Schar School Student Spotlight

International Relations Policy Task Force

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A Place to Belong, A Space to Grow: Learning Communities at the Schar School

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 28 May 2025 17:26:43 +0000

A Place to Belong, A Space to Grow: Learning Communities at the Schar School Andrew J Schappert Wed, 05/28/2025 - 13:26

In This Story

Jennifer N. Victor

Eric McGlinchey

Lucas Núñez

Shea M. Holman Kilian

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When it comes to preparing students for the complex, unpredictable world of public service, the Schar School of Policy and Government at �� is not content with conventional classrooms. Instead, it has invested in a transformative model of undergraduate education known as “learning communities” (LCs).

Learning Communities take students beyond the classroom and into the key institutions of Washington, D.C., for first-hand experience where policy is created. Above, the First-Year Democracy Lab poses at the Capitol after meeting lawmakers and their staffs. Photos provided

These immersive, yearlong programs offer cohorts of students a mix of academic rigor, real-world experience, and faculty mentorship, all within an environment designed to feel more like a home base than a lecture hall. In addition to academic growth, these communities emphasize professional development—helping students build critical skills, networks, and experiences that position them for success in internships, graduate school, and careers in public service.

Across four distinct communities—International Relations Policy Task Force (IRTF), First-Year Democracy Lab (FY Dem Lab), Upper-Level Democracy Lab (UL Dem Lab), and Jurisprudence Learning Community (JPLC)—students are not only learning policy and governance but living it.

Launched as a virtual program in fall 2020, the first learning community evolved into what is now the First-Year Democracy Lab. Since then, the initiative has expanded rapidly, driven by strong student interest in experiential, community-centered education. The LCs give participants the benefits of a small college atmosphere while taking advantage of the considerable advanced resources of a Carnegie R1 research institution with more than 40,000 students, the largest public university in Virginia. George Mason is also a Carnegie Opportunity College, indicating proven accessibility, return on investment, and upward mobility for graduates, and these programs showcase those features.

A Task Force That Tackles the Real World

To understand how to better create and communicate policy, the International Relations Policy Task Force traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border, seen as a fence in the middle distance.

In the IRTF, students are charged with identifying and addressing some of the world’s most intractable problems. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Eric McGlinchey, they craft policy solutions rooted in deep research and human experience. This isn’t armchair theorizing—it’s engagement with the real world.

“Professor McGlinchey’s ability to foster a sense of community, guide discussion, and lead us helped me flourish as a student,” said senior government and international politics (GVIP) major Nicholas Chervenak, a combat engineer in the U.S. Army who graduated from George Mason in May. He was particularly pleased with how well the content of the community supported his future goals. “After this year together, I feel confident in my understanding of the government, philanthropy, think tanks, immigration, and foreign policy.”

Both Chervenak and fellow GVIP major Sofía Lorenzo, a student government senator, echoed how transformative the policy paper writing process was, offering an energizing mixture of constructive criticism and encouragement.

“It was so fun to hear about my peers’ findings and be involved throughout the process with one another. It was such an uplifting experience,” said Lorenzo, winner of the Women and Gender Studies program’s 2025 Feminist Leadership Award and an intern for the recently deceased U.S. Rep. Gerry Connelly (D).

“I loved the community it created—it was like a village. It takes a village to raise an IRTF scholar,” she joked.

McGlinchey points to how the students connect their classroom learning with the networking opportunities he creates.

“In the fall semester, we met with colleagues at [Ukrainian nonprofit] Razom,” he said. “In the spring semester, we traveled to the United States-Mexico border and learned from counterparts in El Paso and Juárez how changing U.S. immigration policy can profoundly impact deeply interconnected communities.”

Demystifying the Law

Taking advantage of the Schar School’s proximity to Washington, D.C., Upper-Level Democracy Lab students visited the renowned think tank, the Cato Institute, and met with policy researchers.

The JPLC, directed by Assistant Professor Shea Holman, offers a law school-like experience for undergraduates. Students don’t just read about the law, they simulate jury selections, analyze real Supreme Court cases, and meet judges and prosecutors. It’s more than an education, the students said, it’s a revelation.

For GVIP May 2025 graduate Madison Quick, one moment stood out.

“The most impactful experience I had in the JPLC course was volunteering at the Fairfax County General District Court,” said Quick, who continues to work postgraduation with the university’s LGBTQ+ Resources Center as a Queer Leadership Development intern. “I watched my first civil proceeding, specifically a protective order. That experience made me realize that I wanted to practice civil law—and become a judge.”

