Meet the GEA Board
Nathaniel Appiah, President 
Nathaniel is currently pursuing a M.Ed. in Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Economics Education from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Nathaniel is known for his strong emphasis on inclusivity, social justice, and equality. His dedication to creating an environment where all voices are heard and valued shines through in his work and interactions with others. He serves as a Graduate Assistant here at the School of Education. At his leisure, he enjoys jogging, reading, and playing soccer.
Natalie Saville, Vice President 
Natalie serves as the Vice President and is in the School Counseling program at the School of Education. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from William & Mary. She is excited to see how the Graduate Education Association will impact the experience of graduate students. Natalie has served as Vice President before in a club at William & Mary and has a background as a public relations officer as well. Natalie will bring her expertise in event logistics and organization to create an abundance of opportunities for graduate students at the School of Education. Around campus, you may see Natalie grabbing coffee and working out at the Rec Center. She loves the outdoors and is always up for an adventure. Natalie is excited to be your Vice President and she will work to provide nothing but the best for each student that comes to William & Mary School of Education.
Helen Boyd, Secretary 
Helen is a first-year M.Ed. student in the Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership program. In addition to serving on the GEA Board, she also works as a Graduate Assistant in the Accountability & Restorative Practices Office. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in Medieval History and had various student support roles in education before attending graduate school, most recently at the University of Richmond School of Law. In her free time, she loves to bake and is constantly rewatching The West Wing.
Mitchell Popovski, Treasurer 
Mitchell is a first-year graduate student in the Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership program with a concentration in Higher Education Administration. He serves on campus as a Community Director in one of the residence halls, as well as the treasurer of the GEA Executive Board. In his free time, he enjoys working out, spending time with God, and writing.
Joey Ladymon, New Student Liaison 
Joey is currently in his first-year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership, Higher Education Administration program. He is a William & Mary alumnus, Class of 1998. Prior to his return to the Alma Mater of the Nation, he served in the United States Air Force for 23 years and held a variety of positions, including squadron command of a 750-person unit and as a professional military education instructor at the Air Command and Staff College. Joey currently calls Williamsburg home with his spouse Karen, also a William & Mary Class of 1997 graduate, and their six-year-old first-grader. Finally, Joey is also a graduate assistant in the School of Education.
David Davenport, Main Campus Liaison
David is a doctoral student in the Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership program. He works as Graduate Assistant at William & Mary and serves in the Army National Guard. He was previously a middle and high school educator who taught Music, Math, Leadership and SOL prep courses. Outside of academia, he enjoys traveling and spending time with friends & family.
Chloe Jones, Projects Representative 
Chloe is a first-year M.Ed. student in the Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership program. She loves W&M and Williamsburg, having recently graduated with a B.A. in Psychological Sciences as well as a B.A. in Gender, Sexuality & Women’s Studies from William & Mary this past spring. She holds a Graduate Assistantship in the Student Leadership Development (SLD) Office, focusing on creating, facilitating, and coordinating leadership programs. She loved being so involved as an undergraduate student and is excited to support students on the other side as a GA, providing them with resources and opportunities for leadership development. She is ready to work with the rest of the GEA board this year and hopes to work on fun initiatives focused on community building!
Ava Hagee, Projects Representative 
Ava is a first-year M.A.Ed. student in the Curriculum & Instruction Secondary Education program with a concentration in Social Studies. She recently graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in History from W&M, and she is excited to serve as a Projects Representative on the GEA Board this year. During undergrad, she was involved with STEP as an orientation aide, worked at Swem Library as a digital production assistant, and was a part of a social sorority. In her free time, Ava loves reading, hiking, and watching Love Island in the summertime!
Mandy Brar, Communications Initiatives
Mandy (he/him) is a queer international student currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Administration at William & Mary. He previously completed graduate studies at Syracuse University and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Mandy is passionate about language learning, exploring national parks, and advancing the internationalization of higher education curriculum.
Liz Lee, Communications Initiatives 
Liz is in the online master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at William & Mary. She has a bachelor’s in Asian Studies from Whitman College and a master’s in Teaching from the University of Washington. Her passion is connecting communities through events like cultural festivals, arts performances, and pen pal programs. She taught in public schools for five years before deciding to pursue a career in counseling. She is excited to meet you soon at an in-person or virtual GEA event!