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Off the Clock: For Buz Grover, the call to explore echoes—right into the world’s longest known cave

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 15:17:30 +0000

Off the Clock: For Buz Grover, the call to explore echoes—right into the world’s longest known cave Lauren Reuscher Thu, 02/13/2025 - 10:17

As director of contracts and special projects for Auxiliary Services and Operations at ��, Buz Grover manages the university’s contracts for print, mail, and on-campus banking and ATMs. He also coordinates oversight of camps and youth programs on campus.

Buz Grover during an expedition in Crystal Cave, part of Mammoth Cave National Park. Photo provided

On the job, Grover has managed plenty of new and experimental projects. When faculty and staff returned to campus during the COVID pandemic, he led the creation of a temporary, on-campus child care facility where the children of faculty and staff could attend virtual school while their parents worked, known as the Patriot Learning Pod.

Outside work, Grover’s expeditionary spirit goes beneath the surface. As a volunteer with the Cave Research Foundation, Grover explores caves on federal lands, mapping the unknown twists and turns of the earth’s darkest—and coolest—corners.

How did you get started with this hobby? How long have you been doing it?

As a result of my misspent youth, the town I grew up in “invited” me to take part in a diversionary program modeled after Outward Bound. We’d head into the woods with the town’s police officers and members of a local Special Forces reserve unit to learn outdoor skills like climbing and rappelling. I eventually became one of the program’s leads.

Several years later, I moved to Champaign, Illinois, where I worked as a lead cook and kitchen manager at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign. That area of the Midwest is known as the flatlands; there is absolutely nothing to climb up or rappel down. There are, however, caves that you can rappel into and ascend out of. I got connected with a local cave “grotto” group.

Expedition participants gather in Crystal Cave’s Grand Canyon within Mammoth Cave National Park. Photo provided

One of my fellow cavers was involved with the Cave Research Foundation (CRF). The CRF is an elite group of cavers, so I was surprised when I was asked to attend an expedition in the mid-1980s. I’ve been caving with the CRF for more than 40 years and am now a Fellow with the organization.

Entrance to Crystal Cave in Mammoth Cave National Park. Photo provided

When and where do you participate in these adventures?

The CRF is chartered by the National Park Service to explore caves on federal land. I do most of my work at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. The CRF has mapped over 400 miles of cave at Mammoth Cave, making it the longest known cave on the planet and a prominent tourist destination. I have also spent time at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico.

Given the length of Mammoth Cave, it can take 8–10 hours to get to an unexplored part of the cave. Once there, we spend at least eight hours surveying and exploring new parts of the cave. It takes longer to get out than it did to get in, so it’s not uncommon for a trip to last 24–30 hours. The longest trip I’ve been on lasted 36 hours. Mammoth Cave expeditions happen almost every holiday weekend, with the exception of Christmas.

What lessons have you learned?

The power of effective teamwork and the importance of supporting the group effort. I cooked professionally when I began with the CRF and swore I’d never take on the surface job of camp management, as it was too much like my day job. But returning to camp after long, exhausting trips underground only to find glops of unidentifiable mush, I decided it was time to share some of my cooking skills with the CRF.

Grover has provided provisions during many expeditions, including Thanksgiving turkeys. Photo provided

For close to 40 years, I’ve been cooking for the Thanksgiving expedition, smoking turkeys with all the fixings for 35–60 cavers each year. I’m working on a CRF camp manager’s manual to codify and pass on effective caver care and feeding techniques.

What have been the most meaningful or memorable experiences?

I’ve confronted what I thought were my limits and exceeded them. I’ve crawled through wet, muddy chert tubes for hours, waded in hip-deep water censusing crayfish, read my compass and clinometer in water-filled passages with limited breathing space, fractured a finger and then completed a 100-foot climb, among many other challenges.

A substantial amount of scientific inquiry has occurred at Mammoth Cave and other project areas. None of it can happen until folks like me go in and map the cave, as that allows the scientists to identify where their inquiries took place.

As a parent, it’s been wonderful to watch my children grow up attending CRF expeditions and become cavers themselves. I don’t think they realized it at the time, but my kids were in “school” for the length of any expeditions they attended, learning lessons that stuck with them well after we returned home.

