The Washington Journalism and Media Conference
NATHANIEL APONTE
Advance Team Member
Nathaniel Aponte is a rising sophomore at Christopher Newport University. He plans to study Marketing and Graphic Design. Nathaniel enjoys spending time with friends, taking photos, and visiting D.C.’s restaurants and museums. He’s excited to work on the Advance Team and to meet all of the team members.
LUKAS BAINES
Advance Team Member
Lukas Baines will be joining the advance team for 2022 and is looking forward to meeting and working with everyone. He is a sophomore at GMU and is double majoring in electrical and mechanical engineering. He interned at Lockheed Martin and participated in Washington Workshops Congressional Seminar. He spends his free time reading or playing with his dog and currently works at REI’s bike shop but looks for every chance to get outdoors.
SOPH ZELIZER
Advance Team Member
Soph Zelizer is an Advance Team member for 2022, and is very excited to be joining the team. Soph is a George Mason alumna with a BA in Sociology and Global Affairs, and is currently a graduate student in the social work program at the University of Washington. They have spent the past few years conducting research on LGBT+ wellbeing in the United States, Brazil, and Argentina, as well as working on an oral history project with local intersectional activists. In their free time, they enjoy reading, baking with friends, and hiking.
AVERI FISCHER
Advance Team Member
Averi is an Admission Counselor in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. She received her Bachelor’s in Communication at Texas A&M University, and is now pursing her Masters in Religious Studies at GMU. She is so excited for the opportunity to meet new people and experience new things at WJMC this summer. Averi loves sweet tea, fiction books, church, and playing board games.
OLGA DIUPINA
Advance Team Member
Olga Diupina recently graduated from George Mason University with a major in Government and International Politics. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a career in higher education. Olga loves going on road trips, spending time with her cat, and trying new restaurants in DC.
LAURA SUPER
Advance Team Member
Laura Super is an Events Coordinator in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. She started with the Office of Admissions in September of 2021 and previously worked as an Advance Team member for the Washington Scholars Programs in the summer of 2017. She received her B.S. in Human Development from Virginia Tech in 2018. In her free time Laura enjoys traveling, trying new food and spending lots of quality time with friends and family.
ASHLEY KING
Advance Team Member
Ashley King is the Event Coordinator in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. Ashley started with the Office of Admissions in October of 2019 and is excited to support her second in-person conference. One of Ashley’s passions is to create visually engaging content by using her graphic design skills, so be on the lookout during the conference because you might just see one of her designs! Ashley earned her B.A. in Theater from George Mason University. In her free time you can catch Ashley going to concerts, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
ASHLEY LARSON
Advance Team Member
Ashley Larson is from Parker, Colorado. She is a Sophomore at Grand Canyon University. She loves photography, specifically sports photography! She currently works for Grand Canyon University’s feminist publication HerGCU. She writes, photographs, and plans events for this publication.
MELISSA MOORE
Director of Logistics
Melissa Moore is the Assistant Director of Events for the Office of Admissions at George Mason University and the Director of Logistics for the Washington Scholars Program. Melissa attended WSP’s Washington Journalism and Media Conference as a high school student and worked as a staff member for the programs throughout her undergraduate tenure. She received her B.A. in Communication from GMU in 2018 and has since worked in events for the Washington Capitals (and has a ring to prove it!) and a tech startup before returning to her alma mater. In her free time, Melissa enjoys riding her bike around Washington D.C.’s National Mall, going to local sporting events, and traveling.
STEPHEN TAGLIERI
Advance Team Member
Stephen Taglieri was a delegate at the WYSE 2017 Conference and has since pursued an education at George Mason University. Going into his senior year, Stephen is majoring in Biology with a Concentration in Environmental & Conservation Biology and a Double Minor in Photography and Journalism. He is currently the Communications Intern for the IUCN SSC Reverse the Red campaign and a tele-counseling supervisor at GMU’s Admissions Office.