Holman, a lawyer and policy advocate specializing in workplace harassment reform, gender equity, and civil rights, notes how JPLC demystifies the legal profession through mentorship and real-world exposure.

“Our GOVT 301 course mimics the intensity and structure of a [first year] 1L law school curriculum,” she said.

One student, Holman said, leveraged her class experience to secure an internship at the Legal Services Corporation, the largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans.

This example of a direct bridge from classroom-to-career is not an accident, it’s an intentional ambition of the LCs.

Building Democracy, One First-Year at a Time

The First-Year Democracy Lab was the Schar School’s first foray into learning communities, with more than 60 incoming students signing on for the first in-person cohort in fall 2021.

Led by Associate Professor Jennifer N. Victor, FY Dem Lab introduces incoming students to the foundations of democratic engagement and research. Just as important, it connects them to a network of mentors, faculty, and peers that continues long after the first year.

“The FY Dem Lab is the gateway learning community,” said Victor. “The community, connections, and access to Schar School and George Mason resources keep many of them looking to reinforce these experiences as they continue their education.”

For 2025 GVIP graduate Ruthu Josyula, the FY Dem Lab was catalytic.

“As a freshman, I worked with Professor Victor on the First-Year Democracy Lab voter turnout study,” she said, referencing a research project intended to understand voting patterns among young voters (hint: campaigns relying on digital platforms are misguided).

“I had the incredible opportunity to present preliminary findings of this research at the annual Access to Research and Inclusive Excellence National Conference,” she said. The conference gives students experience in presenting in front of practitioners from higher education, community organizations, nonprofits, foundations, and small businesses, all dedicated to encouraging student involvement in research.

The impact of these beyond-the-campus relationships ripples outward.

“Being a part of First-Year Dem Lab connected me to Dr. Victor and many other students and faculty,” said Josyula, who the next year joined the IRTF community for deeper engagement. “I owe many of my collegiate experiences to the different things I learned and experienced in Dem Lab.”

Rising sophomore GVIP sophomore Emebet Neale discovered newfound confidence in Dem Lab.

“Dr. Victor has had a major influence on me,” said the student government senator. “From the start, she’s created an environment where students feel heard, supported, and encouraged. That kind of mentorship, especially so early in college, is rare.”

Neale emphasized the human connection that makes FY Dem Lab unique, including the Peer Pathways program that links First-Year and Upper-Level Dem Lab students in mentorship relationships. It’s an outreach program that provides academic and personal guidance, highlighted by an advice-laden panel discussion and breakout conversations about goal setting, dealing with stress, and overcoming failures.

“The Peer Pathways event was a wonderful and meaningful experience for me,” Neale said. “It helped create a supportive network of peers and mentors who want to see each other succeed.”

Upperclassmen, Deeper Dives

The Upper-Level Democracy Lab, taught by Associate Professor Lucas Núñez, builds on the freshman LC experience with advanced student-directed research. Students tackle issues such as redistricting, creating their own maps using real data, and presenting their findings with professional polish.

“Students developed their critical thinking and a more nuanced understanding of the interaction between law, ethics, politics, and geographical realities,” said Núñez.

Just as importantly, the yearlong cohort model builds lasting relationships and trust.

“As a faculty member, this continuity allows me to better get to know students as individuals,” Núñez added.

That deeper connection made all the difference for rising GVIP major Neelam Gurung.

“The most impactful experience I had in the Upper-Level Dem Lab course was meeting guest speakers, especially during the alumni dinner,” she said. “These conversations helped me reflect on my own goals and gave me a clearer picture of what paths align with my interests and values.”

Rising junior international security and law major Georges Saade, another UL Dem Lab student, highlighted the personal attention.

“Professor Núñez is not just a great professor, but a great resource and mentor to have,” he said. “He really cares about all his students and makes everyone feel included.”

More Than Coursework

The common thread running through all these stories is confidence. By developing relationships among participants, students gain a strong sense of purpose and direction, and are positioned for success during their time on campus and after graduation.

“The impact of JPLC is most clearly reflected in our students’ achievements and evolving sense of self-efficacy,” said Holman. “They have discovered a belief in their ability to succeed in law school and beyond.”

Victor agrees. “When I see Dem Lab alumni in my other classes, they are often the most enthusiastic students in the room. They are ready to learn from their peers, contribute constructively, and share the depths of their knowledge.”

McGlinchey puts it simply: “IRTF students provide real-world solutions to real-world challenges and graduate from the learning community ready to apply their newly honed skillsets in diverse policy environments.”

