Winter Commencement

George Mason's 2024 winter graduation in pictures

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 19:27:31 +0000

George Mason's 2024 winter graduation in pictures Lauren Reuscher Thu, 12/19/2024 - 14:27

Winter Commencement at ��AV on Dec. 19 at EagleBank Arena celebrated more than 5,200 graduates and certificate recipients. Graduates hailed from 89 countries, 45 states, and 27% of bachelor's degree recipients identified as first-generation graduates.

The graduates celebrated their achievements in the company of proud family and friends. George Mason photographers captured the excitement of Commencement and Degree Celebrations.

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

As the graduates entered the arena, the Green Machine filled the air with musical energy.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Ross Calvin, a student in the School of Music’s vocal performance program, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Ross Calvin, George Mason student, sings the national anthem at Commencement. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

George Mason President Gregory Washington welcomed the graduates and their loved ones to the ceremony and congratulated them on their achievements.

An honorary degree was presented to Maureen McCarthy Scalia in recognition of her dedication to education and decades of volunteer work in the Washington, D.C., region.

Maureen McCarthy Scalia and George Mason President Gregory Washington. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Commencement speaker George D. Schindler advised the graduates that their ability to continuously learn, adapt, and thrive can determine their success. Schindler also stressed the importance of mentorship and kindness.

Commencement Speaker George D. Schindler. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Our companies need more kindness, our governments, and our society could use some more kindness,” Schindler said. “It starts with each of us.”

Student Commencement Speaker Caroline Little. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Student Commencement speaker Caroline Little, graduating with her bachelor’s in psychology, spoke about her experiences as a student parent. She expressed gratitude for the support she felt from her family, as well as from faculty and staff at George Mason, as she juggled the demands of parenthood and her studies.

“George Mason isn’t just meant for the cookie-cutter student,” Little said. “It’s meant for people like me, for people like you, and anybody who has the determination to finish their degree and succeed, no matter what their life looks like outside of the classroom.”

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

As usual, the graduates let their creativity shine by decorating their graduation caps.

Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

President Gregory Washington, Rector Charles "Cully" Stimson, Student Speaker Caroline Little, and Provost James Antony. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

And then it was time to celebrate! Read more about the ceremony.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Watch the winter commencement recording

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Winter graduates encouraged to be kind, courageous and never stop learning

Colleen Rich — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 19:03:09 +0000

Winter graduates encouraged to be kind, courageous and never stop learning Colleen Rich Thu, 12/19/2024 - 14:03

With a final pre-tassel-turning lesson about leadership, kindness, and resilience, more than 5,200 ��AV students graduated or earned certificates Thursday at Winter Commencement in EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus.

Livestreamed on George Mason’s YouTube channel, the ceremony honored graduates from 89 countries and 45 states. About 1 in 4 was a first-generation graduate.

George Mason President Gregory Washington told the graduates that whether they realized it or not, while pursuing a degree, they also were being prepared to serve as leaders. Echoing a New York Times op-ed by Ford Foundation President Darren Walker, Washington urged each graduate to embrace leadership, not escape it to avoid risk or as an act of self-preservation.

“Your conscience is your light,” Washington said. “It’s your North Star for leadership. And you will be called to let that light shine and invite others to follow it. Yeah, it’s scary. But in times of crisis, the light of our conscience will be the only light, and the only way out of the darkness.

“Generating light brings a certain amount of heat with it,” Washington added. “But bringing light is worth enduring that heat. If we have done our job right here at ��AV, we have prepared you to bring the light and endure the heat.”

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The guest speaker, former CGI president and chief executive officer George D. Schindler, was awarded an honorary degree by Board of Visitors member Horace Blackman, BA American Studies and English '93, the university’s former rector and also a CGI executive.

Schindler encouraged students to carry out a “life of learning” so they can adapt and thrive in an era of excessively rapid change. “In today’s world, current knowledge is just table stakes,” Schindler said. “While continuous learning is often the differentiator in career and life. It will be important to be agile and adaptable in your ways of thinking and acting.”

Schindler also emphasized that, contrary to what many may believe, success and kindness are not mutually exclusive.

“You can be kind and still be a strong performer and a strong leader,” Schindler said. “You can be kind and still make difficult decisions. You can be kind and still provide firm feedback and be a firm negotiator. And you can be kind and have a successful career. Our companies need more kindness, our governments need more kindness, and our society could definitely use some more kindness. It starts with each of us.”

