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George Mason’s outdoor forensic research lab hosts guest researchers from Louisiana HBCU

Colleen Rich — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 17:23:31 +0000

George Mason’s outdoor forensic research lab hosts guest researchers from Louisiana HBCU Colleen Rich Wed, 11/13/2024 - 12:23

It wasn’t the glut of unsightly maggots blanketing every inch of the large pig’s carcass from head to toe, but the combination of that and the unforgiving smell amid the stifling heat that initially gave student Brittney Sylvester reason for pause.

SUNO students Brittney Sylvester and LaTavia Williams examine the burial site of the decomposing pig they buried earlier this summer. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

A senior forensic science and mathematics double major, Sylvester was part of a team from Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), who came to Northern Virginia this past summer for a program that paired aspiring scientists from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions with George Mason experts in Criminal Investigations and Network Analysis (CINA) Center.

This 10-week program, DHS Summer Research Team Program for Minority Serving Institutions, ran from June through August and was funded by a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant to meet critical research needs in the national security realm, while also diversifying the criminal justice system.

Sylvester, an aspiring pathologist, was eager to gain hands-on experience in forensic science and was drawn by the chance to engage in the kind of experiential learning that no textbook could provide. The experience included the opportunity to engage in research with some of the nation’s most renowned forensic scientists and work in George Mason’s five-acre Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory on the Science and Technology Campus, one of just 10 locations in the world capable of performing transformative outdoor research in forensic science using human donors.

More popularly known as the “body farm,” and the only one of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region, the lab opened its doors in Spring 2021 and received its first human donors this past May.

It was the kind of opportunity Sylvester had always dreamed of.

SUNO Associate Professor Meiko Thompson discusses the significance of the forensic research opportunities for HBCUs, while students LaTavia Williams and Brittney Sylvester listen in the background. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

“My work on George Mason’s body farm allowed me to see firsthand how a body decomposes based on the environment, as well as the effects of nudity, clothing, or other covering,” Sylvester said. “This unique research experience has given me the confidence to push past my comfort zone and fully immerse myself in forensics.”

LaTavia Williams, a SUNO senior double majoring in forensic science and biology, also came to George Mason to deepen her knowledge and hands-on experience in forensic science.

“We are actively learning to build skills and learn more—not only about forensics and decomposition, but the environmental, entomological, microbiological, and anthropological aspects, which are crucial to our research,” added Williams, who wants to become a forensic pathologist.

Joining Sylvester and Williams was SUNO Associate Professor of Forensic Science Meiko Thompson, who served as the principal investigator (PI) on the research assisted by George Mason’s Georgia Williams, an assistant professor in the Forensic Science Program who served as the project’s science mentor.

Thompson said SUNO is one of just seven HBCUs with forensic science programs. She finds collaborations with lab sites like the one at George Mason are valuable for HBCU students, not only for educational purposes, but also for networking, as they worked alongside George Mason students and faculty members who are highly regarded and experienced professionals in forensic science.

The SUNO contingent and George Mason's forensic science team—Georgia Williams, Mary Ellen O'Toole, Emily Rancourt, and Molly Kilcarr—stand in front of the Forensic Science Research Training Laboratory. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

“This was an incredible opportunity to be at the forefront of scientific research, especially for minority researchers,” Thompson said.

Throughout their weeks working on the body farm the SUNO students were assisted by George Mason Forensic Science Associate Professor Emily Rancourt and two of her students, Nickolyn Jackson and Molly Kilcarr, who were also conducting research on human and pig decomposition. While their projects were different, these students’ collaborative spirits and shared efforts enhanced both projects, providing them with an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind research experience.

During the program, the aspiring scientists took daily samples, measurements, and pictures. Each visit brought more anticipation than the last as they discovered new smells, new organisms, and new plant growth, all the collective result of the decomposing body becoming part of the soil. Each day’s data was recorded and samples immediately frozen to accurately record the decomposition.

Mary Ellen O’Toole, a former FBI agent profiler and director of the Forensic Science Program at George Mason, often visited the students onsite.