I’ve formed lifelong friendships with fellow cavers, entrusted my life to them, as they have entrusted theirs to me. There are few other endeavors where you and a couple of friends can go out and be the first people to explore a portion of the planet. Few people get to make that claim, and I count myself as fortunate for being able to be one of them.

Grover at the former Crystal Cave ticket office in Mammoth Cave National Park. Photo provided

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George Mason professor furthers impact of telemedicine in Ukraine

Jennifer Anzaldi — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 22:39:16 +0000

George Mason professor furthers impact of telemedicine in Ukraine Jennifer Anzaldi Tue, 01/14/2025 - 17:39

Ukraine’s health care system has been hit hard amid the ongoing war. Power outages, staffing shortages, and the destruction of hospitals have added up to a drastic reduction in available care for the already-vulnerable population. In a desperate attempt to bridge the gap, Ukraine’s Ministry of Health opened the country to telehealth solutions from overseas. But will these prove to be a successful substitute for at least some necessary services, or turn out to be no better than a tech Band-Aid?

Answering that question is where Mariia Petryk, assistant professor of information systems and operations management at the Costello College of Business at ��, comes in. In her spare time, she works as volunteer director of analytics for TeleHelp Ukraine (THU).

Mariia Petryk

Founded by a cross-disciplinary group of Stanford students shortly after the war’s inception, THU was designed to succeed where other telemedicine initiatives in crisis-affected areas have failed. The founders worked tirelessly to assemble an international volunteer network comprising medical professionals, translators, interpreters and administrative “health navigators.” Aware that medical consultations were only part of the patient journey, THU’s founders sought to address the entire continuum of care.

Petryk stresses that while the project originated at Stanford, the technical team included “people from Chicago, Boston, other California schools…some very active volunteers were in Australia, South Korea, Canada and other countries.”

Petryk, herself of Ukrainian descent, was honored to lend her data science expertise to this worthy project. As analytics director, she manages a dozen or so number-crunching volunteers who measured and documented THU’s impact upon Ukraine’s displaced population during the initiative’s first full year.

As Petryk explains, “The Russian invasion created a humanitarian crisis where a lot of people were internally displaced. And when people relocate to a new place, they don’t know where to go for health care. They also are at higher risk for many issues, including mental health problems. And they don’t know where to turn to treat chronic diseases they may have.”

THU’s primary focus during its first year was delivering much-needed services to this population of war-ravaged internal exiles.

Petryk’s analytical work gave rise to a recent case study of THU published in Journal of Global Health. The paper’s other lead author was Aditya Narayan, a Stanford medical student and THU’s director of implementation and evaluation.

Their findings describe some impressive early successes. THU facilitated more than 1,200 virtual patient appointments from May 2022 to May 2023 alone. Despite often-chaotic conditions, patient attendance rates were above 70 percent for nine of the 13 months studied. As the first year wore on, the THU team found ways to prevent no-shows—for example, employing the popular texting platform Viber to communicate with patients and assigning an individual health navigator to each patient.

Even more impressively, 96 percent of patients reported that their health complaints were at least partially resolved during their visit.

The paper argues that aspects of THU’s model could be adapted for use in other humanitarian contexts. In its initial growth phase, THU had access to advanced technological infrastructure and a wide network of medical providers, by dint of its academic origins. This implies that partnerships with academia could be critical to replicating THU’s success outside Ukraine.

Petryk remains proud of THU’s impact and her role in helping define it. “Based on actual appointments and how much that amount of care would cost at a hospital, THU delivered an estimated $1 million worth of services in its first 13 months,” she says.

Looking ahead to THU’s future, she says, “I can only wish to see this ‘start-up,’ as it were, go for the IPO.”

For more information and to explore volunteering opportunities, visit THU’s website.

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Mariia Petryk

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ESG - Costello

Costello Research Health & Well-being at Work

Costello Research ICT

Costello Research Data Analytics

Costello Research Digital Platforms

Costello College of Business News

Costello College of Business Faculty Research

ISOM Faculty Research

STEM outreach

Off the Clock: Kristina Ryder keeps calm and sings on

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:51:34 +0000

Off the Clock: Kristina Ryder keeps calm and sings on Lauren Reuscher Wed, 10/30/2024 - 13:51

Kristina Ryder has worked as an administrative specialist in ��’s Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations for almost two years, where she supports the Advancement communications team.