Board of Visitors Rector Charles “Cully” Stimson, JD ’92, presented an honorary degree to Maureen McCarthy Scalia for “her passionate dedication to learning and for her decades of volunteer work in the Washington, D.C., region.” Scalia is the widow of former Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom George Mason named its law school in 2016, the year the justice died. Stimson is a graduate of what is now the Scalia Law School.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Provost James Antony, taking part in his first George Mason Commencement since joining the university, introduced the student speaker, psychology major Caroline Little. Little detailed how faculty and staff supported and encouraged her, first as an unsure transfer from community college, then through several relocations and two pregnancies. She and her husband, former George Mason basketball standout Josh Oduro, have a 10-month-old son, and she is eight months pregnant with their second child.

“George Mason isn’t just meant for the cookie-cutter student,” Little said. “It’s meant for people like me, for people like you, and people like anybody that has the determination to finish their degree and succeed, no matter what their life looks like outside of the classroom. This university has given me a new sense of strength and self-confidence that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”

Scott Hine, BS Decision Science ’85, president of the ��AV Alumni Association, welcomed the graduates to a network of 240,000 members worldwide and called on them to engage with the association and each other.

“Now you have the power and resources of a new family that has walked in your shoes and blazed a path forward,” Hine said. “There is likely an alum in any industry in which you are joining, and likely an alum in any location in which you are settling. This is an incredible network, which you should leverage.”

View the 2024 winter graduation in pictures

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Winter Commencement

Commencement Speaker George Schindler’s remarks to George Mason’s winter 2024 graduates

Colleen Rich — Thu, 19 Dec 2024 13:18:32 +0000

Commencement Speaker George Schindler’s remarks to George Mason’s winter 2024 graduates Colleen Rich Thu, 12/19/2024 - 08:18

As prepared for delivery

George Schindler at the podium. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Thank you, former Rector Blackman, President Washington, and thank you distinguished Board Members and Faculty. I accept this honorary degree from your esteemed institution with immense gratitude and humility.

And dear parents, guests, and, most of all, graduates to be…Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone!

You have each worked so hard to reach this point as graduates—overcoming countless obstacles to acquire a knowledge base that will allow you to succeed in your chosen career path. You have also built lifelong friendships, made the time to give back to your university and your community, and hopefully had lots of fun along the way. You deserve to celebrate this momentous occasion.

Yet, believe it or not, your learning journey…is just now beginning. You must get ready for a life of learning, irrespective of your future plans.

For you are receiving your degrees during a period of extraordinary change. At CGI, we have been working with our clients around the world to identify, and begin addressing, the most significant drivers of this change. At the macro level, these include:

Changing social demographics, including aging populations in much of the world;
A shift in the world economic order, resulting in, among other things, a reconfiguration of supply chains;
The ongoing fight against climate change;

and, last but not least,

The rapid evolution of technology and digitization of society.

These macro trends are triggering large transformations and corresponding cultural and behavioral evolutions across most economic sectors. For all of society—for all of us—this evolution will provide richness in diversity and countless exciting opportunities.

As you are aware from my introduction, I spent the last 40 years in the technology industry, and our constant in this industry has been, and continues to be…change. And currently, that change is occurring more rapidly than ever before…and this has a follow-on impact on every industry.

The reality is that previous technological changes took longer to take hold, allowing for human adaptation. We no longer have that luxury of time.

A few years ago, the bestselling author and New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman explained that Technology is accelerating faster than our ability to adapt. He added: We can catch up. And goes on to explain that the foundation for adapting to rapid technological change is set, we just have to build on it. I would suggest that, each of you, have the necessary attributes to do just that in your respective fields of study.

As Justin Trudeau, prime minister of Canada, stated to the World Economic Forum: Change is faster than ever, but will never again be this slow.

In fact, some futurists predict that there will be more change in the next 10 years than the previous 50 years combined. While there is no clear roadmap for navigating all the change that is coming our way, I do have a few suggestions for you. These are based on my experiences as a global CEO and also as a father to four relatively recent college graduates, to whom I provided much of this same advice.

I believe the key to success in this rapidly changing environment will be the ability to continuously learn, in order to adapt and to thrive.

