Delaney Harrison

Athletic training and perseverance: How a graduating senior is preparing for the future

Colleen Rich — Tue, 04 May 2021 15:40:39 +0000

Athletic training and perseverance: How a graduating senior is preparing for the future Colleen Rich Tue, 05/04/2021 - 11:40

Graduating senior Destini Manuel aspires to become a surgeon. Photo provided

Graduating senior Destini Manuel is fully dedicated to saving lives.

“I know it’s my purpose here on Earth,” the athletic training major and aspiring cardiothoracic surgeon said.

It is a notable pivot for the first-generation student and Toledo, Ohio, native, who had to concentrate on herself her senior year, including going out of state to finish her coursework.

COVID-19 limited practicum opportunities in the Washington, D.C., metro area, so Manuel, with the blessing of her program, relocated to New Orleans, where she is doing fieldwork connected to the University of New Orleans and Dillard University.

The detour, and the expenses she is bearing from her life savings, will not change Manuel’s graduation this month as a member of Mason’s Honors College and recipient of the Kyle Wilson Memorial Scholarship from the College of Education and Human Development for excellence in her major.

“I feel accomplished,” Manuel said. “I’ve done something no one in my family has been able to do.”

“I know she is going to break ceilings, so I have big expectations for her within the profession,” said Heather Murphy, an adjunct professor in Mason’s Athletic Training Education Program. “I saw her in the classroom, and she was a standout.”

Manuel attributes her perseverance to guidance from her grandmother, Patsy Bolden.

“My grandmother always told me, ‘learn as much as you can because knowledge is something no one can take away from you,’ ” Manuel said. “She said life is going to be hard, but as long as you know something you will make it through.”

Manuel discovered Mason the summer after her sophomore year in high school when she attended an Envision leadership conference in the Washington, D.C., area, which included a trip to Mason.

When applying to colleges, Manuel recalled her trip to Fairfax.

“It was time for me to be independent, grow up and mold myself,” she said, and added, “I love that Mason is very diverse and made me feel like home. You can be as different as you want and still find people that fit you.”

Manuel was vice president of the Mason Athletic Training Society, and participated in Women of Color in STEM, the Black Student Alliance, the Kinesiology Club and Catholic Campus Ministry. She was a member of the Alpha Lambda Honor Society, worked as a Mason Ambassador, and was a resident assistant for the upper-level Honors College Living Learning Community.

“I’ll be traveling and have on my Mason gear, and people are, like, ‘Oh, my son heard about Mason, tell me something about it,’ ” Manuel said. “And I’m, like, ‘Of course, where do I start?’ ”

Topics

Graduation

College of Education and Human Development

Student Success

Students

Meet Us

Jen Barnard is March Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 13:49:00 +0000

Jen Barnard is March Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Mon, 03/01/2021 - 08:49

Jen Barnard. Photo provided

At the busy administrative epicenter of ��AV’s Department of Modern and Classical Languages sits Jen Barnard. The department offers study in 16 languages, has nearly 100 faculty and more than 1,000 students—and Barnard works with almost everyone in the department.

Barnard, who has been the Modern and Classical Languages’ office manager since 2004, composes the academic schedule, manages the budget and hiring, advises students and faculty, and runs logistics for the Graduate Teaching Assistantship program, a collection of responsibilities she called “quite an endeavor.”

For her attention to detail, expertise, and skill set, Barnard is March Employee of the Month.

“Given her long tenure at Mason, she knows how to get work done, and who to call when items are stalled. When new processes or procedures are introduced, Jen knows the right questions to ask to ensure the college is thorough in its approach,” said Kim Dight, executive director of finance and human resources in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS). “Working with Jen is a pleasure.”

Barnard said she was “very surprised” to be named Employee of the Month.

“I had no idea that anyone had nominated me and I feel very humbled and very grateful to the folks that I work with,” she said.

“Jen has always been a mentor figure for faculty and students in our department and her strong, kind leadership is the force [that] keeps us all afloat in times of transition,” said associate professor Christy Pichichero, director of faculty diversity in CHSS. “Jen Barnard is an extraordinary person who does extraordinary work.”

