Washington, D.C. Student Advisory Committee

The Washington, D.C. Initiative Student Advisory Committee serves the University by working collaboratively to increase Baylor’s presence and impact in our nation’s capital. Comprised exclusively of students with first-hand experience in Washington, the committee discusses ways to help the Baylor community to: obtain strong internships and improve the overall undergraduate internship experience, connect with leaders in a wide range of professional and political arenas, interact with Baylor alumni based in Washington, promote Baylor’s work in Washington to our on-campus community, recommend dynamic speakers from Washington to come to Waco, and develop concrete opportunities for Baylor Bears to serve the D.C. area.

To apply for the 2023-2024 Committee, please email Beth Butler (Beth_Butler1@baylor.edu) with an attached resume and cover letter expressing your interest to serve on the committee. 

Omar Islam

Omar Islam is a junior from Austin, Texas majoring in Economics and Political Science and minoring in History. He participated in the Baylor in Washington program during the Fall of 2022, where he interned at Cornerstone Government Affairs, a bipartisan lobbying firm. On campus, he primarily participates in Model United Nations and his service fraternity. Following his graduation in December, he hopes to pursue a career in consulting.

Ashton Willcox

Ashton Willcox, a sophomore from Great Falls, Virginia, is pursuing a double major in political science and corporate communications at Baylor University. Ashton's academic journey began at another institution before taking a gap year to work as the Research Director and Youth Director for the Dr. Oz for US Senate campaign in Pennsylvania.  With the completion of the campaign, Ashton returned to the DC area to work on Capitol Hill as Staff Assistant for Congressman Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY).  He is passionate about mentoring others who are interested in DC and US politics to get involved and achieve their ambitions. Following graduation, Ashton hopes to return to Capitol Hill and contribute to the political arena as a communications staffer.

Josie Sawyer

Josie Sawyer is a senior majoring in Eastern European Studies and Political Science. She participated in the Spring 2023 Baylor in Washington Cohort where she worked as a legislative and press intern for the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. She has interned in other Senate offices, both in-state and on the Hill. At Baylor, Josie is an active member of student government, Baylor Ambassadors, and mentors new political science students. During her free time, Josie volunteers through a non-profit to help Ukrainians improve their English language skills. She also loves reading, watching movies, trying new recipes, and rooting for the Boston Bruins. After Josie graduates in May 2024, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in public service.  

Lee Scheffe

Lee is a sophomore at Baylor and studies in the interdisciplinary Baylor Business Fellows program. He will graduate with majors in Business Fellows, economics, political science, and a minor in international studies. Lee has worked as an organizer for a number of political campaigns. He has also worked in the private nonprofit sector, lobbying on behalf of the real estate industry. He serves as the secretary of the Theta Nu chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. While in Washington, Lee will intern with the Center for Public Justice. Upon graduation in May 2024, he plans to pursue a career in nonprofit advocacy.

Aubrey Gilliam

Aubrey Gilliam is a senior University Scholar studying political science, international relations, and Great Texts in Baylor’s Honors College. She has previously interned with the United States Department of Defense, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, and the Hudson Institute's South and Central Asia Program. Additionally, she was a 2022 Political Studies Program Fellow with the Hertog Foundation and a semester study abroad student in the Netherlands. Aubrey is currently a Provost's Scholar for Baylor's Office of Engaged Learning, and she has previously participated in the National Model United Nations conferences in New York and Washington, D.C. After graduation, Aubrey plans to attend graduate school and hopes to pursue a career in public service.

Mike Chapple

Mike Chapple (‘25) is a Political Science and Philosophy double major with a pre-law designation from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A student of the Honors College, he is in both the Honors Program and Baylor Interdisciplinary Core. At Baylor, Mike is a member of the Baylor Student Government, Baylor Undergraduate Moot Court, Baylor Undergraduate Law Review, Pre-Law Society at Baylor, and Pre-Law Christian Legal Society. He is also a William C. Crane Scholar of Baylor’s Institute for Faith and Learning. In the Summer of 2023, Mike was a fellow in the inaugural cohort for the Baylor in Washington Fellowship for Religion and Social Life. Upon graduation, Mike hopes to attend law school and become an accomplished jurist. 

Matthew Schreiner

Matthew Schreiner is a senior Economics and Philosophy double-major on the pre-law track. As a part of Baylor in Washington’s Summer Fellowship, Matt worked for the Center for Christianity and Public Life as a social media manager and writer for Michael Wear’s podcast "Wear We Are.” When Matt isn’t doing coursework, he is College Council Mentor for the Honors Residential College, Senior Editor of Screenplay for the Phoenix Literary Magazine, and working hard on his Senior Thesis.

Sage Yassa

Sage Yassa is a junior from Plano, Texas. She studies Political Science, International Studies, French, and Great Texts as a University Scholar. She is a Baylor2Law Scholar and a member of the Baylor Pre-Law Society. Sage interned at the Religious Freedom Institute during the Spring 2022 semester. She also participated in the American Enterprise Institute’s Summer Honors Program and the Witherspoon Institute’s First Principles seminar in the summer of 2022. She is a member of Highland Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, and volunteers in the 6^th-grade Sunday school classroom. She is also an Ironman 70.3 Finisher and a member of the Baylor Triathlon Team. Sage intends to work in the JAG Corps or pursue a career in domestic social policy.

Nicole Cage

Nicole Cage is a Junior University Scholar studying Great Texts, Philosophy, and Political Science in Baylor’s Honors College. Nicole participated in the Spring 2023 Baylor in Washington Cohort. While in D.C, she interned at the Religious Freedom Institute and the Ethics and Public Policy Center. At Baylor, Nicole is the Editor and Chief of The Standard, an independent student newspaper dedicated to honesty, civility, and hope. She is an active member of her sorority, Chi Omega. During her free time Nicole loves reading, watching movies, and having her friends over for meals together. After Nicole graduates in May 2025, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in academia.