I recommend that you remain deeply curious, just like your first days here at George Mason. Stay in a learning mode. In today’s world, current knowledge is just table stakes. While continuous learning is often the differentiator in career and life. It will be important to be agile and adaptable in your ways of thinking and acting.

So as you begin new careers, think about how you will stay relevant in your chosen field through continuous learning. When joining an organization, ask: “Can you tell me about your learning philosophy? Can you tell me about the mentoring I will receive?”

If you create your own company, ask yourself: “How will I foster an environment of continuous learning to remain relevant to my customers and to my colleagues?”

You should expect and demand an environment where continuous learning is a core focus area.

My next piece of advice concerns mentorship—it is the single most important activity that we can do to give back to our organizations and our communities. Everyone, at any and all levels, should seek out a mentor. And everyone, at all levels, has an opportunity to be a mentor to someone else. I have found it to be the most fulfilling part of leadership.

However, in my experience as both a mentor and as a mentee, I have seen that “advice” can be a double-edged sword.

My view on this topic is that one should listen intently to all the advice that is received, but in order to make it really work for you, you should be willing to throw most of it away…Unless of course, the advice is from your mother. Always follow your mom’s advice.

While all advice can and should inform your own personal continuous growth, it shouldn’t be followed blindly. For everyone strives to be an authentic performer and leader, and to be authentic, you need to be yourself.

Now this shouldn’t discourage us as mentors from giving advice, in fact, knowing that your advice will not be followed blindly should be liberating to dispense even more of it.

And to be clear, that also goes for all of my advice given here today. Feel free to throw most of it away!

For me, I was told throughout my career that I was too nice, and that this was a flaw that needed to be corrected in order for me to excel in my business career. Nothing could have been further from the truth for me; in fact, that’s my last piece of advice here today:

Be kind to everyone. You can be kind and still be a strong performer and a strong leader. You can be kind and still make difficult decisions. You can be kind and still provide firm feedback and be a firm negotiator. And you can be kind and have a successful career. Our companies need more kindness, our governments need more kindness, and our society could definitely use some more kindness. It starts with each of us.

And most importantly, you need to remember to be kind to yourself. This is especially true when you screw up—naturally, I have screwed up plenty in my career and life. My advice here is to refrain from beating yourself up for not being perfect. Any missteps you make should be used to gain wisdom that will help you (and others) improve in the future. Just remember to be kind to yourself throughout that learning process.

I’ll close with a quote that is often attributed to the theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking: “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”

Each of you are really fortunate. As new graduates, with all of the intelligence you have acquired here at ��AV, you are very well positioned to adapt to change and therefore thrive in your selected fields of expertise.

Congratulations, once again, on your accomplishments. You have earned this right to celebrate!

Thank you.

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Winter Commencement

At 15, Yevin Nikhel Goonatilake set to make history as George Mason’s youngest graduate with a 4.0 GPA

Colleen Rich — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 15:51:29 +0000

At 15, Yevin Nikhel Goonatilake set to make history as George Mason’s youngest graduate with a 4.0 GPA Colleen Rich Tue, 12/17/2024 - 10:51

You’ll forgive Yevin Nikhel Goonatilake for the lack of perspective on his self-confessed habit of procrastination.

Yevin Goonatilake. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

If only we could all have such flaws.

At 15 years old, Goonatilake is poised to become the youngest graduate in ��AV history with a 4.0 grade point average (GPA). This computer science prodigy from Leesburg, Virginia, is doing things at his own speed and far outpacing societal norms.

His achievements likely won’t stop at his bachelor’s degree. Goonatilake is also enrolled in a Bachelors/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) program in the College of Engineering and Computing, putting him on track to earn his master’s, also in computer science, in May 2025. When he does, he would become the university’s youngest-ever master’s degree recipient.

And all of this from someone who has yet to turn 16 or get a driver’s license.

“I’m kind of used to it,” Goonatilake said of his many accomplishments at such a young age. “Doing things earlier than other people is what I’ve been doing my entire life. Personally, I think more people could do it if they want to. You don’t have to follow the general trend. That’s not necessarily for everybody.”

Goonatilake’s father, Shirley Goonatilake, credited his son’s success to his steady focus. “My wife, Llana, and I are so very proud of him,” he said. “He’s very disciplined in everything he does.”

That discipline became clear early. When Goonatilake was 3 years old, his parents, both computer science engineers, recognized his gift and his father began homeschooling him.

