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Category: Staff

Joseph Colaianni

JOSEPH COLAIANNI

Advanced Team

Joey is a Junior at George Mason University with a major of Tourism and Event Management. He is also a member of the Chi Psi Fraternity on campus. He enjoys reading, writing, watching baseball, and going to the movies. After college he wants to be an event planner. 

JOSEPH COLAIANNI

Advanced Team

Joey is a Junior at George Mason University with a major of Tourism and Event Management. He is also a member of the Chi Psi Fraternity on campus. He enjoys reading, writing, watching baseball, and going to the movies. After college he wants to be an event planner.

Cassie Dornan

CASSIE DORNAN

Advanced Team

Cassie Dornan just finished her junior year at Elon University. She is majoring
in Strategic Communications with minors in Leadership Studies and American
Studies. She also works for Live Oak Communications, Elon’s student-run
marketing and advertising agency, which has further strengthened her passion
for the communications field. This summer will be her fifth summer attending
WSP and she couldn’t be more excited. Cassie is beyond thrilled to be a
member of the Advance Team and watch many students get the incredible
opportunities and connections WSP provides.

CASSIE DORNAN

Advanced Team

Cassie Dornan just finished her junior year at Elon University. She is majoring in Strategic Communications with minors in Leadership Studies and American Studies. She also works for Live Oak Communications, Elon’s student-run marketing and advertising agency, which has further strengthened her passion for the communications field. This summer will be her fifth summer attending WSP and she couldn’t be more excited. Cassie is beyond thrilled to be a member of the Advance Team and watch many students get the incredible 
opportunities and connections WSP provides.

Emma Miller

EMMA MILLER

Advance Team

Emma Miller is a current Events Team Intern for the Office of Admission at George Mason University. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and intends to earn her DNP in the nursing practice. Outside of her academics you’ll find her taking her dog on walks, doing pilates, or playing pickleball with friends. 

EMMA MILLER

Advance Team

Emma Miller is a current Events Team Intern for the Office of Admission at George Mason University. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and intends to earn her DNP in the nursing practice. Outside of her academics you’ll find her taking her dog on walks, doing pilates, or playing pickleball with friends. 

Nicole Johnson

NICOLE JOHNSON

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Nicole is a senior at The Summit Preparatory School in Springfield, Missouri. She is actively involved in the Conservation Leadership Corps of Missouri, Future Farmers of America, and has volunteered at the Dickerson Park Zoo for over four years. Nicole is passionate about wildlife conservation, sustainability efforts, and continuing to grow through leadership and environmental involvement. In the future, Nicole hopes to pursue veterinary medicine and work with exotic wildlife in Africa. Nicole is excited to be an intern for the 2026 WYSE program and hopes to help delegates feel welcome while learning as much as possible through the experience.

NICOLE JOHNSON

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Nicole is a senior at The Summit Preparatory School in Springfield, Missouri. She is actively involved in the Conservation Leadership Corps of Missouri, Future Farmers of America, and has volunteered at the Dickerson Park Zoo for over four years. Nicole is passionate about wildlife conservation, sustainability efforts, and continuing to grow through leadership and environmental involvement. In the future, Nicole hopes to pursue veterinary medicine and work with exotic wildlife in Africa. Nicole is excited to be an intern for the 2026 WYSE program and hopes to help delegates feel welcome while learning as much as possible through the experience.

Juniper Falterman

JUNIPER FALTERMAN

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Juniper is a current senior at Mandeville High School in Mandeville, Louisiana. Juniper is passionate about environmental science, shown through her volunteer work with New Orleans Audubon Society, and other local organizations. She is VP of her school’s Green Club, is an active member of her school’s Key Club, and plays soccer. In her free time, she enjoys snorkeling, hiking, and anything outdoors. Juniper is extremely grateful and excited to come back to WYSE as an intern!

JUNIPER FALTERMAN

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Juniper is a current senior at Mandeville High School in Mandeville, Louisiana. Juniper is passionate about environmental science, shown through her volunteer work with New Orleans Audubon Society, and other local organizations. She is VP of her school’s Green Club, is an active member of her school’s Key Club, and plays soccer. In her free time, she enjoys snorkeling, hiking, and anything outdoors. Juniper is extremely grateful and excited to come back to WYSE as an intern!

Emerson Smith

EMERSON SMITH

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Emerson Smith is a recent high school graduate with a strong passion for the outdoors and environmental stewardship. Growing up surrounded by nature, Emerson developed a deep appreciation for ecosystems through activities like fly fishing and gardening. These experiences have inspired a commitment to preserving natural environments and promoting sustainable practices. In the fall, Emerson will begin pursuing a degree in Environmental Horticulture at Montana State University, with the goal of deepening knowledge in plant science and land management. With a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for learning, Emerson is excited to make WYSE 2026 as amazing as possible!

