ABIGAIL VILLACRUSIS
Junior Faculty Advisor
Abby is a student at Virginia Wesleyan University double majoring in Communication and French. She enjoys competing in speech and debate and is on her school’s ethics bowl team. Additionally, she works in her school’s student activities office, assisting with planning and coordinating events. She attended WJMC in 2021 and can’t wait to come back!
KATHERINE BROWN
Junior Faculty Advisor
Katherine Brown is a junior at Central Michigan University with a major in journalism and political science and a leadership minor. This past semester Katherine did the Disney College Program where she was a park greeter at the Magic Kingdom. This is her second year as a JFA, and she attended WJMC in 2021. Her favorite part of WJMC is making new friends from all over the country.
ANDRIAS WHITE MURDAUGH
Anchor, This Morning on WTVR CBS 6
Andrias White Murdaugh, MBA, CMP, CSEP, CVP is an award-winning event producer and broadcast journalist, but her story begins right here on the campus of George Mason University.
After many undergraduate achievements, she was hired by the Office of Admissions and the Washington Scholars Program to serve as Director of Logistics for WJMC and WYSE. Little did she know, her time on staff provided her the foundation for her unexpected role as co-host of Virginia This Morning on WTVR CBS 6, Central Virginia’s only live, local, entertainment show. Simultaneously, she serves as Director of Events for McKesson Medical-Surgical, a fortune 9 company.
Before her days on-camera, she served as Senior Event Manager at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Senior Facility and Sales Manager for the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center, Vice President of Strategic Events for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), and CEO of Andrias Events, LLC.
Her most notable events include United States Presidential Inaugural Balls, the World Gas Congress, the National Football League’s Washington Redskins Training Camp and Amazon re:Invent. While at CBCF, she also worked with 58 congressional offices to produce star studded award shows and televised productions, broadcasted on BET.
Andrias earned both a Bachelor of Science in Tourism & Event Management and a Master of Business Administration from Mason and served as adjunct faculty in the Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management Program. Andrias now lives in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia with her husband and fellow Mason alum David W. Murdaugh III, MBA and their two sons, David IV and Deion.
ANDRIAS WHITE MURDAUGH
Anchor, This Morning on WTVR CBS 6
Andrias White Murdaugh, MBA, CMP, CSEP, CVP is an award-winning event producer and broadcast journalist, but her story begins right here on the campus of George Mason University.
After many undergraduate achievements, she was hired by the Office of Admissions and the Washington Scholars Program to serve as Director of Logistics for WJMC and WYSE. Little did she know, her time on staff provided her the foundation for her unexpected role as co-host of Virginia This Morning on WTVR CBS 6, Central Virginia’s only live, local, entertainment show. Simultaneously, she serves as Director of Events for McKesson Medical-Surgical, a fortune 9 company.
Before her days on-camera, she served as Senior Event Manager at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Senior Facility and Sales Manager for the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center, Vice President of Strategic Events for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), and CEO of Andrias Events, LLC.
Her most notable events include United States Presidential Inaugural Balls, the World Gas Congress, the National Football League’s Washington Redskins Training Camp and Amazon re:Invent. While at CBCF, she also worked with 58 congressional offices to produce star studded award shows and televised productions, broadcasted on BET.
Andrias earned both a Bachelor of Science in Tourism & Event Management and a Master of Business Administration from Mason and served as adjunct faculty in the Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management Program. Andrias now lives in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia with her husband and fellow Mason alum David W. Murdaugh III, MBA and their two sons, David IV and Deion.
ASSAD KHAN
Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs, George Mason University
Assad worked in DC radio veteran for over 15 years. Having started as an intern and
eventually an on-air personality at the Legendary 99-1 HFS, Assad was on iHeartRadio’s DC101 as a weekend/swing DJ. Focusing primarily on the alternative rock format, he has worked to engage the audience, build a rapport with
the listeners and educate students on the industry of radio. During college,
he was the promotions and public affairs director as well as a DJ of various
specialty shows at WWVU-FM (U92) at West Virginia University. In his
free time, he works as the Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs in the
College of Science at George Mason University.
