Graduation

Earning a master’s degree and graduate certificate online worked perfectly for neurosurgeon Nick Marko

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 16:59:27 +0000

Earning a master’s degree and graduate certificate online worked perfectly for neurosurgeon Nick Marko Andrew J Schappert Mon, 06/24/2024 - 12:59

In This Story

Louise I. Shelley

Gregory Koblentz

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There are lifelong learners and then there are individuals like Nick Marko, who recently graduated with a Master of Biodefense and a graduate certificate in illicit trade analysis from the Schar School of Policy and Government at ��AV.

Before earning his degree in May, Nick Marko (left) received the Outstanding Biodefense Student Award. Pictured here with his advisor Gregory Koblentz. Photo by John Boal Photography

Marko also happens to be a board-certified neurosurgeon who currently serves as director of neurosurgery for LewisGale Health System in Salem, Virginia.

“I am someone who has a hard time not continuing to learn,” he said.

Marko decided to pursue a master’s in biodefense at the Schar School because of an interest in the history of biological and chemical weapons development, proliferation, and use, including both the science and the policy/political dimensions.

“I had read as much as I could on my own in my spare time, but there is always the situation of ‘You don’t know what you don’t know,’” he said.

Marko was familiar with George Mason’s reputation, having attended college and medical school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and was aware of the school’s online offerings.

“I knew that George Mason had one of the first departments in this [biodefense] space and that it had a great faculty,” he said. “Also, the ability to do the work online was a big plus for me, because I have a full-time day job and had to do coursework on nights and weekends in a bit of a protracted fashion. Ultimately the fit was perfect for my needs.”

Initially planning to earn a graduate certificate in biodefense, Marko’s coursework piqued his interest and led him to earn both the master’s degree and certificate.

“Things got a little bigger in scope than I had initially planned, but it was a great experience,” he said.

Because he completed his degree and certificate coursework completely online (with a few in-person campus visits), Marko appreciated the Schar School’s flexibility.

“The Dean's office was accommodating to my somewhat unique situation and was open to facilitating solutions that allowed me to pursue the degree,” he said. “I was grateful that such an opportunity was available because I couldn’t have made it work otherwise.”

He also praises his professors and advisors, Louise Shelley and Gregory Koblentz.

“They were absolutely terrific,” he said. “I met with them personally several times, and we traded a lot of emails. Both are incredibly knowledgeable and well-connected in their fields. I couldn’t have asked for a better pair of mentors.”

Before earning his degree in May, Marko earned the Outstanding Biodefense Student Award, a testament to his academic efforts and love of learning.

“I am proud of the work that I have done as part of the program,” he said. “I am fortunate to have the opportunity to explore some topics of personal interest at this stage of my life and my career, and the biodefense master's was an example of how I intend to keep doing that.”

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Graduation

Mason Korea Commencement caps off a week of festivities

Colleen Rich — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 17:34:35 +0000

Mason Korea Commencement caps off a week of festivities Colleen Rich Thu, 06/20/2024 - 13:34

The week of 10th anniversary festivities culminated with Mason Korea faculty, staff, students, and proud families gathering to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2024.

Guests also had the opportunity to witness two Mason Korea firsts as Vice Provost Janette Muir hooded its first doctoral graduate, Eric W. Ross, PhD Cultural Studies ’24, and Washington recognized its first Presidential Faculty Excellence Award recipient Eunmee Lee.

Photo by Mason Korea

Ross and Lee are both Mason Korea faculty members. Ross teaches in the School of Integrative Studies. Lee joined Mason as a faculty member for INTO Mason in 2015. In 2016, she transferred to the Mason Korea faculty in Incheon, where she is currently an instructional associate professor and teaches English for academic purposes. Lee is also the founder and director of Mason Korea’s Academic Resource Center.

In his congratulatory remarks, Washington highlighted the campus’s unique role, stating, “Mason Korea exemplifies how George Mason is 'All Together Different' and how our university offers students the experiences necessary to chart their own path, but at the same time prepares them for success in the global economy.”

The event also featured distinguished guests, including senior administrators from ��AV and members of the Mason Korea advisory board.

Dean Robert Matz and Shannon Davis, associate dean for faculty and academic affairs, offered heartfelt congratulatory remarks.

Graduating senior Se Na Julsdorf, BA Conflict Analysis and Resolution ’24, delivered a moving speech on behalf of the student body, and George Mason alum Gunsu Kim, BS Tourism and Events Management ’12, CEO of ALLWorks, had the honor of pinning the newest graduates.