Clearly, these learning community “villages” aren’t just innovations in teaching, they are platforms for transformation. For students, they represent the difference between getting by at a university and thriving within it.

During a two-day visit with justices in Richmond, members of the Jurisprudence Learning Community found themselves literally in the seats of power at the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Topics

First-Year Democracy Lab

Upper-Level Democracy Lab

Jurisprudence Learning Community

Learning Communities

International Security and Law

BA International Security and Law

Government and International Politics

Schar School BA in Government and International Politics

Women and Gender Studies

BS in Public Administration

Graduating Senior Anna Garren: Commencement, Leidos, Hopkins, and Beyond

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 05 May 2025 16:17:31 +0000

Graduating Senior Anna Garren: Commencement, Leidos, Hopkins, and Beyond Andrew J Schappert Mon, 05/05/2025 - 12:17

It’s going to be a whirlwind week for graduating senior Anna Garren.

Anna Garren: ‘The Schar School degree really helped expand my worldview.’ Photo by Jennifer N. Victor/Schar School of Policy and Government

On May 10, she moves into her first apartment. Five days later, she’ll don cap and gown at ��’s EagleBank Arena to receive her bachelor of science degrees in public administration, from the Schar School of Policy and Government, and computational and data science from the College of Science.

Three days after that, she starts her new job at the Reston, Virginia-based government contracting giant Leidos, where she’ll work in the Artificial Intelligence Accelerator.

And the very next day, she begins her master’s degree program in artificial intelligence at Johns Hopkins University’s Whiting School of Engineering.

Garren, 21, is used to managing big transitions with poise and purpose. She grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, home of George Mason, but she began her college career more than 200 miles away, at Roanoke College, where she was a third-generation student and her grandfather, Kenneth R. Garren, had been a dean (he retired in 2001).

Initially a computer science major, she quickly realized she wanted a broader, more interdisciplinary focus. She transferred to George Mason as a sophomore and declared a double major in computational and data sciences and public administration.

“I always knew I wanted to go into STEM,” she said. “But after taking government classes in high school, I added the political science aspect.”

She was further inspired by the passing of her high school legislative bill project—regarding a special needs indicator on state vehicle registration—actually being passed into law by the Virginia legislature.

That hybrid identity—analytical and civic-minded—has been her hallmark at George Mason. And at the Schar School, Garren found not just challenging coursework but a welcoming and supportive community. In fact, the community she found was a higher education highlight for her.

“Definitely the relationships I made with my professors and peers,” she said when asked what stands out from her time there, adding that her two terms as part of Associate Professor Jennifer N. Victor’s Politics Research Lab was a particular highlight.

Anna Garren, left, and mentor Associate Professor Jennifer N. Victor. Photo provided.

In that setting, Garren, who was also a teaching assistant, was part of a collaborative environment where undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty work on real-world political science research—sometimes for credit but always for impact.

Not surprisingly, Garren has made an impression on one of her professors.

“Anna’s eagerness to meet the world’s challenges head-on should make the world’s challenges very nervous,” said Victor, the university’s 2025 Faculty Mentor Excellence Award winner. (An aside: Garren is the 2025 OSCAR Student Excellence Award winner.)

“She is a remarkable student,” Victor added. “Her combination of deep knowledge and interest in politics and government combined with her incredible skills in computational and statistical programming make her one of the most sought after students I’ve ever worked with.”

Outside the classroom, Garren took her passion for technology and education into the community, volunteering as coach for the robotics team at Centreville High School, her alma mater. During peak season, the team, a certified nonprofit organization that offers STEM training to middle and elementary schools, consumed about 20 uncompensated hours a week. The squad also competes in the prestigious international FIRST Robotics competitions.

“It’s a lot,” she agreed in a tone that mixes understatement and pride, adding that she also substitutes on occasion as a teacher at the school.

In addition to her double-major course work, her volunteer hours with Victor’s lab, and her high school robotics club, Garren completed four summer internships at various units of the Department of Defense.

Ask her what she’ll miss most about George Mason and her answer is fast—“the Schar School,” specifically the people and the intellectual exploration of government and politics, even as she pivots into the sharper tools of data science and AI.

“The Schar School degree really helped expand my worldview,” she said. “The type of brainwork in data science is different than in political science classes, and I’ll miss that.”

