Students

Student-led Chesapeake Bay project showcases George Mason’s commitment to environmental stewardship

Colleen Rich — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 19:32:22 +0000

Student-led Chesapeake Bay project showcases George Mason’s commitment to environmental stewardship Colleen Rich Wed, 06/25/2025 - 15:32

Innovation and environmental stewardship are alive and well in George Mason �鶹�� classrooms, where students are translating ecological science into hands-on projects.

Vulcan Materials was on site to help with the concrete pouring. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of �鶹�� Branding

In spring 2025, students in EVPP 480 Sustainability in Action gave a crucial boost to Chesapeake Bay oysters by constructing oyster reef balls where the bivalves can attach, grow, and develop into natural reef structures. The course is co-taught by Department of Environmental Science and Policy professors and George Mason alumni Dann Sklarew, PhD Environmental Science and Public Policy ’00, and Jennifer Sklarew, PhD Public Policy ’15.

Unlike species that rely on habitats created by others, oysters are the habitat. As a keystone species in the bay, their growth forms the foundation of reef structures that support a wide array of marine life.

“Oysters are critical to water filtration, carbon sequestration, and nutrient cycling,” said environmental science major Camille Larkin, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in May. “Unfortunately, their populations have declined due to habitat degradation, disease, and overfishing.”

Larkin and classmates Noah Beck, BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies ’25; Erin Dougherty, BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies ’25; and Alex Peterson, BA Environmental Science ’25, worked together to develop the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration Education Project, an interdisciplinary effort focused on habitat creation, environmental education, and community engagement.

The reef balls will take a year to cure before being place in the Chesapeake Bay. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of �鶹�� Branding

With support from the Patriot Green Fund, they partnered with Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA) and its flagship initiative the Living Reef Action Campaign (LRAC) to host a two-day event on George Mason’s Science and Technology Campus that brought together nearly 25 volunteers. Using molds provided by CCA, volunteers assembled the molds and assisted in the concrete pouring effort, courtesy of Vulcan Materials, to build 20 artificial reef structures, called oyster reef balls. The reef balls are approximately three feet high and weigh about 250 lbs. each.

“This project started with four students who asked, ‘Why stop at improving our campus when we could make a difference across the entire Chesapeake Bay?’” said Dann Sklarew. “The [reef balls] were designed with rough surfaces to enhance the attachment of oysters and other stationary estuarine organisms, creating habitats for fish, shellfish, and even dolphins that pass through the bay.”

Helping the volunteers was LRAC representative and George Mason alum Jesse Howe, MEd Elementary Education ’15, assistant director of CCA. Howe has been conducting these reef-building workshops throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area for several years as part of his CCA advocacy work.

Jesse Howe. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of �鶹�� Branding

Howe said he was happy to hear from the students when they reached out to him about reef project. “I’ve always felt a strong connection with George Mason and was excited to be back on campus,” he said.

After graduating from George Mason, Howe taught in Latin America for nearly a decade before turning to conservation work. “This organization just really aligned with my personal values,” he said of CCA. And those teaching skills serve him well as he talks students of all ages through the steps of building the reef balls.

“It’s important work,” Howe said. “These volunteers are helping to create an ecosystem and support life in a spot of the Chesapeake Bay that has been devoid of that life for many decades.”

After the concrete structures cure for more than a year, they will be deployed at sites across the lower Potomac River and middle Chesapeake Bay and are expected to bolster oyster populations and habitat to support diverse marine life.

To extend the project’s reach, miniature versions of the reefs will be displayed on campus, alongside educational materials about oyster ecology and conservation in the Chesapeake Bay.

“We believe giving the George Mason community a hands-on role in this project builds awareness and fosters a sense of personal connection to local environmental challenges,” said Dougherty.

By combining cutting-edge scientific research with community-driven action, George Mason faculty and students are advancing reef science while realizing tangible restoration results.

Additional reporting by Colleen Kearney Rich.

Learn more about the Grand Challenge Initiative

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GCI-Grand Challenge Initiative

Mason Korea graduates Class of 2025

Katarina Benson — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 18:10:15 +0000

Mason Korea graduates Class of 2025 Katarina Benson Tue, 06/24/2025 - 14:10

In This Story

James Antony, PhD

Janette Muir, PhD

Graduating students, proud families, faculty, and special guests gathered at the IGC Grand Auditorium on June 21 to celebrate Mason Korea’s Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony.