Photo by Mason Korea

Learn more about Mason Korea's 10th Anniversary

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Going global as Mason Korea’s first computational and data sciences graduate

Colleen Rich — Tue, 21 May 2024 16:09:41 +0000

Going global as Mason Korea’s first computational and data sciences graduate Colleen Rich Tue, 05/21/2024 - 12:09

Traveling abroad has been part of Jimin Jeon’s life for as long as she can remember. She traveled with her mom during every school vacation, which allowed her to visit 23 countries by the time she was a college student. Being exposed to different cultures from a young age helped her develop a desire to pursue her college education abroad. That brought her to Mason Korea after 12 years of Korean public school education.

World traveler and Mason Korea grad Jimin Jeon in Washington, D.C. Photo provided

“While the thought of studying abroad was exciting, I felt burdened by the language barrier to study abroad in the U.S. right after graduating high school,” Jeon said. “Mason Korea was an alternative to ease that transition by improving my English skills in a more familiar setting in South Korea.”

Jeon was part of the first cohort in the newly established Computational and Data Sciences Department at Mason Korea. Although her frequent travels around the world prompted her to major in global affairs, she had her mind set on the world of big data since high school. Thus, after her freshman year, once the new major was opened, she made the jump to the STEM field.

Jeon found she had direct opportunities to engage in data analysis. Her favorite part of Mason Korea was the Career Development Center, which allowed students like her to be exposed to opportunities in data analytics to gain technical hands-on experiences. Her first work experience was through the center as a data science intern at a real estate AI valuation startup during her junior year.

“It was a special opportunity to see how the knowledge about programming languages I acquired in the classroom be applied in the real workforce and identify the areas that I need to continue to improve to be a more competent data scientist,” said Jeon.

Transitioning to the Fairfax Campus in the fall semester of 2023, Jeon stayed true to her goal of diversifying her experiences. Her last semester at George Mason included working as a teaching assistant for the Computational and Data Sciences Department in the College of Science, performing data cleaning for an on-campus project, and helping students practice their Korean through the language exchange program. She took advantage of the language environment so that she could build her English skills.

Jeon is now a proud graduate in computational and data sciences, one of the few who enrolled in the major in 2020. She is excited about the job opportunities she has and wants to encourage all those who have just closed their four-year journey.

“For students just like myself, who have spent their whole life in the Korean education system, going to Mason Korea alone is a challenge,” she said. “Learning about various topics at a more sophisticated level in a language that you are not familiar with was also not an easy task for me. Yet, the four-year voyage of diverse experiences and success itself shows that I can take on any challenge at any point in my life.”

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Outstanding Graduating Student: Amanda Magpiong

rstaffo2 — Fri, 17 May 2024 16:59:59 +0000

Outstanding Graduating Student: Amanda Magpiong rstaffo2 Fri, 05/17/2024 - 12:59

Each semester, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at ��AV recognizes some of their most outstanding graduating students. Honors College Spring 2024 graduate Amanda Magpiong was nominated by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology for her academic achievements and contributions.

What was the most impactful class you took in your major?

Intro to Biological Anthropology with Dr. Rick Smith, it changed my life. Dr. Smith has been the best mentor and been in my corner since that class. He has coached me through research, 2 conference presentations, and helped me land internships and jobs even outside of anthropology.

What activities were you involved in during your time at Mason that impacted you?

Clubs: President of Patriot PIRG helped launch Generation Action, President of Club Softball. Research: anthropology research for two years, with funding help through OSCAR. Internships: Africa Unite (Cape Town, South Africa, through Mason living abroad for two months) and with a Congressman from Philadelphia on Capitol Hill. They have all been amazing and my time abroad was life changing.

What is your most memorable “Mason moment?”

The feeling of rebuilding a group of girls into a real softball team watching them all become friends and play as one.

As you are reflecting on your time at Mason, what is one piece of advice you would give a student who is just starting off on their Mason journey?

Take EVERY opportunity that you can, you won't regret it.

What is your next step after graduation? What are your future plans?

Possibly to work in politics in D.C. or a PhD program.