Outside work, Ryder has spent time on the basketball court at EagleBank Arena—but not shooting free throws. Ryder is a singer, and she has performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at sporting events at George Mason and beyond.

Kristina Ryder performs the national anthem at a Washington Mystics game. Photo by Monumental Sports

In addition to performing at George Mason basketball, soccer, and volleyball games, Ryder has taken her voice to the pros, performing at NBA and WNBA games. Her latest performances were at a Washington Mystics game in September and a Washington Wizards game in October. She first performed at professional sporting events in 2023.

Ryder feels like she’s been training for this her whole life. “I started singing when I was 2 years old,” Ryder said. “Everyone in my family calls me ‘the songbird.’”

Her talent developed at church plays, school events, talent shows, and around the house. Now, Ryder sings at church, weddings, and more. Her favorite genres to sing are gospel, R&B, and soul.

“I never thought I would perform for the NBA and WNBA in a million years,” Ryder said. “I always pray and ask God to open new doors and create opportunities for me to showcase my talent, and he answers my prayers every time. I am so thankful and humbled.”

Some people might feel anxious standing before a crowded arena, but Ryder thrives on it. “No words describe how amazing I feel right before I sing,” Ryder said. She describes it as “calm adrenaline.” Ryder never feels nervous when singing, and she loves seeing a full house.

The hardest part can be waiting for an opportunity to perform. “I have learned that patience is a virtue, and waiting on gigs takes time,” Ryder said. “No matter how long I must wait for an opportunity, I believe it will come at the perfect time.”

Kristina Ryder works in the Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations, and she is also pursuing a master's in school counseling. Photo by Monumental Sports

In addition to her day job and her singing, Ryder stays busy as a graduate student at George Mason. She is pursuing a master’s in school counseling and hopes to work with elementary school students someday.

The common thread between her singing and her professional goals? Inspiring others. “I look forward to inspiring and advocating for children and their needs,” Ryder said.

Catch Ryder’s next performance of the national anthem at the George Mason men’s basketball season opener on Monday, Nov. 4, at 7 p.m. in EagleBank Arena.

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Off the Clock: As a mentor, Debbie Cohen found a new pathway to connect with students

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 18:57:44 +0000

Off the Clock: As a mentor, Debbie Cohen found a new pathway to connect with students Lauren Reuscher Wed, 09/25/2024 - 14:57

Debbie Cohen started working in ��’s Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations in fall 2023 as the development coordinator for planned giving and parent and family philanthropy. Before coming to George Mason, she worked in another realm of education: as a middle school teacher.

Gabriella Singh and Debbie Cohen at a College Bound end of year celebration. Photo provided

Her passion for education fueled her involvement with another activity outside work: Cohen serves as a volunteer mentor with College Bound Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit serving public and charter school students in grades 8–12. Through its academic mentoring program, College Bound aims to help students enter college, earn a degree, and achieve their goals.

After leaving the classroom, Cohen felt like something was missing. She learned about College Bound by chance, when she walked by a booth at a street fair in the District.

“I left my teaching position and moved to this area just before the pandemic, and I was missing ‘my kids’—my former students,” Cohen said. When someone from College Bound asked if she would consider mentoring a high school student, “My answer was a resounding ‘yes,’” Cohen said.

Cohen mentored Gabriella Singh, a former high school student in Washington, D.C. For two years, Cohen and Singh met in-person once a week at a D.C. public library, along with other students and mentors from the program. They kept in touch outside those meetings and attended social activities with College Bound, too.

Since then, Singh has graduated from high school, but her connection with Cohen is now entering a new phase: Singh is a first-year student at George Mason this fall.

A history major, Singh chose George Mason for its location in Fairfax and proximity to professional opportunities in the nation’s capital. She also hopes to participate in a study abroad program.

“Knowing Ms. Debbie is on campus is actually pretty great,” Singh said. “It's nice knowing that if I ever need some advice, want an adult’s perspective on anything, or just want to chat for a bit, I can go down to visit her.”

Now that Singh has started college, she and Cohen are participating in College Bound’s virtual mentoring program, a critical part of helping students continue toward their goals of graduating college and realizing their potential.

Cohen encourages others to consider participating in mentorship programs. “There’s a need for positive role models everywhere, to help the next generation realize their dreams and their potential,” Cohen said. “I’m now an even bigger advocate and cheerleader for bringing others into this kind of mentorship opportunity to help make a difference.”