The event honored students across a range of majors—including business, computer game design, computational and data sciences, conflict analysis and resolution, economics, and global affairs—who now join George Mason �鶹��’s global alumni community.

James Antony's speech. Photo provided

Special guests included James Antony, provost and executive vice president, and Janette Muir, associate provost for academic affairs, both of whom traveled from George Mason’s Fairfax Campus for the occasion. Mason Korea leadership were also present to celebrate the graduating class, along with Thanh Kim, acting minister counselor for public affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, and George Mason alum Minsung Yun, BS Computer Science ’03, founder and CEO of Currency United.

In her opening remarks, Shannon Davis, associate dean for faculty and academic affairs at Mason Korea, reflected on the graduates’ growth and the role they will take on as members of the George Mason alumni community.

“You have embraced the model of education where you become a knowledge creator,” Davis said. “As Mason alumni, you will continue to be leaders, advocates, and agents of change—creating a more just and equitable world.”

Speaking to the graduates during his first visit to the Songdo campus, Antony reflected on the unique value of the Mason Korea experience.

“At Mason Korea, you’ve pursued your degrees at the intersection of two cultures—blending the innovative spirit of an American research university with the global vision of Korea," he said. "That global perspective is now a part of who you are, and it will shape every step of your future.”

Campus Dean Joshua Park also addressed the graduates, emphasizing the personal growth they experienced throughout their time at Mason Korea.

“Beyond your academic achievements, you’ve grown into individuals with adaptability, global awareness, and a strong sense of community—qualities essential in today’s rapidly changing world,” he said. “The diversity and connections you’ve built at Mason Korea will continue to empower you on the journey ahead.”

Mason Korea students line up to graduate. Photo provided

Two faculty members were recognized during the ceremony for university-wide honors. Roland Wilson, professor and faculty advisor for the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason’s campus in South Korea, received the 2025 George Mason �鶹�� Teaching Excellence Award, presented by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning for his outstanding commitment to student learning. Deborah Kwak, assistant professor of sociology, was named a recipient of the 2025 Sojourner Truth Faculty Award, recognizing her efforts to engage students in dialogue around race, gender, and social equity—an honor jointly awarded by George Mason’s Women and Gender Studies and African and African American Studies Programs.

Global Affairs graduate Yoonji Seo delivered the graduation student address. Reflecting on her time at Mason Korea, she shared, “Mason Korea gave me more than just an education—it gave me a space to grow, connect, and become the kind of global citizen I dreamed of. The friendships, challenges, and experiences here have shaped who I am today.”

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Graduation

Students

A record number of George Mason students chosen as prestigious Gilman Scholars

Katarina Benson — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:13:07 +0000

A record number of George Mason students chosen as prestigious Gilman Scholars Katarina Benson Tue, 06/24/2025 - 12:13

Fourteen George Mason �鶹�� students, from a variety of majors, were chosen as recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad.

The U.S. Department of State’s competitive, merit-based Gilman Scholarship Program supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity.

The most represented majors among the scholarship recipients included computer science with three awardees and business with two recipients.

Six students will be undertaking Global Internship Programs.

Matthew Nguyen, computer science major currently interning in Japan.

The students are studying in the following countries: Australia, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, and France. The top destination is South Korea.

For many students, this award allows them to fulfill long-held dreams.

“As a first-generation college student, receiving the Gilman Scholarship has been instrumental in supporting both my educational and career goals,” said Bridgette Denley, a kinesiology major studying in New Zealand. “The financial assistance allowed me to fully dedicate myself to my academics, skill development, and professional growth without the added burden of financial stress. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity.”

“The Gilman award helped me fund my childhood dream to travel and explore abroad,” said computer science major Matthew Nguyen, who is currently interning in Japan.

“Gilman has given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m deeply grateful to be blessed with an experience I’ll carry with me forever,” said Hulaymatou Chongan, who is spending the summer studying in Granada, Spain.

Hulaymatou Chongon, criminology major participating in the Spanish Language and Culture in Granada: Mason-Led, Summer program.