How she got here:

I worked in restaurant and retail management prior to coming to Mason. I earned my BA degree here in 2004 (BA foreign languages, French; minor in Women's Studies), and worked at a local bookstore and as a student assistant in the department up until graduation. I applied for the office manager position just after graduation, and began in June 2004.

Best day on the job:

My best days are the ones that are routine, where faculty and students stop by the office to say hello and chat, get their questions answered as needed. I enjoy getting to know folks on campus, and helping them as much as I can. While I do love the exciting things that happen, it's the day-to-day relationships that sustain me.

What she likes best about working at Mason:

My friends and colleagues are the best part about working here. I also enjoy being able to attend so many wonderful events that happen year-round. I've seen talks by and met folks like Cornel West, bell hooks, Laverne Cox, Dean Spade, Amy Goodman, and Alison Bechdel, among many others. I am so grateful to Mason for providing these kinds of opportunities.

What she does when not working:

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I read a lot and like to do jigsaw puzzles. My partner and I started fostering dogs a few months ago—we just took in our second recently. And if you ask anyone who knows me, they'll tell you I love coffee. Anything coffee.

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Employee of the Month

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Carlos Sandoval is February Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:45:56 +0000

Carlos Sandoval is February Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Mon, 02/01/2021 - 08:45

Carlos Sandoval. Photo provided

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced ��AV to pivot to online learning last year, it meant a lot of work for Carlos Sandoval—a challenge he not only met but surpassed.

The technology and classroom services specialist for the Antonin Scalia Law School had a brief window to support and guide faculty and staff in the move to online during spring break 2020. Sandoval held online training meetings, designed video tutorials on WebEx for students and faculty, and led troubleshooting efforts.

For his exceptional work, Sandoval is February Employee of the Month.

“Put quite simply: The law school could not have succeeded [during that time] without him,” said Victoria Huber, Scalia Law’s associate dean for professional development. “Even before the emergence of COVID-19 in our region, Carlos was an unfailingly creative, helpful, and responsible colleague, but his talents and work ethic saved the day.”

Sandoval, who came to Mason in 2006 and started at Scalia Law in 2011, said he is “very excited and very humbled” to be Employee of the Month, especially given how hard Mason faculty and staff are working in these times.

“It was a very happy day,” he said of being informed about the acknowledgment. “It’s an honor just to be nominated, period, but especially during this time when there’s so many people going the extra mile.”

How he got here:

Long story short, I started working for Mason on the Fairfax Campus for Classroom Support. It was a great job where I learned a great deal and made many friends with whom I am still very close. After a few years, I had the opportunity to start working at the law school and didn’t think twice to make the switch. Who doesn’t like a good challenge? It has been a very fulfilling job.

Best day on the job:

There have been many days, but recently I had the chance to help one of our students with a personal technical issue that could potentially prevent her from getting a job she applied for. After hours of troubleshooting, we finally figured it out, and she was able to interview for the position and received a job offer. During COVID, technology has become a necessity and not a luxury, and having the opportunity to go the extra mile for someone feel great.

What he likes best about working at Mason:

Hands down the people, staff, faculty and students are what separates Mason and the [Scalia] Law School from any other job and university in the country. I work with the Law Library team very closely, and it’s like no other team I have ever worked with. Everyone is always looking to help each other and get the job done!

What he does when not working:

We used to really enjoy trying new restaurants and bars and traveling, but now we like trying new recipes both for food and cocktails at home. Like many people, we fantasize about traveling again when the world reopens.

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Employee of the Month

Antonin Scalia Law School

New to the Schar School: Juliette Reyes

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 03:09:20 +0000

New to the Schar School: Juliette Reyes Anonymous (not verified) Sun, 01/10/2021 - 22:09

Juliette Reyes: ‘…[G]etting a degree in government and international politics will allow me to really understand the institutions in which policies are drafted while also getting access to that international affairs curriculum.’

Originally published on September 15, 2020

Despite a path to ��AV that was challenging and, in her own words, “unconventional,” incoming freshman Juliette Reyes moved onto campus this fall.

The Parkland, Florida, native will be double majoring in government and international politics and conflict analysis and resolution, a decision based on an initial interest in politics in high school that grew into a passion.

