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MBA alumnus establishes the Michael S. VanPatten Family Endowed Scholarship

Jennifer Anzaldi — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 15:24:39 +0000

MBA alumnus establishes the Michael S. VanPatten Family Endowed Scholarship Jennifer Anzaldi Tue, 11/01/2022 - 11:24

Michael S. VanPatten

Despite living and working in the Atlanta metropolitan area, Michael VanPatten, MBA ’90, never lost touch with Mason. Immediately receptive to post-graduation calls from the alumni relations team, he was eager to connect with alumni and assist students in attaining an MBA. The positive experience he had at Mason, with instructors who had working knowledge in the areas they were teaching, encouraged his continued engagement. “One of my awesome professors who really stood out was Raphael Coleman, and he was dean at the time, which made it even more special,” he says.

As the chief financial officer at True Influence (now part of Anteriad), VanPatten reflects on how instructors in the MBA program went out of their way to give students a leg up. “Another professor who really helped me was Raj Sisodia who taught marketing,” he says. “He shared my paper ‘A Normative Conceptual Model for Marketing Technology-Centered Products’ with acclaimed marketing authors, Al Ries and Jack Trout, and they shared immensely positive feedback with me.” The result was an “A” in the course, but more importantly it gave him exposure and confidence in his skills at a high level. The finance portion of the program prepared VanPatten exceptionally well, and he was excited that he could build upon his background in calculus. “Tools from those finance classes have since helped me convince investors to buy into new programs,” he says.

VanPatten’s zeal for Mason is demonstrated by his communication with students and graduates, establishing his own scholarship, and his participation in a number of Mason alumni get-togethers in the Atlanta area. With the Michael S. VanPatten Family Endowed Scholarship recently established, he is excited to witness the effects it will have on recipients. Working with Carolina Camargo De Luca, the major gifts officer at the School of Business, he was able to lend support to the program in a personal way that fit him best, providing support to high-performing MBA students who have completed two courses in the program.

“Throughout my education I received help from many people, including employers, and I think it’s really important that I give back as well,” he says. Recognized as a Prominent Patriot in 2020, Michael VanPatten is a sterling example of how graduation only marks the beginning of the journey as a Patriot. Soon, MBA students will begin benefitting from his scholarship and author their own stories of success.

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MBA Program

Alumnus gives back through advisory board leadership and the Cabalu Scholarship Endowment

Jennifer Anzaldi — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 13:17:18 +0000

Alumnus gives back through advisory board leadership and the Cabalu Scholarship Endowment Jennifer Anzaldi Thu, 10/27/2022 - 09:17

In This Story

George C. Cabalu

George Cabalu

Reflecting on his career path in the three decades following his graduation from ��AV, George Cabalu, BA Economics ’92, is grateful that he chose the green and gold. In fact, with the university rapidly climbing ranks across the board, his degree has never been more valuable. Cabalu, who is now a Managing Director at Wells Fargo Advisors, is extending a helping hand to students by establishing the Cabalu Scholarship Endowment, geared toward School of Business students of Asian descent and from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. “I owe a part of my success to George Mason, and I am a big believer in giving back,” he says.

Business, in one form or another, touches all disciplines of study and professional fields, and Cabalu’s degree in Economics is no exception-he even completed several courses through the School of Business, such as accounting and marketing. Recently, when the school introduced the program in financial planning and wealth management, he joined the advisory board to share his expertise. “What we’re going to see in the future is this huge transfer of wealth from one generation to another, and so this is a really exciting time for this career field,” he says. “Sitting on this board with me are a lot of great financial advisors and wealth managers who are all contributing to the success of this new program.”

Mason is much more than a place that prepared Cabalu to succeed in his career. It is where he formed close friendships that endure to this day, in which he can call or text, whether it be something trivial, personal, or professional to discuss. In addition to those friends, he received support from faculty and staff that gave him the confidence to work toward his dreams. All that support made a tremendous impact. Even so, he often thought about the difference that any amount of scholarship money would have made as he balanced a heavy course load with his workload. This led to the creation of the Cabalu Scholarship Endowment. “If I have the time and resources, I don’t want to forget about the people and organizations that helped get me where I am now,” he says.