“The Gilman Scholarship provided an amazing opportunity for a student like me to be able to afford the privilege to study and immerse myself in a different culture, that farther enriches my global understanding and appreciation," Hoang Nguyen, a civil engineering major studying in Australia.

For Camila Arrazola, a business major who will be attending Mason Korea in the fall, the Gilman Scholarship means more possibilities. “I was rejected the first time I applied and started to believe studying abroad wasn’t meant for me. Being selected now proves that my story matters and that I belong in global spaces.”

The Gilman Program received a record high of 17,000 applications across the 2024-25 academic year and awarded scholarships to 3,500 undergraduate students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia in spring 2025 to study abroad in more than 170 countries.

Megan Bruening, director of the Office of Fellowships, also reports George Mason students sent in a record number of applications this year and the university’s success rate went from around 25% to 42%.

“The record number of awardees demonstrates that George Mason is dedicated to promoting international education as a key part of the college experience and making international education accessible for all,” said Bruening.

“Both the increase in applications and success rate could be attributed to the Global Education Office and the Fellowship Office doing more to promote the opportunity and provide avenues for students to discuss their applications and seek advice,” said Marie alice Arnold, associate director of strategic initiatives and experiential learning. “The students, even those who were not awarded, had wonderful applications and are doing some very interesting things.”

Gilman Scholarship Recipients:

Hasan Al-Aayedi, Czechia, Computer Science

Camila Arrazola, South Korea, Business

Jocelyn Atya, Honors College, Italy, Neuroscience

Hulaymatou Chongan, Spain, Criminology, Law, and Society

Sophia Colby, Honors College, Finland, Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Bridgette Denley, New Zealand, Kinesiology

Riya Ghotra, Honors College, South Korea, Computer Science

Saida Ladhari, Ireland, Government and International Politics

Maria Lopez-Lopez, Spain, Psychology

Hoang Nguyen, Australia, Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

Matthew Nguyen, Japan, Computer Science

Brynne Severns, Honors College, Netherlands, Forensic Science

Emily So, France, Business

Susannah Stevenson, Honors College, South Korea, Global Affairs

Additional reporting by Marie alice Arnold.

Find your own path to study abroad

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Gilman International Scholarship

College of Public Health students deliver cross-disciplinary research on national stage

Taylor Thomas — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 14:44:56 +0000

College of Public Health students deliver cross-disciplinary research on national stage Taylor Thomas Mon, 06/23/2025 - 10:44

The dissemination of research is pivotal to the advancement of public health. Beginning during their undergraduate career, students across George Mason �鶹��'s College of Public Health are trained to hone their skills in conducting and presenting research. At this year’s National Conference for Undergraduate Research (NCUR), six students from the college showcased their work while also building their self-confidence as field practitioners.

“Getting the opportunity to present my research at a national conference during my second year of undergraduate studies truly allowed me to see how capable I am of contributing to bigger things during my time as an undergraduate student,” said community health major Deema Osman, who is working on a clinical science concentration. Overall, my experience at NCUR strengthened my desire to continue devoting my time to the field of public health outside the classroom."

Osman and her co-researcher Daphne Bernal, BS Community Health ’25, global health concentration and French minor, presented their work on the effects of (ex)cannabis use on well-being and health communication, through the exploration of Reddit online communities and digital culture.

“Presenting research gave me confidence that I am capable of doing research and presenting it to other students from different subject backgrounds. The college ensured that I had practice presenting and educated me on the context of my research topic,” said Bernal, who will be pursuing a master of public health degree at George Mason.

Nallely Calles Ortega presenting at the 2025 National Conference on Undergraduate Research. Photo provided

Nallely Calles Ortega, BSW ‘25, alongside MSW student Betzy Oviedo, BSW '24, showcased the research she has done as a part of her advocacy work securing compensation for social work students during their field placements.

“The conference was not just about sharing our findings, but also about growing as scholars and advocates,” Calles Ortega said. "It was inspiring to see the innovative work other undergraduates were doing, and it motivated us to continue building on our research and explore future opportunities for publication and policy impact."

Their research, which consisted of multiple exploratory surveys here at George Mason targeting BSW seniors and MSW students to better understand how unpaid field placements impact their mental health, finances, and academic performance, contributes to the broader national conversation on equity in social work education. The college was pivotal in preparing her to undertake presenting on a national platform.