ASSAD KHAN
Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs, George Mason University
Assad Khan, Undergraduate Programs Coordinator, COS. Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University[/caption]
Assad worked in DC radio veteran for over 15 years. Having started as an intern and eventually an on-air personality at the Legendary 99-1 HFS, Assad was on iHeartRadio’s DC101 as a weekend/swing DJ. Focusing primarily on the alternative rock format, he has worked to engage the audience, build a rapport with the listeners and educate students on the industry of radio. During college, he was the promotions and public affairs director as well as a DJ of various specialty shows at WWVU-FM (U92) at West Virginia University. In his free time, he works as the Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs in the
College of Science at George Mason University.
KATIE URBAN
Communications Manager, Latham & Watkins
Katie Urban is a communications manager at Latham & Watkins, leading communications for the law firm’s professional development and training initiatives. Prior to joining Latham, Katie worked on the corporate communications team at Capital One, specializing in public relations, earned media engagement, and influencer strategy for Capital One’s flagship consumer credit cards. She has also worked at Arlington-based real estate developer CRC Companies, where she developed marketing and communications strategies to assist with property lease-ups, win new business, and recruit new talent to the firm.
In college, Katie interned at Conde Nast for Glamour Magazine in New York City and at the NBC News affiliate in Charlottesville, Virginia. She also was an editor and columnist for The Cavalier Daily.
Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in media studies and American studies from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in professional studies in corporate communications and public relations from Georgetown University.
KATIE URBAN
Communications Manager, Latham & Watkins
Katie Urban is a communications manager at Latham & Watkins, leading communications for the law firm’s professional development and training initiatives. Prior to joining Latham, Katie worked on the corporate communications team at Capital One, specializing in public relations, earned media engagement, and influencer strategy for Capital One’s flagship consumer credit cards. She has also worked at Arlington-based real estate developer CRC Companies, where she developed marketing and communications strategies to assist with property lease-ups, win new business, and recruit new talent to the firm.
In college, Katie interned at Conde Nast for Glamour Magazine in New York City and at the NBC News affiliate in Charlottesville, Virginia. She also was an editor and columnist for The Cavalier Daily.
Katie holds a bachelor’s degree in media studies and American studies from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in professional studies in corporate communications and public relations from Georgetown University.
STEPHEN TAGLIERI
Marketing and Communications Consultant and Founder, Kingdom Multimedia, LLC
Gillian Brassil covers securities litigation for Bloomberg Law. Prior to joining Bloomberg, she reported on federal politics for McClatchy’s California papers in DC. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University.
STEVE TAGLIERI
Marketing and Communications Consultant and Founder, Kingdom Multimedia, LLC
Steve Taglieri is a conservation and climate communications specialist who graduated from George Mason University (Class of 2022). With a background in conservation biology and photojournalism, Steve has paired the two disciplines to assist eco-friendly organizations grow their online presence and outreach strategies. Steve has worked and written for the Smithsonian Zoo and Magazine, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the Reverse the Red campaign, the Institute for Advertising Ethics, and the American Forest Foundation. Most recently, he founded Kingdom Multimedia LLC, a creative agency creating green impact through communications and marketing strategies. Actively working with the Indian Land Tenure Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, Steve merges public relations, videography, and journalism to grow climate awareness at eco-oriented organizations that have not previously allocated resources to this mission.
DR. ALAN BYRD
Dean of Admissions, George Mason University
Alan Byrd began his tenure as Dean of Admissions at George Mason University in November 2020. With over 20 years of experience in enrollment management and community engagement, Dr. Byrd has a long, successful track record of leading, planning, and coordinating student recruitment and retention initiatives. He brings a team-oriented, data-driven recruitment approach to Mason that prioritizes exceptional service and commitment to student success.
Prior to Mason, Dr. Byrd was the chief enrollment officer at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He led UMSL to several new milestones for enrollment growth, diversity of the student body, the academic profile of incoming students, and graduation rates. Removing financial barriers for students was central to his work in St. Louis, where he developed innovative financial aid programs such as the “UMSL Grant” and “Finish Your Degree Scholarship” that reduced the average student loan debt at graduation by 12% and earned UMSL national recognition as a top 100 institution for social mobility according to U.S. News & World Report.
Dr. Byrd received his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at UMSL. He earned a B.A. in Communication and an M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Southeast Missouri State University.
DAWN APONTE
Administrative Assistant, Washington Scholars Program
Dawn is an Administrative Assistant for the Washington Scholars Program (WSP) and K-12 Partnerships Program Office, within the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. Dawn joined the team in 2012, following a career with the U.S. Deptartment of Justice. She loves supporting the WSP summer programs, the students and their families, and her teammates. In her opinion, George Mason is an inspirational and progressive place to learn and serve. Dawn spends her free time outdoors as much as possible and loves to read and be with her young-adult children.
