COURTNEY KNAPP
Advance Team Member
Courtney Knapp is a Senior Event Coordinator in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. She started with the Office of Admissions in December 2022. She received her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from North Greenville University in 2012, and her M.A. in History of Decorative Arts from George Mason University in 2016. In her free time, Courtney enjoys working out, traveling, and spending time with her spouse and their dogs.
JALEN STEPHENS
Advance Team Member
Jalen Stephens is a sophomore at George Mason University majoring in business concentrating in marketing minoring in international business. Jalen is heavily involved on campus from working at the financial aid office, being a Mason Ambassador, and being involved in Greek Life at Mason. He is looking forward to working with the WJMC team and expanding his professional background.
PAUL URBAN
Advance Team Member
Paul Urban is a junior at Virginia Tech and studies Business with concentrations in Cybersecurity and Entrepreneurship. He is from Fairfax Station and is excited to work at George Mason this summer! Paul served as a lifeguard and worked at Cava while in high school. Besides school and work, Paul enjoys traveling and spending time with this family. He is excited to experience the summer programs and get to know the students and staff.
AMBER BROWN
Advance Team Member
Amber is a college sophomore from Portsmouth Virginia. Amber attends the University of Alabama and is pursuing a degree in social work. She attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) as a correspondent, came back as an intern, and now is excited to work on the advance team! Her WJMC experience was one of the best experiences of her life and she loves to help create that experience for incoming Correspondents!
NATHANIEL APONTE
Advance Team Member
Nathaniel Aponte is a senior at Christopher Newport University studying Marketing and Graphic Design. He hopes to pursue a career in digital marketing after finishing school. Nathaniel enjoys photography, museums, coffee shops, outings with friends, and listening to his favorite artist, Future.
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 is a George Mason University alumna. She graduated with a degree in Government and International Politics. Olga currently works in the Office of Admissions as the Honors College Admissions Counselor. She loves working with prospective students to help them see fit in Mason, and working with current Mason students who are part of the Honors College Recruitment Team. 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.
