Category: Advance Team

Ashley King

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

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, MBA

MELISSA MOORE

Director of Logistics

Melissa Moore is the Associate Director of Events and Programs for the Office of Admissions at George Mason University and serves as 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 went on to receive both her B.A. in Communication and Masters of Business Administration from Mason. She has worked in events for the Washington Capitals (and has a ring to prove it!) and a tech startup before returning to her alma mater. Melissa is dedicated to fostering meaningful experiences through impactful events!

Allison Wells

ALLISON WELLS

Director of Logistics, Washington Scholars Program

Allison Wells 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. Allison joined the team in May of 2019 and has spent the last two summers supporting and leading the Washington Scholars Programs. She is a lover of all things logistics, and the summers quickly became her favorite time of year. She earned her B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Grand Valley State University in 2019. In her free time, Allison looks forward to spending time outdoors, being with friends, and traveling.

Riley Noyes

Advance Team Member

Riley Noyes is finishing her time at Northern Virginia Community College, and plans to seek a Management degree upon graduation this year. She will be graduating with a General Studies A.S. with a concentration is Business Information Technology Career Studies. Outside of her education, Riley has an affinity for the event industry. She is an assistant at Anne Kelley Events and the Operations Manager of Repeatable DJ and Photo Booth Services. Through both of these positions she works with the planning and the service aspect of events. Riley enjoys watching movies, playing sports with friends, and exploring new parts of D.C.

Laura Scudder

LAURA SCUDDER

Advance Team Member

Laura Scudder is a senior at George Mason University majoring in communication with a concentration in journalism and minoring in sustainability studies. She works for Mason’s student newspaper, Fourth Estate, and was the Co-Editor-in-Chief for the 2020-2021 academic year. This spring, she also worked as a reporting intern with Voice of America’s Student Union. Laura attended WJMC in 2017 and worked as a Junior Faculty Advisor in 2019.

Allison Alberty

ALLISON ALBERTY

Advance Team Member

Allison Alberty is the Assistant Director of Outreach Events and Programs in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. A proud (almost) double Patriot, she is both a George Mason and Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) alumna. Allison earned her BA in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in Spring 2023 and is currently pursuing her MA in Strategic Communication. Outside of work and graduate school, you’ll find her at rock concerts, on a yoga mat, nurturing her growing plant collection, or finding the best new brunch spots in town.

Sydney Kirwan

SYDNEY KIRWAN

Coordinator, K-12 Partnerships

Sydney is the K12 Coordinator in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. In her role, she offers group tours of the university and college information sessions to elementary and middle school students to promote college-going opportunities. She also works closely with other K-12 Partnerships and the Washington Scholars Program. Being a part of the WSP staff is always a highlight of her year and she has been involved with the programs since joining the Advance Team in 2018. Sydney earned a B.S.Ed. in Youth and Social Innovation with a double major in Spanish from the University of Virginia and is currently pursuing a Masters in Counseling at George Mason University.

Maddie Stroud

Advance Team

Maddie is a recent graduate of George Mason University. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Family Science with a concentration in Early Childhood Development and Services, as well as a minor in Communication. She currently works as a Mental Health Associate at Rivermont School, an alternative school in Northern Virginia, for middle school students with emotional disabilities. Maddie has been a part of the Washington Scholars Program family for four years now, serving as an intern during the school year, a Junior Faculty Advisory at WYSE, and Travel Coordinator for the Advance Team. She has previously served as a volunteer leader with Young Life and works in her church’s nursery every week. Maddie loves working with students of all ages and is extremely excited to meet the correspondents and delegates who will attend the conferences this summer!

Laura Townsley

Advance Team Member

Laura is a senior at Virginia Tech studying Human Development and Psychology. She is on the leadership board for Cru at Virginia Tech, as the Production Manager where she has found her love of event planning and management. Laura is also involved in Chi Delta Alpha, a service sorority, where she has completed over 100 hours of community service. Laura studied abroad in Switzerland and Rwanda last fall, and after graduating hopes to continue to travel the world. She is very grateful for this opportunity to serve on the Advance Team and is looking forward to everything she will experience and learn through this position.