Bachelor of Individualized Study

Lifelong learning turns into a bachelor’s degree for this first-year Mason student

Sarah Holland — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 17:37:41 +0000

Lifelong learning turns into a bachelor’s degree for this first-year Mason student Sarah Holland Tue, 10/10/2023 - 13:37

James “Jimmy” Stewart has always had a passion for learning.

During his 10 years serving in the U.S. Army, Stewart took classes at various colleges based on where he was stationed. His transcript boasts coursework from universities across Europe and the United States, though he never formalized a degree program. “I was initially focused on technology and law courses that were related to my role in the army—which was doing technology for the Judge Advocate General Corps (JAG), the law firm for the Army,” he said. “But also took a few core courses, like history, just in case.”

Stewart left the military during the dotcom boom of the late 1990s. His experience allowed for a smooth transition to a civilian career in the technology sector, working his way up to senior-level positions at national nonprofits and law firms. “I knew that not having a degree would always be a challenge to get employment,” he said. “With my certifications and the number of years of experience, I was able to get into the sector. But it has been a limiter; I’ve had to look for positions that prioritize hands-on experience as opposed to degree experience.”

When his 11-year-old daughter started showing interest in college, Stewart saw an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of higher education by finally getting his bachelor’s degree.

_{“I used to live across the street from Mason Square, and my wife is a Mason alum, so ��AV was the logical first choice,”}
_{he said. “I want her to see that if her dad can do it, she can do it, too, when it’s time.”}

Stewart enrolled in the Individualized Study Program in the School of Integrative Studies in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), with a concentration in leadership and strategic communications. The Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) at Mason is designed for nontraditional students who are starting or returning to college after previous careers and life experiences. BIS took Stewart’s career and military experience, as well as his certifications and previous college courses, and converted them into credits that apply toward his degree; he started Mason this fall with 77 credits.

“I was always worried that getting the degree wouldn’t fit into my other responsibilities as a husband, a father, and employee,” he said. “But when I worked with my academic advisor to map out the degree, I thought, ‘Wow this is achievable!’ I only wish I had done it sooner.”

Stewart hopes to keep his daughter engaged by showing her his coursework, talking about his classes, and pointing out Mason wherever they go—like on the Metrobuses. “I want her to keep being excited with the idea of college, keep thinking of college as the next step,” he said. “I want to be a role model for her.”

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Unexpected path leads Mason grad to academic excellence and a new perspective

Colleen Rich — Mon, 08 May 2023 13:41:08 +0000

Unexpected path leads Mason grad to academic excellence and a new perspective Colleen Rich Mon, 05/08/2023 - 09:41

��AV has been part of Heather Moss’ life for as long as she can remember—she even has pictures of herself on campus at only a few weeks old. Growing up, Moss watched as Mason expanded, becoming the vibrant and diverse community it is today.

Patriot father and daughter duo: Bennett Crandall and Heather Moss. Photo by Sarah Holland/Office of University Branding

Her father, Bennett Crandall, BIS ’06, worked on campus as a bookstore manager in the 1980s when Moss was a baby. When Moss was in high school, her father enrolled in classes at Mason to complete his degree through Mason’s Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) Program.

Now, Moss is about to graduate from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ BIS Program herself, with a 4.0 GPA and as the recipient of two prestigious academic awards. The BIS faculty and staff nominated Moss for the School of Integrative Studies (SIS) Outstanding Graduate Award, an award given to graduating students who have greatly contributed to the life of the college and university. Recipients of this award embody the values and teachings of SIS and show the promise of using what they’ve learned to make the world a better place. Because she is graduating with one of the top GPAs in the BIS program, Moss will also receive an SIS Academic Excellence Award.

Given her Mason roots, it might seem like following in her father’s footsteps was something she always planned, but her journey—one of determination, hard work, and grit—was not one she had predicted. When asked about the accomplishment she is most proud of as a student, she said earning and keeping her 4.0, adding, “Never in my life did I think those words would ever come out of my mouth.”

Immediately following high school, Moss attended Radford University. She left before completing her degree, returning home to Northern Virginia uncertain of her next move. She started working at Mason part-time at the Aquatic and Fitness Center on the Fairfax Campus, picking up any shifts that she could.

Eventually, she got a full-time position working at the front desk of Mason’s Office of University Events, where she was promoted to a student scheduler position. Moss loved it, but she couldn’t shake a nagging feeling about not completing her degree.

Moss recalls the pivotal moment when her husband, whom she was dating at the time, asked what her long-term goals were. Without hesitation, she said she needed to complete her degree. He replied with an enthusiastic, “What are we waiting for; let’s do it!” That was just the encouragement and support she needed.

