Scholarships

Graduate student’s research examines how identity impacts world affairs

Katarina Benson — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 18:33:14 +0000

Graduate student’s research examines how identity impacts world affairs Katarina Benson Tue, 08/05/2025 - 14:33

Ilya Kim brought a unique perspective to his studies at ��. He grew up as ethnic minority in Russia, living in the country until his family moved to South Korea in 2008 when he was 8.

That experience has informed his studies, first as a global affairs major who spent three years at Mason Korea, where he also served as Mason Korea’s student council president and worked as a resident advisor and University Life office intern.

When he arrived at George Mason’s Fairfax �� he already knew he wanted to pursue a master’s degree in sociology. He reached out to Shannon Davis, who spent three years as Mason Korea’s associate dean for faculty and academic affairs in addition to 15 years with George Mason’s Sociology Department.

Kim in his graduation regalia. Photo provided

She in turn was able to point Kim to John Dale, associate professor of sociology and director of Movement Engaged, the social movement research hub of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ (CHSS) Center for Social Science Research (CSSR).

“[Dale] was really the guy who got me to where I am in my graduate studies,” Kim said.

Indeed, it didn’t take long for Dale to be equally impressed by Kim, who he first met in his CONF 399 Sociology of Human Rights course in fall 2022.

“It quickly became apparent to me and his classmates that he was the brightest kid in the class,” Dale said. “I gave him an A-plus, and I never give an A-plus.”

As a master’s student, Kim has built on his undergraduate work with Movement Engaged, learning under Dale and working alongside PhD students.

“That exposure to high-level learning and people who are about to defend their thesis made me work harder because I wanted to be at their level to contribute to the discussion,” Kim said.

He continued his community involvement at the Fairfax ��, serving as a community assistant for the university’s Office of Housing and Residential Life. In 2022, Kim received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Virginia Association of College and University Housing Officers.

Kim is on track to finish his master’s degree from George Mason in the fall of 2026 and continues to expand on his research for his capstone project: “Sakhalin Island: Nexus of Transnational Movements.”

Dale has called Kim’s research a fascinating case study of globalization and transnational politics that could turn into a PhD dissertation.

The project examines the small Russian island of Sakhalin, which is more than 4,000 miles east of Moscow and sits in the Pacific Ocean just north of Japan. The island is inhabited by half a million people, including Russians, Indigenous peoples, Koreans, and even Americans. Kim has a close connection to the island, as his grandparents used to live there and distant relatives still reside there.

“It is very hard to find someone with the background Ilya has in Russia who can write well, do that translation and research in Russia,” Dale said. “Especially [someone] who also would be seeing it from the perspective of an ethnic minority position inside Russia, and so have more of a critical history of the formation of their constitution, which is what brought new insight to the possibilities for reform.”

“It is almost a little wildlife reserve of many of these identities there, and somehow they are all co-existing,” Kim said of Sakhalin. “But there are also tensions. I argue that people on that specific island are interesting to study because of how unique their identity and perspective is. If we can understand what Russia is and what type of identity it projects, then it kind of gives us a blueprint of how we can work with those groups—not just on paper, but in reality.”

Kim’s work received the 2025 College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s Challenge Scholarship, which recognizes exceptional students who have demonstrated academic excellence, a commitment to education as a powerful tool for change, and commitment to leadership and community engagement. It is among the most competitive and prestigious scholarships that the college offers and is open to all CHSS students.

“Ilya is a shining example of how George Mason students can make a global impact,” CHSS Dean Ann Ardis said. “In addition to his research and collaborations with Movement Engaged, he has shown his commitment to improving the student experience on campus for Mason Korea and international students making the transition to Fairfax.”

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Where Elements Meet: The Glow of Unity

Paul Snodgrass — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 14:49:12 +0000

Where Elements Meet: The Glow of Unity Paul Snodgrass Tue, 07/01/2025 - 10:49

For the past 10 years, the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason has partnered with Shinnyo-en Foundation in their shared mission of developing young people as peacebuilders. In a world of division, both the Carter School and Shinnyo-en Foundation seek to bring groups together, navigate darkness, and illuminate paths toward peace.

Hawaii’s Shinnyo Lantern Floating Ceremony. 2025. Photo provided.

