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Tag: 2025

David Caine

DAVID CAINE

Junior Faculty Advisor, Alum 2022

David Caine is a rising junior at the University of Florida, studying journalism. He was a correspondent at WJMC in 2022, intern in 2023, and Junior Faculty Advisor in 2025. He is incredibly excited to be returning as a JFA once again to inspire others the way WJMC inspired him. David loves acting in shows at UF and serves as the Director of Mass Communications for one of UF’s theatre organizations. He also works as a Sunday School teacher and operations intern at UF Hillel, helping students and staff. Outside of his studies, David loves spending time with his family and friends, as well as his two cats. He can’t wait to return to WJMC to make meaningful memories and connections!

DAVID CAINE

Junior Faculty Advisor, Alum 2022

David Caine is a rising junior at the University of Florida, studying journalism. He was a correspondent at WJMC in 2022, intern in 2023, and Junior Faculty Advisor in 2025. He is incredibly excited to be returning as a JFA once again to inspire others the way WJMC inspired him. David loves acting in shows at UF and serves as the Director of Mass Communications for one of UF’s theatre organizations. He also works as a Sunday School teacher and operations intern at UF Hillel, helping students and staff. Outside of his studies, David loves spending time with his family and friends, as well as his two cats. He can’t wait to return to WJMC to make meaningful memories and connections!

Buzz McClain

BUZZ MCCLAIN

Director of Communications, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University

Veteran columnist, critic, reporter, and editor Buzz McClain covered movies and pop culture for 20 years at major magazines and wrote about music and musicians for a decade at the Washington Post before NBC Sports lured him away to cover rugby football.  He now is director of communications for the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, which is also his alma mater and the school that taught him everything he needed to know about surviving a career in journalism.

BUZZ MCCLAIN

Director of Communications, Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University

Veteran columnist, critic, reporter, and editor Buzz McClain covered movies and pop culture for 20 years at major magazines and wrote about music and musicians for a decade at the Washington Post before NBC Sports lured him away to cover rugby football.  He now is director of communications for the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, which is also his alma mater and the school that taught him everything he needed to know about surviving a career in journalism.

Camden Layton

CAMDEN LAYTON

Faculty Advisor

Camden Layton is a WJMC and George Mason University alum who
now works as the Political Director of AFT Virginia.  He graduated from
Mason with his BS in Public Administration and a Master of Public Policy,
specializing in Education Policy. During his time on campus, Camden worked in
the Washington Scholars Program office and held many leadership roles, including
Student Body President. At his current job, he helps lead digital advocacy and organizing
efforts for teachers 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 8th summer!

CAMDEN LAYTON

Faculty Advisor

Camden Layton is a WJMC and George Mason University alum who now works as the Political Director of AFT Virginia.  He graduated from Mason with his BS in Public Administration and a Master of Public Policy, specializing in Education Policy. During his time on campus, Camden worked in the Washington Scholars Program office and held many leadership roles, including Student Body President. At his current job, he helps lead digital advocacy and organizing efforts for teachers 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 8th summer!

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

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. 

Mariah Baldwin

created by photogrid

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

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!

Beth Marshall

BETH MARSHALL

Faculty Advisor

Beth Marshall, C.J.E., M.Ed., advises yearbook and teaches Journalism, English courses, and a dual credit course, Introduction to Mass Commuciations at Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Illinois. She has been teaching and advising journalism for 10 years, and she has taught English for more than 30 years. She is a Certified Journalism Educator, and she 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 president 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

Beth Marshall, C.J.E., M.Ed., advises yearbook and teaches Journalism, English courses, and a dual credit course, Introduction to Mass Commuciations at Richmond-Burton Community High School in Richmond, Illinois. She has been teaching and advising journalism for 10 years, and she has taught English for more than 30 years. She is a Certified Journalism Educator, and she 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 president 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.

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.

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.

Andrias White Murdaugh

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

Assad Khan, Undergraduate Programs Coordinator, COS. Photo by Creative Services/George Mason University

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

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.