“Professors like Dr. Daniel Freedman were instrumental in helping us reach our participant goal and improve our response rates. Additionally, the research courses SOCW 471 and SOCW 472 provided us with a strong foundation in research methods and data analysis. I also briefly worked with the Social Work Integrative Research Lab (SWIRL), which further enhanced my skills and understanding of applied research. The mentorship, resources, and academic training from the college gave us the confidence to present our work on a national stage,” Calles Ortega said.

All college student presenters and topics:

Nalley Calles Ortega (Social Work) and Betzy Oviedo (Social Work): Unpaid Internships: Exploring the Hardships of Social Work Students

Deema Osman (Community Health) and Daphńe Bernal (Community Health): Reddit Netnography Exploring (Ex)Cannabis Users’ Hedonic and Eudaimonic Well-Being Outcomes and Understanding the Role of Online Forums for Informal Health Communication

Sandra Le (Dual Major Community Health and Geographic Information Systems): Spatiotemporal Analysis of Vegetation and Water Dynamics in Libya’s Extreme Flood Event 2023 Using Remote Sensing and Google Earth Engine (GEE)

Paris Stephens (Community Health) and Farah Bahr (Community Health): The Effectiveness of Culturally Relevant Breast Cancer Education Messages Tailored for Young Black Women

Topics

National Conference on Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate Research

College of Public Health

Student Research

Students

Research

A historic year for George Mason Athletics

Katarina Benson — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:28:07 +0000

A historic year for George Mason Athletics Katarina Benson Wed, 06/18/2025 - 15:28

The 2024-25 school year was one for the record books for George Mason �鶹�� Athletics, delivering five Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) titles and the most successful run since joining the league 11 years ago.

The Patriots captured A-10 titles or championships in:

Men’s soccer—first regular season title in program history marking the team’s first title since winning the 2013 tournament championship
Men’s basketball—first regular season title in program history
Women’s basketball—first tournament championship in program history
Women’s indoor track and field—first championship since 2014
Men’s outdoor track and field—first championship since 2019

Women's basketball A-10 champions. Photo by Art Pittman/Athletics

“This year’s success is a reflection of the passion, resilience, and drive our coaches and student-athletes bring every day,” said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of athletics. “We’re proud to make history together and a strong sign of what’s possible for George Mason Athletics moving forward.”

This marked the highest single-school year total in program history, surpassing the previous record of four titles set during George Mason’s inaugural A-10 campaign in 2013–14. It also marked the first time since 1994–95, during the university’s tenure in the Colonial Athletic Association, that the Patriots won five combined regular season and conference championships in one academic year.

Men's outdoor track and field. Photo by Rafael Suanes/Athletics

Additional highlights from a banner year:

Men’s soccer Head Coach Rich Costanzo was named A-10 Coach of the Year after guiding the Patriots to their first regular season title, finishing 13-4-1 overall and 6-1-1 in A-10 play—their best conference finish—and earning them a top seed in the A-10 Championship.

Men’s basketball Head Coach Tony Skinn was named A-10 Coach of the Year after leading the team to a share of its first-ever regular season A-10 conference title, a program-tying 27 wins, and its first National Invitation Tournament (NIT) appearance since 2009.
The women’s basketball team recorded a program-best 27 victories, won its first A-10 Tournament title, and secured its first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament appearance.
Student-athletes earned a collective 3.32 grade point average (GPA), with a record 78 named Provost Scholars earning a 3.75 GPA or higher, and nearly half securing Dean's List honors. In total, 18 student-athletes earned all-conference honors or individual titles, and 75 earned weekly conference awards.

With historic wins, academic excellence, and rising national visibility, George Mason is building momentum, positioning the university as a competitive force in the A-10 and across the collegiate athletics landscape.

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George Mason’s Health Services Research PhD students and faculty share policy research at AcademyHealth 2025

Mary Cunningham — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:46:55 +0000

George Mason’s Health Services Research PhD students and faculty share policy research at AcademyHealth 2025 Mary Cunningham Wed, 06/18/2025 - 10:46

In This Story

Alison Evans Cuellar, PhD, MBA

Debora Goetz Goldberg, PhD, MHA, MBA

Gilbert Gimm, PhD, FGSA

Y. Alicia Hong, PhD

Jeah Jung, PhD, MPH

Health Services Research PhD students and faculty from the Department of Health Administration and Policy (HAP) in George Mason �鶹��’s College of Public Health presented their research at the 2025 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting (ARM), held June 7 to 10 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

As the nation’s premier forum for health services research, AcademyHealth’s Annual Research Meeting brings researchers and health system leaders together to examine how policy, payment, and technology affect cost, access, and quality of care.