Each year, Hawaii’s Shinnyo Lantern Floating Ceremony draws thousands to Ala Moana Beach on Memorial Day. This year, Jane Walker, Director of Student Services at the Carter School, was brought to the festival by Shinnyo-en Foundation as a special guest.

The Lantern Floating Ceremony honors those who have passed, offering a collective moment for reflection, remembrance, and hope. The lanterns are released onto the water at sunset, symbolizing peace and connection across time and space. This year, 6,000 lanterns were set afloat, each representing personal stories of heartbreak and gratitude, among many other emotions of the evening.

Jane Walker with a group of students. Photo provided.

Walker described the experience as profound. “I was moved by the quiet power of the ceremony and the shared human longing for peace, healing, and unity. It reminded me why peacebuilding work matters. The message, centered around fire and water—opposing elements, yet coexisting, deeply resonated with me. The lanterns, though fragile, lit the night without being extinguished or consumed. They floated through uncertain waters, offering light and harmony. This inspiring event refueled my commitment to support peacebuilding work.”

In the past, Shinnyo-en Foundation offered a Fellowship to a single Carter School undergraduate student each year. This year, the foundation shifted their funding to support the Carter School’s Conflict Resolution Youth Summit (CRYS), a four-day learning experience for high school students to learn leadership and conflict resolution skills and to discuss current issues facing society.

Jessica Jeffers, Shinnyo-en Fellow 2024-25. Photo provided.

The final Shinnyo-en Fellow was Jessica Jeffers, who, during her 2024-25 fellowship, worked with Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services in the Fairfax County Youth Innovation Unit. Jeffers worked with this unit to support the implementation of Re-Engagement Centers across Fairfax County, which assist youth ages 14–24 in continuing their educational journey and/or beginning their career pathways.

Jeffers further strengthened her skills in coordinating career fairs, facilitating youth focus groups, and supporting the development of a restorative justice initiative that focuses on peer-to-peer practices

The partnership between the Carter School and Shinnyo-en Foundation represents more than just shared programs or events; it embodies a commitment to the belief that peace is achievable and that young people are vital to creating it. When we work together, our lights combine to illuminate even the darkest waters.

In This Story

Jane Walker

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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 �� 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.

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Metron establishes scholarship fund in memory of George Mason alum

Nathan Kahl — Wed, 14 May 2025 18:27:41 +0000

Metron establishes scholarship fund in memory of George Mason alum Nathan Kahl Wed, 05/14/2025 - 14:27

In This Story

Ziyu Yao

Lishan Yang

��'s College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) distributed its first award of $2,500 from the Jimmy Chiou Jr. Memorial Endowed Scholarship to Randy Escalera, a freshman computer science student. This named endowed scholarship was created by CEC partner organization Metron, Incorporated, with a $50,000 gift in honor of Chiou, a Metron employee and George Mason alum who passed away suddenly in 2023.

Metron’s gift amount guarantees the scholarship will last in perpetuity and be granted annually. To receive the scholarship, a student must be an undergraduate majoring in computer science and be full-time and Virginia resident. Recipients will qualify on the basis of academic merit and be selected by a committee appointed by the CEC dean in coordination with the Office of Student Financial Aid.

A statement from Metron said, “Metron established the scholarship to honor Jimmy’s legacy by investing in George Mason’s next generation of scholars. Inspired by his work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering positivity, the scholarship supports students who demonstrate a strong commitment and passion for all areas of computer science. The endowment reflects a forward-looking partnership between Metron and George Mason, grounded in shared dedication to innovation, academic excellence, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Together, we aim to broaden access to exceptional talent who will push the boundaries of what’s possible in computer science.”

A number of Chiou’s instructors recalled his positive influence. Ziyu Yao, a professor of Chiou’s, said, “Jimmy was such a talented student with intellectual curiosity and perseverance. His talent, curiosity to learn, courage to challenge himself, and persistence in delivering outstanding academic progress, will be remembered.”

Assistant Professor Lishan Yang added, “Jimmy did well in class and made good friends with his classmates. He was quiet and warm-hearted.”

Chiou’s parents said they were happy to help their son’s memory live on by being able to help future students. His father said, “Jimmy just liked to help people. He was a very simple person.”

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Accounting Advisory Council Scholarship broadens horizons for international student

Greg Johnson — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 13:58:26 +0000

Accounting Advisory Council Scholarship broadens horizons for international student Greg Johnson Fri, 04/25/2025 - 09:58

In This Story

Karen King

Haoling Wang was taking a professional skills development course taught by Karen King, an associate professor in business foundations at the Costello College of Business, when she encouraged him to take advantage of the resources being offered by the college.

