Meet the Fellows

Grace was raised on the Jersey Shore and graduated from  Grove City College in western Pennsylvania where she got a degree in biology and minored in computer science. To further her interest in biological studies, she performed behavioral research on the interactions between parasitic and host ant species. Using her tech background, she built apps to aid first-responders in locating personnel in emergency situations. While at college, she participated in intramural sports such as tennis, spike ball, racquetball,  and badminton. In her junior year, Grace served as class president and organized a karaoke night for her class. Grace loves reading, sports, and spending time at the beach. She is excited to work at Pinkston this year. 

Bennett is from Winchester, Virginia, and graduated from the University of Virginia with a double major in Public Policy and Foreign Affairs. At UVA, he was on the Servant Leadership Team of Cru and was an editor for a Christian thought journal. During his summers, he worked as a  counselor at Summer’s Best Two Weeks (Go Romans!),  went to North Africa for a summer mission, and interned at a UVA political history center. Despite growing up in  Northern Virginia, Bennett is originally from Atlanta and loves all things Atlanta sports. During his free time, you can find him watching any sort of game, match, or tournament, playing disc golf, or watching movies with friends.  Bennett will work in Senator Inhofe’s office. 

Taylor grew up north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her parents and younger sister. She has spent the last four years in Chapel Hill, NC, and graduated from UNC with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science. While at Carolina, Taylor dove for the UNC Swimming and Diving team and was a team captain this past year. She was also heavily involved in Athletes in Action, spent her summers working at a Christian Sports Camp called Summer’s Best Two  Weeks, and was involved in cancer research throughout her time in college. In her free time, Taylor loves being outside and in nature, running, hiking, reading, and chatting with friends. During her time as a fellow, Taylor will be working for Food for the Hungry in their Education and  Health Fellowship.  

Ian grew up going back and forth between the US, Uganda, and France before settling in the DC area in middle school. He graduated from Grove City College in May 2021 with a degree in International Business with concentrations in Marketing and Spanish. During his time at Grove, he was part of the Men’s Rugby Club and was an active member of his fraternity, Nu Lambda Phi. He has previously interned at the Religious Freedom Center at the Newseum, Woods and Poole Economics, and Focus on the Family. In his free time, Ian enjoys climbing 14ers in Colorado, following any Tampa Bay sports team, and eating Raising Canes Chicken. Ian will work at Stand Together. 

Rachel is from Raleigh, North Carolina, and graduated from Appalachian State University where she majored in Public Relations and Advertising and minored in Spanish and Apparel Design. During her time in Boone, North Carolina, Rachel served in Young Life at Cranberry Middle  School, owned an Etsy shop, conducted undergraduate research in knitwear design, and learned how to snowboard for PE class. Rachel loves the outdoors, reading, baking,  creating art, and running. This year, she will be working at NT Concepts Inc.

Leah grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and graduated from Auburn University with a degree in Psychology and minors in German and Business. During her time at  Auburn, she worked as Head Student Recruiter for the Auburn College of Liberal Arts. In that role, she enjoyed engaging with students and parents from across the country, while also sharing her love of Auburn. Leah spent two of her summers in Orlando, Florida working both for Walt  Disney World and CRU. One of Leah’s favorite involvements has been serving in the youth and student ministry of her church, Grace Auburn. In her free time, Leah enjoys listening to a good podcast, reading, or spending time with her friends at the local coffee shop. This year Leah will work in U.S. Representative Aderholt’s office.

Jared grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his parents, older sister, and two younger brothers. He attended  Grove City College where he studied mechanical engineering. He served as a Young Life Capernaum leader and as chaplain for his housing group Sigma Phi Omicron. In his free time, he enjoys watching Manchester United games, playing soccer, snowboarding, and hiking. During the summer you can find him with grease up to his elbows, working on the aging cars in the driveway.