Hannah Bradford

Tupelo, MS

University of Mississippi: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Spanish

Host Family: Leonid and Vera Volodin

Employer: The Williams Companies, Inc.

Mentor: Beth Dixon

Hannah Bradford lived her early years in Peru before moving to Tupelo, Mississippi. She graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Spanish. Alongside her studies, she gained practical experience in mechanical design and materials research through internships and projects that emphasized creative, user-centered solutions. After college, she lived in Madrid, Spain, where she taught English, traveled, and experienced life abroad. During that time, she fully immersed herself in the local culture, exploring new places and embracing a lifestyle that challenged her perspective and broadened her horizons. Hannah is excited to continue learning, connecting with others, and pursuing opportunities that combine her interests in engineering and people. In her free time, she enjoys reading, bouldering, hiking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Margot Cunningham

Greensboro, NC

University of Michigan: B.M. in Viola Performance, Minor in Performing Arts Management and Entrepreneurship

Host Family: Tom and Judy Hatmaker

Employer: Trinity Presbyterian Church

Mentor: Nance Stamper

Margot is a 2024 graduate of the University of Michigan’s School of Music, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance with a minor in Performing Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. She has performed nationally and internationally, including as a violist with the Music in Auschwitz ensemble, an international initiative reviving forgotten Holocaust-era works. Margot was also invited to perform at Carnegie Hall and has participated in high-level programs such as the New York String Orchestra Seminar and Heifetz International Music Institute. She recently served as an intern with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) where she assisted in operations, led campus-wide events, oversaw marketing strategies, and participated in fundraising and donor engagement. Additionally, as the Music Director at a PCA church in Ann Arbor, she recruited musicians, led services, and cultivated a deep sense of community. Whether organizing events, leading musical ensembles, or mentoring students, Margot strives for purpose-driven communication, care, and creativity in everything she does. Outside of her professional work, Margot finds joy in live music, cooking, and long, meaningful conversations over coffee or matcha.

Stephen Ewing

Las Cruces, NM

Washington and Lee University: B.S. Neuroscience, Minor in Mathematics

Host Family: Dr. Ed and Karren Rose

Employer: Pantops Family Medicine

Mentor: Dr. Chip Godine

Stephen Ewing is a recent Washington and Lee University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a minor in math on the pre-med track. Raised in medically underserved New Mexico with two siblings managing Type 1 Diabetes, he values access to medical care. Furthermore, his swim coach’s early and medically preventable death cemented his patient-centered focus. He has shadowed physicians in New Mexico and Virginia, and clinically supported children with Type 1 Diabetes. Through research projects that integrated programming and physiology, he created computational models of respiratory sinus arrhythmia and developed simulations of mRNA translation. At W&L, he captained the Men’s NCAA Varsity Swim Team, set the 1650 Freestyle meet and conference record, and achieved the honor of Scholar All-American. Additionally, Stephen was a Johnson Scholar, a student mentor, and led a team service project to combat youth food insecurity in rural Virginia. A lifelong athlete with over 10,000 hours of swimming, he also enjoys playing pickleball, disc golf, weightlifting, and reading.

Preston Field

Philadelphia, PA

Grove City College: B.S. in Finance

Host Family: Mark and Laurie Mandichak

Employer: Anchor Health Properties

Mentor: Joseph Zegel

Preston graduated from Grove City College in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and has since worked as an operations analyst at SEI Investments in Philadelphia. While at SEI, he honed his analytical and problem-solving abilities while advancing account management and compliance initiatives. At Grove City, he served as Vice President of the Inter-Fraternity Council and as a media specialist for the lacrosse team, experiences that sharpened his leadership, strategic planning, and communication skills. Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, Preston has been actively involved in youth mentorship, serving as a counselor at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, a sports and adventure camp, and contributing to humanitarian aid initiatives in Guatemala. In his free time, he is passionate about running ultramarathons, rock climbing, fly fishing, playing soccer, and exploring the outdoors with friends.

Jacob Goodling

Charlotte, NC

Calvin University: B.A. in Philosophy with a Concentration in Pre-Law Studies

Host Family: Ken and Jen Bilchick

Employer: Livingston Law Group, PLLC

Mentor: Carlton Dixon

Preston graduated from Grove City Co lege in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and has since worked as an operations analyst at SEI Investments in Philadelphia. While at SEI, he honed his analytical and problem-solving abilities while advancing account management and compliance initiatives. At Grove City, he served as Vice President of the Inter-Fraternity Council and as a media specialist for the lacrosse team, experiences that sharpened his leadership, strategic planning, and communication ski ls. Beyond his academic and professional pursuits, Preston has been actively involved in youth mentorship, serving as a counselor at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, a sports and adventure camp, and contributing to humanitarian aid initiatives in Guatemala. In his free time, he is passionate about running ultramarathons, rock climbing, fly fishing, playing soccer, and exploring the outdoors with friends.