By age 11, Goonatilake had already accrued enough academic credits to apply to Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), but he first needed to take the SAT. No problem as he scored 790 out of a possible 800 points on the math portion of the standardized test, and had totaled a robust 1530 overall score out of a possible 1600 on the test by the time he was 13.

At 13, he also graduated from NOVA with his associate’s degree in computer science, with a perfect 4.0 GPA, becoming the youngest known NOVA graduate since the school began keeping electronic records in 1975.

While George Mason has had young graduates before, both female—including a 13-year old who earned a bachelor of arts (BA) degree in 1972 and a math major who completed both a BA and MA by 17 in 2017—neither graduated with a 4.0 GPA, according to University Registrar Doug McKenna.

Goonatilake arrived at George Mason during the COVID-19 pandemic, when classes were primarily online and masks were the norm on campus. This low-profile start suited him, as most of his friends and classmates had no clue about his age.

“I don’t think I told anybody my age,” he said.

Now 5-foot-10, Goonatilake blends in easily with his peers, enjoying sports and cherishing time with his friends. But his life is anything but typical.

In addition to his studies, Goonatilake plays professional cricket for the Baltimore Royals Sunny Sohail (BRSS) Cricket Academy, which competes in Minor League Cricket. Likely the youngest player in league annals, he practices several times per week and has traveled to Texas and North Carolina for matches this semester. True to form, Goonatilake balances it all, studying on planes and in hotel rooms to keep up with his coursework.

Cricket, introduced to him by his father, a native of Sri Lanka, where it is the most popular sport, has become a vital part of Goonatilake’s life.

His coaches at BRSS have been extremely supportive of Goonatilake’s delicate balance between his cricket and academic pursuits, allowing him to manage his workload on his own.

“I need both,” he said, alluding to the social and athletic balance the two endeavors provide him.

Looking ahead, Goonatilake isn’t sure what’s next. Pursuing a PhD to teach and conduct research is certainly a possibility, though he’s also considering roles in the tech sector or federal government.

If he takes the PhD route, Goonatilake hopes to live on campus, get a roommate, and experience a more traditional college life.

“By then,” he said with a smile, “I’ll finally be able to drive.”

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Winter Commencement

George Mason prepares to recognize more than 5,200 winter graduates

Colleen Rich — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 18:41:31 +0000

George Mason prepares to recognize more than 5,200 winter graduates Colleen Rich Mon, 12/16/2024 - 13:41

��AV will honor more than 5,200 students graduating or earning certificates at Winter Commencement at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus.

The event will be livestreamed on George Mason’s YouTube channel. Doors open an hour before the ceremony.

The winter graduates hail from 89 countries and 45 states, and 27% of bachelor’s degree recipients identify as first-generation graduates.

The guest speaker will be George D. Schindler, former president and chief executive officer of business and information technology company CGI. The student speaker is Caroline Little, graduating with a bachelor of arts in psychology.

Degree celebrations for nine George Mason schools and colleges also will take place this week at EagleBank Arena and those too will be livestreamed.

Tickets are required for all guests at Commencement and degree celebration ceremonies.

The top five majors among the 2,993 undergraduates in the winter Class of 2024 are business; psychology; computer science; information technology; and criminology, law and society.

Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors account for 31% of students earning bachelor’s degrees and 35% of students earning advanced degrees. Both totals increased from last year, affirming George Mason’s standing as a top producer of tech talent for Northern Virginia and the state.

For the 1,696 students earning master’s degrees, the top five majors are data analytics engineering, special education, curriculum and instruction, computer science, and business administration.

The top majors for the 200 students earning doctoral degrees are education, biosciences, computer science, psychology, and writing and rhetoric.

The winter graduating class also includes four law school graduates.

Winter 2024 Commencement Ceremony Information, Tickets, FAQs

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Winter Commencement

Graduating Schar student raises the bar with her professional experiences

Shayla Brown — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 14:59:20 +0000

Graduating Schar student raises the bar with her professional experiences Shayla Brown Mon, 12/16/2024 - 09:59

When Daksha Magesh came to ��AV as a freshman in 2021, she already had an impressive resumé.

“My first experience with government came from when I was working on senate campaigns in high school. I knocked on doors, answered phones, worked on advertisements and expenditure tracking. It made me really curious about what it was like to be in government,” said Magesh, a government and international politics major and government analytics minor.

