Meet the 2024 TFAS Program Advisors

Jacquelyn Burrer is an undergraduate student at Texas State University working toward a dual degree in history and journalism with a concentration in Chinese studies and a minor in honors studies. Jacquelyn currently works as a contributor for Texas State’s school newspaper, The University Star, and as a writing consultant for the Texas State University Writing Center. She is a TFAS alumna of the Journalism + Communications program where she interned for The Well News, a local newspaper based in Washington, D.C. In the past, Burrer served as a content team intern with The Borgen Project, a nonprofit organization working to advocate for those in global poverty through U.S. foreign policy. Jacquelyn will graduate in the spring of 2025 and hopes to work in either foreign affairs or legal journalism, or to attend law school to pursue constitutional or First Amendment law.

Erin is a junior at Texas Christian University from Fort Worth, TX. She is studying strategic communication and political science and hopes to work in advertising or marketing after graduation. Erin attended the 2023 TFAS Summer Program as part of the Leadership + the American Presidency track and participated as a Washington Fellow during the Spring 2024 semester. She has worked for various organizations including nonprofits and the U.S. House of Representatives. Erin is incredibly excited to be back in D.C. with TFAS!

James participated in the 2023 TFAS Summer Program. This greatly developed his passion for public service and working in Washington, D.C.!

Motivated by such a positive experience, he is excited and privileged to be a part of the 2024 Summer Program as a program advisor for the Public Policy and Economics track. He hopes to provide students with a positive experience of the program, just as he had, and wants to work with them to help them find their passions.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with minors in business and economics from the University of Missouri, he is driven to work more within the realm of public policy and business in the years to come. He is also very passionate about traveling, especially internationally, and hopes he can help others find their place in this big world.

Mark Vodianyi is a dedicated student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in political science at West Virginia University. With extensive professional experience, Mark served as a global affairs office assistant at WVU, consulting on visa compliance with federal regulations and facilitating the integration of international students into campus life. He also interned at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) in Washington, D.C., contributing to research on defense and democratic resilience. In 2023, Mark participated in The 2023 TFAS Summer Program with the International Affairs track, further enriching his understanding of global issues.

His commitment to public service is evident through his role as a global democracy ambassador scholar with the Institute of International Education, where he actively raised awareness about the fragility of democracy. He further demonstrates his dedication through advocacy work with the Ukrainian Mountaineer Association in Morgantown, WV, forging connections not only within the Ukrainian community but also among all who support Ukraine. Since April 2023, Mark has served as a senator-at-large in the West Virginia University Student Government Association (SGA), responsible for approving SGA Presidential appointments and the association’s annual budget.

Mark Vodianyi’s academic achievements, combined with his diverse professional experiences and volunteerism, highlight his profound passion for global affairs and democratic advocacy.