EMERSON SMITH

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Emerson Smith is a recent high school graduate with a strong passion for the outdoors and environmental stewardship. Growing up surrounded by nature, Emerson developed a deep appreciation for ecosystems through activities like fly fishing and gardening. These experiences have inspired a commitment to preserving natural environments and promoting sustainable practices. In the fall, Emerson will begin pursuing a degree in Environmental Horticulture at Montana State University, with the goal of deepening knowledge in plant science and land management. With a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for learning, Emerson is excited to make WYSE 2026 as amazing as possible!

Cora Toner

CORA TONER

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Cora Toner is a recent high school graduate from Capistrano Valley High School in southern California. In the fall Cora will be attending Colorado State University, where she will be majoring in Zoology on the pre-vet track. Her involvement in MUN and her local animal shelter have lead her to pursue a career in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine. Cora is so excited to help make WYSE 2026 the best yet and get to be a intern.

CORA TONER

Intern, WYSE Alum 2025

Cora Toner is a recent high school graduate from Capistrano Valley High School in southern California. In the fall Cora will be attending Colorado State University, where she will be majoring in Zoology on the pre-vet track. Her involvement in MUN and her local animal shelter have lead her to pursue a career in animal husbandry and veterinary medicine. Cora is so excited to help make WYSE 2026 the best yet and get to be a intern.

Suri Raut

SURI RAUT

Faculty Advisor

Suri Raut has been teaching for the special education department at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia for eight years, specializing in Biology and Earth Science. He is the school advisor for the Best Buddies and Special Olympics programs. Prior to working at Yorktown, Suri was the Academic Coordinator for the Mason LIFE Program, which provides college aged students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a comprehensive university experience here at GMU. He helped develop curriculum and supervised the instructors in becoming special education teachers. Suri obtained his Master’s in Special Education at Mason and has been a proud member of Patriot Nation ever since. Though he loves all sports, Suri is an avid fan of the Caps! Let’s go Caps! Suri also loves to catch live shows, relaxing on the beach, camping, hiking and exploring new countries.

SURI RAUT

Faculty Advisor

Suri Raut has been teaching for the special education department at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia for eight years, specializing in Biology and Earth Science. He is the school advisor for the Best Buddies and Special Olympics programs. Prior to working at Yorktown, Suri was the Academic Coordinator for the Mason LIFE Program, which provides college aged students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a comprehensive university experience here at GMU. He helped develop curriculum and supervised the instructors in becoming special education teachers. Suri obtained his Master’s in Special Education at Mason and has been a proud member of Patriot Nation ever since. Though he loves all sports, Suri is an avid fan of the Caps! Let’s go Caps! Suri also loves to catch live shows, relaxing on the beach, camping, hiking and exploring new countries.

Mason Johnson

MASON JOHNSON

Junior Faculty Advisor

Mason is a junior pursuing a B.S. in Natural Resource Conservation and Management at Western Carolina University. He has a particular interest and passion for marine and wildlife management. When not attending WCU, Mason enjoys hiking, kayaking, building legos, and spending time with loved ones. Mason is looking forward to being a JFA this summer!

MASON JOHNSON

Junior Faculty Advisor

Mason is a junior pursuing a B.S. in Natural Resource Conservation and Management at Western Carolina University. He has a particular interest and passion for marine and wildlife management. When not attending WCU, Mason enjoys hiking, kayaking, building legos, and spending time with loved ones. Mason is looking forward to being a JFA this summer!

Courtney Gordon

COURTNEY GORDON

Junior Faculty Advisor, WYSE Alum 2022

Courtney is a rising Senior at George Mason University pursuing a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a concentration in Conservation. This past semester, she studied at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute with the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation program. She hopes to work as a wildlife biologist in an ornithological field. Outside of school, I’m a big fan of sewing, photography, reading, and especially binging rom-coms. I am beyond pumped to work with the youth delegates of WYSE once again!

COURTNEY GORDON

Junior Faculty Advisor, WYSE Alum 2022

Courtney is a rising Senior at George Mason University pursuing a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a concentration in Conservation. This past semester, she studied at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute with the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation program. She hopes to work as a wildlife biologist in an ornithological field. Outside of school, I’m a big fan of sewing, photography, reading, and especially binging rom-coms. I am beyond pumped to work with the youth delegates of WYSE once again!