Haoling Wang

Shortly thereafter, Wang learned about the Accounting Advisory Council Scholarship and submitted his application. In many ways, receiving the scholarship was a validation of his decision to leave China in pursuit of higher education in the United States.

“In Beijing, it’s the professor leading study,” he says. “But here it’s the students leading study, and we can ask more questions and embrace the community.”

With his father working as a general manager and his mother serving as a vice president at a school—primarily overseeing logistics and operations—Wang grew up observing both executive leadership and the practical coordination required to support large institutions. These experiences sparked his interest in business structure and financial systems.

“Math is my favorite subject, and I’m pretty good at it,” he says. “Also, the calculating is pretty interesting for me because I can find financial reports on the company for their different activities.”

As an international student, Wang finds it easy to connect with other students who share his cultural background. However, winning the scholarship and attending events associated with it helped him build connections with students of different backgrounds. George Mason’s diversity had been a major selling point for him, and he now has a much more diverse network and friend group. “It’s pretty meaningful for me to explore and broaden my horizons during this program,” he says.

Last year, Wang broadened his horizons further when he was a participant in the Global Engagement Scholars Program, a semester-long series of workshops covering topics such as cultural intelligence, cultural values, cultural influences, and how to use these factors in the workplace. “During that program, I just met so many interesting people. Some of them would be future classmates, and we work together in the same group for marketing courses,” he says. “Now they are my best friends in the school.” In addition, he is an active member of the Chinese Student Association and Beta Alpha Psi at George Mason.

Embracing the challenge of coming across the world to pursue his dream of being an accountant has already brought many rewards for Wang, including tremendous personal growth. “I can handle so many things,” he says. “It’s an amazing journey that changed me a lot.” Graduating soon with his degree in accounting, Wang plans to stay in the United States to pursue a master’s degree and potentially a PhD. As he progresses through his studies, he’s keeping an open mind about which route in accounting he wants to take, but he is especially interested in corporate accounting and financial planning roles. “I want to work in areas like management accounting or corporate finance—helping companies analyze costs, manage budgets, evaluate investments, and optimize their financial performance,” he explains. “I enjoy interpreting financial data to support smarter decision making and long-term strategy.”

George Mason students come from all 50 states and 130 countries, and they are taught by faculty members who reflect that diversity. Though members of the community are from different places, they find a home within the cohesive culture at Costello, where opportunities are plentiful and a wide range of career paths are supported.

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Janis S. Reed Scholarship helps BAM student keep her focus

Greg Johnson — Fri, 18 Apr 2025 19:44:42 +0000

Janis S. Reed Scholarship helps BAM student keep her focus Greg Johnson Fri, 04/18/2025 - 15:44

Receiving the Janis S. Reed Scholarship sharpened the focus even more for the goal-oriented Anh Tran. Wrapping up her final semester as an undergraduate student in accounting at �� and completing the bachelor’s to accelerated master’s (BAM) program, she already had her eyes on the larger picture.

Anh Tran

Following a similar path as her aunt and nearly 30 other students each year, she attended two years at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) in the ADVANCE Program before transferring into the accounting program at George Mason. Her path is now leading her to completing the CPA exam after finishing her master’s degree courses.

Tran was drawn to the Costello College of Business because of its reputation for excellence and diversity. After transferring from NOVA, she worked with an academic advisor to see how she could earn the credits required to sit for the CPA exam. That’s when she first learned about the BAM program. At first, she was concerned that taking undergraduate and graduate courses at the same time would be too much. However, as she eased into the course material, she found that it was nothing she could not handle. Tran is now one of more than 60 BAM students pursuing this accelerated path to the MS in accounting degree.

Still, her course load was increasingly heavy, so Tran was relieved that the Janis S. Reed Scholarship helped pay off her financial costs. “It’s my first time taking both the undergraduate and also the grad classes, so I really want to focus on school,” she says.

Not only did the scholarship help with finances, but it also gave her other opportunities, like connecting her with Reed herself. “I had a chance to talk to her and other recipients at the scholarship luncheon,” she says. “She gave us good advice for our academic journey and then also tips for the career journey that we asked her for. It was really a great opportunity for us to meet her, and she was very sweet and friendly.”