Heather Moss and her father, Bennett Crandall, outside The Hub. Photo provided

Moss signed up for classes at Northern Virginia Community College to raise her GPA, applied to Mason’s BIS program, and started classes in Fall 2020.

“I was not a good student in high school,” she said. “In my first go-round in college, I was a terrible student, terrible. I hated school. But I thrived in this program. I've found what I'm passionate about.”

Her father is immensely proud of her academic achievement. “I know from experience the challenges involved with deciding to go back to school later in life and while raising a family,” Crandall said. “Heather deserves all the credit in the world for making that decision. Thanks to the BIS program, we are a proud Mason family.”

Designed for adult learners, Mason’s BIS Program allows students to create interdisciplinary concentrations to meet their own educational needs for professional advancement, career change, preparation for graduate school, and personal satisfaction.

“CHSS changed my life,” Moss said. “It changed so many things for me, but mainly how I look at myself.”

One of the first classes BIS students take is BIS 301 Adult Learner Transition, a class designed to help adult learners develop skills and plans to overcome challenges of completing a bachelor's degree as an adult. Moss credits this class, taught and developed by Janet Ha Poirot, term assistant professor and associate director of academic services in BIS, for setting the tone for her education at Mason.

“Janet taught us how to re-evaluate ourselves, and that you are not less valuable because you don’t have a degree. It totally changed the way I looked at myself,” she said. “I never put myself out there because I was really scared of being rejected because I didn't have my degree. Just working toward it gave me all this confidence that I didn’t have before.”

Poirot served as Moss’s faculty mentor for her senior capstone research project, for which she conducted interdisciplinary research on the important issue of teacher burnout and how the pandemic has added layers of additional stress on elementary school teachers. She said Moss’s positivity has been an inspiration.

“Heather is a wonderful student, dedicated to academic excellence and has been such a champion of BIS, uplifting many students in the classroom as well,” Poirot said. “I’ve been impressed with her excellent research work, diligence, and commitment and I am excited for her bright future.”

As far as what’s next for Heather, she plans to continue working for CHSS, where she is the assistant director of Events and Community Engagement. She's eager to foster relationships with BIS alumni and grow the BIS alumni chapter. Eventually, she’d like to get her master’s degree. On graduation day, she’ll walk away with two prestigious academic awards as her husband, parents, and almost-2-year-old daughter cheer her on.

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Leaders highlight Winter Graduation

Damian Cristodero — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 10:30:00 +0000

Leaders highlight Winter Graduation Damian Cristodero Thu, 12/19/2019 - 05:30

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High-achieving Mason student keeps on giving back

Colleen Rich — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 09:02:56 +0000

High-achieving Mason student keeps on giving back Colleen Rich Tue, 09/03/2019 - 05:02

Update: Amini Bonane was coronated as Miss Black DC 2020 on Feb. 1, 2020.

Amini Bonane. Photo by Lathan Goumas/Office of Communications and Marketing.

What began as a vacation to the United States became a permanent stay for Amini Bonane and her family when war broke out in their home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“I’m really grateful to be here, and I take nothing for granted,” said Bonane, who said she escaped the war at age 2.

The ��AV senior, studying finance, philosophy and law in the bachelor of individualized study program, said she wants to empower African youth and women, and is a member of the African Women Council and the African Immigrant Caucus. She said her gratitude drives her to give back.

In addition to having served as the president of Mason’s Model African Union, Tau Sigma Honor Society, and on the executive boards of the African Student Association and Student Government, Bonane started a jewelry line, Nchi J Co, that supports Malaika, a girls’ school in her home country.

She also created a nonprofit organization to support Brains Then Beauty, a women’s mentorship program she founded on campus in 2018. Due to demand, a men’s chapter—Brains Then Brawn—will be starting this fall, Bonane said.

“I believe that your race, gender, [and] socioeconomic background should never determine your quality of life,” Bonane said. “That’s why I created this space of support for students.”

The organization encourages its members to define and refine themselves before following society’s blueprint for who they should be, Bonane said. It incorporates volunteering—last year Bonane said the students packaged more than 300,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger—as well as personal and professional development events, such as networking brunches with professionals.

“Amini is a natural leader. Most importantly, Amini seems to be someone who does not just want to lead but elevate and support other leaders,” said Mason School of Integrative Studies and history professor Wendi N. Manuel-Scott, faculty advisor of Brains Then Beauty. “If Amini continues to demonstrate indefatigable determination and selflessness, she will be a force to be reckoned with.”

Bonane said Mason has also provided an opportunity-creating network.