“[LaTavia and Brittney] had no idea they would be transformed after a few weeks at the body farm,” O’Toole said. “They seemed more confident, sure of themselves, and absolutely fearless of the work they were doing. As time passed, they showed no hesitation about being around the wild assortment of bugs they had to touch and move, or the pig they buried and had to swab every day. Their curiosity and excitement about everything they were doing was infectious.”

The SUNO students presented their research findings, and their collaboration with George Mason will continue. Thompson and Williams submitted a follow-on proposal to CINA to complete their analysis and submit their research findings, and they are hopeful the future of this research will assist DHS in its national and transnational work to combat crime and terrorism.

Led by George Mason, the CINA Center is funded by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate’s Office of University Programs to unite leading experts and researchers to pursue multidisciplinary approaches to disrupt criminal activities across both physical and cyber spaces. George Mason is one of nine within the DHS Centers of Excellence, making it a perfect fit for the SUNO contingent because of its commitment to the advancement of science with cutting-edge solutions.

“This experience has shown me that I’m capable and stronger than I believed before I arrived,” Sylvester said. “As Professor Rancourt told me, ‘As long as your curiosity outweighs your fears, you can accomplish anything.’ I will carry this wisdom with me from now on.”

Want to learn more about the "body farm" and crime scene research? Listen to Mary Ellen O'Toole on the Access to Excellence podcast.

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Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory

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College of Science

Forensic Science Program

Marine veteran changed his life and seeks to reach others in need of positive direction

Colleen Rich — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 19:33:35 +0000

Marine veteran changed his life and seeks to reach others in need of positive direction Colleen Rich Wed, 11/06/2024 - 14:33

It was an epiphany of sorts, in the most unlikely time and place, but it changed the course of ��AV veteran Abidail “Abi” Estrada’s life—and the many lives he’s touched since.

Abidail “Abi” Estrada. Photo provided

At 19, after making “a lot of bad choices,” Estrada found himself sitting by a Northern Virginia road next to his broken-down car, reflecting on his future. This pivotal moment motivated him to leave behind his troubled past, join the U.S. Marine Corps, and eventually find his true calling in helping fellow veterans and others in need.

“I went off on myself,” recalled Estrada, now a proud husband, father, and U.S. Marine veteran of two tours in Afghanistan who is pursuing a master’s degree in social work. He asked himself what was wrong, wondering if this was truly the life he wanted, and whether he would continue down the same path forever.

This was just the impetus Estrada needed to break free from an unstable home environment that had him headed nowhere good. As a Guatemalan native, who was just 11 years old when his family arrived in the United States in 1998, Estrada longed for a better life, and after that moment of self-realization, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, which allowed him to alter his own personal narrative.

Estrada’s first tour of duty in Afghanistan began with a stay in the volatile Helmand Province in May 2010, followed by another stint in the war-worn nation from 2013-14. It was extremely dangerous, but as a Marine sergeant and infantry squad leader, he took great pride in serving alongside his new brothers in arms. “I was doing something with purpose, something that was meaningful to me,” he said. “If I was going to die, I was going to die with a purpose.”

After eight years of service, Estrada left the Marine Corps in 2015. Hoping to get a higher-paying job to take care of his family, he enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), with the goal of transferring to George Mason to earn a four-year college degree. Hardly a great student while in high school, Estrada quickly found that he was no longer that same guy—he had matured through his military experiences.

He thrived academically, making the Dean’s List at NOVA before transferring to George Mason in 2017 and graduating from the College of Public Health with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 2019. His wife, Maritza, also a George Mason graduate, strongly encouraged her husband through it all.

When beginning his academic career, Estrada found that he had an innate desire to help others. He soon discovered his niche in assisting veterans and their dependents navigate the often-complicated GI Bill process, enabling them to receive the benefits were entitled to. Whether at NOVA or George Mason, Estrada supported fellow veterans by providing them opportunities to connect and share their military experiences with someone who truly understands.

Estrada’s dedication for helping others did not go unnoticed. Ryan Barnett, associate director of George Mason’s Office of Military Services, recognized Estrada’s potential and encouraged him to pursue social work.