The opportunity to be another caring adult in the life of a young person means a lot, Cohen said.

“To be even a small part of Gabriella’s life for the past two years, to be a part of her high school and college preparation journey, has been memorable and very special,” she said. “I’m excited to see what she’ll do next.”

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Off the Clock: Volunteering at a community farm, Carissa O’Neill is a good seed

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 16:11:10 +0000

Off the Clock: Volunteering at a community farm, Carissa O’Neill is a good seed Lauren Reuscher Wed, 07/17/2024 - 12:11

Carissa O’Neill started her job at �� as an office assistant in University Life one year ago. In this role, she manages schedules, plans events, and more. Outside the office, O’Neill volunteers to do a different variety of tasks: planting seedlings, sinking stakes, laying out irrigation hose, harvesting crops, and weeding greenhouses.

O’Neill volunteers at The JK Community Farm in Purcellville, Virginia—a 150-acre working farm that donates 100% of its produce to local food pantries. The farm is managed by three staff members, and most of the farm work is done by volunteers. Produce is donated for distribution to community members facing food insecurity.

Carissa O'Neill (with husband Justin O'Neill) volunteers at JK Community Farm in Purcellville, Virginia. Photo provided

How did you first get started with this volunteer activity? How long have you been doing it?

I had never worked on a farm before! But I like to work with my hands, have a great desire to learn about growing and harvesting food, and there are a good number of small farms around this part of Virginia. I found JK Community Farm when I was looking for farming jobs one day. I didn’t find a job that made sense for me, but volunteering has been a great alternative. I’ve been doing it since 2021. It's a great way to get outside, and what a boost to know that you're helping someone get access to fresh fruit and vegetables.

What's a typical day look like when you volunteer at the farm? How many different crops have you harvested?

I spend a few hours a month there, usually on a Saturday or Sunday. When you get there, you gather with the other volunteers and wait for one of the staff members to assign you a task. They take time to show you how to do it, and off you go! I've helped harvest produce like potatoes, asparagus, and sunflowers, and I've planted crops like onion and bell peppers.

O'Neill did not have any prior experience working on a farm, but she wanted to learn about growing and harvesting food. Photo provided

What has been the most memorable experience you’ve had in this volunteer work?

Harvesting asparagus for the food banks—I never knew how it grew, or that it can regrow itself from the stalk you cut.

What lessons have you learned?

I’ve learned the importance of addressing the lack of fresh produce available for those who need food assistance. Of course, food banks have shelf-stable items, but what a blessing to also have fresh fruit and veggies to offer.

What else do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I also love to sew, cross stitch, watch television, and do escape rooms.

Did you know? George Mason’s Greenhouse and Gardens Program offers volunteer opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. The program partners with the Patriot Pantry to help address food insecurity within the George Mason student population. Volunteers grow food sustainably, harvest and distribute produce, and more. Visit the University Sustainability website for more information.

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Off the Clock: Kim Paul makes a doggone difference at the animal shelter

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:35:51 +0000

Off the Clock: Kim Paul makes a doggone difference at the animal shelter Lauren Reuscher Thu, 06/27/2024 - 10:35

As an Institutional Review Board (IRB) compliance manager in ��’s Office of Research Integrity and Assurance, Kim Paul ensures that research projects involving human subjects comply with all regulations. Outside of work, one of her hobbies revolves around nonhuman subjects: dogs eligible for adoption.

Kim Paul volunteers at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, where she helps train both dogs and the volunteers who take care of them. Photo provided

As a volunteer with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Paul, who has a graduate certificate in forensic science from George Mason, spends time taking care of the dogs—taking them for walks, offering socialization, and training them. After volunteering at the organization for more than four years, she also mentors new volunteers and has started spending time with adoptable cats, too.

How did you first get started with this volunteer activity? How long have you been doing it?

I have always loved animals and previously worked at a doggy daycare in New Orleans. When I moved to Alexandria in 2016 for graduate school, I wanted to get back into hanging out with dogs in some capacity. I am waiting to adopt a dog until I have a fenced yard of my own, but in the meantime, I wanted the opportunity to play and cuddle with some dogs.

What is the time commitment?

