Laura Beth Lynch

Charlotte, NC

Baylor University: Professional Writing and Rhetoric, Minor in Public Relations

Host Family: Tom and Judy Hatmaker

Employer: UVA Darden Center for Global Initiatives

Mentor: Kim Tolman

A graduate of Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing and Rhetoric, Laura Beth loves to translate complex ideas into narratives for print, digital, and visual platforms. In her leadership role with Baylor’s Undergraduate Admissions office, Laura Beth led campus tours, promoted recruitment initiatives, and fostered connections among students. These opportunities inspired her to pursue a career in higher education, helping students make their university feel like home. Laura Beth also interned in public relations and editing, where she created written and visual content promoting brand marketing and engagement. When she’s not reading a book at her favorite coffee shop, playing pickleball, or learning new songs on the piano, Laura Beth enjoys hunting game in Africa and skiing down the mountains of Colorado.

Kate Gillum

Birmingham, AL

Wofford College: Psychology, Religious Studies

Host Family: Ken and Terry Elzinga

Employer: The Autism Sanctuary

Mentor: Laurel Bennett

Kate Gillum graduated from Wofford College with degrees in Psychology and Religious Studies and a minor in Education. She is interested in the interrelation between psychology and education, with a particular emphasis on how communication and relationships shape learning. She implemented these interests through her work as a teaching assistant in a neuroscience lab and as a research assistant in the Education department. While at Wofford, Kate was actively involved in campus leadership, serving as president of the Psychology Society and as an Office of Admission intern. She also served as Captain of the Wofford College Division I Dance Team, fostering a supportive, connected team environment. As part of her undergraduate education, she studied in London and India. Outside of academics and leadership, Kate enjoys reading, singing, ballet, and needlepoint. Her claim to fame is that she once performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Anna Apke

Pinehurst, NC

North Carolina State University: Finance, Minor in Tourism Management

Host Family: Stu and Sharon Scott

Employer: Kayo Conference Series

Mentor: Anna Smith

Anna is a graduate of North Carolina State University, where she studied Finance and Tourism Management. During her time at NC State, she pursued opportunities that brought together her interests in business strategy, hospitality, leadership, and service. Through Cru and Neighbor to Neighbor, she found meaningful ways to mentor students and develop relationships within her community. Anna spent her summers working in high-end hospitality environments at Pinehurst Golf Resort and Mount Rushmore Lodge, gaining experience in operations and team management while creating memorable experiences for international travelers. During her undergraduate studies, she played clarinet in the NC State Symphonic Band and conducted an independent equity research project, developing a strategy to analyze S&P 500 equities, predict returns, and guide portfolio construction. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, pickleball, crocheting, water skiing, and spending time with friends and family.

William Hall

Richmond, VA

Appalachian State University: Geological and Environmental Sciences

Host Family: Mark and Laurie Mandichak

Employer: Seven Development

Mentor: James Griffin

William Hall is a graduate of Appalachian State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Geological and Environmental Sciences. During college, William sharpened his analytical approach through a variety of research projects. He modeled flood risk and land-cover change using GIS and led a geophysical capstone project that produced a detailed subsurface analysis in partnership with industry professionals. He has spent the last two summers at Deerfoot Lodge, a boys' camp in Western North Carolina, where he mentored young men in their faith through wilderness camping. He led extended backpacking trips along the Appalachian Trail and a canoeing trip on the Upper James River, teaching young men to lead, navigate challenges, and serve others. William enjoys spending time outdoors and playing sports, especially golf and basketball, as well as fly-fishing, hiking, cooking, and following Auburn sports.

Drew French

Towson, MD

University of Maryland: Mechanical Engineering

Host Family: Andrew and Beth Strickenburg

Employer: Caldorion

Mentor: Steve Pennock

Drew French is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While in college, he was a member of the Terps racing team, where students design and build a formula-style internal combustion race car. He also completed a senior capstone design project by building a device to help elderly individuals exit a vehicle independently. Throughout college, Drew served as a volunteer Young Life leader and as a member of the Maryland Cru leadership team, where he developed a love for building community, planning events, and mentoring students. During his summers, he served thousands of campers as a certified parasail captain at Young Life’s Saranac Village, while also helping to lead and mentor a team of 20 college-aged interns. Drew spends his time wakesurfing, golfing, playing soccer or lacrosse, listening to live music, and watching Baltimore sports teams.