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Department of Sociology and Anthropology

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Graduation

This Senior of the Year found ‘true community’ at George Mason

Colleen Rich — Thu, 09 May 2024 21:24:11 +0000

This Senior of the Year found ‘true community’ at George Mason Colleen Rich Thu, 05/09/2024 - 17:24

Senior of the Year Celine Apenteng has made an impact during her time at ��AV, and she isn’t done. After graduating this spring with a bachelor’s degree in conflict analysis and resolution with a concentration in global engagement, and minor in intelligence studies, the Silver Spring, Maryland, native will continue to pursue her master’s degree in international security at the Schar School of Policy and Government through the university’s accelerated master’s program.

Senior of the Year Celine Apenteng. Photo provided

Senior of the Year is awarded annually by the George Mason Alumni Association. In nominating Apenteng, her academic advisors at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution—Isaac Jasper, Jane Walker, Averi Jordan—wrote: “From her academic to her professional success, Celine has shown she is leaving the university as an ambassador of the best George Mason has to offer.”

Throughout her college career, Apenteng, who is a member of the Honors College, was active in Student Government, serving as Student Body Vice President in 2022-23 and as Speaker of the Student Senate. She also was a member of President Gregory Washington's Student Advisory Board and co-chair of the Student Advisory Council for the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Outside of the classroom, Apenteng held several internships that she said helped shape her as a person and a professional. She interned at the White House in the Office of Public Engagement and U.S. Department of State.

She also started out as an intern at the Carter School’s John Mitchell Jr. Program for History, Justice, and Race, which focuses on promoting a more informed public, political, and academic dialogue on the intersections between historical memory, justice, and racial reconciliation. She continues her work with the program as a fellow, documenting the impact of lynching incidents on African American communities and conducting historical archiving to preserve evidence of racial terror.

How have you grown while at George Mason?

Mason has helped me create a life of collaborative relationships instead of competitive ones. When I look for friendships, workspaces, and all other types of connections, I find myself gravitating toward people who want the same, a life filled with supportive people, doing their best, whatever that looks like, and wanting the best for the people around them. I can’t say that wanting that has changed since coming to Mason, but my efforts to seek it out certainly have.

Senior of the Year Celine Apenteng with Carter School Dean Alpaslan Özerdem. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

How did your internships affect your career path?

[The internships] have all offered me different perspectives on what progress looks like for the world. Without a doubt, I can say that the key players are the local leaders we see every day who help us when no one is looking. As people look for opportunities, solutions, and answers, don’t overlook what your local or regional efforts can do for the people you know and the people you don’t.

What’s your best memory at George Mason?

During my junior year, I was Student Body vice president. Although the entire year is filled with great memories, one that sticks out the most is the fall farmer's market. So many people had come out to support the local vendors we had brought to campus, Student Government members were out in full force, and we were all having a great time. We danced to music, played games, and of course ate really good food. Seeing everyone out just happy to be in that environment made me really happy, and I hope that event continues with the same excitement that made so many people feel the presence of true community at Mason.

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

You are on time. If you think you’re behind, you're not. There’s no science to living life and college is just one chapter of a (hopefully) very long book! It can be easy to feel like everything is passing you by, but just think back to high school and where you thought you’d be now. Your hopes will change, your dreams will change, and you will change. And that’s all just a part of the process of being alive. So don’t stress about what you can’t control and enjoy what you can.

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George Mason honors nearly 11,000 at Spring 2024 Commencement ceremony

Melanie Balog — Thu, 09 May 2024 20:29:03 +0000

George Mason honors nearly 11,000 at Spring 2024 Commencement ceremony Melanie Balog Thu, 05/09/2024 - 16:29

��AV’s 2024 graduating class—the first whose members can say they earned a degree from a consensus top 50 public university in the country—was honored Thursday morning in front of an energized crowd at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus. The ceremony was also livestreamed.

The university celebrated nearly 11,000 degree and certificate earners, from 114 countries and 50 states, a significant number of whom filled every chair on the floor and spilled into the arena seating.

Some of the most enthusiastic celebrators of the newest George Mason graduates were the oldest George Mason graduates—several “Golden Patriots” who earned their degrees 50 or more years ago.

Guest speaker Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA, encouraged the graduates to remain optimistic even in times of uncertainty and to avoid trying to map out career moves too far in advance. She shared a personal story about working at a company for 27 years but being passed over for a CEO position because she was not considered executive material.

That setback inspired her to volunteer to take on new and challenging roles. She encouraged the graduates to “raise your hand” when opportunities arise that align with their sense of purpose.