“Abi has a heart of gold and a passion to help people and connect with them,” said Barnett, a fellow Marine veteran.

“The more I learn about the profession, the more I love it,” Estrada said.

Following his graduation, Estrada spent several years helping local youth, first as a youth counselor for Northern Virginia Family Services and then as an investigator of child abuse and neglect cases for Prince William County. Now as a 37-year-old father of three, he returned to George Mason this fall to pursue his master’s degree in social work, continuing his mission to serve his fellow veterans and others in need.

Estrada is grateful for the opportunities the United States has provided him. He said giving back is the least that he can do. “I’ve always loved and respected this nation,” he said. “It fed me and clothed me. What my birth nation couldn’t do for me, America did. That’s why I want to give back.”

Connect with the Office of Military Services

Topics

Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)

College of Public Health

Veterans

Alumni

Northern Virginia Community College

Military

��AV recognized for supporting military families through collaboration

Colleen Rich — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:17:27 +0000

��AV recognized for supporting military families through collaboration Colleen Rich Mon, 11/04/2024 - 09:17

��AV was recently recognized as a member of the Northern Virginia team that earned one of the four national Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Awards for 2024 from the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC).

Now in its 20th year, the award recognizes and celebrates partnerships between military installations and nearby school districts that support K-12 children from military and veteran families, addressing their unique challenges that come from frequent relocations. There are approximately 1.6 million military-connected children in the United States, with nearly 80% attending public schools. Each year, the coalition honors schools and military installations from around the world for their “exceptional and sustainable” efforts in celebrating military children.

George Mason is part of the Fairfax County Military-Connected Youth Process Action Team, a collaboration between Fort Belvoir, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), and George Mason’s Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative. This team works to support military-connected students as they transition in and out of FCPS, ensuring their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs are met through ongoing events.

“This program is another terrific example of how George Mason’s Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative works to bring together faculty expertise, community partnership, and experiential learning for our students in service of the broader military and veteran population,” said Keith Renshaw, MVFI director, professor in the Department of Psychology, and George Mason’s senior associate provost for undergraduate education.

Studies show that military children typically move six to nine times between kindergarten and high school graduation—about three times more often than their nonmilitary peers—as their parents change duty stations. These frequent moves can make it difficult for them to feel connected to their communities, a factor that is crucial to their success and well-being. Around 900,000 military children have experienced a parent being deployed, adding another layer of complexity to their lives.

George Mason and Fort Belvoir officials worked directly with Renée LaHuffman-Jackson, the director of family and school partnerships for FCPS.

And that collaboration proved effective.

“This award recognizes the value of community collaboration and working together to support the population,” said Jennifer Drake Patrick, an associate professor at George Mason’s College of Education and Human Development and a military spouse. “It shows the power of coming together rather than working individually.”

Help from Mason came through consulting in course development for Fairfax educators in understanding military culture and strategies to engage and support military families and in collaborating to develop training for Student Ambassador Programs in area high schools. These initiatives serve to help K-12 schools create a more welcoming and supportive culture for military-connected students and their families.

“We want the students with military connections to come in and feel connected,” Drake Patrick said.

Learn more about MVFI

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Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)

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K-12 Partnerships

Military

From the classroom to the courtroom: George Mason Scalia Law School student assists veteran at hearing

Colleen Rich — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 21:29:31 +0000

From the classroom to the courtroom: George Mason Scalia Law School student assists veteran at hearing Colleen Rich Thu, 10/31/2024 - 17:29

M-VETS gave ��AV third-year law student Danny Jenkins the kind of courtroom experience that no classroom could.

From left, M-VETS Director Timothy MacArthur, Student Advisor Danny Jenkins, and Assistant Director Raphael Johnson. Photo provided

Jenkins, a student advisor in the Scalia Law School, played a crucial role in helping a former servicemember take a substantial step toward securing the benefit he was owed.

The Mason Veterans and Servicemembers Legal Clinic (M-VETS) provides free legal services to veterans and servicemembers, making it a unique program in legal education. Since its founding in 2004, it has become a model for similar clinics at law schools across the nation.