Elizabeth Wiley

Raleigh, NC

UNC Chapel Hill: Political Science and Business

Host Family: John and Jess Thier

Employer: UVA Darden School of Business Centers of Excellence

Mentor: Liz Nelson

Elizabeth Wiley graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she studied Political Science and Business and completed coursework at the London School of Economics. In her professional and volunteer roles, she worked to create and organize systems, cast vision, and motivate teams to bring projects to fruition. As the coordinator of hospitality at the North Carolina Study Center, she managed strategy and operations and guided a team in planning events for hundreds of students. Through FOCUS, a national youth mentorship program, she has experience in fundraising, volunteer management, and donor relations. Internationally, she has worked with a Nairobi-based child welfare organization and participated in community development in Nicaragua. Outside her professional work, Elizabeth is a coffee enthusiast, a curious traveler, and a devoted writer of handwritten notes. She is drawn to meaningful conversations and never says no to a pickleball match.

Thomas Smith

Atlanta, GA

Wake Forest University: Finance

Host Family: Kurt and Lydia Mathas

Employer: Anchor Health Properties

Mentor: Charlie Smith

Thomas graduated from Wake Forest University in 2023 with a degree in finance and a minor in mathematics. At Wake Forest, he invested in building strong relationships within the undergraduate community through leadership positions in the Undergraduate Business School and in Reformed University Fellowship. After graduation, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, and started working as an investment banking analyst, providing financing solutions for the construction and operation of large-scale energy facilities. Over the past few years, he has honed skills in financial analysis, problem-solving, and business strategy. While spending a semester in Barcelona, Spain, he developed a passion for travel and exploring new cities. He looks forward to trying out new restaurants and finding a good coffee shop in Charlottesville. In his free time, you can find him playing golf, watching a movie, or enjoying live music.

Ben Lucas

Memphas, TN

University of Tennessee: Communication and Information Studies

Host Family: Ken and Jen Bilchick

Employer: Omni Partners

Mentor: Michael Martin

Ben Lucas is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he studied communication and completed coursework in finance and economics, while also working full-time in commercial real estate brokerage. Originally from Memphis, Ben has developed a strong interest in how businesses, communities, and relationships shape the places people call home. During his undergraduate years, he also completed an independent capstone project in commercial real estate development. Outside of school and work, Ben spent his time mentoring underclassmen, organizing student leadership events, and working with urban youth initiatives. His background includes sales, real estate analysis, and community and campus leadership through Reformed University Fellowship. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and pickleball, going to concerts, and cheering on his beloved Memphis Grizzlies.

Tobey Young

Raleigh, NC

Appalachian State University: International and Comparative Politics

Host Family: Andy and Carrie McFarland

Employer: Better Choices for Democracy

Mentor: Joseph Zegal

Tobey Young is a graduate of Appalachian State with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, concentrating in International and Comparative Politics with minors in Sustainable Development and Religion. Tobey is interested in the intersection of policy decisions, global systems, institutional frameworks, and ethical considerations in shaping long-term outcomes. He has seen this interest come to life through his travels to Ocotal, Nicaragua, where he has witnessed and worked with marginalized communities. During his time at Appalachian State University, he worked at The Speckled Trout Outfitters, coached middle school basketball, and served as a team leader for Young Life. While serving for 2 summers as a backpacking guide at Wilderness Ranch in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, he combined his natural inclination to lead & mentor youth with his love of the outdoors. Tobey has a passion for all things fly fishing, basketball, golf, global travel, backpacking, drawing, and European football.

George Turner

Wilmington, NC

UNC Chapel Hill: Organizational Management

Host Family: Leonid and Vera Volodin

Employer: Charlottseville Free Clinic

Mentor: Dr. Andy Glassick

George Turner is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied Organizational Management while completing coursework in biological sciences and chemistry in preparation for a career in dental medicine. His internship experiences in dentistry and shadowing across multiple specialties have strengthened his dream of becoming a more genuine, relationship-based dental professional. George has served as an Operations & Finance Intern at the North Carolina Study Center and has also lived and worked with students in Kikuyu, Kenya. Additionally, he served UNC for three semesters as an Undergraduate Senator advocating for student needs. Outside of academics and leadership, George loves creating mixed-media art, bringing his imagination to life on paper. He hopes to one day use art to reduce dental anxiety and raise awareness of barriers to access to dental care. In his free time, George enjoys playing tennis and pickleball, listening to music, going for a milkshake run, and spending time on the water, whether at home in Wrightsville Beach or traveling somewhere warm.