George Cabalu has put his money where his mouth is – first by serving on the Financial Planning and Wealth Management Advisory Board and now with his creation of the Cabalu Scholarship Endowment. His selfless commitment shows students that the School of Business is a community where dreams are supported.

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Kaylene Green Endowed Scholarship pays it forward to actively employed students

Jennifer Anzaldi — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:39:16 +0000

Kaylene Green Endowed Scholarship pays it forward to actively employed students Jennifer Anzaldi Thu, 10/20/2022 - 09:39

In This Story

Kaylene H. Green, '87

Janet Barnard (left) and Kaylene Green, ’87 (right)

With the daytime dedicated to her nine-to-five job and evenings occupied with coursework, the financial support that Kaylene Green, BS Accounting & Legal Studies ’87, received from her employer was integral to her success. Now the president and CEO of Flagship Government Relations, Inc., she makes sure to return the favor, supporting the business students of her alma mater.

Having served as chair of the Dean’s Council and as a founding investor in the School of Business Dean’s Investment Fund, Green continues her investment in the school through the Kaylene Green Endowed Scholarship, which aids high-achieving students who, like she was, are employed while enrolled at Mason. A generous and passionate donor to the scholarship fund is Green’s sister, Janet Barnard. Barnard, who has served on various boards across the university, is a retired executive officer of the region and recognizes education as a way open countless doors. “For a couple of farm girls from Nebraska, it was a big deal to have the opportunities we had which wouldn’t be possible without the education,” says Barnard.

Green and Barnard are grateful to pay it forward after accomplishing so much in their respective careers. And they certainly relate to the recipients. “The Kaylene Green Endowed Scholarship meant a great deal to me in that it provided me with financial assistance which allowed me to have one less thing to worry about,” says Zain Jafri, BS Management Information Systems. “I was able to focus more on my studies which is all a student wants to do during their time in university.” “Receiving the scholarship is a blessing and honor for me,” says Eliam Kwan, a senior studying accounting. “It did not only help me paying off half of my tuition but also showed that my hard work really paid off and motivated me to work even harder to accomplish my academic goal.”

Though not an alumna of Mason, Barnard was a student and has always been connected with the university in one way or another. “When I was in class at Mason, my professors were always so relatable and would chat after class about the course subject matter or anything else,” says Barnard. “To this day, whenever I talk to someone from Mason, they are always down to earth and that matters to me.”

Understanding the factors that contribute to academic excellence and a successful student population, Green and Barnard are excited about the future of the School of Business. “The new building that we’re planning will be a real signal to the area and academic community that Mason really values the School of Business, and I know our students are going to absolutely love it,” says Green. In fact, Kaylene Green sits on the Building Campaign Steering Committee, further exercising her visionary leadership at the school.

The sisters are doing their part in supporting the next generation of students and business professionals. They encourage their peers and other alumni to consider philanthropy as well. “It’s an indication from us that we appreciate what we got out of our education and that we appreciate what students are going through financially to achieve a dream on their part, similar to the way it was for us,” says Green. “Because we’ve been so blessed, we have to share those blessings and pay it forward,” adds Barnard. Kaylene Green and Janet Barnard have very generously shared those blessings and continue to strengthen the culture of giving at Mason.

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Alumni

Students

Marketing Senior Expands Professional Network Through EBLA Recognition

Marianne Klinker — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 19:39:24 +0000

Marketing Senior Expands Professional Network Through EBLA Recognition Marianne Klinker Wed, 12/15/2021 - 14:39

Where to go, how to apply, what to study—students encounter many tough choices when navigating the world of higher education, choices that are even tougher when they’re the first in their families to go through them. Giovanni Rodriguez, a senior studying marketing, is a first-generation American of Mexican descent. “My parents weren’t always sure what kind of advice to give me in terms of my education,” he says. “So, I made sure to work with friends and counselors to be on the path that I’m on now.” Always looking for an edge, Rodriguez would scan website after website for scholarships and other opportunities. His persistence paid off when he was announced as the undergraduate recipient for the Emerging Business Leader Award in 2021.

Giovanni Rodriguez

For Rodriguez, education is much more than exams and papers, as he constantly seeks knowledge and mastery of new tools. As a student, he already has a wealth of career experiences—partly to pay bills, but primarily to find the best route for his career. However, after serving as a marketing and communications intern, he believes he has found his true calling in the field of marketing.