“That’s exactly why I wanted to be part of it,” said Jenkins, a 28-year-old Provo, Utah, native. “I’ve always felt indebted to our servicemembers for their sacrifice, and being able to really make a difference in a veteran’s daily life is extremely satisfying and rewarding.”

M-VETS Director Timothy M. MacArthur emphasized the clinic’s collaboration with George Mason’s Office of Military Services, the Military, Veterans, and Family Initiative, and the Center for Community Mental Health to better support veterans.

M-VETS enables George Mason law students to assist veterans, servicemembers, and their families with a wide range of litigation and non-litigation matters. Over the past two decades, the clinic has helped hundreds of clients from all five branches of the armed services, offering services like appeals for the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Board of Veterans Appeals for disability and educational benefit claims, and the filing of requests for increases in disability ratings. M-VETS services are available regardless of the veteran’s state of residence.

“Supporting our veterans is incredibly important, not only because of their sacrifices, but also because of the unique challenges they face after service,” MacArthur said. “They’ve served our country, and providing legal support is a way for me to show my gratitude.”

Jenkins, who plans to join the Army JAG Corps after graduating and passing the bar, volunteered to take on a case involving a client M-VETS had represented since 2018. The case stemmed from a claim for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for a DVA home loan, and finally went before a judge on Aug. 23 after nearly six years of litigation.

Jenkins conducted the hearing, arguing for the COE under MacArthur’s supervision, before the DVA’s Board of Veteran Appeals. The client, a Virginia Army National Guard veteran, had been denied the COE because he hadn’t met the required six years of service. During his initial training, the client had injured his right ankle while on active duty, which led to his discharge. Exceptions are allowed for those discharged from service due to a service-connected disability, but the veteran’s discharge papers didn’t indicate an injury-related separation.

Jenkins argued the motion and presented evidence proving that the discharge papers were inaccurate. While M-VETS awaits the ruling from the Board of Veterans’ Appeals, it is helping the veteran to correct his records with the Board for Correction of Military Records to reflect a medical retirement.

“The most challenging part of this case was preparing for the hearing,” Jenkins said. “I needed to make sure I had information and research for any potential questions or issues that would arise, which required a tremendous amount of time and effort.”

While Jenkins doesn’t have a personal military background, his grandfather and father-in-law are veterans. Reflecting on the case, he described the experience as “incredibly satisfying,” offering the kind of real-world experience and personal satisfaction that no classroom could ever provide.

“I came to law school to help people, and most of your time in law school is spent in classrooms,” Jenkins said. “This unique opportunity allowed me to step outside the classroom and make a real difference in someone’s life.”

Learn more about the Antonin Scalia Law School

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Antonin Scalia Law School

Veterans

experiential learning

Veterans Day

George Mason expands partnership with GDIT to build a skilled and diverse technology workforce

Colleen Rich — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:02:19 +0000

George Mason expands partnership with GDIT to build a skilled and diverse technology workforce Colleen Rich Wed, 10/30/2024 - 13:02

��AV announced this week an expanded partnership with General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT), a business unit of General Dynamics, to enhance career development opportunities for university students and GDIT’s workforce. The focus areas include cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and government contracting.

The partnership strengthens George Mason’s role as a key economic driver in Northern Virginia and a critical source of tech talent, while broadening GDIT’s efforts to cultivate a skilled and diversified talent pipeline.

“George Mason has been recognized over the years in numerous college rankings as Virginia’s top public university for diversity, innovation, cybersecurity, homeland security, service to military veterans, and service to students outside the traditional college ages," said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “We are committed to partnering in the region to meet the pace of change in the today’s workforce, providing opportunities for students of all ages and backgrounds to pursue a rigorous education and lead successful careers, and attracting and keeping talent in Virginia.”

This collaboration also aligns with GDIT’s technology investment strategy, which emphasizes employee growth and upskilling. It also enhances government contracting capabilities by leveraging George Mason’s Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting, located within the Costello College of Business. The center is the nation’s first dedicated to addressing business, policy, and regulatory issues in government contracting.

