law fraternity)

Ask me about: Pre-Law, internships, club sports, student music groups, exploring D.C.

O'Neal Keegan, class of 2026
School: School of Business
Major: Business Analytics
Concentration: Marketing
Minor: Sustainability
Hometown: Moorestown, NJ

Student Orgs: VP of External Affairs for Alpha Kappa Psi

Ask me about: Professional fraternities on campus, GWSB, restaurant recommendations, where to get your nails done in D.C.!

Allison Kijanka, class of 2024
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: American Studies
Minor: History
Hometown: Avon, CT

Student Orgs: Persist GW, Business Pride Network

Ask me about: LGBTQ+ inclusion and Study abroad and transfer admissions

Maria Lara, class of 2024
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business
Major: Psychology and Marketing
Minor: Organizational Sciences
Hometown: Miami, FL

Student Orgs: GW Catholics, GW LATAM, Girl Up

Ask me about: Being part of the Latino community and what there is to do off-campus.

Leila MacKinnon, class of 2027
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs
Concentration: International development
Hometown: Woodstock, CT

Student Orgs: GW Dance Marathon, The Onero Institute

Ask me about: The Elliot School and service opportunities!

Leticia Marrero Miranda, class of 2027
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Undecided
Hometown: Guaynabo, PR

Student Orgs: GW Hatchet, Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity

Ask me about: coming in undecided, how GW has propelled me to explore and made it super easy, moving for college, being Latina in college, connecting with people at the school, maximizing university resources, courses offered/taken

William McClendon, class of 2024
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Biological Sciences
Concentration: Pre-health
Minor: Chemistry
Hometown: Chicago, IL

Student Orgs: Office of Student Involvement, Physics Learning Assistant, On-Campus Research

Ask me about: Fraternity Sorority Life, Pre-Health, STEM, Research, Student Life

Maren McCrossan, class of 2025
School: School of Engineering & Applied Science
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Minor: Public Health
Hometown: Bronx, NY

Student Orgs: Sigma Delta Tau, Biomedical Engineering Society, Society of Women Engineers, Physics Learning Assistant

Ask me about: Engineering at GW, Greek Life, City Living

Diya Mehta, class of 2025
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Concentration: Conflict Resolution
Hometown: Sudbury, MA

Student Orgs: Onero Institute and Dean Scholars

Ask me about: Research and internships

Samihaa Mehta , class of 2024
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Special Academic Program: University Honors Program
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Philosophy
Hometown: Clarksburg, MD

Student Orgs: UHP peer mentors, Research Assistant, Academic Commons tutor

Ask me about: Pre-health studies, South Asian community at GW, fun workout classes in D.C.!

Emma Milchunes, class of 2026
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs
Concentration: Security Policy
Minor: Arabic
Hometown: Pembroke, MA

Student Orgs: The International Affairs Society, Model UN, The Globe Journal, Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society

Ask me about: Security, international affairs, internships, taking a foreign language, moving to a city from the suburbs, or anything really

Amaan Nabeel, class of 2026
School: Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
Major: Political Science
Minors: Criminal Justice and Marketing
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Student Orgs: GW College Democrats

Ask me about: First Gen, the Multicultural Student Services Center, and finding internships in D.C.

Alexia Papatsa, class of 2024
School: Corcoran School of Arts and Design, Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs and Dance
Concentration: Conflict Resolution
Hometown: Athens, Greece

Student Orgs: The Hellenic Student Association, Kesem, and Dance

Ask me about: Ask me about being an International Student in GW, Dance works, internship and research opportunities on Security and Defense

April Park, class of 2024
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs
Concentration: Conflict Resolution
Minor: Economics
Home country: South Korea

Student Orgs: Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Inc., KSA

Ask me about: International Affairs, Research, Networking Opportunities at GW, Student Organization

Kayla Russell, class of 2025
School: Elliott School of International Affairs
Major: International Affairs
Concentration: Gender in International Affairs
Minor: Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Hometown: Wakefield, MA

Student Orgs: Balance: The GW Dance Group and The Eta Society for Global Affairs

Ask me about: gender studies, performing arts, Mandarin Chinese, LGBTQ+ at GW, international affairs

Everette Saylor, class of 2026
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Criminal Justice and Psychology
Hometown: St. Louis, MO

Student Orgs: Fourteenth Grade Players (Theater group)

Ask me about: Either of my majors, theater, true crime, and going to school far away from home.

Caroline Schure, class of 2027
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Communication
Hometown: Philadelphia PA

Student Orgs: Sorority and SGA

Ask me about: Campus life

Noah Shapiro, class of 2026
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Organizational Sciences
Minor: Hebrew and Judaic Studies
Hometown: Deerfield, IL

Student Orgs: Generic Theater Company, GW Sons of Pitch, GW Hillel

Ask me about: Getting involved with the arts on campus

Carly Skop, class of 2024
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Environmental Studies and Organizational Science
Minor: Psychology and Brain Sciences
Hometown: Englewood, NJ

Student Orgs: GW ADPi, GW Spoon University, GW Hillel

Ask me about: the D.C. food scene, sorority life, double majoring, studying abroad

Katie Vinson, class of 2025
School: Milken Institute School of Public Health
Major: Public Health
Program: BS/MPH Dual Degree
Minor: English and Public Policy
Hometown: Closter, NJ

Student Orgs: Capital Peers

Ask me about: GW Public Health, dual degree programs, student health and well-being resources

Amy Wagner, class of 2024
School: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Major: Civil Engineering
Hometown: Long Island, NY

Student Orgs: Fraternity and Sorority Life

Ask me about: Restaurants and things to do around DC!

Ben Wehrley, class of 2024
School: School of Business
Major: Business Analytics
Minors: Data Science and German Language and Literature
Hometown: Wauwatosa, WI

Student Orgs: GW DATA Club, Club Ultimate Frisbee

Ask me about: Club Sports and Data Science

Benjy Wolf-Wagner, class of 2026
School: Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Sociology and Geography
Minor: Peace Studies
Hometown: Framingham, MA

Student Orgs: GW Football Club, Alpha Phi Omega, George's Army

Ask me about: Getting involved with or creating your own on-campus organization, connecting with professors, and seeing what Washington, DC has to offer!

Megan Zeiss, class of 2026
Schools: Columbian College of Arts & Sciences and Elliott School of International Affairs
Majors: International Affairs, Chinese Language and Literature
Concentration: International Politics
Minor: Political Science
Hometown: Annapolis, MD

Student Orgs: GW Women's Rugby Football Club, GW Orchestra, Sigma Iota Rho

Ask me about: Academic fraternity and sorority life, the Chinese language department, club sports at GW!