Student Organization Spotlight: Mock Convention Meet the executive leadership of Mock Convention as they prepare for the 2028 convention cycle.

By Lily Caldwell
October 28, 2026

Mock Convention’s 2028 cycle is officially underway as they recently welcomed former second gentleman Doug Emhoff for Young Alumni Weekend and former white house press secretaries Josh Earnest and Dana Perino during Parents and Family Weekend. Mock Con is a mock presidential nominating convention held every four years by W&L students and is one of the university’s longest-running traditions. Its goal is to predict whom the party out of power will nominate to run for president of the United States.

The 29th Mock Con is still two years away, although the executive leadership has been hard at work preparing and building excitement for the February 2028 weekend. Leading the operation is General Chair Abigail Pickens ’28, a politics and art history double major from Dallas. Pickens says her role is to ensure the overall success of the convention while upholding and furthering Mock Con’s mission.

“My favorite part of the role is getting to help carry on a tradition that means so much to me and to W&L,” said Pickens. “Mock Con has been a part of this university for more than a century, and there’s something really special about knowing that we’re contributing to a legacy that generations of W&L students have built before us.”

Pickens’ interest in elections started long before Washington and Lee, from her first time going to her local polling place in 2012 to returning there 11 years later to vote in her first election.

“When I submitted my ballot, the poll workers started clapping because it was my first time voting,” Pickens says “What stayed with me was that nobody cared how I had voted. They were celebrating the fact that I had participated. Now, as general chair, I get to help create that experience for hundreds of other students. That is incredibly meaningful to me.”

Akash Abraham ’28, a politics and economics double major from Las Vegas, serves as the political chair, leading the organization’s predictive strategy and platform drafting. As head of the convention’s largest department, he distributes and manages more than 1,500 student delegates.

“My favorite part of the job is experimenting with our code to build the predictive model, because it is cutting-edge for Mock Convention’s research aspect and integrates new technology with a storied campus tradition,” says Abraham.

Elijah Kali ’28, an accounting and economics double major from Roxbury, New Jersey, is Mock Convention’s financial chair, responsible for building the organization’s strategic financial plan, managing the organization’s budget and ensuring the financial success of future conventions.

“I was fortunate to be a freshman when Mock Con was recruiting for its leadership team,” said Kali. “I believe it’s one of the greatest opportunities W&L has to offer, and I’m grateful to have the chance to contribute to such a longstanding tradition.”

Annabelle Cheramie ’29, a sophomore from New Orleans, serves as the director of operations. A classics and politics double major, she is responsible for ensuring that Mock Con runs smoothly from early planning to day-of execution. She oversees event logistics and scheduling, while working closely with campus partners, vendors and student teams.

“I am very eagerly anticipating Delegates’ Day, when we have the privilege of expanding our organization to include nearly the entire student body,” says Cheramie.

Korbin Williams ‘29 is a politics and sociology double major from Dexter, Missouri, and serves as Mock Con’s director of communications. Williams coordinates all internal and external communications within the organization and oversees all media content and marketing outreach while leading the creative, public relations and technology teams.

“While the convention weekend itself will be absolutely amazing, the Presidential Gala is the event I am most excited for,” says Williams. “Frankly, it is a communications dream. The Presidential Gala is Mock Con’s black-tie event for the campus community prior to the convention weekend, getting interest and excitement high.”

Mollie Pack ’29, a biochemistry major from Lewisburg, West Virgina, is the general secretary for Mock Con. She oversees all documentation, note-taking and organization while also serving as the internal liaison between all Mock Con departments.

“My favorite part of my job is that I get to interact with every single person involved with Mock Convention,” says Pack. “Everyone on our team is truly so amazing, and it is a privilege to work with them.”

Although Mock Con is entirely student-led, it is supported by faculty advisers Brian Alexander, associate professor of politics at W&L, and Elizabeth Oliver, associate dean of the Williams School and the Lewis Whitaker Adams Professor of Accounting at W&L.

“Having mentors like Professor Alexander and Dean Oliver has been so invaluable,” says Pickens. “They bring an incredible amount of political wisdom and insight but also bring the perspective of someone who has seen Mock Con through previous cycles.”

Cheramie says that Mock Con is a constant reminder that there is no limit on what someone can achieve during their time at W&L.

“Being a leading part of such an impactful student-run organization and observing the effort and time that students alone pour into a professional-level project is one of the most motivating and inspiring things I have ever been a part of,” she says.