The scholarship luncheon, which brought together Costello donors and recipients to the Fairfax ��, was an experience that Tran was grateful to take advantage of.

Looking back on her experiences at the Costello College of Business, Tran is glad that she took advantage of many of the opportunities, some of which were recommended or assigned by professors. She recalls attending the career fair for the first time with one of her classmates.

“At that event, I had my first opportunity to talk with real recruiters, and it was really special for me,” she says.

It was at that career fair where she had the chance to interview for her first internship. The internship was exactly what she was looking for—a great learning experience in the professional tax services area at a public accounting firm.

Through focus, hard work, and informed planning, Tran is on schedule to sit for the CPA exam after graduation. She plans to begin her career immediately and balance her CPA studies with her work schedule. “I want to work for a public accounting firm, perhaps in the tax area as well,” she says. “I believe I am familiar with taxes after my past internships, and I’d like to gain more knowledge and experience about this field.”

Tran is excited to begin her state and local taxes internship at a public accounting firm in the summer of 2025. Another summer plan that she’s looking forward to is the global residency trip to Rome, Italy, as part of her global accounting environment class, where she will be able to engage with local companies and explore the culture.

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Chemistry PhD receives U.S. Department of Defense SMART Scholarship

Katarina Benson — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 16:23:09 +0000

Chemistry PhD receives U.S. Department of Defense SMART Scholarship Katarina Benson Mon, 04/14/2025 - 12:23

A'Laura C. Hines, a physical chemistry PhD candidate at ��, has been awarded the prestigious U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) SMART Scholarship. The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship-for-Service Program provides full tuition, an annual stipend, and a summer internship at a DoD facility.

The program emphasizes hands-on learning and mentorship to prepare scholars for careers in defense technologies after graduation, supporting them with financial resources while they study and gain practical experience.

"It is incredibly humbling to be recognized for my hard work," said Hines, reflecting on the honor. “The offer for full funding allows me to focus on accelerating my research progress.”

For Hines, the comprehensive support offered by the DoD SMART Scholarship was a major draw. In addition to funding her graduate degree, the scholarship guarantees a government civil servant job upon graduation, providing both job security and an exciting career path in the defense sector.

Hines's journey in science began at George Mason, where she earned her BA in chemistry in 2013. As an undergraduate, Hines spent time researching synthesized cooking oils as an alternative to diesel fuel using mass spectroscopy. She also studied the mechanism of methanol ice formation using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to simulate ice formation in interstellar environments.

Hines in the lab. Photo provided

Currently, as a PhD candidate, Hines is actively involved in George Mason’s Clayborne Research Group where her graduate research initially focused on nanoscale aluminum clusters using density functional theory (DFT). Inspired by her participation in NASA’s Dragonfly Guest Investigator Program, her current work explores computational studies of molecular co-crystals in astrophysics and astrochemistry.

The Dragonfly Guest Investigator Program facilitated Hines's collaboration with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where she participated in a Planetary Science Summer Internship. This program pairs students with NASA scientists to bolster early career opportunities in STEM fields. During her internship, Hines investigated the behavior of complex mixtures of organic and aqueous ices pertinent to Titan's conditions, directly contributing to NASA's exploration objectives.

"The program has been transformative, providing me with hands-on experience and expanding my scientific horizons," said Hines.

Hines said that her George Mason mentors, including Gerald Weatherspoon, College of Science’s associate dean for undergraduate and graduate student affairs, have been a source of encouragement and inspiration. Her research advisor, acting associate dean of faculty affairs in the college and chemistry professor Andre Clayborne, introduced her to computational chemistry and has been instrumental in helping her understand and explore new areas of research.

Hines offers this advice to aspiring STEM students: "Believe in yourself and follow your dreams. Build connections and seek research opportunities early." She encourages all eligible students to consider applying for the DoD SMART Scholarship.

Looking ahead, she envisions a career as a research scientist, leveraging her experience to continue making discoveries and collaborating with top scientists in her field.

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CVPA Announces Recipients of the 2025 Young Alumni Commissioning Project Awards

Emily Schneider — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:28:07 +0000

CVPA Announces Recipients of the 2025 Young Alumni Commissioning Project Awards Emily Schneider Wed, 02/19/2025 - 11:28

��’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) announces the recipients of the sixth round of its Young Alumni Commissioning Project Awards. Two alumni were chosen based on the artistic excellence, career impact, and feasibility of their proposals and will receive financial, marketing, and production support to have their projects presented by the college at a Mason Arts venue during the 2025–26 season.