The Honors College student was working for federal prosecutor Manka Dhingra of the 45th District from her hometown of Seattle, Washington. Magesh says that’s where her interest in law comes from.

“I figured that if I’m going to be a lawyer, I might as well know how the government really works, so that's part of the reason why I chose this major for my future,” she said.

Since then, she has also worked for the Washington Senate Democratic Campaign and legal nonprofits, such as the Seattle Clemency Project.

“I was working with people who were sentenced at a young age and have been in jail for a really long time. We were helping them to get clemency and rehabilitation for early releases because they've served 25 plus year sentences,” said Magesh. “They are now 50 to 60 years old and have served their sentences. It’s really time they come out and be productive members of society.”

Magesh has also worked for the South Asian Bar Association, a collective of all the major South Asian lawyers in the country.

“I'm really grateful for all the people that I worked with while I was there. They were all very welcoming and it was the first time that I got to work with people that were of the same identity as me,” said Magesh.

“I love all of these experiences, but walking into a room and having everyone look like me in my field is incredibly rare. It was so cool,” said Magesh.

Magesh also worked with Schar associate professor Jennifer Victor on her Undergraduate Research Assistant Program team doing congressional caucus literature review as research for Victor’s new book.

Magesh worked with Victor again as a teaching assistant for her GOVT 103: Introduction to American Government course. “I taught recitations every Friday and my class was amazing. I tried to make recitations fun with a game or interactive experience, and I got really good feedback at the end of the year. It was a great experience,” said Magesh.

Daksha Magesh. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding.

What’s your best memory at George Mason?

George Mason movie nights are my go-to. My friends and I just get a bunch of snacks, cuddle up on the couch, and watch something fun. I also love Mason Day. My resident advisor and close friend Kennedi took me to my first one. The weather was perfect and I remember thinking ‘oh my God, there’s a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster.’ We had such a great time.

How have you grown at George Mason?

I really came out of my shell. I'm such an introvert and I was so scared because George Mason was very intimidating, and it was hard for me to make friends at first. But I've really impressed myself with the way that I was able to connect to new people. I’m also a Schar School Liaison and secretary of the Honors Recruitment Team, so connecting with people is one of the biggest things that you have to learn and that skill is definitely something I learned from my time at George Mason.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

The biggest thing is time management. Organize your time by keeping a calendar or a planner and writing down your assignments. Also networking and meeting people. Don’t be afraid to go up and introduce yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or cold emailing. I’ve gotten two of my biggest internships through cold emailing. And another, with the [Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia] that I got through networking. Make sure you’re talking to people, whether that's professors or professionals, in your field.

What’s next for you?

I hope to pursue my legal career further. I'll definitely apply to law school in the future and be studying for the LSAT. I want to explore options on the East Coast, as I've really grown to love it. Ideally, I want to be able to work in a firm. It has always been my dream to be a lawyer and I will definitely achieve that.

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Q&A with George D. Schindler, 2024 Winter Commencement Speaker

Colleen Rich — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 13:56:55 +0000

Q&A with George D. Schindler, 2024 Winter Commencement Speaker Colleen Rich Mon, 12/16/2024 - 08:56

George D. Schindler, former president and chief executive officer of business and information technology company CGI, will be the featured speaker at ��AV’s Winter Commencement on Dec. 19 at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus.

George D. Schindler. Photo provided

Can you share one piece of personal or professional advice you received that has influenced your life or career and that you would like to impart to this George Mason Class of 2024?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned throughout my 40-year career is to be curious and embrace continuous learning. Change is constant, and our ability to adapt and thrive in rapidly evolving environments depends on maintaining a learning mindset.

Another piece of advice I’ve carried with me is about how to approach advice itself. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to receive guidance from incredible mentors and colleagues. But I’ve also learned that advice can be a double-edged sword. It’s crucial to listen intently to advice, but equally important to know when to set it aside. To be authentic both personally and professionally, you need to filter advice through your own values and experiences. Advice can guide you, but blindly following it can lead you away from what makes you uniquely effective.

You began your career as a coder and worked your way up to CEO. But there were detours on your path. Is there a lesson in that for graduates as they begin their careers?

Absolutely. Career paths are rarely linear, and that’s a reality to embrace, rather than fear. Detours and unexpected turns present opportunities to gain new perspectives, develop resilience, and learn new skills.