In This Story

Jennifer N. Victor

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From Vietnam to Virginia: Duy Vu’s Remarkable Journey to the Commencement Stage

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:38:56 +0000

From Vietnam to Virginia: Duy Vu’s Remarkable Journey to the Commencement Stage Andrew J Schappert Mon, 04/28/2025 - 11:38

As the rows of soon-to-be graduates fill EagleBank Arena in a sea of green and gold at the May 15 Commencement ceremony, all eyes will turn to senior Duy Vu, who will take the podium as the student commencement speaker. For Duy, the honor to represent the graduating �� student body is the culmination of a seven-year journey that began half a world away.

Student Commencement speaker Duy Vu: ‘During my studies I learned about looking at things from different perspectives, how to think about decision-making, beliefs, and ideologies.’ Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

His story—and his advice to his graduating classmates—is worth listening to.

Duy came to the United States as a 15-year-old high school student, following his father, a deputy defense attaché for the Vietnamese government, to Washington, D.C. The transition, Duy admitted, wasn’t easy and his command of English was rudimentary.

“My grammar was strong,” Duy said of his language training in Vietnam, “but I could barely communicate when I first got here.”

He resolved to come to George Mason with a new attitude and develop the confidence to make the most of his time as a college student.

“I told myself I would make college a worthwhile experience,” he said. “I’d try everything. I’d step out of my comfort zone.”

The start was slow—Duy and his undergraduate classmates are likely the last cohort to have endured the COVID-19 campus shutdown—and by his junior year, Duy realized time was running short.

“That’s when it hit me: I have two years left. If I don’t do something now, I might not get another chance,” he said.

Duy transformed his campus experience. He dove into extracurricular student life by joining campus organizations, including serving as treasurer of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) and vice president of finance for Beta Theta Pi, before starting his own Registered Student Organization (RSO), George Mason’s first-ever Pool Club. Pool, as in billiards.

“I just started enjoying the game,” he said. “There wasn’t a club, so I made one.”

The Pool Club quickly evolved into more than a casual hangout, with the team meeting at the tables at the Hub’s Corner Pocket game room, hosting tournaments, and traveling to other schools for competitions.

Joining organizations, besides being fun, expanded Duy’s world view. As treasurer for ALPFA, he learned the ropes of networking and professionalism. “It helped me understand the etiquette and skills needed in the business world,” he said. “And I got to learn from peers who were already finding success.”

Duy Vu majored in two bachelor of science programs, public administration and finance. Photo by Julia Conway/Schar School of Policy and Government

On top of his nonclassroom activities, Duy is a double major graduating from two bachelor of science degree programs: The Schar School of Policy and Government’s comprehensive public administration program and the Costello College of Business’s robust finance program.

He signed on to public administration thanks to his father’s suggestion.

“I wasn’t sure about it at first,” he said of the public administration major. “But during my studies I learned about looking at things from different perspectives, how to think about the way beliefs and ideologies play into a government’s decision-making.”

The Schar School professors also revealed to him a new-found fascination with “the financial and economic side of things,” he said, which is vital to creating successful public policy. “And that’s when I declared a second major in finance.”

Throughout his time at George Mason, Duy balanced a double-major’s-worth of classes—and all the reading, writing, and exams that go along with two majors—with organizational leadership activities with classmates and a part-time job at the Schar School’s Aquia headquarters on George Mason’s Fairfax ��, where he supported students for nearly four years as an office assistant.

“I’ve worked with Ms. Colette since my sophomore year,” he said of K. Collette Lawson, the longtime Schar School administrative and technical coordinator. “It was my first ‘real’ experience outside of school. It’s going to be hard to leave.”

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Degree Celebration

Schar School BS in Public Administration

Government and International Politics

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A Passion for the Past Pays Off: History Buff Christine Peretik's Timeless Internship

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 12:28:40 +0000

A Passion for the Past Pays Off: History Buff Christine Peretik's Timeless Internship Andrew J Schappert Wed, 04/09/2025 - 08:28

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Christine Peretik is no stranger to hard work and unexpected opportunities. A senior at �� in the Schar School of Policy and Government, she is majoring in government and international politics with minors in both history and criminology, law and society.

Christine Peretik: ‘You never know where an email or a small decision might lead you.’ Photos provided.

But it was her passion for the past that landed her a fascinating internship at the Fairfax Circuit Court Historic Records Center in Fairfax, Virginia, a role she initially applied for on a whim.

“I had applied for it, not expecting much,” Peretik said. “I was very interested in it, but I didn’t know if it was going to turn up. And lo and behold, I ended up getting this internship.” (Let that be a lesson to all students considering internships. Help is here.)

Peretik’s work at the Historical Records Center placed her directly in the midst of history—literally. Housed in what was once the clerk’s office, the center holds an extensive archive of documents, from land records to court proceedings, and even a Fairfax Court Slavery Index compiled by a former �� student.