“Expanding our partnership with George Mason demonstrates our commitment to investing in the future workforce,” said Amy Gilliland, GDIT’s president. “As the largest and most diverse educational institution in Northern Virginia, George Mason has played a pivotal role in shaping our talent pipeline for more than a decade. We look forward to further strengthening our relationship so GDIT will continue to be a top employer of choice for George Mason students.”

U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal, and Washington Monthly all rank George Mason as a top public university for the upward mobility of its graduates.

As part of the expanded partnership, GDIT will collaborate with George Mason on several programs, including:

Partnering with the College of Engineering and Computing, as well as Costello College of Business, to expand recruitment opportunities, career mentorship programs, networking sessions, technology open houses, and capstone projects.
Offering students, faculty, and staff opportunities to participate in various GDIT events and initiatives, such as cyber hackathons, career development seminars, and technology showcases at the GDIT Emerge Innovation Center.
Providing industry expertise for George Mason’s Clearance Readiness Program to prepare students interested in a career in the cleared space.
Hosting leadership insight sessions focused on mental health, career pathways, work-based communication skills, and resiliency.

This partnership is part of GDIT’s workforce initiative, which collaborates with high schools, colleges, and universities across the country. GDIT has formed similar partnerships with institutions in Louisiana, Colorado, Texas, and Missouri to foster the next generation of technology innovators and make a positive impact in these communities.

George Mason, one of the largest universities to receive state funding through the Tech Talent Investment Program, has committed to increasing its computing graduates, in both undergraduate and graduate computing programs, to almost 16,000 students over the next two decades. With flourishing partnerships with leading companies like General Dynamics and initiatives supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship across the state, George Mason is building on the more than 15,000 paid or stipend-supported internships available to students annually.

��AV has committed to increasing graduates in both undergraduate and graduate computing programs to almost 16,000 students as part of the state's Tech Talent Investment Program.

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College of Engineering and Computing

partnerships

workforce

Costello College of Business

Mason Now campaign

Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP)

��AV recognized for commitment to access, diversity and inclusion

Colleen Rich — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 17:33:54 +0000

��AV recognized for commitment to access, diversity and inclusion Colleen Rich Wed, 10/09/2024 - 13:33

��AV has been recognized with a 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight into Diversity magazine, an honor given to institutions that demonstrate a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion across their campuses.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The award acknowledges the colleges and universities that are dedicated to promoting access, diversity, and opportunity, creating a more inclusive campus environment. George Mason, along with other 113 recipients, will be featured in the upcoming November/December issue of Insight Into Diversity, the oldest and most-robust diversity-focused publication in higher education.

“This award recognizes George Mason’s steadfast efforts to promote inclusivity within higher education and its unwavering commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and opportunity for all students,” said Sharnnia Artis, George Mason’s vice president and chief diversity officer.

George Mason, with its dedication to access, is ranked best in Virginia for value and upward mobility by U.S. News & World Report and the Wall Street Journal. The Mason Virginia Promise provides a pathway to a bachelor’s degree through both its ADVANCE partnership with Northern Virginia Community College and its expansion to other select community colleges in the commonwealth. The university also has a direct admissions program with more than 20 high schools, which led to more than 400 students enrolled for fall, and is opening two lab schools.

Another example of the university’s work in this area is the Access to Research and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) National Conference, held this spring on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus. The event brought together student researchers, faculty, and industry leaders to address critical issues in mental health, neurodiversity, and immigrant family support, reflecting the university’s commitment to advancing inclusive excellence through meaningful research and community engagement.

In a press release, Lenore Pearlstein, the publisher of Insight Into Diversity, explained the rigorous selection for the award.

“The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees—and best practices for both—leadership support for diversity, campus culture and climate, supplier diversity, and many other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” Pearlstein said. “We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”

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Around Mason (E-Files)

Faculty and Staff News

inclusive excellence

Rubiera becomes the first ADVANCE MVP student to matriculate to George Mason

Colleen Rich — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 14:22:20 +0000

Rubiera becomes the first ADVANCE MVP student to matriculate to George Mason Colleen Rich Mon, 09/09/2024 - 10:22

Alizé Rubiera was focused on graduating from community college and had never heard of ��AV’s ADVANCE Program until she received an e-mail that changed her life last fall.

