Meet the GEA Board
Kara Mueller, President 
Kara is a second-year student in the School Psychology program and will leave with her Education Specialist degree in 2026. She earned a B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in Sociology from William & Mary, and has been excited to act as an advocate and leader for students since her time as an undergraduate. This year, she is also the Vice President of the School Psychology Student Association and holds a Graduate Assistantship in the Office of Academic Programs.
CJ Roberts, Vice President
CJ is a second-year M.Ed. student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with an emphasis on Military and Veterans. She completed her undergraduate degree in San Diego in Psychology with a minor in Counseling and Social Change. She is a Navy Veteran and found her passion for helping military populations through the people she met during her time in service. Her hobbies include reading and travel as the chance arises.
Lydia Manson, Secretary
Lydia is a second-year M.Ed. student in the School Counseling Program. She earned her bachelor's degree from James Madison University, double majoring in Psychology and Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Communication. Lydia is passionate about working to improve outcomes for underserved and marginalized students. In her free time, she enjoys baking sourdough bread, reading and writing poetry, and listening to Taylor Swift.
Sydney Manlove, Student Assembly Representative
Sydney is a first-year M.Ed. student in the Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership program. She loves Williamsburg and is proud to be working on her second degree from William & Mary, having recently graduated with a B.S. in Psychological Sciences and a minor in Public Health. Sydney currently serves as a Graduate Assistant with Campus Recreation where she also enjoys teaching group fitness classes! She has experience working in the W&M Dean of Students Office and serving as Co-Chair of the Undergraduate Honor Council, and she is looking forward to expanding her leadership experience in Higher Education Administration. In her free time, she enjoys reading, listening to music and podcasts, baking, staying active, and spending time with friends and family.
Ryan Babcock, Graduate Council Representative
Ryan is a M.A.Ed. student in the Curriculum & Instruction program with an emphasis on ESL/Bilingual Education. He completed his bachelor's degree at Virginia Tech in Marketing Management with a minor in Communications. In 2019, he thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail. He enjoys writing poetry, reading literature, and dreaming up the next adventure.
Adriana Giles, Graduate Council Representative
Adriana is a first-year M.Ed. student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling for Veterans and Military program. She completed her bachelor’s at SUNY Albany, majoring in Criminal Justice. She has worked with the military community for Marine Corps Community Services, interned at the Virginia Victim Assistance Network, and has clerked for the Commonwealth’s General District Courts. Adriana hopes to combine her counselor education and work experience to work as a victim advocate for the military community. In her free time, Adriana likes to read and try new restaurants!
David Davenport, Project Representative 
David is a doctoral student in the Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership program. He works as Graduate Assistant for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion 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.
Joanna Lucky, Projects Representative
Joanna is a second-year student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Military and Veterans program. She graduated from Christopher Newport University in 2023 with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Studio Art. When she isn’t studying, Joanna enjoys photography, painting, hiking, and thrifting!
Megan Baker, Finance Initiatives
Megan Baker is a first-year M.Ed. Clinical Mental Health Counseling student with a concentration in Military and Veterans counseling. She completed her bachelor’s at Virginia Commonwealth University with a double major in Psychology and Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Megan is passionate for working with veterans and has committed to work at underserved Veteran Affairs Medical Centers across the United States upon receiving licensure as a counselor. During her free time, she enjoys skateboarding, working out, and painting.
Diana Ward, Student Engagement Initiatives 
Diana is a second-year M.Ed. Clinical Mental Health Counseling student in the online program at William & Mary. She completed a B.A. in Environmental Science at Eastern Mennonite University with minors in Biology and Psychology. Diana’s counseling interests include supporting members of the Latine community and advocating for mental health within the population. In her free time, Diana enjoys hiking, reading, camping, and quilting.
Nathaniel Appiah, Student Engagement Initiatives
Nathaniel is currently pursuing a M.Ed in Educational Policy, Planning and 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 for Civic and Community Engagement. At his leisure, Nathaniel enjoys jogging, reading and playing soccer.
Angie Garruto, Student Engagement Initiatives 
Angie is a second-year master's student in the online School Counseling program. She earned her M.S.Ed. in Teaching and Learning from the University of Southern Maine. She enjoys all outdoor activities, travel, cooking, family recipes and making special memories. Angie is dedicated to providing ongoing leadership, advocacy, instruction and resources for all members of her in-person and online learning communities. Please reach out and let her know how she can make your William & Mary online education and experience the very best it can be. Go Tribe!
Jesse Lee, Communications Initiatives
Jesse is a second-year M.Ed. Counseling student with a concentration in School Counseling. She completed her bachelor's degrees at the University of California Berkeley in Psychology and Social Welfare with a minor in Education. Jesse has worked with diverse students as an educator, student mentor, youth coordinator, and college and career advisor. She is passionate about student wellness and success, community partnership, and AAPI/BIPOC advocacy and leadership in K-12 education. Jesse also loves to cook, watch movies, travel, and spend time with friends!
Alexis Kauffman, Communications Initiatives 
Alexis is a first year M.Ed. counseling student with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health. She completed her bachelor’s degree in 2024 at The Pennsylvania State University with a major in Political Science and minor in Spanish. Following completion of the M.Ed. counseling program, she intends to blend her passions for movement and helping individuals suffering from eating disorders by opening her own counseling practice and yoga studio. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, reading, practicing yoga, and cooking.
Ariela Papp, Communications Initiatives
Ariela is a first-year M.Ed. student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She graduated with her B.A. in Psychology from Kenyon College in 2021 and has spent the past three years working in research with a focus on substance use disorders. In her free time, she enjoys getting coffee with friends and family, exploring new hiking trails, and calm nights in with Netflix.