At the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, volunteers must commit to at least four hours of service each month. I average 8–10 hours a month. Outside of the standard dog walking and cat cuddles, volunteers also complete the never-ending laundry and dish washing. We also work at the front desk, do field trips, assist with adoptions, etc. There are a lot of things to do, depending on what interests you! Each opportunity is preceded by training.

It's not all playtime and dog cuddles—there is lots of laundry to do at an animal shelter. Photo provided

What has been the most meaningful or memorable experience you’ve had in this volunteer work?

Being asked by staff to become a dog volunteer mentor was incredibly meaningful to me. I love to teach and mentor people, so I am grateful that I can elevate my time at the shelter in an even more meaningful way.

I also love when I come to the shelter and see all the “I’ve been adopted” signs, meaning that these precious fur babies are finding their forever homes.

What lessons have you learned through this experience?

I have learned not to personalize interactions with shelter animals too much and not to take any sad emotions home. People often ask me if it is hard to not adopt every animal I work with, and to be honest, that was one of my biggest hesitancies before signing up to become a volunteer. Fortunately, I can separate shelter and personal time and not become emotionally attached to the animals—that is the biggest hurdle to overcome. Otherwise, I would have a house full of fur, and the shelter would be empty!

What else do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I love acting and have been soaking in the spotlight with community theatre. I have been doing theatre since I was a kid, all through college, and even did professional theatre when I lived in New Orleans.

I love going for long walks and listening to thrillers, suspense, and mystery audiobooks. I also enjoy spending time with friends and their pets, going on adventures to places I have never been, and new dining or social experiences. I recently went to Busch Gardens for the first time and went on many roller coasters that scared me, but what a thrill it was! I am trying to push myself further and take in new experiences while I have the energy.

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Off the Clock: As a survivor, Evan Cantwell volunteers for colorectal cancer awareness

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 13:58:08 +0000

Off the Clock: As a survivor, Evan Cantwell volunteers for colorectal cancer awareness Lauren Reuscher Thu, 03/28/2024 - 09:58

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Life is much more than time spent on the clock. In this series, we highlight the unique hobbies and volunteer activities of Mason's talented faculty and staff.

Evan Cantwell volunteers with Fight Colorectal Cancer. Photo by Brian Threlkeld

As a photographer in Creative Services at ��, Evan Cantwell spends his time at work capturing moments across the university. And he’s been doing it for quite a while.

“I started working at Mason in the previous century, when we still used chemistry to process our university image collection in black and white,” Cantwell said. The university has grown a lot since 1999, and Cantwell now collaborates with teams across the Office of University Branding, including writers, editors, social media specialists, videographers, and students to tell the Mason story.

Beyond the technology used in his work, something else was drastically different about Cantwell’s life when he first started working at Mason. He was undergoing chemotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy to treat early onset colorectal cancer. He was in his early twenties.

Cantwell is now a 25-year survivor of the disease, having been cancer-free since he underwent treatment in 1999. Since then, he has found ways to connect with other survivors and help spread awareness of colorectal cancer, which is now affecting more and more young people in the United States.

How did you first get started with this volunteer activity?

It was challenging to connect with other survivors before the existence of social media, so I went to group therapy opportunities, but could never relate since I was so much younger than everyone. Over a decade later, when I was exploring therapy again and dealing with a lot of health issues, I ended up at a surf camp for young cancer survivors, which inspired me to explore patient advocacy.

I was selected to be one of the first Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) ambassadors in 2016. We participated in public service announcement videos shown in Times Square and the NASDAQ marquee screen, posed for the Fight CRC magazine, Beyond Blue, and attended an ambassador retreat. We raised awareness and amplified Fight CRC’s mission by lobbying Congress in March for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. I took a break during COVID but was excited to join Fight CRC on Capitol Hill again this year.

Cantwell lends his photography skills to his volunteer work raising awareness for colorectal cancer. This March, volunteers with Fight Colorectal Cancer participated in a Call on Congress and installed flags and photo exhibits on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

What is involved in this volunteer work, and what is the time commitment?

Last fall, I volunteered to photograph the new Fight CRC ambassador class, which includes survivors, caregivers who have lost loved ones, and those undergoing treatment. We met in Missouri during ambassador training camp, and the weekend was full of emotion as they shared their stories.