“To be an optimist is to see the world as it is, identifying problems, and searching for ground truth,” Humpton said. “It’s about believing that you have what it takes to persevere, to find solutions amid difficulty, to recognize that your worst day might actually lead to your best.”

Vice Rector Jon M. Peterson presented Humpton with an honorary doctor of humane letters.

George Mason President Gregory Washington addresses the Spring 2024 Commencement crowd from the stage at EagleBank Arena. Photo by Ron Aira/��AV

George Mason President Gregory Washington acknowledged the global events that have informed the experiences of the 2024 graduates, and noted that as graduates of Virginia’s largest and most diverse public university, they have a strong foundation for tackling these and other global challenges.

“I hope that your George Mason education has prepared you to separate fact from fiction. To discern without demonizing. To listen as passionately as you speak—even when your heart races and your ears burn.

“Who better to bear the weight of lifting us out of our downward spiral than you—future leaders who these past few years have lived, learned, and engaged in one of the most diverse environments you will find,” he said.

As he does at each graduation ceremony, Washington asked the first-generation graduates to stand, and then asked the community college transfers who are graduating to stand. Both requests elicited a swell of rising green gowns and rounds of applause. About 1 in 4 George Mason graduates is first generation.

One of them was student speaker Zayd Hamid, a public administration major and Honors College student from Manassas Park, Virginia. He pointed out that graduates who started at the university in 2020 have gone from completing a Mason health check every day during the pandemic to completing their hard-earned degrees.

One of the more active students at the university, Hamid gave special shoutouts to Mason Lobbies, Mason Recreation, Patriot Leaders, supportive Mason alumni he has encountered, and Pell Grant recipients who like him needed federal financial support to achieve their academic goals. Hamid has lobbied for student financial aid on Capitol Hill and is ready to join with his fellow Mason alumni in tackling other major issues.

“Leading with authenticity is the only way that we know how to lead,” Hamid said. “It’s up to our generation to solve the grand challenges facing humanity. We are the only ones who can.”

Alumni Association President Christine Landoll, BS Accounting ’89 and MS Taxation ’92, welcomed the newest alums and encouraged them to remain engaged with the university and to remember they are among an influential group of 235,000 George Mason alumni worldwide and across industries and communities.

“Leverage this incredible network and connect and continue your Mason story,” Landoll said. “Please take your Mason pride with you wherever you go.”

New graduates celebrate at the end of Spring 2024 Commencement. Photo by Ron Aira/��AV

Congrats, Grads! Visit the Alumni Association site

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Spring Commencement

George Mason's Spring 2024 Commencement in pictures

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 09 May 2024 19:22:24 +0000

George Mason's Spring 2024 Commencement in pictures Lauren Reuscher Thu, 05/09/2024 - 15:22

Spring 2024 Commencement at ��AV on May 9 at EagleBank Arena celebrated nearly 11,000 graduates and certificate recipients. Graduates hailed from 114 countries and 50 states. Mason photographers captured the excitement and spirit of the day.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

George Mason President Gregory Washington delivered Commencement remarks to an arena packed with graduates. Photo by Ron Aira/��AV

Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

Graduate Anissa Clay Zelaya sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” during Spring 2024 Commencement at EagleBank Arena. Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

Photo by Ron Aira/��AV

Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

Photo by Ron Aira/��AV

Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Ken Walsh, student Commencement speaker Zayd Hamid, Rector Horace Blackman, and President Gregory Washington. Photo by Ayman Rashid/��AV

Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

Congrats, Grads! Visit the Alumni Association site

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Commencement Speaker Barbara Humpton's remarks to George Mason's spring 2024 graduates

Colleen Rich — Thu, 09 May 2024 17:38:35 +0000

Commencement Speaker Barbara Humpton's remarks to George Mason's spring 2024 graduates Colleen Rich Thu, 05/09/2024 - 13:38

As Prepared for Delivery

Good morning, everyone.

Thank you, President Washington and Vice Rector Peterson, for this honor and the invitation to speak today.

Let me also acknowledge Interim Provost Walsh, the Board of Visitors, deans, faculty and staff ... and, of course, let’s hear it for our graduates!

Congratulations to all of you.

��AV is a special place. You are graduating from a prestigious institution.

Barbara Humpton addresses the crowd at Spring 2024 Commencement. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

I know it’s been a lot of hard work. Plenty of late nights. Great conversations out on the Quad. Maybe a quick visit to the George Mason statue before a really tough test. And I’m guessing there were a few parties, too.