“We have obituaries and just about every court proceeding you can think of,” Peretik said. “Even crimes that were committed back in the day, just about everything people went through.”

One of her main tasks was analyzing old court cases, which appealed to her higher ed interests, from government to history to law.

“My manager asked me to identify who was the victim in these cases,” she said, explaining how she often had to interpret the documents handwritten in the 1800s on the fly. “I had to go back over each letter, like, ‘Okay, this is how they write an A. This is how they write a T.’”

Beyond deciphering faded vintage calligraphy and researching legal documents, Peretik also contributed to the center’s public exhibits, which are displayed around the historic courthouse and judicial center. She helped create content for a walking tour that takes visitors through key sites, such as the Legato School, one of Virginia’s early schools, now a museum. Students attended the school between the 1870s and 1930 and is now furnished to mimic the look and feel of an 1870s schoolhouse.

“We also have a little stone slab from the Spanish-American War era,” Peretik said. “People believe it marks a grave, but neighbors say it was actually a cat named Clem.”

Peretik’s enthusiasm for learning and history is palpable.

“I am a huge, huge history nerd, for lack of a better word,” she admits. “I watch documentaries for fun. That’s one of my things.”

Christine Peretik: ‘And lo and behold, I ended up getting this internship.’

Despite her love of history, Peretik’s academic focus remains on government and law.

“I want to work in the government someday,” she said. “Maybe the Department of Justice, or Homeland Security. I’m keeping my options open.”

Among her outside-the-classroom experiences at George Mason include working as a telecounselor for the Admissions Office. She’s also been an active member for three years of the International Buddy Program, which pairs domestic students with international students “with the whole purpose of forming connections between the two.”

Peretik’s decision to attend George Mason was an intentional one. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her family relocated to Fort Mill, South Carolina, over a decade ago. She considered other universities but ultimately chose George Mason for its unique balance.

“It’s the hub for government,” she says. “You’re right near D.C., but also far enough away to have a real college experience.”

As she prepares to graduate in May, Peretik reflects on her time at the Schar School and the internship that deepened her appreciation for history.

“It was an incredible opportunity,” she says. “You never know where an email or a small decision might lead you.”

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Schar School BA in Government and International Politics

Graduation

Master of Public Administration

internships

Examining Transnational Security Issues: A Schar School Study-Abroad Experience in Costa Rica

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 19:48:17 +0000

Examining Transnational Security Issues: A Schar School Study-Abroad Experience in Costa Rica Andrew J Schappert Mon, 04/07/2025 - 15:48

Schar School students visit Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest to assess the impact of illegal deforestation and wildlife trafficking. Photos provided.

During this year’s spring break in March, 25 �� students, many of them graduate students at the Schar School of Policy and Government, traveled to Costa Rica for an immersive study-abroad program focused on transnational security—tackling complex issues such as human trafficking, migration, environmental crimes, and the illicit drug trade.

From left, student Hannah Townley, Salazar, and Pardo-Herrera.

Led by international development scholar Camilo Pardo-Herrera, PhD Public Policy ’19, and in partnership with Costa Rica’s Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) University, a network of social sciences academics founded in 1957 by UNESCO, the program combined academic coursework with real-world exposure to transnational security challenges affecting Latin America and the United States.

The program began in the Costa Rican capital of San José, where students attended sessions analyzing the role of globalization in transnational crime, the economics of illicit markets, and the regional security policies shaping migration patterns. A key theme was the link between organized crime, corruption, and governance, with case studies illustrating how illicit financial flows sustain criminal enterprises.

After traveling to Monteverde, students explored environmental crime and conservation policy, visiting the Monteverde Cloud Forest and Selvatura Park to assess the impact of illegal deforestation and wildlife trafficking. Discussions focused on how environmental degradation fuels security threats, from resource conflicts to displacement. These site visits reinforced classroom discussions on how governments and nongovernment organizations combat illegal environmental activities while balancing economic development.

From left, international development scholar Camilo Pardo-Herrera, PhD Public Policy ’19, who led the trip, FLACSO Costa Rica Director Karla Salazar, and student Sarah Bissell holding her FLACsO certification of completion.

The journey continued to Arenal, where students examined the relationship between ecotourism and security policies. Through group discussions, they assessed how tourism can be leveraged to prevent illicit activities while promoting sustainable development.

Reflecting on the program, tour leader Pardo-Herrera praised the students’ engagement and enthusiasm.

