Amber Brown

AMBER BROWN

Advanced Team

Amber is a college sophomore from Portsmouth, Virginia. Amber attends the University of Alabama and is pursuing a degree in Social Work. She has attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) as a correspondent, came back as an intern, and now is excited to work on the advance team! Her WJMC experience was one of the best experiences of her life and she loves to help create that experience for incoming Delegates at WYSE!

AMBER BROWN

Advanced Team

Amber is a college sophomore from Portsmouth, Virginia. Amber attends the University of Alabama and is pursuing a degree in Social Work. She has attended the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) as a correspondent, came back as an intern, and now is excited to work on the advance team! Her WJMC experience was one of the best experiences of her life and she loves to help create that experience for incoming Delegates at WYSE!

Avi Kopec

AVI KOPEC

Advance Team

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

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.

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!

Rachel Ickowitz

RACHEL ICKOWITZ

Advance Team

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 Telecounselor 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

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 Telecounselor 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.

Eddi Johnson

EDDI JOHNSON

Student Support

Eddi lives in Greensboro, North Carolina and attended The University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she majored in Elementary Education and held a concentration in Linguistics and Communication Studies. She has been a classroom teacher for 15 years and has been an Instructional Coach for four years. She will begin a new role as a Curriculum Facilitator in August of the upcoming school year and is excited to begin that journey. She believes that education is the most vital tool in a person’s life and believes it is a privilege to be a part of expanding student’s paths this summer through experiential learning. She feels honored to be a part of WYSE at George Mason University!

EDDI JOHNSON

Student Support

Eddi lives in Greensboro, North Carolina and attended The University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she majored in Elementary Education and held a concentration in Linguistics and Communication Studies. She has been a classroom teacher for 15 years and has been an Instructional Coach for four years. She will begin a new role as a Curriculum Facilitator in August of the upcoming school year and is excited to begin that journey. She believes that education is the most vital tool in a person’s life and believes it is a privilege to be a part of expanding student’s paths this summer through experiential learning. She feels honored to be a part of WYSE at George Mason University!

Halli Harwood

HALLI HARWOOD

Advance Team

Halli Harwood is excited to be a 2026 graduate of Elon University with a Bachelor of Arts in strategic communications and a minor in business administration. After attending WJMC in 2021, serving as an intern in 2022, yellow group’s JFA in 2024, and on the advance team last summer, Halli is excited to once again join the WSP staff as a member of the advance team. During her time at Elon, Halli served as assistant agency director of Live Oak Communications, Elon’s student run PR and advertising agency, as a School of Communications student ambassador, and has had her undergraduate research on the cruising industry published. In September, Halli is moving to Australia on a working holiday visa to work and travel Down Under for a few years!

HALLI HARWOOD

Advance Team

Halli Harwood is excited to be a 2026 graduate of Elon University with a Bachelor of Arts in strategic communications and a minor in business administration. After attending WJMC in 2021, serving as an intern in 2022, yellow group’s JFA in 2024, and on the advance team last summer, Halli is excited to once again join the WSP staff as a member of the advance team. During her time at Elon, Halli served as assistant agency director of Live Oak Communications, Elon’s student run PR and advertising agency, as a School of Communications student ambassador, and has had her undergraduate research on the cruising industry published. In September, Halli is moving to Australia on a working holiday visa to work and travel Down Under for a few years!

Sofia Cochis

SOFIA COCHIS

Advance Team

Sofia Cochis is the Event Coordinator in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. In Spring 2024, Sofia earned her BA in Communication with a focus in Public Relations and Event Management at Virginia Tech. She is currently pursuing an MS in Management at George Mason University. On 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

Sofia Cochis is the Event Coordinator in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. In Spring 2024, Sofia earned her BA in Communication with a focus in Public Relations and Event Management at Virginia Tech. She is currently pursuing an MS in Management at George Mason University. On 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

Katelyn Verbosky is a member of the Advance Team for WYSE and WJMC this Summer. As a returning member to the Advance Team she is excited to be back. She is currently in nursing school working towards her RN license. Katelyn was previously on the George Mason’s Women’s Club Ice Hockey Team, and she still enjoys a good scrimmage game and ice skating. She also enjoys listening to music, fishing, painting, and going on hikes. 

KATELYN VERBOSKY

Advance Team

Katelyn Verbosky is a member of the Advance Team for WYSE and WJMC this Summer. As a returning member to the Advance Team she is excited to be back. She is currently in nursing school working towards her RN license. Katelyn was previously on the George Mason’s Women’s Club Ice Hockey Team, and she still enjoys a good scrimmage game and ice skating. She also enjoys listening to music, fishing, painting, and going on hikes. 

Daniel Germano

DANIEL GERMANO

Advance Team

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

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.

Abigail Dotson

ABIGAIL DOTSON

Intern, WYSE Alum 2024

Abigail is a junior at Charleston Catholic High School in Charleston, West Virginia. She
participates in Quizbowl, the Science Olympiad, and both school and travel volleyball.
She first began appreciating the environment while studying ecosystems in school
and loving their complexities. Her experience with WYSE in 2024 only reinforced her
love of the natural world and its inhabitants, and she is honored to be able to help
the program! She hopes to graduate high school in 2026 and go to college to
manage the financial aspect of the movement to help the environment!

ABIGAIL DOTSON

Intern, WYSE Alum 2024

Abigail is a junior at Charleston Catholic High School in Charleston, West Virginia. She participates in Quizbowl, the Science Olympiad, and both school and travel volleyball. She first began appreciating the environment while studying ecosystems in school and loving their complexities. Her experience with WYSE in 2024 only reinforced her love of the natural world and its inhabitants, and she is honored to be able to help the program! She hopes to graduate high school in 2026 and go to college to manage the financial aspect of the movement to help the environment!