Having transferred from Northern Virginia Community College, all of Rodriguez’s Mason courses thus far have been online. “I’m someone who values interacting with classmates and professors, so I am really looking forward to next semester when I’ll be on campus for class,” he says. So far at Mason, his in-person interactions have come as a result of receiving the Emerging Business Leader Award. At the Annual Business Celebration, he accepted the award and was honored by School of Business alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners in attendance. A week later, he attended the Scholarship Luncheon, where he connected with fellow scholarship recipients, donors, and members of the School of Business faculty. “This level of networking is completely new to me,” he says. “It’s a skill and I recognize that it’s something to practice and prepare for beforehand.”

Attending the networking events has lit a fire under Rodriguez, motivating him to stay more connected and participate in all that Mason has to offer. For someone who is constantly seeking to better himself, professional networking is an important addition to his toolkit.

Giovanni Rodriguez may have started his academic career by following the footsteps of his friends, but now he has his own wisdom to share. “I encourage other students to look at all of the resources that Mason offers, from Career Services and their mentorship program to webinars and Mason 360,” he says. “And definitely get to know counselors and faculty members.”

His Emerging Business Leader Award was not achieved through sitting on the sidelines. He took initiative, and continues to do so, to figure out what he needs to do to be successful as a marketing professional. “This award is a great stepping stone to help me learn and advance,” he says. “I look forward to continue building my Mason network even more as an alumnus.”

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Accounting Grad Student Receives Emerging Business Leader Award

Marianne Klinker — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 17:08:03 +0000

Accounting Grad Student Receives Emerging Business Leader Award Marianne Klinker Tue, 12/07/2021 - 12:08

After graduating from the School of Business with her BS in accounting, Melissa Perera returned to complete her masters and get another leg up on her competition. Perera’s hard work was rewarded with the 2021 Graduate Division Emerging Business Leader Award. “I have been working while taking night classes, and I’ve kept on pushing because I’m the only one to support myself,” says Perera. “After all the hard work, the positive results seem to come all at once, and this award is further proof.”

Melissa Perera

Being good enough was never going to be acceptable to Melissa Perera. As an undergraduate student, she graduated in the top 10 percent of her class, while serving as the president of ��AV’s Accounting Society and the treasurer of the Tau Sigma Honor Society. While many of her peers were satisfied with simply getting by, she kept pushing. Along the way, Perera would find faculty members who went out of the way to help her reach her potential. Jenelle Conaway, assistant professor of accounting, to whom Perera served as research assistant and Namrata Maguire, adjunct professor in accounting, provided advice and support that would prove invaluable.

Melissa Perera receives her award.

Originally unaware of the opportunity, winning the Emerging Business Leader Award came as a complete surprise to Perera. As part of her recognition, she was honored at the Annual Business Celebration and the Scholarship Luncheon. At both events she took advantage by networking with donors, alumni, and other students—people she would have never otherwise met. “I was surprised that several people, knowing that I won the award, approached me and I was able to meet many winners of other scholarships, too,” she says. “Getting to know the donors and my fellow scholarship recipients was a wonderful experience.”

Approaching her expected graduation in the spring, Melissa Perera is now fielding offers from accounting firms. Clearly, the time and effort invested in her education and career are proving to be worthwhile. To other students who may doubt their educational dreams, she says, “The struggle is worth it. You may feel alone but you’re not.” The accolades that she’s now enjoying are just the tip of the iceberg. “I’m excited to have put myself in a position where I’ll have many options when I graduate,” she says. “Now I know that anything I want, I will be able to attain.”

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Master's in Accounting Program

Information Systems and Operations Management Major Awarded Women in Business Initiative Scholarship

Marianne Klinker — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 19:50:47 +0000

Information Systems and Operations Management Major Awarded Women in Business Initiative Scholarship Marianne Klinker Thu, 11/18/2021 - 14:50

Celia Miranda, now a senior majoring in information systems and operations management (ISOM), attended a bootcamp for aspiring entrepreneurs when she was a high school senior. The bootcamp took place on the Fairfax campus of ��AV. It was then and there that she learned what she wanted to do and where she was comfortable studying.