“Students approached each topic with curiosity and dedication,” he said. “Seeing them connect academic theory with field observations was exciting. This experience not only deepened their understanding of transnational security but also prepared them to think critically about global solutions.”

Morian Bailey, a student in the Schar School’s master of public administration program, highlighted the value of diverse perspectives within the traveling cohort.

“The best part of this study abroad was how culturally diverse my classmates were,” she said. “Everyone had different viewpoints from their respective programs, and it was great to engage with them.”

Kayla Maxey, a senior from George Mason’s School of Integrative Studies, shared that the trip was academically stimulating. “We physically went to see where the things we learned took place,” she said. “I can't wait to apply what I learned to my degree and career.”

With the support of FLACSO Costa Rica, this study-abroad experience provided a unique opportunity for students to analyze security challenges from multiple perspectives. By the end of the course, participants left with a deeper understanding of policy responses to transnational security issues—knowledge that will shape their future academic and professional pursuits.

Author Sarah Bassil is an international securities master’s student at the Schar School of Policy and Government.

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For more information about the International Relations Policy Task Force or any of the Schar School’s other learning communities, visit this website.

Strategic Direction

Annual Spring Break Trip to U.S.-Mexico Border Changes Perspectives

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:07:03 +0000

Annual Spring Break Trip to U.S.-Mexico Border Changes Perspectives Andrew J Schappert Thu, 04/03/2025 - 14:07

The spring break trip to the U.S.-Mexico border featured discussions as well as excursions.

For their March 2025 spring break, eight members of the International Relations Policy Task Force (IRTF) at ��'s Schar School of Policy and Government and one Global Affairs student, along with Associate Professor Eric McGlinchey and Assistant Director of Student Engagement Emilee Duffy, traveled to the United States-Mexico border for a firsthand look at immigration issues and the challenges facing those living and working in the area.

Students got an up-close look at the border wall.

Abara, a nonprofit organization based in El Paso, Texas, dedicated to fostering peace through educational programs around immigration and border realities, hosted the students for the weeklong study-abroad trip, which is also a 1-credit course.

The packed agenda mixed discussions about migration root causes, historic and current border realities, and dignified storytelling and ethical volunteerism with visits to the border fence, a migrant shelter run by Abara, and the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez across a bridge in Mexico. There, Schar School students engaged in conversation with their peers in the Department of Social Sciences and bonded over their similar tastes in music. IRTF students also toured Ciudad Neuva, a nonprofit committed to advancing the renewal and development of central El Paso’s Rio Grande neighborhood before departing for White Sands National Park.

For Sarah Elpers, a junior government and international politics and geology double major, the trip clarified that some concepts benefit from an in-person learning experience.

A visit to White Sands National Park concluded the week.

“The articles we read are incredibly well written and informative, but they certainly paint a picture in your mind that isn’t always true,” she said. “This trip taught me that many Americans perceive the border as very dangerous and the bane of the country. In reality, however, it’s just another part of people’s lives. It’s very easy to believe what certain media puts out but being able to actually see what the border and immigration process is like puts things in perspective.”

Hakeem Osman, a junior government and international politics major, said the expedition helped him better understand immigration and policy as it pertains to people on both sides of the border. A high point for him was the visit to the migrant shelter, where he and his colleagues shared a meal with people in the process of migrating and learned more about their stories.

“This moment was impactful for me because it really highlighted the way that media narratives and reality often diverge,” he said. “Throughout the week we explored many heavy themes but we also found joy and friendship in these solemn moments. If you’re in the policy sphere I encourage you to take a step back and question the narratives shaping your perception of migrants and the immigration process. Narrative precedes policy and as policymakers it is imperative to remember that the policies you make affect real people.”

At the end of the week, students left with a broader viewpoint on the border crisis, one that may have differed from the one they arrived with.

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International Security and Law

International Relations Policy Task Force

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Office of Student Scholarship Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR)

Strategic Direction

Students present research at Inaugural Undergraduate Research Showcase in Richmond

Katarina Benson — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:27:27 +0000

Students present research at Inaugural Undergraduate Research Showcase in Richmond Katarina Benson Thu, 03/27/2025 - 10:27

In February, �� students attended the first Undergraduate Research Showcase held by the Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia (NURVa) in Richmond. The event was an opportunity for students to present their research as well as share their work with state legislators.

Undergraduates Luciano Byrd, Angela Rojas, and Fatima Majid, all researchers working with faculty through George Mason’s Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR), were selected for the event.

“The showcase was monumental for me as a student. It was exhilarating to engage in real intellectual sparring with professionals in my field,” said Majid, a senior cyber security engineering major.