No one knows why colorectal cancer is now the leading killer of young men ages 20–49, and the second deadliest among young women. This March, families, caregivers, survivors, doctors, and other advocates came together to plant 27,400 blue flags on the National Mall. In 2030, it’s estimated that 27,400 young Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Fight CRC partners with government agencies to identify and fund research and policies to bridge research and advocacy efforts, including early onset research.

Evan Cantwell (right) and fellow survivor Alecia Mandal (left) at the Fight CRC photo exhibit on the National Mall. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

What has been the most meaningful or memorable experience you’ve had in this volunteer work?

Over the years, I have met the most amazing and kind people from around the country. The type of people who really restore your faith. I would be remiss not to mention that some of those people have died. I am so grateful that I had a chance to meet them and to work with them when they were advocating not just for themselves, but for all of us.

What lessons have you learned through this experience?

I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I think I am. Especially when I can figure out when to ask for help. Choosing not to do it alone will open up so many pathways to healing both body and mind.

Also, it is so important to connect with your family about health. Know your body. You will be the only one in this life to take care of it. Ensure you spend more time researching a second opinion than researching a hair stylist, and to take full responsibility for your health.

If you are sure there is something wrong with your body, and a health care professional doesn’t think so, you can say, “No, this is not acceptable,” and advocate for your health by getting a second opinion. It might save your life—it saved mine.

Volunteers and advocates for colorectal cancer awareness gather on Capitol Hill. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

What is one thing you want people to know about awareness and prevention of colorectal cancer?

Colonoscopies save lives. There are new tools for screening, and you should consult with a doctor regarding the best screening for you. Know your risk factors; learn about your family history, considering grandparents and first-degree relatives, or if you have Lynch syndrome. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) lowered the recommended screening age for colorectal cancer in adults with average risk from age 50 to age 45. Don’t wait for symptoms to show up; get the recommended preventive screening.

What else do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

You can find me outdoors—hiking, exploring nature, and mountain biking. I also enjoy doing yoga and taking care of our rescue dog, Molly, with my wife. I’m hoping to explore the American west (when it’s not hot).

Topics

Cancer Prevention and Control

Cancer Survivors

Cancer Screening

Off the Clock: Stacey Schwartz added a Free Little Art Gallery to her community

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 14:37:49 +0000

Off the Clock: Stacey Schwartz added a Free Little Art Gallery to her community Lauren Reuscher Thu, 02/29/2024 - 09:37

Life is much more than time spent on the clock. In this series, we highlight the unique hobbies and volunteer activities of Mason's talented faculty and staff.

Stacey Schwartz opened a Free Little Art Gallery in her community for her capstone project in the Arts Management Program. Photo provided

Stacey Schwartz works as a digital strategist for the Center for the Arts and the Hylton Performing Arts Center at ��. A Mason alum, Schwartz, MA Arts Management ’23, brought her capstone research project to life when she opened a Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG) in her community.

FLAGs are similar to free little libraries. They contain free pieces of miniature art, submitted by artists and meant to be exchanged.

The Free Little Art Gallery is similar to a Free Little Library. Photo provided

While completing her master’s in arts management, Schwartz read an article about a Free Little Art Gallery in Seattle, Washington. She noticed that early in the pandemic, these galleries served as community builders for both local residents and those following the galleries online. She decided to start one in her Arlington, Virginia, neighborhood.

“The Arts Management Program is the reason that I started my Free Little Art Gallery, which has connected me to artists locally, nationally, and internationally,” said Schwartz. “My arts management background helped me understand how to use this tool successfully to build and strengthen my community.”

When starting the gallery, Schwartz reached out to artists and invited them to drop off their work. When artists provide new pieces, Stacey uploads photos of the work to the gallery’s Instagram. Visitors are free to stop by the gallery and take the art home, whether or not they have something to add to the gallery.

Schwartz encourages artists who leave art in the gallery to include their Instagram handle or other contact information with the piece, so they can be recognized for their contributions. Artists all over the United States have mailed pieces to her for inclusion in the gallery, and she recently received her first international piece from an artist and FLAG founder in Australia.

Recently, Schwartz worked with a local community member to install a geocache, expanding the gallery's reach. In geocaching, participants use their GPS to find hidden containers, called geocaches—which, in this case, leads them to the art gallery.