HAP PhD students and faculty delivered a range of presentations, covering healthcare worker burnout, digital health interventions, and Medicare policy. Their participation underscores HAP's commitment to applied research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world impact.

PhD student presenter, Ge Song, reflected on her experience at the conference, where she presented her recent research on using circadian patterns in vital signs to improve hospital mortality prediction:

“Presenting my findings at the 2025 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting was a rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to connect with clinical researchers who offered thoughtful suggestions, particularly around clinical interpretation and modeling, that will shape the next phase of my analysis.”

Yiwen Li shared her perspective as a first-year doctoral student:

“Attending AcademyHealth ARM 2025 has been a wonderful experience. In my session, I was honored to present our WeCare 2.0 outcome evaluation and share how culturally tailored digital health interventions can support underserved family dementia caregivers. Beyond my own session, I also learned a lot from other presentations focusing on innovative care models and methods addressing health disparities, especially among aging, minority, and high-need populations.”

Why It Matters

Presenting at AcademyHealth is a vital part of advancing the field of health services research. It reflects the mission of Mason’s Health Services Research PhD program to train future scholars who can generate evidence and effectively communicate findings to improve healthcare delivery and policy. By presenting research in person, HAP students, faculty, and alumni engage with national thought leaders, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and shape healthcare systems.

“By showing up in person to share our work, the HAP department is contributing to a growing field that aims to improve access to health care services and, in turn, the well-being of families and individuals,” said Gilbert Gimm, director of the Health Services Research PhD program. “It’s also a fun way to build new connections and potential collaborations.”

George Mason faculty and PhD student presenters at the 2025 AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting

Alison Cuellar, PhD, George Mason �鶹��
Panel Speaker: Opportunities for Improving and Learning from Transparency in Coverage Data
Gilbert Gimm, PhD, George Mason �鶹��
Poster Presentation: Assessing Cannabis Smoking, Vaping, and Edible Use Among U.S. Adults by Disability Status in 2022
Debora Goldberg, PhD, MHA, MBA, George Mason �鶹��
Poster Presentation: Exploring Job Satisfaction and Burnout Among Healthcare Workers Using the Surgeon General's Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being
Session Chair: From Burnout to Retention: Bridging Individual Struggles and Systemic Solutions
Y. Alicia Hong, PhD, George Mason �鶹��
Podium Presentation: Evaluation of Stronger2 Project: A Community-Government-Academic Partnership to Enhance Resilience and Reduce Health Disparities
Jeah Jung, PhD, George Mason �鶹��
Poster Presentation: Use of Low-Value Cancer Treatments in Medicare Advantage Versus Traditional Medicare
Yiwen Li, MPH, PhD student, George Mason �鶹��
Podium Presentation: Evaluation of WeCare 2.0: A Digital Health Intervention for Chinese American Dementia Caregivers
Ge Song, PhD student, George Mason �鶹��
Poster Presentation: Integrating Circadian Rhythms of Vital Signs into In-Hospital Mortality Prediction Models

Beyond the Conference

Mason’s engagement with AcademyHealth extends beyond the ARM. The university is home to an official AcademyHealth Student Chapter, offering students year-round access to leadership opportunities, national events, and professional development in health services research.

Looking Ahead

Involvement in national conferences such as AcademyHealth, the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), and the American Public Health Association (APHA) affirms Mason’s growing presence in research on health policy, informatics, and public health. With each presentation, the HAP department is preparing the next generation of leaders in health services research.

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PhD in Health Services Research

Law student represents combat veteran at Board of Veterans’ appeals hearing

Katarina Benson — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 21:02:48 +0000

Law student represents combat veteran at Board of Veterans’ appeals hearing Katarina Benson Mon, 06/16/2025 - 17:02

In May, a George Mason �鶹�� law student, working with the Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS), advocated for a U.S. combat veteran before an administrative law judge at a hearing before the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA).