Will Sellers

Fayetteville, NC

UNC Chapel Hill: Biomedical Engineering

Host Family: Mark and Jorie DeBoer

Employer: Research Assistant to Dr. Rebecca Scharf, Professor at UVA School of Medicine

Mentor: Ed Rose

Will Sellers is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in Biomedical Engineering. Growing up with a father in the military, Will moved across the country from one military base to another, exposing him to diverse communities and cultures. Those experiences instilled in him a deep desire to serve people from all walks of life, inspiring him to pursue a career in medicine. Will’s passion for medicine grew while working in a pediatric oncology unit in Tanzania. His undergraduate research included pharmaceutical delivery experiments, medical device design, and biomechanics. In his free time, Will enjoys playing basketball, cheering for UNC sports, mentoring middle school students through Young Life, and learning the names of North Carolina’s small towns.

Jackie Rowell

Laurel, MD

Grove City College: Elementary Education

Host Family: Ben and Sarah Ward

Employer: Clayborne Education

Mentor: KC Verbrugee

Jackie earned her undergraduate degree from Grove City College, where she played NCAA lacrosse and participated in campus leadership initiatives. As a varsity athlete and team leader, she demonstrated a strong work ethic, emphasizing discipline and accountability. During her time in Nairobi with an international humanitarian organization, Jackie collaborated with local leaders, supported youth development efforts, and led programs focused on education and community development. Her student teaching experience further strengthened her ability to engage with and listen to others while building a collaborative and welcoming environment. Jackie spent many of her summers coaching, mentoring, and leading daily operations at Summers Best Two Weeks, a sports and outdoor adventure camp. Jackie enjoys cooking, hiking, playing pickleball, and spending time in the ceramics studio.

Luke Fowler

Dallas, TX

University of Arkansas: Finance and Entrepreneurship

Host Family: Jim and Anne Newman

Employer: Saltrock

Mentor: Bob Cochran

Luke Fowler is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where he earned degrees in Finance and Entrepreneurship. During college, he was active in Greek Life, serving on his fraternity’s executive team and mentoring underclassmen. He spent several summers as a counselor at Pine Cove and, most recently, directed the counselors-in-training program at Camp Rockmont for Boys. Luke also led service trips with Cru and Filter of Hope to Kenya, Panama, and the Dominican Republic. These experiences, along with his time as a congressional intern, strengthened his desire to attend law school and pursue a career in litigation, where he hopes to use his strengths in research, communication, and analytical thinking to serve others. This year, Luke is excited to bring those skills to a fintech startup, working at the intersection of finance and regulation. In his free time, he enjoys pickup basketball, golf, weightlifting, and college football.

Ellen Anderson

Birminghan, AL

Auburn University: Finance

Host Family: Craig and Lisa Wood

Employer: Pantops Family Medicine

Mentor: Sarah Hutchinson

Ellen Anderson is a graduate of Auburn University, where she studied Finance and completed pre-medical coursework. Inspired by her volunteer work in underserved communities across Alabama, she hopes to attend physician assistant school and pursue a career focused on expanding access to integrative healthcare while meeting diverse patient needs. During college, Ellen served as a mentor and camp coordinator for the local foster community and helped direct programs that provided academic support to her peers. Her experience leading campus tours also sparked a passion for hospitality and for making people from all walks of life feel welcome. In her free time, Ellen enjoys staying active outdoors through soccer, pickleball, and hiking. She also enjoys reading, watercolor painting, and live music.

Bailey Kennedy

Memphis, TN

Auburn University: Architecture

Host Family: John and Whitney Athayde

Employer: UVA Foundation

Mentor: Lacy Zegal

Bailey Kennedy graduated from Auburn University, where she earned a Bachelor of Architecture. While at Auburn, she became passionate about making an impact on her community through design and mentoring young women. Her desire to serve ordinary people by creating intentional spaces stems from her time at Rural Studio, a renowned design-build program. Here, she worked alongside her classmates to construct a home for an underserved family while implementing sustainable practices. During a semester abroad in Barcelona, Bailey studied the relationship between design, culture, and urban life. Most recently, she worked at 100 Fold Studio, a non-profit architecture firm in Montana, where she learned the value of storytelling through design. When she’s not in the architecture studio, you can find Bailey running, traveling, or trying a new coffee shop. She enjoys creative outlets such as photography, ceramics, woodworking, and floral design.