“It’s been amazing—through the people that I’ve met at Mason, I’ve been able to create the opportunities to mold what I wanted my experience to be and to create a community for people to come together,” Bonane said.

She said participating in Mason Lobbies with Student Government gave her experience with lobbying and helped her advocate for other issues, such as the Conflict Free Campus Initiative.

Summer opportunities, like the Mason Summer Entrepreneurship Accelerator Program (MSEA), where Bonane conducted customer analysis, will help her jewelry company advance to the next level, she said.

“[MSEA] was such an intensive learning environment,” Bonane said of the program that allowed her to learn from experienced entrepreneurs and gave her new business ideas. “I learned we weren’t selling jewelry, we’re selling culture…. It’s our way of making an impact on the world.”

When not working on her business this summer, Bonane interned as a research associate at the Seven Pillars Institute, a think tank focused on financial ethics.

Bonane, who gave a TEDx Talk last November, is also completing her undergraduate degree while earning a corporate finance certification online from Harvard. She said she intends to earn a master’s degree in finance there after graduating from Mason.

Her schedule may seem intense, but Bonane has learned to delegate, take breaks and ask for help when needed, she said. She plans to keep moving forward.

“Giving back to your community is the number one thing you can do to show how grateful you are to be in that community,” Bonane said. “My purpose on this earth is to help others—why else was I chosen to have these amazing opportunities?”

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Stitching arts and engineering together for a purpose

Melanie Balog — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 17:23:48 +0000

Stitching arts and engineering together for a purpose Melanie Balog Wed, 08/07/2019 - 13:23

When Amanda Jarvis was a child and her school in rural Oklahoma lost its arts funding, it was an immediate disappointment, she said. But it also had ripple consequences.

“There was no guidance or programs in our schools to make me realize that [various career paths] could be a possibility,” Jarvis said. “I really want to be able to give back and help kids in those situations.”

Mason senior Amanda Jarvis demonstrates a wearable electronic prototype device. When it is attached to a performer, that person's movements make music. Photo provided.

Whether the ��AV senior is creating a sustainable fashion challenge to encourage students to upcycle and learn about the impact of the fashion industry, making upcycled sculptures, or working on a project that stitches together art and engineering at The MIX, Jarvis said she hopes her unconventional creativity can make an impact.

Her side projects, which she said may inspire her upcoming capstone project for the bachelor of individualized study program, could be the first step in doing that.

One of Jarvis’ LED prototypes that eventually will be embedded in an aerial performer’s costume. It includes laser cut fabric made at The MIX. Photo provided.

Jarvis, who learned to sew from her grandmother as a child and has been making her own clothes for years, is now being commissioned to create wearable electronics for her friends who are circus performers. When a motion or light sensor is activated, the circus costume is programmed to play different music notes, she explained.

Jarvis hopes the project will morph into an interactive “science fair meets circus” collaboration, where “we could travel around to areas where kids don’t have access to arts and engineering. And they would be able to be exposed to it and hopefully be inspired.”

That’s important because inspiration has the potential to impact society, Jarvis said.

“What’s fun [is] when you do something artistic and creative, you get to play and experiment and discover techniques that can be applied to more serious applications, like medical and assistive technology and special education,” Jarvis said.

Jarvis encountered wearable electronics when she spent time working at a technology company after earning her associate’s degree in business from Northern Virginia Community College. She enrolled at Mason because she wanted to be in a more creative space and study to make costumes for film.

“It’s been really cool to be in this environment within Mason, because if The MIX wasn’t here, I don’t think I would’ve come across this stuff in the way that I did, where it all comes together,” said Jarvis, who works part time as The MIX’s maker manager and coordinates workshops for the Mason community on everything from sewing to 3D printing.

A musical “rag harp” sculpture, created with yarn made from upcycled t-shirts. The yarn is embedded with sensors that play music when touched. Photo provided.

At Mason, Jarvis has had additional opportunities to grow professionally, including a costume and textile internship at the Hillwood Museum in 2017 with her mentor and now-retired Mason professor Howard Kurtz.

“Among many other great qualities, [Jarvis] is collaborative and insightful,” said Karen Livingston, associate director for entrepreneurship programs at Mason. “These qualities allow Amanda to act as a leader, bringing multidisciplinary teams together to create meaningful impact, while also providing the much-needed flair of creativity, technical know-how, and out-of-the box thinking to the table.”

“Wherever life takes her, I imagine that those around her will continue to be empowered and inspired by these outstanding qualities and positive energy,” Livingston said.

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Lifelong learning turns into a bachelor’s degree for this first-year Mason student

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