From left, M-VETS Client Richard Fahlman, Student Advisor Samantha Hargis, and M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur. Photo provided

Founded in 2004, the M-VETS clinic enables Antonin Scalia Law School students to assist veterans, servicemembers, and their dependents with military/veteran/DVA administrative matters, including disability compensation and educational benefits appeals, discharge upgrades, and Boards for Correction of Military Records matters.

This case centered on a veteran’s 2016 claim for an increased rating for a service-connected disability resulting from an improvised explosive device attack in Afghanistan, which led to the veteran’s medical separation from the Army.

Originally, Army veteran Richard Fahlman received a 20% rating for his injury, but based on new medical evidence, M-VETS filed a request in 2019 to increase this rating to 40%. The DVA initially denied the request. Had the 40% rating been approved, Fahlman would have been medically retired and received all the benefits accompanying that status, including much-needed health care. In response to the DVA’s rejection, M-VETS filed a motion alleging a Clear and Unmistakable Error (CUE).

“I’m glad our client reached out to M-VETS, and we could advocate on his behalf at this hearing,” said M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur. “�鶹�� position was that the decision review officer had made a CUE error, contradicting federal law and regulatory standards.”

Many Scalia Law students, called student advisors at M-VETS, worked diligently on behalf of the client during case preparations. Student advisor Samantha Hargis was chosen to conduct the hearing under MacArthur’s supervision.

“Working on this matter for our client was an incredible opportunity,” said Hargis, who graduated from George Mason with a JD in May. “I am deeply grateful to the student advisors who came before me and laid a solid foundation for our argument at the hearing, our client for his commitment and collaboration throughout the process, and my supervising attorney for his invaluable guidance and support.”

“Ms. Hargis did a phenomenal job arguing the motion and presenting evidence during the hearing,” MacArthur said. “Sam conducted a pre-hearing conference with the judge, delivered an opening statement, conducted a direct examination of our client, and delivered an impactful closing, effectively arguing our position.”

MacArthur said the DVA benefits process allows M-VETS student advisors to gain practical experience in a nonadversarial setting, while providing valuable pro bono services to veterans.

“Mr. MacArthur and Ms. Hargis put their heart, time, and soul into developing my defense, and I couldn’t have asked for a better legal team. Without M-VETS, combat veterans like me wouldn’t have a voice,” Fahlman said.

M-VETS continues to work with the veteran while the hearing outcome is pending.

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Antonin Scalia Law School

George Mason grad explores environmental management strategies

Katarina Benson — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 20:24:09 +0000

George Mason grad explores environmental management strategies Katarina Benson Fri, 06/13/2025 - 16:24

For Northern Virginia native Ryan McIntyre, the path to a master’s in environmental science and policy at George Mason �鶹�� began with something simple: a love for the outdoors and a family connection.

Ryan McIntyre. Photo by Office of �鶹�� Branding

While attending Northern Virginia Community College, McIntyre was introduced to a job opportunity in the Meaningful Watershed Education Experience through family friend Cindy Smith, a professor in the Department of Environmental Science and Policy who runs George Mason’s program with Fairfax County Public Schools.

“I liked being outside, so I took the job,” McIntyre said. That decision would plant the seed for a future dedicated to conservation and environmental policy.

After completing his associate degree, McIntyre said George Mason felt like a natural next step. He enrolled in Mason’s Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s Program working on degrees in environmental science, a decision that would shape his academic and professional future.

“The accelerated master’s set me on a research path,” McIntyre said. “I don’t know where I would have ended up otherwise.”

McIntyre with blue crab. Photo provided

That research path led him to a recent fellowship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). His work focused on invasive aquatic plants, specifically Trapa bispinosa, a species of water chestnut known for its ability to rapidly spread across the surface of freshwater bodies.

“There’s a history of this genus in the U.S. going back to the 1940s,” McIntyre explained. “One species took over much of the Potomac River, and it took years to eradicate.”

Now, with a new species surfacing in Northern Virginia, the U.S. Army Corps brought McIntyre on board to study how local, state, and federal agencies are managing the threat. His master’s thesis centered on observing the management techniques of different organizations, including Fairfax County Park Authority and the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. “It became an observational study comparing their management techniques, how effective they are, and how they compare to each other,” he said.