You have excelled at this institution. You’ve made tremendous friendships you’ll carry for the rest of your lives. And now, you face your biggest assignment yet—building your own future.

Let me ask you: When you look ahead to this endeavor, are you excited? Nervous? Maybe you don’t know what’s next. That’s okay. Or maybe you do know what’s next and can see the future you want unfolding.

The key thing is this: Get comfortable with uncertainty. Because you can’t plan out every next step.

What you can do is be adaptable. Be yourself. Be authentic to who you are. And not just when everything is going well, but especially when you face setbacks.

Leading our team at Siemens USA is one of the great joys of my life. But what set it in motion was actually the worst day of my career.

It happened when I was at a different company—a company that I had been with for 27 years. I was doing a job that I loved.

I had started off in a technical role in the early days of software programming. I advanced into management and got to lead teams delivering tough projects for the U.S. government. And then, one day, I was called into my boss’s boss’s office.

During that meeting, I was told that they had looked at all the jobs in the company. They had figured out that mine was one of the toughest. They said that my job was the perfect training ground for someone who could one day be CEO.

And then … they asked me to step aside. They said, “We don’t see you going further.” They wanted to put a candidate for CEO in my role. And I wasn’t a candidate myself.

You see, I didn’t fit the mold. At the time, it was believed there was an ideal model for a leader. Executives needed to be molded to fit that ideal.

I was told I was too nice. Too optimistic. I smiled too much. I wasn’t “executive material.”

So, yes, that felt like a bad day. By all accounts, it was a bad day.

Stop and ask, How would you react in that situation? Would you object? Would you try to defend your position? Would you crumble and dissolve in self-pity? Would you quit?

I’ll tell you what I did. I got to work transitioning my role to the next CEO candidate.

I did everything in my power to ensure our customers and people would be well taken care of. I had a conversation with my husband. I asked him, “Where would we like to be in 10 years?” And I created a profile on that newfangled tool called LinkedIn.

You see, I’m an optimist. And I believe that optimism is how we find opportunity in uncertainty. Optimism is how we turn setbacks into steps forward.

Now, you may be thinking, “Okay, Barb, this sounds great and all, but being optimistic is easier said than done.” What happens when life really feels like it’s coming undone, when everything feels unsteady?

Let me be clear: I’m not talking about putting on rose-colored glasses when things get tough. I’m not talking about only looking at the sunny side of things. That’s not the definition of optimism.

To be an optimist is to see the world as it is, identifying problems and searching for the ground truth. It's about believing that you have what it takes to persevere ... to find solutions amid difficulty ... to recognize that your worst day might actually lead to your best.

After that day, I connected with former mentors and colleagues. I opened myself up to new opportunities. And I pursued those opportunities.

And that's what led me to Siemens. As it turned out, that tough job was a great training ground for a future CEO!

I didn’t change my leadership style. But something else did change. Society changed. Business changed. What did change was the concept of who can be a leader and what it means to lead.

The truth is, leadership comes in a lot of different packages. And it’s by bringing our different strengths together that we get the best results—in our businesses, in our universities, and in our communities.

So … how did I eventually get the job? I raised my hand.

For most of my career, up until that point, I had simply answered the call. Someone would say, “Hey, we need you to do this.” I’d do what was needed.

This time I put myself forward. I knew what I could offer. I knew this was the job for me.

And let me tell you, there’s a real joy and rush when you raise your hand for something and then get chosen to do it.

So, here’s some additional advice. Figure out the kind of work that will bring you joy—work that aligns with your purpose and your values. And when the right opportunities come, put yourself out there. Raise your hand.

Be known as the person that people can count on. Be ready to see things through.

I don’t think this part of career-building is talked about enough. There’s this sense that we should always be thinking about the next thing and the next.

Throughout your career journey, remember to focus on what you are doing right now and do it well. There is real value in staying in a place long enough to understand it—to really be part of it. Maybe things get messy; stay there long enough to help clean it up. Stay there long enough to make your mark.

What’s next will come.

Let me add this: Have you heard the phrase that there are no small parts, there are only small actors?

Be the person who does your role like it’s the most important job in the organization, like it’s the last job you’ll ever have. I promise you—this mindset will serve you well.

To the graduates of 2024, I wish you well in every endeavor.

I hope your future is full of opportunity and growth. And I hope you reject the idea that there’s one path, one mold for leadership and success.

