The Washington Journalism and Media Conference

Avi Kopec

AVI KOPEC

Advance Team Member

Avi is a rising junior at George Mason University pursuing a computer science degree with a business minor. He grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he spent almost all of his free time playing hockey or golf. On campus, he is a part of Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity. When he is done with his undergraduate career, he aims to pursue a master’s in software engineering. In his career, he hopes to find himself somewhere in the intersection of tech, business, and law.

AVI KOPEC

Advance Team Member

Avi is a rising junior at George Mason University pursuing a computer science degree with a business minor. He grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he spent almost all of his free time playing hockey or golf. On campus, he is a part of Alpha Kappa Psi, the professional business fraternity. When he is done with his undergraduate career, he aims to pursue a master’s in software engineering. In his career, he hopes to find himself somewhere in the intersection of tech, business, and law.

Rachel Ickowitz

RACHEL ICKOWITZ

Advance Team Member

Rachel is a rising junior from Knoxville, Tennessee majoring in sociology with a concentration in inequality and social change at George Mason University. On campus, Rachel is involved in the University Scholars Program, the Next System Fellows Program, the Next Constitutions Research Lab, CHSS Ambassadors, Chi Omega Fraternity, Order of Omega, and the Sociology Ambassadors program. She also works as a tele-counselor for the Office of Admissions, supporting prospective students through the application process! After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate studies and is especially interested in advancing social change through the study and design of equitable systems.

RACHEL ICKOWITZ

Advance Team Member

Rachel is a rising junior from Knoxville, Tennessee majoring in sociology with a concentration in inequality and social change at George Mason University. On campus, Rachel is involved in the University Scholars Program, the Next System Fellows Program, the Next Constitutions Research Lab, CHSS Ambassadors, Chi Omega Fraternity, Order of Omega, and the Sociology Ambassadors program. She also works as a tele-counselor for the Office of Admissions, supporting prospective students through the application process! After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate studies and is especially interested in advancing social change through the study and design of equitable systems.

Halli Harwood

HALLI HARWOOD

Advance Team Member

Halli is a rising senior at Elon University with a major in strategic communications and a minor in business administration. After attending WJMC in 2021, serving as an intern in 2022, and returning as yellow group’s JFA last summer, Halli is excited to once again join the WSP staff as a member of the advance team. She currently serves as the assistant agency director of Live Oak Communications, Elon’s student-run marketing and advertising agency, is an Elon School of Communications student ambassador, and is conducting undergraduate research about corporate social responsibility within the cruising industry.

HALLI HARWOOD

Advance Team Member

Halli is a rising senior at Elon University with a major in strategic communications and a minor in business administration. After attending WJMC in 2021, serving as an intern in 2022, and returning as yellow group’s JFA last summer, Halli is excited to once again join the WSP staff as a member of the advance team. She currently serves as the assistant agency director of Live Oak Communications, Elon’s student-run marketing and advertising agency, is an Elon School of Communications student ambassador, and is conducting undergraduate research about corporate social responsibility within the cruising industry.

Sofia Cochis

SOFIA COCHIS

Advance Team Member

Sofia is the Event Coordinator in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. In spring 2024, Sofia earned her B.A. in communication with a focus in public relations and event management at Virginia Tech. She is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in business fundamentals at George Mason and is hoping to accelerate to a M.S. in management. In Sofia’s free time, she is likely on a hike, trying a new local coffee shop, playing trivia, or watching Hokie football and basketball games.

SOFIA COCHIS

Advance Team Member

Sofia is the Event Coordinator in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. In spring 2024, Sofia earned her B.A. in communication with a focus in public relations and event management at Virginia Tech. She is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in business fundamentals at George Mason and is hoping to accelerate to a M.S. in management. In Sofia’s free time, she is likely on a hike, trying a new local coffee shop, playing trivia, or watching Hokie football and basketball games.

Katelyn Verbosky

KATELYN VERBOSKY

Advance Team Member

Katelyn is the Event Intern in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s in healthcare administration, with plans to transition into Nursing. She also intends to earn her M.H.A. in healthcare administration. Katelyn is a dedicated student and athlete. She is a member of the women’s ice hockey club at Mason and enjoys rollerblading around campus. She also enjoys listening to music, playing pickleball, painting, and going on hikes.