Majid worked on her project in a George Mason Summer Impact research group, “Addressing the International Artificial Intelligence Cyber Question with the United States Cyber Command,” led by Professors Brian Ngac and Nirup Menon of Costello College of Business. This was her first time presenting research.

Majid (left), Byrd (center), and Rojas Rivera (right) at the showcase. Photo provided

Working with fellow students Brian Lemus, Bella Nguyen, and MinhQuan Vo, Majid studies how countries are using artificial intelligence (AI) for national cybersecurity. “The incorporation of AI into cybersecurity is not only revolutionizing the way these countries defend against cyber threats but also serves as a catalyst for strengthening their strategic alliances with the United States,” she said.

Sophomore government and international politics major Luciano Byrd’s research focuses on presidents’ use of executive power and executive orders. His project, “The Evolution of U.S. Presidential Executive Orders from 1936 to 2024: Historical Trends and New, Modern Changes,” could have important implications for the political science field.

He credits his mentor, psychology professor Adam Winsler, for encouraging him to pursue his research. “Without him, I would not have gotten as far as I have. [This] project started off as a simple literature review for my Honors 110 [Principles of Research and Inquiry] class and has turned into a multi-year research project.”

Angela Victoria Rojas Rivera, a junior majoring in medical laboratory science, has been working on her research since she was a freshman. Her research, “Primary Breast Cancer Communication with the Sentinel Lymph Node via Extracellular Vesicles Regulates Distant Metastasis,” addresses triple-negative breast cancer. Her work with Lance Liotta, Marissa Howard, and PhD student Purva Gade in the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine could lead to new approaches to combat the disease.

For Rivera, the most meaningful part of the showcase was the confirmation that her research could help people in the future. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD in proteomics or cancer biology.

During the 2023-24 academic year, 428 undergraduates were funded by several OSCAR programs, including the OSCAR Federal Work Study Research Assistant Program, the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, and the Summer Team Impact Projects.

“The importance of events like the Inaugural Showcase at the Capitol is twofold: first, for students, sharing the results of research or creative projects is part of the whole experience. Second, this particular event allowed students to show what amazing work they have done to members of the General Assembly and their staff, who might not have any other opportunity to see what undergraduates can accomplish,” said Karen T. Lee, associate director of OSCAR.

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Schar School BA in Government and International Politics

Strategic Direction

Change in Plans: Federal Workers, Government Students Find Opportunities in Local Government

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:10:14 +0000

Change in Plans: Federal Workers, Government Students Find Opportunities in Local Government Andrew J Schappert Wed, 03/26/2025 - 12:10

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First of a series

Federal workers who have lost their jobs and graduating government students would do well to consider state and local government positions. That’s the assessment of John P. Stinner, a 2009 graduate of ��'s master of public policy program.

John P. Stinner: ‘If you’re really looking to make a difference, you can make a difference every day in local government.’ Photo provided

Stinner is now the borough manager of Dormont, a municipality of some 8,000 residents bordering Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

For Stinner, 46, working in local government wasn’t part of the plan. With a master’s degree from Schar School of Policy and Government and considerable, career-oriented experience on Capitol Hill and in international development, the registered Independent imagined his career unfolding in Washington, D.C., or abroad.

But when life led him to Pittsburgh, he discovered something surprising: the immense opportunity and fulfillment of working at the local level.

“I thought it wasn’t sexy. I thought it wasn’t interesting,” Stinner said. “I came to find out that it’s an incredibly engaging job.”

Now Stinner, the borough manager, is a passionate advocate for careers in local government. He believes that many professionals and students of government overlook these positions despite their impact, stability, and competitive compensation.

“There’s a huge need right now in my industry,” said Stinner, who became Dormont’s manager six months ago. “Public service just doesn’t get the same [application] numbers it used to.”

Local government jobs offer attractive salaries, pensions, and excellent benefits, he said. “It’s a six-figure job with great benefits. I have better health insurance than anyone I’ve ever met.”

Stinner’s journey into local government began unexpectedly. After moving to Pittsburgh due to his wife’s career, he found himself exploring new opportunities. A connection at a University of Pittsburgh think tank led him to work in municipal management, and the rest is history.

“If you had asked me as an undergrad [at the University of Wyoming] if I’d be working in local government, I would have told you you’re crazy,” he said.

But as it happened, the skills he developed in international development translated seamlessly into his work with local communities. From economic development to budgeting, transportation to collective bargaining, his leadership role touches a variety of critical issues.