Looking back, the moments where I adjusted course often ended up being the most formative and rewarding. My advice: Stay open to opportunities and remember that some of the most meaningful growth in your life and in your career can happen in the unplanned moments.

How would you say that George Mason’s perspective of “All Together Different” helps prepare students for the workforce?

Diversity in all forms is an essential component of thriving institutions and societies, especially in its ability to spur innovation and progress. At CGI, we often saw that bringing together people with unique perspectives and backgrounds led to better solutions and greater outcomes for our company and for our clients. George Mason’s commitment to inclusivity prepares graduates to thrive in an interconnected and dynamic workforce. By cultivating collaboration and respect for different ideas, graduates are well-positioned to navigate and shape the future.

As a leading provider of tech talent, how does George Mason drive innovation and economic prosperity in Northern Virginia and throughout the state?

George Mason is a vital partner in cultivating talent that drives regional innovation and economic growth. We saw this firsthand when I was CEO at CGI as we relied on the skilled professionals emerging from programs at institutions like George Mason to deliver trusted business solutions for our clients. This partnership between academia and industry not only fuels local economic prosperity but also strengthens the foundation for future growth in technology and innovation.

President Washington believes companies and corporations need to offer more internships to better prepare graduates with the skills and experiences employers need. How does CGI succeed in this area, and how can that kind of mentorship be achieved on a large scale in our region?

I agree with President Washington. Done right, internships benefit both students and companies alike. Beyond simply gaining experience, mentorship during an internship helps students bridge the gap between theory and practice while learning from the perspectives of those with more experience, and companies gain fresh ideas and perspectives that students bring. To achieve this on a broader scale, collaboration is key. At CGI, we have seen that the greatest success is achieved when universities and companies work together to create programs that allow students and companies to engage with each other over longer periods of time with appropriate commitments on both sides. These programs create the opportunities that are both accessible and most meaningful.

Many George Mason graduates define career success not only by financial reward or job satisfaction but by bettering society through their work. What are some ways that students might be able to accomplish this goal?

At CGI, our consultants and technical experts are certainly motivated by the opportunity to use their skills to drive positive change for our clients, but also for our clients’ customers. We talk about our role in bettering society as being “two steps away” as it’s our role to partner with our clients to enable this positive change. For example, our direct client might be the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but by assisting the EPA, we are also contributing to helping citizens across the country live in a healthier environment. Likewise, when working for a large financial institution on a program to assist the unbanked—those people living in our communities who do not have bank accounts—we indirectly help this underserved population of people gain access to services that will make a difference in their lives and those of their families.

We also encourage all of our employees to lend their expertise to charitable organizations or individuals through STEM-focused programs, doing our part to enable a digitally inclusive society for everyone in our communities. I encourage you to challenge yourself and your places of employment to find ways for you to accomplish your goals to better society—our society needs your contributions.

Forty years ago, George Mason partnered with area businesses to develop an engineering program geared toward the emerging information technology (IT) field. Given the prominence of IT in our regional economy today, what does this say about the impact of partnerships between George Mason and local industry?

It is clear that the partnership George Mason initiated at that time was a visionary one in terms of how collaboration between academia and industry can help shape regional economies. By aligning educational programs with the emerging needs of the IT field, George Mason and its partners certainly contributed to the role of Northern Virginia becoming the hub of technological innovation that it is today.

Such partnerships are critical in today’s world, where rapid technological change is accelerating faster than ever before. Preparing students to thrive in this environment requires a continuous dialogue between academia and industry to ensure that curricula and the experiential learning opportunities that companies can provide keep pace with real-world demands. When this collaboration aligns, it can enable future generations to not just respond to change but actively shape the future.

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Computer science graduate turns internship experience into a full-time position

Colleen Rich — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:47:21 +0000

Computer science graduate turns internship experience into a full-time position Colleen Rich Wed, 12/11/2024 - 13:47

When Dhyeya “Dee” Padhya transferred to ��AV from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) in fall 2022, he was struck by the vibrant campus life, which was far different than his first two years in college during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dhyeya “Dee” Padhya

“Coming to George Mason there were so many things happening like fairs and club events. That was definitely a very welcomed change for me,” Padhya said. “I felt like a new person and George Mason was a huge part of these last few formative years of my life.”

He is set to graduate in December 2024 with a BS in computer science and a minor in computational and data science.