Ethan Howard

Dunn Loring, VA

James Madison University: B.S. in Engineering, Minors in Honors, Math, and Entrepreneurship

Host Family: Jim and Anne Newman

Employer: Umbral Edge Games LLC

Mentor: Steve Pennock

Inspired by his childhood in Kenya, Belgium, and Rwanda, Ethan developed a problem-solving mindset and global perspective founded on extensive international travel. He recently earned his Bachelor of Science in Engineering at James Madison University, with minors in Math and Entrepreneurship. His honors thesis on entrepreneurial mindset in engineering students was published and presented at the University of Virginia’s Systems and Information Engineering Design Symposium (SIEDS). Ethan has applied his technical skills in programming, CAD, and data analytics across diverse settings, from contributing to drone development projects with ManTech and Northrop Grumman to analyzing health data as a Strategic Information Intern at USAID’s Tanzania Mission. As co-founder of Umbral Edge Games, he led and established a board game development company, blending his technical expertise with business leadership. Additionally, his roles as President of JMU’s Society of Entrepreneurs and as an Honor Council member enhanced both his leadership and ability to collaborate effectively. Outside of work, Ethan enjoys reading Tolkien, traveling, and playing board games.

Ethan Jung

Vienna, VA

Virginia Tech: B.S. in Business and Finance

Host Family: Kurt & Lydia Mathas

Employer: Select Veterinary Health (Private Equity Group)

Mentor: Charlie Smith

Ethan Jung is a recent Virginia Tech graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Finance. During his time at Virginia Tech, Ethan gained experience through an internship at Procon Consulting, where he analyzed and created intuitive dashboards for executives. While at Virginia Tech, he participated in many projects, his favorite being an Equity Valuation project on the company CrowdStrike where he assessed the company's financial health and provided insights for better decision-making. Ethan has partnered with Lululemon as a student consultant, assisting the company in exploring new growth opportunities and optimizing its supply chain. Ethan pursues his creative interests as a freelance graphic designer and has spent several summers working at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, a camp that sparked his love for mentoring youth, playing sports, and building community. Ethan loves lacrosse and also enjoys playing basketball, pickleball, and tennis. While a proud Virginia Tech Hokie, he has a soft spot for UVA basketball and is embracing life in Charlottesville with a Bodo’s bagel in hand.

Sarah Long

Tupelo, MS

University of Mississippi: B.A. in International Studies, Minors in Public Policy and French

Host Family: Craig and Lisa Wood

Employer: The Institute for Family Studies

Mentor: Sarah Hutchinson

Sarah Long recently graduated from the University of Mississippi with a B.A. in International Studies and minors in Public Policy and French. She has extensive experience in project management, event planning, and organizational leadership. She developed these skills by leading philanthropy efforts for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Mississippi Children’s Hospital. Sarah also served as an Electoral Commissioner in the Associated Student Body and launched high-end hospitality programs at Crazy Mountain Ranch in Montana. During her semester abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France, she studied international governance and history, gaining a broader global perspective. Known for her strong communication and teamwork skills, she is passionate about creating meaningful initiatives that bring people together, solve problems, and deliver results. In her free time, she enjoys running outdoors, baking cookies, traveling, reading, and grabbing coffee with family and friends.

Silas McLellan

Topsfield, MA

University of Massachusetts - Amherst: B.A. in Political Science, Minor in Psychology

Host Family: Andrew and Beth Strickenburg

Employer: Thing Again @ UVA

Mentor: Jason Inofuentes

Silas McLellan is a recent graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he earned a degree in Political Science with a minor in Psychology. During his time at UMass, he honed his skills in public speaking, writing, and research, and discovered a passion for cross-partisan dialogue while working on Dean Phillips’s New Hampshire Primary campaign. His global travels have taken him to places like Spain, Norway, and the UK, where he spent time studying international relations at Oxford University. Hailing from the Boston metropolitan area and a former Charlottesville resident, Silas is excited to return to Cville and work with Think Again @ UVA pursuing his passions for public service, research, and promoting civil discourse. In his free time, he enjoys sports like golf, pickleball, and basketball, playing bass and singing, and exploring the outdoors through hiking and camping. He loves reading — favorites include Infinite Jest, A Tale of Two Cities, and Anna Karenina — and is excited to see if the cafés in Charlottesville can keep up with his coffee obsession.