Stinner recalled that a classmate from George Mason landed a position in nuclear nonproliferation policy in Washington, “really big, high-level stuff,” he said. Impressive, yes, but a mentor put things in perspective when he asked, “How many times do you think your friend will actually affect public policy in their career? We affect public policy every day.”

“And I see that as a very rewarding part of my job,” Stinner said. “If you’re really looking to make a difference, you can make a difference every day in local government.”

As for compensation, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) recently signed an executive order making the local officials’ pay equivalent to that of positions in the state government. He also signed an order to bring fired federal workers to Pennsylvania to fill some 5,600 openings in state and local roles.

Additionally, he said, “There’s a ‘gray tsunami’ of all the Baby Boomer retirees, and early Gen Xers are starting to retire as well. We just don’t have the ranks coming in behind to fill those jobs.

“Engage with local government. See what’s available,” he said. “There’s so much work to be done.”

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Master of Public Policy

Schar School News for March 2025

Alumni

Michelle Lammers, ‘05: From Master’s Student to a ‘Woman to Watch’ in National Security

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 16:18:01 +0000

Michelle Lammers, ‘05: From Master’s Student to a ‘Woman to Watch’ in National Security Andrew J Schappert Thu, 03/20/2025 - 12:18

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Named in February as one of Colorado’s “50 Top Women to Watch,” �� alum Michelle Lammers has carved out an impressive career in national security, bringing strategic communications expertise to a field where precision and discretion are paramount.

Michelle Lammers on her Schar School master’s degree: “I think it brought the ability to step back and look at the picture and ask, ‘How do we fit into what’s going on today, and why does it matter?’”

As vice president of communications at Nightwing, a cutting-edge intelligence and cybersecurity firm, Lammers is at the forefront of safeguarding clients’ most sensitive data while shaping the company’s public presence.

She earned her master's degree in International Commerce and Policy—now called Global Commerce and Policy—in 2005 from the Schar School of Policy and Government. The program, known for its rigorous curriculum and distinguished faculty—including professionals with high-ranking intelligence backgrounds—laid the groundwork for her career.

“I had some amazing professors who were full time at the CIA in senior roles,” Lammers recalled in a Zoom call from Denver. “That exposure really helped me understand the intelligence landscape.”

After graduating from the Schar School she worked in strategy, mergers, and acquisitions before pivoting into business development and communications. While her path has been dynamic, she credits her degree with teaching her how to analyze complex policy issues and apply them to real-world business challenges.

“It’s about understanding context,” she said. “I think it brought the ability to step back and look at the picture and ask, ‘How do we fit into what’s going on today, and why does it matter?’”

Those skills, she said, “were what my master’s [degree] was focused on, and it’s really helpful.”

A longtime Denver resident, Lammers has spent years actively engaging with the local community, which has earned her multiple industry recognitions, including a spot on Denver Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list and the current “50 Top Women to Watch” by Women We Admire, a nonprofit providing news and information about women executives and leaders in major U.S. industries.

Closer to home, Lammers was named a “Top MarCom Exec to Watch in 2024” by Washington Executive magazine.

Though she’s based in Colorado, her work at Nightwing keeps her connected to national security hubs across the country. The company, headquartered in Sterling, Virginia, has a presence in 46 states, employing more than 2,200 professionals. Lammers oversees the company’s external and internal messaging, ensuring that its cybersecurity and intelligence missions are clearly communicated to employees, stakeholders, and the public.

“We’re heavily focused on cybersecurity and other intelligence and national security missions,” she said, highlighting the importance of aligning public messaging with the ever-evolving security landscape.

For Schar School students looking to follow in her footsteps, Nightwing presents opportunities. The company actively recruits from George Mason’s highly regarded computer science and cybersecurity programs, offering positions that cater to those with security clearances or aspirations of obtaining them.

“We have some really cool missions,” she said. “If you have a clearance or are interested in national security work, we have jobs in the D.C. metro area and beyond.”

One of her transformative experiences at George Mason was a three-week summer study-abroad program at the University of Oxford’s Mansfield College in the United Kingdom, made possible by George Mason’s Global Education Office’s Mason Oxford Programs. At Oxford, she developed lifetime friendships with classmates, so much so she was in the wedding of one and has attended family Thanksgiving holidays with others.

From her studies in international policy to her leadership role in a major intelligence firm, Lammers’s career highlights the value of combining strategy, policy expertise, and business skills. For Schar School students interested in cybersecurity and intelligence, her message is straightforward: opportunities exist—you just need to pursue them.

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Global Commerce and Policy

Master of Global Commerce and Policy

Alumni