This blend of environmental science and government is no coincidence. When McIntyre earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental science from George Mason, he did so with a minor in public policy. “It was clear to me that you can’t protect the environment without the law,” he said. “I can do all the science I want to, but unless there is legislation in place, I don’t think we’ll make a lot of progress.”

That philosophy inspired his leadership as president of the George Mason student organization Science Policy Network, which works to bridge the divide between policymakers and scientists. The group organizes social and professional events that bring together students from both fields.

One of the most defining moments of his time at George Mason was a semester at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC). “It reset the course of what I wanted to do and changed my perspective on nature and ecology,” he said.

For someone who grew up memorizing environmental trivia and enjoying time outdoors, McIntyre said it was the first time those passions were recognized as valuable academic assets. “There were a lot of skills I had that I’d never applied in an academic setting before,” McIntyre said. “That experience showed me how my knowledge and interests could contribute to a deeper understanding of ecology and biodiversity.”

That semester working alongside Smithsonian Institution scientists at SMSC in Front Royal, Virginia, led to two internships for McIntyre. One summer he spent hunting for Virginia orchids in Shenandoah and identifying plants that grow around them, “in an attempt to understand the factors that make these hyper-specialized blooms call particular areas home.”

The next summer he found himself aboard a boat in the Chesapeake Bay counting fish as part of an internship with the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Edgewater, Maryland. There he served as an intern liaison between the Fisheries Conservation Lab and the center’s public-facing education department.

“My background as a science communicator got me a role turning the FishCon’s work into lesson plans for the public,” he wrote in an essay about his experience for a Smithsonian Magazine blog.

As he prepares for the next chapter, teaching as an adjunct professor at Northern Virginia Community College, McIntyre hopes to inspire a new generation of environmental leaders.

Topics

Graduation

College of Science

Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

internships

Students

Engineering students in Ecuador give locals a leg up

Jennifer Pocock — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 18:37:38 +0000

Engineering students in Ecuador give locals a leg up Jennifer Pocock Wed, 06/11/2025 - 14:37

In This Story

Ketul Popat

Shani Ross

Sixteen students from George Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing took an early summer ROMP in Quito.

Computer engineering major Darion El shapes a prosthetic as ROMP prostheticist Mireya Moreno supervises.
Photo by Shani Ross

It could have been just another frivolous start to the summer, full of parties and pools before kicking off internships and jobs. Instead, these students opted to change lives: those of amputees—and their own.

From May 16 to 26, 16 students in the BENG 417 Bioengineering World Health class with trip leaders Claudia Borke and Shani Ross worked in Quito, Ecuador, with the Range of Motion Project (ROMP) to fit locals with high-quality prosthetic devices. Ketul Popat, chair of the Department of Bioengineering, brought the ROMP program to George Mason after a successful run at Colorado State �鶹��.

“This was the first year that we did this,” he said. “The goal was to give more hands-on experience to students so they could see how a background in engineering could make a difference in people’s lives instantly.”

Different styles of prosthetics are displayed with shoes at the ROMP workshop. Photo by Darion El

The students absolutely felt the difference. Nicolas Garcia Callejas is a rising senior who began his academic career as a pre-med nursing student, earned an associate’s degree in health science, and is now hurtling through undergrad and straight into a master’s in bioengineering with George Mason’s Bachelor’s Accelerated Master’s (BAM) program.

“We got to know the patients and help them through the process. Then we got to do everything from scratch in making the prosthetics,” he said. “We went from taking measurements, doing the sculpting and molding, refinements around the socket, and building the prosthetic. It was a full 9-5 job, but the time flew by because I was having fun.”

This trip, Garcia Callejas said, lit a fire in him to continue working with ROMP. Not only did he get to help others, as he wanted to do as a nursing student, but he could also make things hands-on and use his language skills to help translate. “ROMP was a really cool experience. I fell in love with the people there.”

Andres Miguel Cruz Guzman was another student who transferred to George Mason from a community college with an associate’s degree in engineering. This mechanical engineering major wants to eventually work on solar and water technology projects, but the personal and hands-on aspect of the Ecuador program attracted him.

