Andersen Guske has dedicated his time at to learning about human dynamics and helping children and families.
A member of Mason鈥檚 , Guske graduates in December with a degree in and a minor in . He hopes to use his education and the skills he鈥檚 developed to help individuals and families in need.
鈥淚 want to help people who are struggling with mental health or other issues before they snowball out of control,鈥 Guske said. 鈥淲hen I think about doing that, it inspires me.鈥
Guske has already had an impact on families with his internship at Formed Families Forward, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting foster, kinship and adoptive families of children with disabilities and special needs.
Guske鈥檚 senior project involved developing tip sheets and family activities to help motor, cognitive, social and emotional growth during the pandemic. In addition, Guske helped create videos with advice for how families with students with special needs can engage their children鈥檚 schools during the pandemic.
鈥淎ndersen is a bright star, a leader among his peers, said , associate professor of human development and family science in the . 鈥淗e is committed to valuing family diversity and advancing justice and human dignity in society.鈥
Guske has an identical twin sister and two older siblings.
鈥淕rowing up, I was the mediator between any struggles with my siblings,鈥 Guske said. 鈥淚 have practiced active listening skills my entire life.鈥
Guske almost ended up pursuing a career in music. In high school, he was in marching band, played a number of instruments and was part of a rock band. He originally went to Mason for music.
Said Guske: 鈥淚 still care about music and sometimes write songs just for fun.鈥
In college, Guske came out as a transgender man. He said his family, and in particular his twin sister, has been very supportive.
鈥淥ne day I was talking to her about how I was feeling, and she just said, 鈥榃ell, do you want to be my brother?鈥欌 Guske said. 鈥淚 just broke down and said yes. It was a defining moment.鈥
After graduation, Guske hopes to find employment with a nonprofit that works with marginalized groups, such as individuals with disabilities. He鈥檚 also 鈥渇airly certain鈥 he will eventually pursue a graduate degree in social work.
鈥淪ocial work seems like a good use of my skills and fulfilling work,鈥 he said.