“This year’s Young Alumni Commissioning Project Awards continue our mission to support emerging artists across the spectrum of disciplines that we practice and teach in Mason Arts. The projects are compelling in both form and content, rising to the top of a very competitive pool of proposals,” said College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Rick Davis. “We are equally excited to showcase the work we’ve supported in recent cycles, proving the value of this program not only to the artists themselves, but to the community at large, as we add more highly accomplished artistry to the world’s inventory.”

Brianna Camp is the 2025 recipient of the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Award. Photo provided

Brianna Camp

Brianna Camp, BFA Art and Visual Technology ’23, received the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Award and $5,000 in commissioning support for Flare: Finding a Sense of Place in the Chronically Ill Body. This work will consist of a series of large-scale oil paintings, each accompanied by documentary photographs and poetry. In exploring her personal experiences with navigating the ebb and flow of her chronic illness, Flare offers audiences the chance to reflect on how we process pain over time and the vastness of the potential for healing.

Camp is interested in pursuing a career in art therapy and hopes this project will serve as a starting point toward her future practice. Reflecting on her time at George Mason and the impact that the faculty had on her development as an artist, Camp said, “When I make work from a place of authenticity, allowing for potential mistakes, changes, and discoveries, I am able to get closer to expressing what feels true. Their belief in me helped me find my voice and understand the importance of sharing my perspective. I hope to create my project from this place of openness and authenticity that they helped foster within me.”

Marina Vianello is the recipient of the 2025 Young Alumni Creative Development Award. Photo provided

Marina Vianello

Marina Vianello, BFA Dance ’18, received the Young Alumni Creative Development Award and $2,500 in commissioning support for Three Generations of Bach, an intergenerational multimedia dance work. Vianello will work with her mother, Andrea Skowronek, a retired professional dancer, to recreate and blend together inspiration from an original dance work that Skowronek developed early in her career, set to music accompaniment from her own father. Collaborating as co-directors on this new piece, Vianello and Skowronek will incorporate live flute accompaniment of Bach’s Partita in A Minor, video footage of Skowronek performing as a young woman, and live performances by Vianello and Skowronek—solo and together.

A professional dancer and choreographer herself, Vianello aims to explore how the passage of time affects movement, memories, and mindsets, and wants audiences to consider what is lost and what is gained as one ages and releases themselves from the limits of ageism and judgment. Reflecting on her journey after graduating from George Mason, Vianello shared, “I have such admiration for the dance artists who continuously create opportunities for themselves and others, and this is something I champion and will always strive for and hope to forever do.”

Over the past five years, 18 CVPA alumni have been granted awards anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000 to support the creation of a new artistic work for projects in film, dance, visual art, music, and game design. To be considered for this year’s award, applicants must have graduated from CVPA from the class of 2014 and after. Proposals could include original new work in any art form suitable for performance, exhibition, or screening in a Mason Arts venue. The size, length, duration, magnitude, and content are at the artist’s discretion. Potential venues include George Mason’s traditional theater spaces, galleries, and cinemas, but proposals for non-traditional venues, including digital spaces, were also considered.

During the 2023–24 award cycle, Jumana Al Refai, BFA Dance ’17, received the Young Alumni Commissioning Project Award and $5,000 in commissioning support for Tashkeel َتْشِكيل,, a short film that explores all aspects of “Haraka”—the Arabic word for movement. Rebecca Wahls, BFA Theater ’15, received the Young Alumni Creative Development Award and $3,000 in commissioning support of Him, a feature-length ensemble comedy film. The film follows the final five contestants on a reality dating show, whose world is turned upside down as they discover a dark truth about their “suitor.” Wahls directed, co-wrote, and co-produced Him, alongside actor and writer Trey Higgins. The screening at George Mason’s Fairfax �� will take place on March 21, and a screening at Carnegie Mellon University’s Los Angeles �� is also planned.

The Young Alumni Commissioning Project is made possible by a generous bequest from the estate of Linda E. Gramlich for the support of young artists, and by donors to George Mason’s previous Giving Day, including Shugoll Research.