KATELYN VERBOSKY

Advance Team Member

Katelyn is the Event Intern in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s in healthcare administration, with plans to transition into Nursing. She also intends to earn her M.H.A. in healthcare administration. Katelyn is a dedicated student and athlete. She is a member of the women’s ice hockey club at Mason and enjoys rollerblading around campus. She also enjoys listening to music, playing pickleball, painting, and going on hikes.

Daniel Germano

DANIEL GERMANO

Advance Team Member

Daniel is a Sophomore at George Mason University pursuing a B.F.A. in art and visual technology, with a concentration in graphic design. He currently works as a Telecounselor for the Office of Admissions at GMU and is becoming a substitute teacher for Loudoun County Public Schools. He hopes to pursue a career in education or higher education as a teacher, admissions counselor, or another related position in the field. In his free time, Daniel enjoys hanging out with his friends at malls and the movies, creating and designing personal projects, and spending time with his family.

DANIEL GERMANO

Advance Team Member

Daniel is a Sophomore at George Mason University pursuing a B.F.A. in art and visual technology, with a concentration in graphic design. He currently works as a Telecounselor for the Office of Admissions at GMU and is becoming a substitute teacher for Loudoun County Public Schools. He hopes to pursue a career in education or higher education as a teacher, admissions counselor, or another related position in the field. In his free time, Daniel enjoys hanging out with his friends at malls and the movies, creating and designing personal projects, and spending time with his family.

Leila Campbell

LEILA CAMPBELL

Junior Faculty Advisor, Alum 2022

Leila is a rising junior in George Mason University’s Honors College, pursuing a B.F.A. in creative writing with a concentration in fiction and a minor in journalism. Leila attended WJMC in 2022, and discovered her passion for journalism as another avenue for her writing. Attending WJMC confirmed her decision to study at George Mason University, and she loves it! Leila enjoys reading, writing, drawing, video games, and spending time with her friends and family. She is so excited to be a JFA at WJMC this summer, and is looking forwards to meeting everyone and guaranteeing that all attendees have as much fun as she did at WJMC.

LEILA CAMPBELL

Junior Faculty Advisor, Alum 2022

Leila is a rising junior in George Mason University’s Honors College, pursuing a B.F.A. in creative writing with a concentration in fiction and a minor in journalism. Leila attended WJMC in 2022, and discovered her passion for journalism as another avenue for her writing. Attending WJMC confirmed her decision to study at George Mason University, and she loves it! Leila enjoys reading, writing, drawing, video games, and spending time with her friends and family. She is so excited to be a JFA at WJMC this summer, and is looking forwards to meeting everyone and guaranteeing that all attendees have as much fun as she did at WJMC.

Alexis Bunting

ALEXIS BUNTING

Junior Faculty Advisor, Alum 2023

Lexi is a double major in political science and journalism at Indiana University. Originally from Carmel, Indiana, she is actively involved in campus life, including playing on the IU women’s rugby team and exploring her creative side through ceramic art. In her free time, she enjoys hiking local trails. Lexi has a strong passion for journalism and is eager to contribute to the field through thoughtful storytelling and impactful reporting.

ALEXIS BUNTING

Junior Faculty Advisor, Alum 2023

Lexi is a double major in political science and journalism at Indiana University. Originally from Carmel, Indiana, she is actively involved in campus life, including playing on the IU women’s rugby team and exploring her creative side through ceramic art. In her free time, she enjoys hiking local trails. Lexi has a strong passion for journalism and is eager to contribute to the field through thoughtful storytelling and impactful reporting.

Hannarose Schiano

HANNAROSE SCHIANO

Junior Faculty Advisor, Photography

Hannarose is a rising sophomore at the University of North Georgia, where she works for the Nighthawk Sports Network and contributes to The Vanguard, the university’s student newspaper. She is pursuing a degree in communications with a concentration in multimedia journalism. In 2023, she attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University. Hannarose is thrilled to return to Washington, D.C., and be part of the team this summer!

HANNAROSE SCHIANO

Junior Faculty Advisor, Photography

Hannarose is a rising sophomore at the University of North Georgia, where she works for the Nighthawk Sports Network and contributes to The Vanguard, the university’s student newspaper. She is pursuing a degree in communications with a concentration in multimedia journalism. In 2023, she attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference at George Mason University. Hannarose is thrilled to return to Washington, D.C., and be part of the team this summer!-

Hailey Jones

HAILEY JONES

Hailey is a very outgoing and spontaneous person. She always goes out her way to help people who are in need. She loves and finds comfort in photography, cars and football. She plans on attending collage at George mason university in the fall of 2026 for photography then go on to be a football mediaist