DAWN APONTE
Administrative Assistant, Washington Scholars Program
Dawn is an Administrative Assistant for the Washington Scholars Program (WSP) and K-12 Partnerships Program Office, within the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. Dawn joined the team in 2012, following a career with the U.S. Deptartment of Justice. She loves supporting the WSP summer programs, the students and their families, and her teammates. In her opinion, George Mason is an inspirational and progressive place to learn and serve. Dawn spends her free time outdoors as much as possible and loves to read and be with her young-adult children.
KAYLA SHARPE
Deputy Newsletter Team Leader at Bloomberg Industry Group
Kayla N. Sharpe is a Washington, D.C.-based digital journalist focused on media, society, and audience engagement. She is the deputy newsletter team leader at Bloomberg Industry Group where she oversees the production of more than 60 newsletters covering law, government, tax, and accounting. She previously served as an associate editor at Axios, working with reporters in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Twin Cities covering national and local issues. She has also worked at POLITICO as an engagement editor for subscriber strategy and as a digital producer, and at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting supporting student and freelance journalists covering under-reported global issues.
Kayla graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2017 with degrees in film and media and American studies and served as the inaugural digital media editor for the campus newspaper, The Flat Hat. Kayla’s reporting has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, receiving their 2017 Regional Mark of Excellence Award for In-Depth Reporting, and William & Mary, receiving the university’s 2016 Rex Smith Journalism Award. She was also selected for the National Press Foundation 2024 “Widening the Pipeline” Fellowship focused on newsroom leadership skills for journalists of color.
Kayla is proud to be an engaged William & Mary alumna and currently serves as the co-chair of the Young Guarde Alumni Council and as vice chair of the William & Mary Washington Center Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Lambda Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
Learn more about Kayla and view her work at www.kaylasharpe.com
KAYLA SHARPE
Deputy Newsletter Team Leader at Bloomberg Industry Group
Kayla N. Sharpe is a Washington, D.C.-based digital journalist focused on media, society, and audience engagement. She is the deputy newsletter team leader at Bloomberg Industry Group where she oversees the production of more than 60 newsletters covering law, government, tax, and accounting. She previously served as an associate editor at Axios, working with reporters in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Twin Cities covering national and local issues. She has also worked at POLITICO as an engagement editor for subscriber strategy and as a digital producer, and at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting supporting student and freelance journalists covering under-reported global issues.
Kayla graduated from the College of William & Mary in 2017 with degrees in film and media and American studies and served as the inaugural digital media editor for the campus newspaper, The Flat Hat. Kayla’s reporting has been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, receiving their 2017 Regional Mark of Excellence Award for In-Depth Reporting, and William & Mary, receiving the university’s 2016 Rex Smith Journalism Award. She was also selected for the National Press Foundation 2024 “Widening the Pipeline” Fellowship focused on newsroom leadership skills for journalists of color.
Kayla is proud to be an engaged William & Mary alumna and currently serves as the co-chair of the Young Guarde Alumni Council and as vice chair of the William & Mary Washington Center Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Lambda Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
Learn more about Kayla and view her work at www.kaylasharpe.com
BRITNEY CROWE
Faculty Advisor
Britney began her journey with WJMC six years ago when she nominated students for the program, and she continues to come back to this program as a faculty advisor. She is a mentor, teacher, co-worker, mother, and child of Christ. She is finishing her 27th year of teaching in Texas and she just distributed her 24th yearbook to a campus of 3000 students. She lives in central Texas near her grown children, and her companions include two kitties and her plants. Britney enjoys travel, hiking, camping, new foods, and gathering stories from strangers.
BRITNEY CROWE
Faculty Advisor
Britney began her journey with WJMC six years ago when she nominated students for the program, and she continues to come back to this program as a faculty advisor. She is a mentor, teacher, co-worker, mother, and child of Christ. She is finishing her 27th year of teaching in Texas and she just distributed her 24th yearbook to a campus of 3000 students. She lives in central Texas near her grown children, and her companions include two kitties and her plants. Britney enjoys travel, hiking, camping, new foods, and gathering stories from strangers.