During his time at George Mason, Padhya worked in the University Career Services office as the senior front desk student assistant, where he greeted students and gave them career assistance, as well as managing the career advisors’ appointments and calendars.

He also helped administer career assessments and did set-up work and guided students at George Mason’s well-attended career fairs.

For his commitment to career services at George Mason, Padhya was featured on the cover of this year’s Career Readiness Guide.

This summer, Padhya also got professional experience in his field as a data analyst intern at Capital One.

“With a computer science major, an internship is very important. I definitely felt prepared for it with the help of my [CS 450 Database Concepts] course with Professor Ping Deng and my [CS 484 Data Mining] course with Jessica Lin. Those courses were definitely the most helpful for my internship,” said Padhya.

What’s your best memory of George Mason?

Getting the call that I got the internship at Capital One was definitely one of the best experiences of my life. Part of my responsibilities were what we call “productionizing” a data set. There was a whole process of getting data from the right sources, cleaning it, and then automating that process to automatically update the data on a weekly basis.

How have you grown while at George Mason?

Throughout high school I was a straight-A student, but my very first class here was a challenge for me and I ended up getting a B minus. It took some getting used to, but just coming to terms with the fact that it’s not the end of the world if I’m not perfect was really impactful.

Best piece of advice for incoming students?

Don’t have the mindset that you’re underqualified for something. The job market is very difficult right now, but I think it’s important to understand that your GPA, while important, isn’t ALL that matters in the professional world. During job interviews for me it was more about what my personal and professional experiences were. Employers want to know who you are as a person and what experiences have you had that led you to become that person. I also think it’s important to engage with all the resources George Mason has to offer, like the Career Services office.

What’s next for you?

I will be returning to Capital One for a full-time data analyst position after graduation.

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Commencement student speaker Caroline Little found her family while at George Mason

Shayla Brown — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 21:25:40 +0000

Commencement student speaker Caroline Little found her family while at George Mason Shayla Brown Tue, 12/10/2024 - 16:25

Graduating psychology student Caroline Little said she grew up at ��AV.

“I have grown from a child to an adult at George Mason in ways I could have never thought possible. I came here a teenager, and left here a married mother of two,” said Little.

Little, who will travel from Alabama to address her fellow graduates as the 2024 Winter Commencement Student Speaker, will welcome her second child, Isabella, this winter.

Graduation student speaker Caroline Little and her son, Saint. Photo provided.

George Mason’s rigorous education and location being so close Washington, D.C., made her decision to attend pretty easy, said Little. “George Mason really helped foster rapid maturation in the best way possible,” she said.

Originally an in-state student, Little transferred from Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Since then, she has lived in Rhode Island, New Orleans, and currently resides in Alabama. 

“I chose psychology as my major because I have always had a special interest in the study of how the human brain works and how humans behave. I definitely plan to take my psychology education further,” said Little, who was part of George Mason’s psych club during her first two years.

Little’s passion for psychology was fueled by College of Humanities and Social Sciences professor Michael Hurley, the undergraduate academic advisor in the Department of Psychology who helped her get a job in applied behavioral analysis.

“I worked with older autistic individuals, mostly individuals who are about to graduate from high school,” said Little. “I taught them how to be self-sufficient in their homes and they learned to do their own laundry, cook basic meals, clean up after themselves, and things like that.”

Little also met her husband, former George Mason basketball player and star forward Joshua Oduro, BS Business ’23, during an on-campus voting event.

Little has had many great experiences during her time as a student at George Mason, but some of her favorite memories, she said, come from the Homecoming basketball games and getting married to Oduro.

Little and her husband, Joshua Oduro, celebrate on Wilkins Plaza. Photo provided.

“We came back to campus and popped a bottle of champagne in front of the George Mason statue to celebrate meeting each other on campus,” said Little.

Throughout that summer, while Oduro was away at pre-draft, Little was a full-time mother and simultaneously took seven accelerated courses. It was a big challenge, said Little, because both she and her son, Saint, were struggling with sleep deprivation.

“My son and I would go to campus every day to meet with my tutor at The Globe [dining hall],” said Little. “We would be on campus all day, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. I breastfed him, walked him around the halls, and brought him a big blanket for tummy time, just trying to keep him occupied while I studied.”