About the 2025 Award Recipients

Brianna Camp (she/her) is a visual artist living in Fairfax, Virginia. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in painting from George Mason’s School of Art in 2023. Camp plans to combine her creative practice with her passion for social engagement and advocacy. In the coming years, she hopes to receive a graduate degree with a focus in art therapy. Camp’s first solo show, Lightkeeper, debuted at the Lake Frederick Shenandoah Lodge Art Gallery in December 2023. Her work has been shown at other galleries across the Northern Virginia area including the Kunsthaus Gallery, Open Space Arts, The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and the Gillespie Gallery at ��. Camp will be a guest artist at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in February 2025. She has also participated in chalk art events, receiving first place in the professional category at ChalkFest in Reston, Virginia, and Chalk the Walk in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Camp’s paintings, murals, and drawings emphasize light and utilize an impressionistic and painterly approach. As a chronically ill artist, Camp is inspired by the healing connection that can be facilitated through art, both on a personal and societal level. She recognizes art as a potential form of social action and as a tool to build community. Her site-specific works and murals often involve her peers and local organizations. Camp is drawn to portraiture and landscapes in her more personal pieces. She finds her artistic process to bring inner healing, allowing her to process pain and uncover the places where the light shines in.

Marina Vianello is a dance artist, choreographer, and arts administrator based in New York City. She grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and began her training at City in Motion Dance Theater’s School of Dance. She graduated magna cum laude with a BFA in Dance and a minor in global systems from George Mason, where she was awarded an annual Dance Talent Scholarship. Throughout college, she was cast in pieces by Alejandro Cerrudo, Robert Battle, Lar Lubovitch, Susan Shields, Christopher d’Amboise, and David Grenke, and she choreographed three pieces for the Mason Dance Company. She has trained with the Mark Morris Dance Group on full scholarship, with Rioult Dance NY, with DanceWorksChicago, and with Shannon Gillen at the b12 dance festival in Berlin, Germany where she performed at the dock11 theatre. Professional performance credits include the Lyric Opera of Kansas City (West Side Story and The Pearl Fishers), Yoo & Dancers (92NY Artist in Residence), JKing Dance Company, As Arts NY Dance, and Terre Dance Collective. She is fluent in French and has performed internationally at Châteaux en Fêtes (Festival of Castles) in Dordogne, France, and recently returned for their 2024 festival. She currently dances professionally with Ballaro Dance, Mari Meade Dance Collective, and Arsenal Movement Dance Project. Her choreography has been presented at the Tada Theatre, Chain Theatre, and Arts on Site in NYC, and the Gem Theater and Folly Theater in Kansas City. She teaches dance and Pilates throughout NYC and serves as the Director of Operations for Pony Box Dance Theatre.

In This Story

Rick Davis

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Scholarship will help creative writing student further her career

Colleen Rich — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:20:09 +0000

Scholarship will help creative writing student further her career Colleen Rich Fri, 11/01/2024 - 11:20

�� undergraduate Jasmine Haskins is the first recipient of the Bill Miller BFA Scholarship in Creative Writing, established in 2023 to support undergraduate creative writing students who are part of an under-represented group at George Mason or who are involved in an organization that works on issues or causes related to under-represented groups. The scholarship provides $2,500 in support.

Jasmine Haskins talks with George Mason alum Bill Miller, who endowed the scholarship she received. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Miller, MFA Creative Writing ’87, taught at George Mason for 33 years and directed Creative Writing Program in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences from 1992 to 2018. He also helped start the bachelor of fine arts (BFA) in creative writing during this time. It is one of only a handful of BFA programs for undergraduates in the country.

“Jasmine is so clearly a worthy recipient to inaugurate this scholarship,” said Miller. “She is a talented writer, and I hope that this support and her having been selected will encourage her to develop her talent to its fullest potential. I think we will be seeing her by-line accompanying a lot of written words before long, and I wish her well as she works toward that goal.”

A Virginia native, Haskins grew up reading fantasy and supernatural fiction with her father, which led to her writing fiction throughout her childhood. Today she primarily writes poetry, a passion she discovered during a high school project.

Jasmine Haskins. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“I’ve always had an interest in reading and writing that has only strengthened over time thanks to my family’s influence,” Haskins said. “Their storytelling and passions still influence me to this day.”