Photo by John Hollis/Office of University Branding

For Rubiera, this program was the catalyst that led to the 19-year-old Fredericksburg native to transfer from Germanna Community College to George Mason to begin her junior year. Now, she is proudly poised to become the first person in her family to earn a college degree.

ADVANCE, part of the Mason Virginia Promise (MVP) initiative, is a collaborative partnership between ��AV and several Virginia community colleges, designed to enhance the transfer experience for community college students pursuing a bachelor's degree. These partnerships offer significant cost savings, a simplified admission and financial aid process, and access to additional grant programs, all while benefiting from the support of a dedicated advisor to ensure success with no loss of credits.

George Mason’s partnership with Germanna Community College in Fredericksburg, Virginia, was announced in June 2022.

“It feels amazing,” Rubiera said of her eventual graduation. “My mom reminds me every day, and I feel like I’m motivating and inspiring my brothers and sisters. I want them to see that we can do this—that we’re allowed to go to college and have the same opportunities as everyone else.”

The second-youngest of five children, Rubiera, is majoring in criminology, law and society, with aspirations of becoming a criminal defense attorney. Due to graduate in spring 2026, she chose George Mason not only for its criminology program, but also for its diversity. This fall, Rubiera is among the many new faces on the Fairfax Campus and is notably the first ADVANCE MVP student to transfer to George Mason after completing two years at community college.

“Alizé is an MVP trailblazer,” said Rita Alcala, associate director of the Office of Community College Partnerships at George Mason. “Her story and recent transition to George Mason underscore the ADVANCE Program’s importance and its ongoing impact through its extended partnerships. With clear academic pathways, coaching support, and streamlined admissions and matriculation processes, ADVANCE and its partners help make a bachelor’s degree more accessible to community college students across Virginia.”

Rubiera’s story is common among Virginia community college students seeking a better life, as 64% of ADVANCE students identify as first-generation college students.

Currently 60 students are enrolled in the ADVANCE MVP Program across its five extended partner institutions, outside of the flagship institution partnership with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), with more students expected to enroll this coming academic year. George Mason officials expect at least one more ADVANCE MVP extended partnership student to transition to its Fairfax Campus in Spring 2025.

Overall, 66% of Virginia Community College System students now have access to ADVANCE at their respective community colleges.

Rubiera credits her ADVANCE advisor, Dana Brantley, for being invaluable support throughout the transfer process. “She was always reliable whenever I needed guidance,” Rubiera said. “Having an advisor who is available when you’re unsure or confused is crucial, and Dana was always there for me.”

It all started with an unexpected e-mail nearly a year ago. “That e-mail provided me an opportunity that I am extremely grateful for,” Rubiera said.

Learn more about ADVANCE

Explore the growing list of ADVANCE pathways for community college students

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Mason Virginia Promise

ADVANCE

first-generation

First-year setter Tuana Ozarpaci is learning fast about the U.S. and Division I volleyball

Sarah Holland — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 19:52:52 +0000

First-year setter Tuana Ozarpaci is learning fast about the U.S. and Division I volleyball Sarah Holland Thu, 08/29/2024 - 15:52

The heavier volleyball used in NCAA Division-I play and the different feel from its international counterpart isn’t the only change to which ��AV’s Tuana Ozarpaci is quickly acclimating herself.

Photo by Rafael Suanes/Mason Athletics

Living in a foreign land, far away from home for the first time, the 18-year-old first-year setter from Istanbul, Republic of Türkiye, is taking a crash course, learning volumes both on the court and off as she settles in at her new home-away-from-home.

“It’s a whole new change, but it’s a good change,” said Ozarpaci, an economics and sports management major. “I just want to focus on my studies, volleyball, and my personal growth.”

Attending a university far from friends and family can have its challenges, but Ozarpaci is adapting well to her new environment and her new volleyball family.