Little’s biggest piece of advice for incoming students is pursue yourself first. “So much happens in your four years of college, don’t ever forget why you’re here in the first place,” she said. “Never give up on your dreams, no matter how hard it may seem! No one will do it for you. You are in charge of your own destiny.”

Following graduation, Little plans to pursue her master’s degree in marriage and family counseling.

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Graduating systems engineering student is flying high

Shayla Brown — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 15:52:13 +0000

Graduating systems engineering student is flying high Shayla Brown Wed, 12/04/2024 - 10:52

Darius Jack came to ��AV with a passion for systems engineering and for flying. He’s been able to maintain his flight hours while earning a bachelor of science in systems engineering this May and an accelerated master's in systems engineering, his second degree from George Mason, in December.

Darius Jack. Photo by Virginia Department of Aviation.

Jack, who grew up in Virginia, got his private pilot’s license at just 17 years old, his instrument rating at 19, his commercial pilot’s license at 20, and continues to fly himself and his family members across the state.

One of his favorite airports to fly from is Falwell Airport in Lynchburg, Virginia.

“This airport is really exciting because it's on a slope, so you have to take off going downhill and then land going uphill. If you go in person, or even look at it on Google Maps, you'll immediately see what I'm talking about,” he said.

He’s also a fan of flying on Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay.

“They have basically no cars there; it's golf carts,” said Jack. “Their economy is based on fishing and things like that, so it’s a small-town kind of vibe. I was lucky enough to be able to fly there with my mom. We spent the day there visiting some nice little mom and pop restaurants which was really exciting.”

Jack recently completed the Virginia Aviation Ambassador Program, traveling to all of Virginia’s 65 public use airports.

“The program was challenging but rewarding. I was able to meet new people, build experience flying different kinds of aircraft, and got to travel to the different corners of the state allowing me to explore and appreciate the hidden gems,” said Jack.

“Systems engineering gave me a holistic mindset, which is crucial in the cockpit. Instead of jumping to conclusions, systems engineering taught me to think [deeply] and ask underlying questions, like what factors are driving a certain output. I am very appreciative to have been in both systems engineering programs for undergraduate and graduate,” said Jack.

Darius Jack. Photo provided.

What’s your best memory of George Mason?

My master's degree experience is kind of flying by. In undergrad, I started with a lot of different people from different majors, and it’s been nice getting to see how everyone else has finished their degrees as well. I was able to go to their final capstones and senior design project presentations. Seeing how successful everyone turned out is really amazing.

How have you grown while at George Mason?

Starting off, I didn't know exactly where I was going. I had the mindset that I go to class, get my degree, and work a job in that field for the rest of my life. But systems engineering is a very big field and I didn’t know what opportunities were out there. I think just evolving in that mindset.

I know now that getting a degree in one thing doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be doing that work for the rest of your life. Being at George Mason opened my eyes to that. Now, it's more about actually learning the content from my classes and thinking about ways that knowledge could positively impact the world on a granular scale.

Best piece of advice for incoming students? 

I am a strong believer that the job market is all about supply and demand. So, if there's a lot of [graduates from] one type of major, it's going to be somewhat challenging to get a job. Give new and challenging things like systems engineering a chance because companies want systems engineers. If you have that demand, it is very easy to get something going for you.

What’s next for you?

I have accepted a job offer at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, and I'll be starting there after graduating in December. In this lab, they research things like prosthetic limbs, nanotechnology and all kinds of cutting-edge technology. What's in demand with my major specifically is model-based systems engineering, which is a sort of subset of systems engineering. I’m so excited to start there and be a part of that community because it will be my first real full-time job.

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Q&A with George D. Schindler, 2024 Winter Commencement Speaker

Can you share one piece of personal or professional advice you received that has influenced your life or career and that you would like to impart to this George Mason Class of 2024?

You began your career as a coder and worked your way up to CEO. But there were detours on your path. Is there a lesson in that for graduates as they begin their careers?

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As a leading provider of tech talent, how does George Mason drive innovation and economic prosperity in Northern Virginia and throughout the state?

President Washington believes companies and corporations need to offer more internships to better prepare graduates with the skills and experiences employers need. How does CGI succeed in this area, and how can that kind of mentorship be achieved on a large scale in our region?

Many George Mason graduates define career success not only by financial reward or job satisfaction but by bettering society through their work. What are some ways that students might be able to accomplish this goal?

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