Haskins said that her experience in the Creative Writing Program at George Mason has given her the space to grow and change as a writer. Her favorite class was an advanced poetry workshop she took with Professor Eric Pankey in the spring semester.

“It was such an insightful session,” Haskins said. “I enjoyed the poets, Professor Pankey’s feedback, and the amazing people I got the chance to workshop with. I felt so happy that I got to be in Professor Pankey’s last class before his retirement, and a poem I workshopped in that class was actually published in Volition’s spring issue.”

Haskins said this scholarship will help her pursue a career as a writer. “I had so many doubts about myself, my writing, and my career choices, so after hearing that I was selected for something because of my writing, I cried. After supporting myself through school for so long, to have this help as I finish my time at Mason feels like a blessing and a push forward to my career as a writer.”

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Strategic Direction

Jimmy Hazel, steadfast George Mason alum and friend, looks to the future with a foundational gift

Colleen Rich — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 15:05:24 +0000

Jimmy Hazel, steadfast George Mason alum and friend, looks to the future with a foundational gift Colleen Rich Mon, 10/07/2024 - 11:05

James W. “Jimmy” Hazel, JD ’84, has led a life of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia—and to ��. In July 2024, as his term on the university’s Board of Visitors concluded, Hazel added to his considerable legacy with a gift of $1 million for the Smithsonian–Mason School of Conservation (SMSC).

James Hazel speaking at the university's 50th anniversary event. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The gift, reflecting Hazel’s wishes to advance the important work of the school, creates two funds. The first will provide support for graduate or undergraduate students enrolled at SMSC, and the second will support the operations of the school’s programs.

“This gift represents my personal passion for conservation and my hope is that it will allow George Mason to draw in a diverse group of new PhD students to the program,” Hazel said.

Hazel is a cochair on the Advisory Board for SMSC, a research and academic facility in Front Royal, Virginia, that operates under a partnership between the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and George Mason. The facility covers more than 3,000 acres of forest, grassland, and pasture, and houses a range of endangered mammals, birds, and amphibians.

SMSC conducts research and offers proactive methodologies of conservation biology education and training, providing hands-on interdisciplinary programs to undergraduates, graduate students, professionals, and high school students. It draws from the educational innovation of George Mason faculty and the established work of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute to create a transdisciplinary approach to conservation leadership that is research-based, forward-looking, and ethical.

Students conducting field work at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Cody Edwards, SMSC executive director and interim dean, College of Science, understands the immediate impact of Hazel’s generosity.

“With this gift, he opens doors for students passionate about conservation and sustainability,” Edwards said. “Jimmy’s continued support helps ensure SMSC can continue to bring together internationally renowned experts who can offer those students an educational experience that will enhance their futures and ultimately, help preserve the world’s biodiversity.”

SMSC’s graduate programs include practical training in the tools necessary to conduct and report research, and allow students to work directly with experts and practitioners from all over the world. Students become part of a community of conservation scientists and leaders, developing relationships with these mentors and with each other, forming networks to help them launch into a wide variety of careers.

“My family has, and will always have, deep ties to George Mason and the Fairfax ��,” Hazel said, “but I think one of the best university programs sits in Front Royal at the Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation. With the groundbreaking research being conducted at the facility, we have the potential to put this initiative on the map in a big way. I would like to think that this gift will help increase that momentum.”

“Jimmy’s impact on SMSC and its students goes well beyond this single thoughtful gift,” added Edwards. “His continued support has helped transform this program and placed it on a trajectory not envisioned when it was originally conceived.”

Hazel has been a dedicated, engaged member of the George Mason community. He served twice on the Board of Visitors: from 1994 to 2002, and his most recent appointment, from 2016 to 2024, included chairmanship of the Development Committee, a term as vice rector, and service as rector from 2020-22. He is a past president of the �� Alumni Association and the Law Alumni Association, and he served for 18 years on the �� Foundation Board of Trustees.

Hazel chaired George Mason’s successful Faster Farther Campaign, which closed at nearly $700 million—$200 million more than its original goal. He cochaired the presidential search committee that brought George Mason’s president Gregory Washington to campus in 2020. In recognition of his more than three decades of service to the university, Hazel was awarded the George Mason Medal in 2017.

Hazel, a lifelong outdoorsman who has served on the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (chairing the agency for three years), and on the boards of the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia and George Mason’s Potomac Science Center, is determined to make a lasting difference through SMSC.

Power the Possible