Author: Allison Dodson

Camden Layton

CAMDEN LAYTON

Faculty Advisor

Camden Layton is a WJMC and George Mason University alum who now works as the Director of Public Affairs with the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers and AFT Virginia. He graduated from Mason with his BS in Public Administration and a Master of Public Policy, specializing in Education Policy. At his current job, he helps lead digital advocacy and organizing efforts for school staff across Virginia, and educates members on how to effectively use social media and their networks to move their campaigns forward. Camden is very excited to be back with WJMC for his 10th summer!

CAMDEN LAYTON

Faculty Advisor

Rafael Suanes

RAFAEL SUANES

Photographer

A professional photographer with over 25 years of experience, Rafael has covered a huge gamut of events in the DC area. Ranging from private events of all sizes to Supreme Court nomination hearings, Rafael has covered it all. Specializing in college and professional sports, Rafael is currently the staff athletics photographer for both George Mason and Georgetown universities and has worked directly with every professional sports team in Washington, DC.

Eva Bramesco

EVA BRAMESCO

Counselor

Eva Bramesco is the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions, and the Director of the University Scholars Program here at George Mason University. Beginning with her involvement in the admissions office at her alma mater, Eva has spent over a decade working with students and families of all backgrounds to overcome the various hurdles of the college admissions process. In her role as Associate Director, Eva supports students before they even apply, all the way through their decision making process. Eva is also responsible for Honors College enrollment and the university’s only full-tuition scholarship program, and loves working closely with Mason’s most motivated and ambitious students.

Prior to her time at George Mason, Eva worked in international development, first with the American Red Cross, and then for a consulting firm. Originally from Danvers, Massachusetts, Eva graduated with honors from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pennsylvania with degrees in International Relations, Spanish and a minor in Latin American Studies, and received her Master’s in Public Policy from the Schar School at George Mason University. In addition to her work at Mason, Eva is a long-time mentor, tutor, and advocate for educational equity.

Anna Layden

ANNA LAYDEN

Freelance Photojournalist

Anna Rose Layden is a freelance photojournalist in Washington, D.C. She is a regular contributor to The New York Times, Reuters, Getty Images and others. Primarily covering the White House, Congress, and D.C. news, Anna can be found traveling with presidents, in the midst of protests, or on the floor during congressional hearings. Outside of politics she finds herself working on stories on immigration, women, religion and family. Anna is a member of the Women Photojournalists of Washington, Asian American Journalists Association, and White House News Photographers Association. She graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2021.

ANNA LAYDEN

Freelance Photojournalist

Sam Wolfe

SAM WOLFE

Senior Marketing Consultant, LinkedIn, Alum 2015

Sam Wolfe is an account manager on the digital marketing team at Google in San Francisco. With clients ranging from family-owned businesses and startups to national brands like HBO and Warner Brothers, Sam builds custom solutions for advertisers around the world across all Google and YouTube platforms. He is also a coach on the Grow With Google team, which is dedicated to increasing access, awareness, and education for individuals and small businesses in marginalized communities. His love for journalism led him to attend WJMC in 2014, and he has worked at the conference wearing many hats since 2015. Sam graduated from George Mason University in 2019 with a degree in Communication and Public Relations, and he is ecstatic to be back home at WJMC this summer.

SAM WOLFE

Senior Marketing Consultant, LinkedIn, Alum 2015

Stephanie Strange

STEPHANIE STRANGE

Faculty Advisor

After eight years as a journalism teacher, Stephanie has mastered the art of meeting deadlines and managing classroom chaos. While she loves the classroom, her real joy comes from her faith and her family. She is a passionate follower of Jesus, a happy wife and a proud mama to three incredible daughters, one fantastic son-in-law and the cutest little grandboy she’s ever seen. Whether she is editing copy or spoiling her grandboy, she’s incredibly grateful for the beautiful, busy life she gets to enjoy.

STEPHANIE STRANGE

Faculty Advisor

Mariah Baldwin

MARIAH BALDWIN

Faculty Advisor

Mariah is an educator of 9 years with experience in both public and higher education. She is a former CNN journalist in the newsgathering & live distribution department, and is currently the lead Journalism and media teacher at Elite Scholars Academy in Jonesboro, Georgia. She teaches communications at the middle school level, and teaches Journalism I, II, and III for 9th-12th grade students. She holds a B.S. in communications and media, M.B.A., Georgia Educator certification and Cambridge International certification. She also serves as yearbook advisor, picture day coordinator, and school news lead. She has received awards from her school district and is actively engaged in her local community service programs. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, nature, cooking, and spending time with her family!

MARIAH BALDWIN

Faculty Advisor

Trina A. Kraus-Schaarschmidt

TRINA A. KRAUS

Faculty Advisor

Trina is a veteran English and journalism teacher, adjunct professor, award-winning author, and elected School Board Director in Pennsylvania. She co-authored Explosions of Joy: A Memoir of the Grief Counselor for Missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which earned a bronze medal from Dan Poynter’s Global Ebook Awards and was named a finalist for the International Book Awards. She teaches at Boyertown Area Senior High School and serves as a Dual Enrollment Composition instructor through Montgomery County Community College, preparing students for college-level writing. Trina holds a B.A. in English and Secondary Education, a Master’s in Education, and a Master of Arts in English from Slippery Rock University . In addition to her work in the classroom, she is a freelance writer, editor, and writing coach who supports students and professionals across a range of disciplines.

TRINA KRAUS

Faculty Advisor

Beth Marshall

BETH MARSHALL

Faculty Advisor

Beth Marshall, C.J.E., M.Ed., recently retired after 35 years of teaching and 13 years of advising journalism at Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, IL. She advised the Endeavor yearbook and taught Journalism, English courses, and the dual-credit course, Introduction to Mass Communications. She is a Certified Journalism Educator and earned her M.A.Ed. in Journalism Education through Kent State University in 2020. She was also selected to attend the 2019 CSJ Advanced Advising Workshop at Kent State University in Ohio. Beth’s yearbook staff has earned numerous state awards, including IEA Best Overall Yearbook and All-KEMPA recognition, as well as first-class ratings from the NSPA. Beth is the board secretary of the Kettle Moraine Press Association, which works with scholastic journalism students and their teachers throughout Northern Illinois and Wisconsin. Beth is excited to return to WJMC.

BETH MARSHALL

Faculty Advisor

Cassie Dornan

CASSIE DORNAN

Junior Faculty Advisor, Alum 2021

Cassie just finished her sophomore year at Elon University. She is majoring in strategic communications with minors in leadership studies and professional writing studies. She also serves as an account Eeecutive for Live Oak Communications, Elon’s student-run marketing and advertising agency. This summer will be her fourth summer attending the WJMC and she couldn’t be more excited. Cassie is beyond thrilled to be a JFA and watch many students get the incredible journalistic opportunities and connections that WJMC provides.