“It’s just something that I’m really passionate about,” Reyes said. “And I felt as though getting a degree in government and international politics will allow me to really understand the institutions in which policies are drafted while also getting access to that international affairs curriculum.”

Reyes’ first time on campus was at a lively summer debate camp with Mason’s championship forensics team, an experience she called “amazing.”

“It’s funny, because when I went to the camp I was like, ‘I’m never going to go here, you know? I’m going to try to go to an Ivy,’” Reyes said. “But the more and more I stayed at the camp, the more and more the school grew on me.”

Now that Reyes is here, she has big plans.

As a part of both the Honors College and the Peacebuilding, Justice and Conflict Resolution Virtual Learning Community, Reyes said she is excited to get involved on campus and work with the forensics team, which helped inspire her decision to attend Mason, as well as with other on-campus organizations.

“I’ve been in a lot of various writing jobs and publications so definitely joining something like that would be on my radar,” she said. “And if I do happen to have the time, which I probably won’t, I’d like to do Model UN again.”

Reyes wrote for Student Change, a now-closed nonpartisan high school organization dedicated to informing fellow students about the spectrum of politics. She has also written for the New Voice, a nonpartisan news organization, since her sophomore year of high school.

When looking to the future, Reyes is keeping her options open.

She has considered being an international human rights lawyer. Other options are to work as an analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense or for an organization such as the World Bank or the U.S. Institute of Peace in developing countries. She said she plans on using her time at Mason to see “which one fits the most.”

Topics

Schar School of Policy and Government

SpecUdate changes the dating game

Damian Cristodero — Fri, 20 Nov 2020 10:00:00 +0000

SpecUdate changes the dating game Damian Cristodero Fri, 11/20/2020 - 05:00

Topics

��AV

computer science

entrepreneurship

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Small Business Development Center

Students

Department of Communication helps students ‘find their futures’ with career mentoring sessions

Colleen Rich — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 09:00:43 +0000

Department of Communication helps students ‘find their futures’ with career mentoring sessions Colleen Rich Wed, 10/21/2020 - 05:00

Topics

Department of Communication

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

career-ready graduates

Students

Caitlin Shear is September Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Wed, 02 Sep 2020 09:07:44 +0000

Caitlin Shear is September Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Wed, 09/02/2020 - 05:07

Topics

Employee of the Month

Faculty and Staff News

A debater’s path to Mason

Colleen Rich — Tue, 01 Sep 2020 09:00:16 +0000

A debater’s path to Mason Colleen Rich Tue, 09/01/2020 - 05:00

Juliette Reyes. Photo provided.

Despite a path to ��AV that was challenging and, in her own words, “unconventional,” incoming freshmen Juliette Reyes moved on to campus this fall.

Reyes’ first time on campus was at a summer debate camp with Mason’s Forensics Team, an experience she called “amazing.”

“It’s funny, because when I went to the camp I was like, ‘I’m never going to go here, you know? I’m going to try to go to an Ivy,’ ” Reyes said. “But the more and more I stayed at the camp, the more and more the school grew on me.”

Her high school teachers discouraged her decision to attend Mason, despite her familiarity and fondness for the school.

“I think that was the biggest problem with me going to Mason,” she said. “It was me choosing between a college I really liked, I really had a good connection with, and then everyone else pressuring me to choose a school that was more quote-unquote elite in nature.”

Now that Reyes is here, she has big plans.

As a part of both the Honors College and the Peacebuilding, Justice and Conflict Resolution Virtual Learning Community, Reyes said she is excited to get involved on campus and work with the Forensics Team, which helped inspire her decision to attend Mason, as well as with other on-campus organizations.

Reyes wrote for Student Change, a now-closed nonpartisan high school organization dedicated to informing fellow students about the spectrum of politics. She has also written for The New Voice, a nonpartisan news organization, since her sophomore year of high school.

When looking to the future, Reyes is keeping her options open.

Jenny Young is August Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 09:00:02 +0000

Jenny Young is August Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Wed, 08/05/2020 - 05:00

Silva Pecini Morris is July Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Mon, 06 Jul 2020 09:03:05 +0000

Silva Pecini Morris is July Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Mon, 07/06/2020 - 05:03

Topics

Employee of the Month

Schar School of Policy and Government

Faculty and Staff News