Natalie Merrick

Cranberry Township, PA

Grove City College: B.S. in Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning), Minor in Nutrition

Host Family: Bryan and KC Verbrugge

Employer: Darden Center for Global Initiatives | UVA Darden School of Business

Mentor: Nancy Berry

Natalie Merrick is a recent graduate of Grove City College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with a minor in Nutrition and certification in Strength and Conditioning. While at Grove City, she played on the women’s soccer team, sharpening her leadership skills, teamwork, and passion for holistically investing in athletes. Natalie has held roles supporting administrative and athletic departments in higher education and served as Director of Daily Operations at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, a residential sports camp in Pennsylvania. Through these roles, Natalie has developed skills in team coordination, strategic planning, and staff development. She is passionate about health and wellness, building community, and fostering growth in others. In her free time, Natalie enjoys being active outdoors, cooking up new recipes, and drinking good coffee with friends.

Kate Messick

Greensboro, NC

UNC Chapel Hill: B.A. in Exercise and Sport Science, Minor in Spanish for the Medical Professions

Host Family: David and Ellen Leitch

Employer: UVA Medical Center Rehabilitation

Mentor: Laurel Bennett

Kate Messick is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned a degree in Exercise and Sport Science with a minor in Spanish for the Medical Professions. Driven by a passion for rehabilitation and a lifelong commitment to athletics, including five years of competitive club rowing, Kate combines experience in clinical research on functional mobility and oncology recovery with direct patient care across diverse hospital units at UNC Health. Committed to adaptive sports and advocacy for underserved communities, Kate has contributed to Special Olympics initiatives and volunteered as an Ainsley’s Angels runner. In her leadership positions at Victory Junction and UNC’s Best Buddies chapter, Kate helped strengthen programs and communities that support children with complex medical conditions and promoted belonging for individuals with inte lectual and developmental disabilities. In her free time, Kate enjoys running, playing tennis, preparing healthy recipes, and looks forward to exploring Charlottesville’s outdoor activities with friends.

Josh Minnich

Mechanicsburg, PA

Grove City College: B.S. in Computer Science

Host Family: Tim and Courtney Starr

Employer: Online Resource for Animal & Veterinary Needs

Mentor: Trent Lawhorn

Josh recently graduated from Grove City College with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. In college, he was captain of the baseball team, where he earned All Region honors. As an executive member of the InterFraternity Council, he supported campus wide initiatives. In both of these roles, he demonstrated his ability to be a resilient problem solver and a visionary leader. He brings industry experience in full‑stack development and data‑centric systems, having contributed to production software as a Junior Software Engineer at WebstaurantStore. There, he worked closely with a team of five engineers to design scalable features and enhance backend performance through collaborative problem-solving. Last summer, he served on the leadership team at Summer’s Best Two Weeks, a sports and outdoor adventure camp, where he specialized in program management and team development. In his free time, Josh enjoys experimenting with emerging technologies, exploring local cuisines, and staying active through recreational sports.

Ellis Smith

Fairhope, AL

Auburn University: Bachelor of Architecture

Host Family: John and Jess Thier

Employer: VMDO Architects

Mentor: Kim Tolman

Elis Smith is a recent graduate of Auburn University, where she received her Bachelor of Architecture. She enhanced her studies with a semester at Rural Studio, focusing on socially responsible and resource-conscious design, and a semester abroad in Barcelona, which broadened her understanding of culturally diverse contexts. Her research explored the integration of mass timber in design, while her thesis examined how architects can counteract institutionalized environments by creating spaces that promote belonging, autonomy, and dignity for people experiencing homelessness. Ellis has spent many summers at Camp Greystone, an all-girls Christian camp in North Carolina, where she developed strong leadership and mentorship skills. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, hiking, traveling, and playing Mahjong.

Abigail Stephenson

Birmingham, AL

Auburn University: B.A. in History, Minor in Technical and Professional Communication

Host Family: Ken and Terry Elzinga

Employer: UVA Darden School of Business Centers of Excellence

Mentor: Carey Beth Catalino

Abigail is a recent graduate of Auburn University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in History with a Minor in Technical and Professional Communication. During her time at Auburn, Abigail developed a passion for storytelling, public speaking, and connecting with others through strategic communication. As a key student body ambassador, she worked closely with university faculty and the Office of the President, gaining invaluable experience in bridging the gap between students and leadership. Abigail also interned with the U.S. House of Representatives and reported for The Auburn Plainsman, sharpening her skills in writing, editing, and translating complex ideas into clear, engaging narratives. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Abigail is excited to experience all four seasons in Charlottesville. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, experimenting with new recipes, reading historical fiction, and diving into hobbies like learning Mahjong and exploring holistic wellness.