“I liked that we were going to work directly with the patients,” he said. “The prosthetics are going on their bodies and will be something they wear for the next three years. I was intrigued by that challenge.”

One thing he didn’t anticipate, however, was the emotional aspect of the work. “I saw one 12-year-old boy walk for the first time. It didn’t hit me at the moment, but at bedtime the impact that we had on his life overwhelmed me,” he said.

Popat said that one thing that struck him was how quickly the students adapted to the work. “I went on the third day, and it didn’t seem like the students were new there,” he said. “They were already very comfortable with what they were doing.”

And that’s the kicker (pun intended). These programs are so valuable because they enable students to see, in a very short time, how their years of study prepared them to make a difference in the world.

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Student literary journal recognized with Pacemaker award

Katarina Benson — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 13:43:26 +0000

Student literary journal recognized with Pacemaker award Katarina Benson Wed, 06/11/2025 - 09:43

For more than 30 years, the student-run bilingual literary journal Hispanic Culture Review (HCR) at George Mason �鶹�� has published poetry, essays, and narratives in both Spanish and English and highlighted photography and visual art. Now it is finally getting the recognition it deserves.

HCR has been awarded a 2024 National Magazine Pacemaker Award by the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP). Volition, George Mason’s undergraduate literary and arts journal, was named a finalist in the same category.

ACP has awarded the preeminent recognition in student journalism, unofficially known as the “Student Pulitzer,” to spotlight excellence in college media since 1927.

The HCR team with the Pacemaker Award. From left, HCR faculty advisor Carla Burns; Valeria Veliz-Vargas, 2024-25 HCR editor-in-chief; Katty Becerra de Melo, 2023-24 HCR editor-in-chief; HCR faculty advisor Jason Hartsel; and Robin Borge Mora, 2023-24 HCR managing editor. Photo provided

HCR’s mission is to bridge communication gaps and strengthen cultural bonds between English- and Spanish-speaking peoples by publishing original works from diverse creators around the world.

Since the first issue of Volition in fall of 2006 (formerly known as Apathy), the publication’s mission has been to unite George Mason’s artistic community and serve as a showcase for undergraduate creativity. Publishing original poetry, prose, and visual art, Volition seeks to elevate emerging artists and writers.

Gary Lundgren, coordinator of the Pacemaker competition, noted the quality of the winning student magazines rivals those produced by professionals. “The creativity displayed in the literary arts magazines is incredible — the unique formats and creative designs make the magazines themselves a work of art,” he said.

For Valeria Veliz-Vargas, HCR’s editor-in-chief, the award was welcome news. “Getting the news about the Pacemaker award was super exciting,” said Veliz-Vargas, who worked on the journal for three years. “It goes to show that the work HCR produces is valuable and seen.”

Veliz-Vargas, who is double majoring in Spanish and communication with a concentration in public relations, said she first heard about the journal in her SPAN 315 Spanish in Context for Heritage Speakers class. “It caught my attention because it blends the two majors I’m studying and blends language and culture with writing and literature.”

HCR and Volition faculty advisor Jason Hartsel in George Mason’s Office of Student Media said he was thrilled to see the two journals recognized nationally. “Each issue [of the journals] is the culmination of many hours of hard work, creativity, and hands-on learning by our talented students, and this award will no doubt inspire future teams to leave behind their own legacy of distinction."

Student Media comprises more than 10 student-run media groups that publish original content online and in print, enabling students hone career-related skills in publishing and broadcasting. Those outlets include the university’s official student newspaper, radio station, and television network, as well as seven journals/magazines, a sports broadcasting team, and student chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Veliz-Vargas said working on HCR definitely enhanced her time at George Mason, and she gained a lot of experience from her leadership role. “I learned how to delegate and lead a team while managing hard deadlines, planning events, and promoting the publication both on and off campus,” she said. “It has motivated me into exploring career paths that will allow me to continue doing this kind of work.”

"Putting out a journal that shines light on the beauty of Hispanic literature and art meant a lot to me, and seeing other people's reactions was always a treat," said George Mason alumna Katty Becerra De Melo, BA English '24, who served as editor-in-chief of the award-winning issue. "I really value what writing and reading bring to the world, and I believe it should be celebrated."

Learn more about George Mason's Student Media

Check out the award-winning issue

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Student literary journal recognized with Pacemaker award

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