In early spring 2023, Ozarpaci announced her intention to play for George Mason, becoming coach Megan Shifflett Bachman’s first commit for the incoming class of 2024. Ozarpaci chose George Mason over University of Texas, DePaul, and Loyola Marymount, citing the close relationship she had quickly developed with Shifflett Backman and current Patriots players via Zoom and her desire to find a new home preferably on the East Coast.

Ozarpaci had initially drawn the university’s attention with her impressive performance on the Turkish club team Galatasaray Sports Club, where she played in 414 sets across 133 matches and led her team with 1,000+ assists each season as the starting setter for the past three consecutive seasons.

Shifflett Bachman was on maternity leave when she heard of Ozarpaci’s decision to come to George Mason. “She was just one of those athletes who really stood out,” Shifflett Bachman said. “What she could do with the ball was impressive and immediately caught our attention.”

The number of international student-athletes playing Division I women’s volleyball has slowly risen in recent years, but they still comprise just under 6% of all Division I players, according to the latest NCAA statistics.

But Ozarpaci could play a key role for a George Mason team that looks to improve last year’s 9-21 record. Setters are the team’s quarterbacks, meaning they usually touch the ball on every play to set up teammates. Having a keen on-court awareness, knowing her teammates and accurately placing the ball are skills that are imperative for that position.

Ozarpaci will get her opportunity this fall, with the Patriots returning just one setter from last year’s team.

“Being a freshman—especially as an international student—is always going to be hard, no matter what,” Ozarpaci said. “But the coaches are making me feel safe and welcome while pushing me to improve and learn how to do things better.”

She had visited the United States with her parents and older sister before enrolling at George Mason, but the family had never been to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area before arriving in Fairfax on Aug. 1. Now, she is ready to brave this chapter on her own.

A huge basketball fan, Ozarpaci already plans on being a regular at EagleBank Arena this winter, at least when she’s not too busy with classes or sampling American culinary delights, such as Chick-fil-A and Dunkin, both on the Fairfax Campus. Ozarpaci has become a big fan of both.

“I’m loving it here, it’s beautiful, and I feel like I’m going to grow a lot,” Ozarpaci said.

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Student Athlete

College of Education and Human Development

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��AV honored as a top Military Friendly University

Colleen Rich — Tue, 28 May 2024 15:21:14 +0000

��AV honored as a top Military Friendly University Colleen Rich Tue, 05/28/2024 - 11:21

��AV’s commitment to the military community was officially recognized with a top designation as a 2024-25 Gold Military Friendly® School in the latest Military Friendly listings.

George Mason was among the 243 schools recognized with “Gold” status for their leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs in the listing of the nation’s top Military Friendly® institutions for the 2024-25 school year.

“This recognition is only possible thanks to the supportive relationships we have built with individual offices, programs, and colleges,” said Jennifer Connors, director of George Mason’s Office of Military Services. “Leadership, faculty, and staff have an unwavering commitment to those who serve. Given our location in the National Capital Region, we have a deep-rooted culture of appreciation. ��AV is dedicated to ensuring that our military members, veterans, and their families receive the respect and resources they deserve.”

About 10% of George Mason students are current or former military, or military dependents. George Mason’s nursing and education online master’s programs for veterans are Top 20 nationally, and business is top 50. More than 2,000 Mason students using Veterans Affairs education benefits, and more than 100 are using Department of Defense Federal Tuition Assistance. Almost 800 use the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program.

George Mason also has about 1,000 veterans who are adjuncts, administrative and professional faculty, instructional faculty or research faculty, classified staff, or student or wage employees.

The university’s Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative strengthens bonds and builds community among veteran students, alumni and families, and supports the education, well-being and professional development of veterans.

More than 1,800 schools were evaluated from public data sources and a proprietary survey, with 537 recognized with Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards. The entire list will be published in G.I. Jobs magazine’s May issue and can also be found at militaryfriendly.com.

Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory, an independent research firm that connects the military community to civilian employment and educational and entrepreneurial opportunities. Criteria included student retention, graduation rates, job placement, student loan repayment, persistence (degree advancement or transfer), and loan default rates for all students and student veterans in particular.

Topics

Office of Military Services

Military

Military Veterans and Families Initiative (MVFI)