Visitors are free to stop by the gallery and take the art home, whether or not they have something to add to the gallery. Photo provided

Schwartz has worked with arts organizations throughout her career, including Washington Performing Arts, Arlington Arts, and WETA. In her current role as digital strategist for Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, she combines her interests in the arts and technology. Schwartz is also the board chair for the Educational Theater Company in Arlington.

The decision to study arts management was an easy one for Schwartz. “I have focused on digital platforms and the arts throughout my career, and I was ready to see the bigger picture,” she said. “Many of my colleagues had gone through the program here at Mason and were so enthusiastic that it seemed like the perfect next step, and it was.”

Schwartz is planning to offer a summer internship with her FLAG.

Follow Schwartz’s Free Little Art Gallery on Instagram @freelittleartgallery_arlington.

Hear Schwartz talk more about Mason, her career, and the Free Little Art Gallery on the Embracing Arlington Arts podcast.

In This Story

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More about the Arts Management Program

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Arts Management Program

Around Mason (E-Files)

Alumni

Arts Management alumni

Off the Clock: Jneva Norfleet, a Toastmasters champion and spoken word artist

Lauren Reuscher — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:10:21 +0000

Off the Clock: Jneva Norfleet, a Toastmasters champion and spoken word artist Lauren Reuscher Tue, 09/26/2023 - 15:10

Life is much more than time spent on the clock. In this series, we highlight the unique hobbies and volunteer activities of Mason's talented faculty and staff.

Jneva Norfleet, employer engagement consultant with University Career Services, is a Toastmasters champion and spoken word artist. Photo provided

As employer engagement consultant with University Career Services at ��, Jneva Norfleet connects organizations with qualified talent from Mason, helping Mason students and graduates achieve their career goals.

Outside work, Norfleet hones other talents of her own—she is a Toastmasters champion and a spoken word artist who shares her poetry to inspire others.

George Mason Toastmasters is part of a worldwide network of clubs that help members practice public speaking and leadership skills. Norfleet, a first-year Toastmaster, competed in multiple competitions and advanced to the Region 7 International Speech Contest in June. Though Norfleet did not advance to the world championship, she made an impact and represented her club with her speech, “If You Can Declare It, Then You Can Achieve It.”

What brought you to Mason? Once you were here, how did you decide to join George Mason Toastmasters?

I came to Mason in October 2022 to work with University Career Services. I heard about George Mason Toastmasters from my colleague, and I immediately wanted to join. I’m an ordained minister and have been preaching at churches throughout the East Coast since 2018. I’m also a spoken word artist and perform my poetry for community organizations and events. Since I had prior experience with public speaking, I knew Toastmasters would be the perfect opportunity for me to hone my public speaking skills.

What took you down the path to spoken word art, and what do you speak about?

I began to write spoken word poetry at the age of 16; however, I stopped to focus on other hobbies. I started writing again in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Most of my poetry is Christian content and addresses overcoming challenges through faith in Jesus Christ. I knew 2020 was a rough year mentally for many people, myself included, so I wanted my poetry to encourage those who were battling depression and other forms of mental illness. After posting one of my poems on social media, the post received a lot of positive attention and many people were encouraged by my work. It was in that moment that I realized spoken word poetry was a gift of mine, and I continued to do it.

How does spoken word art intersect with the type of public speaking you do for Toastmasters?

Spoken word art intersects with my public speaking for Toastmasters because I have the ability to express myself through speeches similar to the way I would in poetry. I generally gear a lot of my Toastmasters speeches toward overcoming challenges and inspiring people to keep going, because greatness is within them. My speeches give me a chance to be a blessing to others outside of my poetry.

Jneva Norfleet. Photo provided

You’re pursuing a PhD in higher education at Mason. What pushed you to continue your education?

I first desired to continue my education because I wanted to be the first member of my immediate family to obtain an accredited doctoral degree. That desire amplified when I started my career last year in higher education. I developed a love for this field. To accomplish my career goals, I continued my education by working toward my PhD.

How has being involved with Toastmasters impacted your overall experience working at Mason?

I developed a Mason family through George Mason Toastmasters. My Toastmasters club members continue to cheer me on in my speeches and were a huge support system for me throughout my contest journey. This club has been a tremendous blessing to me and has impacted my overall experience working at Mason, because it showed me that you can develop family outside of your home environment.

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