Celia Miranda

As an undergraduate at Mason, Miranda learned she had to take advantage of any financial resource at her disposal to help her reach her academic and life goals. With her family moving to Chile for her father’s job, and their discretionary income suddenly cut, her support system was suddenly strained. Thankfully, the School of Business has many scholarships that she qualified for, and she applied for as many as possible. Miranda’s actions were rewarded when she was announced as the recipient for the Women in Business Initiative Endowed Scholarship.

The Women in Business Initiative (WIBI) is an advisory board comprised of professional women from a wide range of industries. “It’s wonderful how WIBI supports women in all aspects,” says Miranda. “Seeing mainly guys in business can often feel intimidating, so that support is really meaningful.”

WIBI’s mission is to support female business students to advance their careers. In addition to hosting fundraising, networking, and mentorship events, they award merit and need-based scholarships to students each year. “Providing the scholarships to female business students is equally as important as sitting at a table with them and talking about the business world,” says WIBI Chair Tonia Chagnon. “If we have a means of raising funds to help alleviate the burden of finances and tuition so Celia can focus and thrive in her education, we have succeeded!”

Flying back and forth to see her family abroad every semester added to the financial toll on Miranda. Compounded with the usual expenses of room, board, food, and tuition, the obstacles were daunting. Eventually, COVID-19 would further burden her as it spread across the country and world. But the Women in Business Endowed Scholarship proved to be even more invaluable in times of trouble. Not only because of the financial assistance, but the scholarship encourages Miranda that she was recognized as worthy and capable of attaining her dreams.

Today, Celia Miranda is making the most of every opportunity. Her passion lies in art and music, and she is striving to build a business around it, using her acumen developed at Mason. She also sits on the board of Future Business Leaders of America because she understands what her future holds. Her story is yet another example of why the Women in Business Initiative is so critical. She is currently benefiting from their involvement, but many others will one day benefit from Miranda’s blossoming skill set, leadership, and vision.

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Women in Business Initiative

Anzilotti Endowed Scholarship Inspires Resiliency for Ambitious Double Major

Marianne Klinker — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 19:20:40 +0000

Anzilotti Endowed Scholarship Inspires Resiliency for Ambitious Double Major Marianne Klinker Thu, 11/18/2021 - 14:20

His sights set on the music industry, Daniel Cooper, a senior double majoring in marketing and management, has the drive, talent, and brains to make it big, but there was one more thing he needed–a little extra money to help him continue advancing his studies. Not coming from a family of means, Cooper realized he would have to find extra funds elsewhere to help finance his education. Thankfully for Cooper, generous people like Michael (MBA ’83) and Jane Anzilotti are part of his ��AV School of Business extended family. “As a former chair of the ��AV Foundation Board, I was able to see the many benefits to giving, and I especially wanted to help with tuition for students,” says Michael Anzilotti. Being awarded the Anzilotti Endowed Scholarship is just the boost Cooper needed to take one step closer to fulfilling his ambitions.

Daniel Cooper

Cooper was navigating uncharted waters for his family, being the first to attend college. The financial aid process was daunting and confusing. Initially enrolling at an out-of-state university, he soon found himself struggling to stay afloat, even with taking out various loans. He decided to enroll at Northern Virginia Community College, where he supported his tuition by bartending and waiting tables, before earning his associate’s degree and transferring to Mason. But when he started his Mason academic career, tragedy struck with the unexpected passing of his father. The loss created a multitude of burdens for Cooper and his mother.

Now caring for and supporting his mother, Cooper knows the hard work is just beginning. He embraces the challenge because working hard is what he knows. “I am extremely grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Anzilotti for the financial support that this scholarship provides, because it allows me the opportunity to focus more of my time on achieving my dreams.” While the Anzilotti Endowed Scholarship does not eradicate all of his problems, it eases the strain, and encourages him to pursue his dream to one day join a major record label before launching one of his own, putting him in a position to give back just like the Anzilottis have.

