Ian Gates: Taking His Schar School Experience to Local Government

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 10 May 2023 20:37:19 +0000

Ian Gates: Taking His Schar School Experience to Local Government Andrew J Schappert Wed, 05/10/2023 - 16:37

Ian Gates: Local politics, he said, ‘will affect you whether you choose to affect it or not.’

While he was first drawn to ��AV by its proximity to the nation’s capital, Ian Gates discovered a passion for local politics and community organizing during his time in the Schar School of Policy and Government.

Gates, who graduates this month with a bachelor of science degree in public administration, continually found new experiences to complement his degree while studying government.

“I found basically something different to do every semester,” he said about the past four years. From interning in the office of former U.S. Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D) on Capitol Hill to working as a fellow at the nonprofit and nonpartisan political encyclopedia Ballotpedia—with other illuminating positions in between—Gates found ways to apply his love for and knowledge of policy in just about every level of government.

With a location on the outskirts of the seat of U.S. government in Washington, D.C., the Schar School, and Mason in general, are singularly situated to facilitate experiential learning for those desiring to accelerate their political careers. Practitioners as professors, high-profile guest speakers, and internships at key agencies are just a few of the ways the Schar School helps students achieve their goals in public affairs.

It was through taking diverse policy classes at the Schar School that Gates, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, discovered his passion for local government and political organizing.

For instance, in a class about education in the U.S., Gates developed an interest in education policy. The real-world implications of this policy issue area were made immediately evident to him when professor Anne Holton sent the class to an Arlington County, Virginia, school board meeting to see education policy in action.

This inspiring experience proved valuable: Gates researched education funding policy during his time working for Georgia Engage, an organization involved in state-level policy issues.

Similarly, Gates found his Schar School urban planning class particularly fascinating and immediately applicable.

“I've always had an interest in urban planning and transportation policy,” Gates said, “but it was especially cool to learn more about the technical aspects.” Studying urban planning and learning the terminology of this niche policy topic encouraged him to attend his first zoning meeting in his hometown of Atlanta.

As the city leaders discussed rewriting their zoning ordinances for the first time in 40 years, Gates understood the policy issues of land-use planning being weighed. He appreciated, he said, “being able to make educated opinion, or make educated statements about these topics, and make an impact on my community.”

Gates looks forward to quickly applying his experience in local political organizing and education policy as he begins a post-graduation position with the Tulsa Service Year program, a one-year fellowship for recent college graduates designed to teach political leadership skills. Working on education policy with a group of nonprofits in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gates will use the knowledge and skills he gained from the Schar School at the local level.

Gates’ words of advice to Mason students is to take advantage of opportunities the Schar School, the university as a whole, and the Washington, D.C., region has to offer. “Be a part of the community and be engaged,” he said.

Gates especially encourages government students to get involved in local and regional politics and not forget their impact on all levels of policy work.

“Everyone [should] go to your local planning and school board meetings,” Gates said, “because these decisions are going to be made whether you’re there or not, so you’d rather be there. Politics will affect you whether you choose to affect it or not.”

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Bachelor of Science in Public Administration

Schar School News May 2023

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In This Story

Anne Holton

What Drives a Sports Fan? Researching the Rise of ‘Ultras’ in European Soccer

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 15:11:03 +0000

What Drives a Sports Fan? Researching the Rise of ‘Ultras’ in European Soccer Andrew J Schappert Thu, 10/27/2022 - 11:11

In This Story

Eric McGlinchey

Jennifer N. Victor

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Andrew Strasberg. ‘His work has the potential to become integrated into a broader body of literature,’ said mentor Jennifer N. Victor.

For Andrew Strasberg, the game of soccer has always been a focal point of his life. When the Schar School senior was tasked with completing a research project for a graduate level research class, his topic of choice was a rather easy decision.

Strasberg, a bachelor of science in public administration major, combined his love of soccer with his interest in politics in a unique way. His project, “Hooligans or Honchos? Developing a Political Theory of European Ultra-ism,” explores the sociopolitical phenomenon of ultras, a type of sports fan renowned for ultra-fanatical support. Strasberg explores the existing research on ultras and proposes new methods of analysis to develop “a causal explanation of ultra-ism and its associated violence in Europe,” he said.

Strasberg’s project came into fruition with the help of Schar School Associate Professors Eric McGlinchey and Jennifer N. Victor. Strasberg created his proposal in fall 2021 while taking GOVT 500, a graduate scientific method and research design class taught by McGlinchey, who offered valuable mentorship. (��AV allows undergraduates to take 500- and 600-level courses with an instructor’s permission. “I was just interested in the class,” Strasberg said.)

While working for Victor in the Schar School’s Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP), she encouraged him to submit his proposal to the Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) for consideration and served as his mentor throughout the latter half of the year.

Victor says that Strasberg’s timely work is important, now and in the future.

“The study of political violence and the ways in which humans get attracted to groups that become violent is a very important topic,” she said. “His work has the potential to become integrated into a broader body of literature that helps us understand the conditions under which people turn to violence to achieve political goals.”

After his project was accepted, Strasberg joined Victor and other Schar School faculty in Chicago at the MPSA conference in April 2022. He presented his research during an undergraduate poster session and met other like-minded students also exhibiting important work.

Victor says it is rare for undergraduates to present at political science conferences such as the MPSA meeting. Strasberg said the experience allowed him to meet informed academics who offered invaluable feedback on his work.

He advises prospective or current Schar School students interested in research opportunities to pursue them.

“Do it!” he said. “Look for projects that allow you to push the boundaries of what you know and can do already. A lot of people don’t realize how willing and able professors are to help, and will go out of their way to see you succeed.”

Strasberg is now including his successful proposal in his personal statement for PhD applications. He said his class with McGlinchey and the entire URAP program provided “professionalizing resources” and gave him confidence in future endeavors.