2026 ABC Cohort
Akash Nayak
My name is Akash Nayak, and I am a junior double majoring in Economics and International Relations. I am co-director of DisinfoLab, the managing editor of The Monitor Journal of International Relations, and a research assistant for the Bridging Divides Initiative. Previously, I've interned with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and was awarded the Critical Language Scholarship and Luce ASIANetwork Scholarship to study Hindi. I hope to pursue a career in foreign policy, collaborating with international communities on issues related to development, disinformation, and democratic backsliding. I also enjoy playing soccer, chess, and supporting my floor of first years as a Resident Assistant. I am excited to connect with the community in Bosnia and explore Sarajevo this summer!
Dora O'Connor
Hi! My name is Dora O’Connor, and I am a junior double-majoring in History and Religion. Before transferring, I was a coxswain for the University of Washington’s Women’s rowing team. I have volunteered and worked as a youth rowing coach during college breaks since my final year of high school. At William and Mary, I am most heavily involved as a researcher for Dr. Holly White’s Children of the American Revolution Project, where I am looking into the lives of the Black Loyalists who left with the British in 1783. Off campus, I am a legal clerk for a local law firm that specializes in estate management. I am an active member of William and Mary’s club sailing team, and in my free time can be found on the water, sewing, or figuring out how to get to a mountain.
Landen Broocke
My name is Landen Broocke, and I’m a junior at William & Mary majoring in History and Government! I’m especially drawn to international education and Eastern European history, which makes the ABC Project the perfect intersection of my academic and personal passions. I was in the third Global Scholars cohort, where I got the chance to explore my interest in foreign policy through hands-on experiences. During my time here, I have also gotten involved in the Educational Policy Committee, choir, my sorority, and literacy tutoring with the Arc of Williamsburg. In my free time, I enjoy reading, staying active, and crafting. I am so excited for this chance to learn collaboratively with Bosnian students and co-teachers, apply my studies to real-world contexts, and grow through this meaningful experience!
Talia Holzman
Hi! My name is Talia Holzman, and I am a junior majoring in Government with a minor in Philosophy. When I am not in class, I play on and am the president of the William and Mary Women’s Rugby Team. Before transferring, I researched conservative reactions to the Civil Rights Movement and participated in a Humanities Fellowship centered around dialogue across difference. This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern at National Council of Jewish Women, advocating for basic needs programs and reproductive justice. I am interested in political philosophy, civic trust, and collective memory within communities. In my free time, I love reading, listening to music, and hiking. I am extremely excited to participate in this impactful project and meet everyone!