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Women in Business Initiative Scholarship Gives Lift to MBA Student

Marianne Klinker — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 19:16:11 +0000

Women in Business Initiative Scholarship Gives Lift to MBA Student Marianne Klinker Thu, 11/18/2021 - 14:16

Before she began pursuing her MBA, Christina Snyder knew that women were underrepresented in business, not necessarily in the ��AV School of Business, but certainly among leadership in the business world. Soon after starting her MBA studies at Mason, she discovered the Women in Business Initiative and the opportunity to apply for the Women in Business Initiative Endowed Scholarship. She leapt at the chance to apply, and she's so thankful that she did.

Christina Snyder

The Women in Business Initiative (WIBI) is an advisory board made up of female business owners and other female professionals. They support women in the School of Business so they can advance within their respective fields. One of the most important ways they deliver support is through this scholarship. "Almost all of the students at Mason are working full or part-time while attending school," says WIBI Chair Tonia Chagnon. "The scholarships we are able to provide contribute specifically to women's education and well-being."

As a full-time student and full-time working professional, Snyder watched her budget tighten as the cost of tuition was added to the mix of all her typical household expenses. With only so many hours in a day, between her career and rigorous course load, the scholarship funds provided much-appreciated financial relief. Snyder is a non-traditional student, and like many non-traditional students who pursue education later in life, she does not lean on family members for support—financial or otherwise. However, WIBI's assistance meant that she wasn't alone, for which she is deeply grateful.

In many ways, receiving the Women in Business Initiative Endowed Scholarship has unleashed Snyder’s potential. More than anything, she is now able to better focus on acquiring the skills and knowledge she hoped to gain through the MBA program. "I elected to take coursework in leadership in efforts to develop specific skills and position myself to rise within my current workplace," she says. The scholarship has also highlighted the gender gap in her field. "I would love to see more women in positions of leadership," Snyder adds. Soon she will be one of them.

Christina Snyder is excited to continue learning, growing, and developing more friendships as she works her way toward her MBA. It is a journey that has not been without its setbacks and challenges, but she is grateful that she took a bet on herself. The degree is the motivation, but she is soaking in the experience and loving it.

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Women in Business Initiative

MBA Program

Janis S. Reed Endowed Scholarship Keeps Accounting Major’s Dreams Within Reach

Marianne Klinker — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 19:05:09 +0000

Janis S. Reed Endowed Scholarship Keeps Accounting Major’s Dreams Within Reach Marianne Klinker Thu, 11/18/2021 - 14:05

Linh LeWhen Linh Le, a senior in the accounting accelerated master’s program, first arrived to ��AV, she realized that even working multiple part-time jobs would still put tuition out of reach. Besides, she also understood that she would need that extra time to focus on her demanding courses. Adding to the hardships that she expected was the unexpected impact of COVID-19. She now finds herself on track for the accelerated program that would have been much harder to fund had she not applied for, and received, the Janis S. Reed Endowed Scholarship.

Linh Le

Janis S. Reed, BS Business Administration ’74, established the scholarship in 2016 to assist undergrads in accounting. “I was the recipient of a scholarship when I attended George Mason for my last year of college, and I feel a need to help others continue their education,” she says. Applicants for the scholarship qualify based on financial need and academic merit.

For Le, the effects of receiving the scholarship have been profound. It reduced the stress and time of working part-time jobs, allowing her to focus on her studies, which have become increasingly rigorous. Furthermore, COVID-19 restrictions led to significant cuts of her hours, making for less money in her pocket. “I cannot ask my family for financial assistance because everyone has also experienced a drastic reduction in income due to COVID-19,” she says. Perhaps most importantly, the scholarship allowed her to pay off the fall tuition and roll into her accelerated master’s program. Without it, she would likely have fallen behind, pushing her dreams further from reach. She recognizes other benefits, from mentoring high-schoolers on the opportunities in college, to her network of peers gaining the knowledge of the scholarships available to them, to helping her expand her own professional and academic networks.

As both a first-generation American and first-generation of her family to attend college, Linh Le is relieved to know that support exists for hardworking and high-achieving students like her. “This scholarship is a huge impact and definitely helps me to be one step nearer to my goal,” she says. “It lessens the burden of paying graduate program tuition in the spring.” Her ultimate goal is to perform well in class, while being financially independent without taking out loans. And with the assistance from the Janis S. Reed Endowed Scholarship, she is right back on track.

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