It took me my whole career to realize what you at George Mason already know: The secret to success is to be “All Together Different.” And we’re stronger because of it.

So, be optimistic. Be confident in what you can offer. Raise your hand for what you love to do. And no matter the challenges that lie ahead, may they always lead to your best days.

Thank you, and congratulations to the Class of 2024!

Congrats, Grads! Visit the Alumni Association site

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Student Commencement speaker Zayd Hamid learned how to lead through his many roles at George Mason

Colleen Rich — Wed, 08 May 2024 16:02:22 +0000

Student Commencement speaker Zayd Hamid learned how to lead through his many roles at George Mason Colleen Rich Wed, 05/08/2024 - 12:02

During Zayd Hamid’s first internship the summer before he came to ��AV, he worked at Manassas Park City Hall and learned about local government. One day, the assistant city manager took him to check in on their vaccine clinics. George Mason was running those clinics, providing free vaccines in the middle of a global pandemic to communities in need.

Student Commencement Speaker Zayd Hamid. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“After I saw [George Mason] health workers serving my community, it just locked in that choice,” said Hamid.

After seeing George Mason in action at his community center as an instrument of social and economic mobility, Hamid recognized that the university had the same qualities that he loved about Manassas Park High School. He knew he had made the right choice to enroll as a public administration major. Now, as he graduates in May, he’ll share his story as the student speaker at Spring Commencement 2024 on May 9.

As a first-generation Guyanese American student, Hamid has found his calling in empowering his generation of student leaders with the education and experience they need to solve the world’s grand challenges.

“The best way to describe my journey at George Mason would be evolving leadership and being in those spaces where I could represent my fellow students helped shaped me into the leader I am now,” said Hamid, who is also a member of the Honors College.

He has been recognized at the state and national levels for his work supporting higher education funding and following graduation, he will continue that work through George Mason’s master of public policy program.

Hamid put himself through college, working through the federal work-study program for over two-and-a-half years at George Mason Recreation. In Spring 2023, he represented George Mason students on a panel with the Association for Public Land Grant Universities speaking to congressional staff about the importance of the federal work-study program that he benefited from. Through the Schar School of Policy and Government, Hamid attended the U.S. Congress panel on education affordability.

“My story is built on the foundation of everyone who’s supported me—family, friends—and a lot of that support system as an adult has also been from George Mason. I have so much support from faculty and members of the administration,” said Hamid.

During his time as an undergraduate, Hamid also took a leading role in Mason Lobbies, an annual event in which Student Government brings students down to the state capitol in Richmond to lobby state legislators for legislative items that impact Mason and its students.

This year, Hamid helped bring more than 70 students to meet with more than 30 offices in the Virginia General Assembly. He led a student team speaking to State Senator Danica Roem, who represents the Science and Technology Campus, and Delegate Will Morefield.

Roem, who is also Zayd’s hometown representative in the General Assembly, is one of his long-time role models. Hamid met Roem for the first time in his high school senior class council.

“We realized that we had no idea how to represent people or lead as students, so we called our representative and arranged a meeting and she made a really tangible impression on me,” said Hamid. “I spent a lot of my time in student government trying to live up to that model of leadership.”

In 2023, Hamid was the first-ever recipient of Student Advocate of the Year from the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics (NILE). Hamid was approached by top lobbyist and George Mason alum Bill McCabe of K9s for Warriors, who studied government and international politics at Mason and got his master’s in public policy as Hamid plans to do. Hamid sees McCabe as a successful George Mason alum in his industry and as someone whose level he strives to reach.

“Seeing McCabe go from doing Mason Lobbies at a student level to being an award-winning lobbyist was incredible,” said Hamid. “It’s great to see someone in my industry get to those heights. The George Mason degrees paved the way for him.”

"It's always great to meet students who are interested in pursuing policy and government affairs as their career after graduation,” McCabe said. “When I first met Zayd at NILE's Top Lobbyist Reception, I could instantly see his passion for the profession. His hunger to learn and develop as an advocate will serve him well whether it's at the federal, state, or local levels of government. I'm confident Zayd will thrive in whichever industry he chooses to pursue.”

Spring Commencement 2024

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Graduating Carter School student is trailblazing a new path to peace

Sarah Holland — Tue, 07 May 2024 19:31:22 +0000

Graduating Carter School student is trailblazing a new path to peace Sarah Holland Tue, 05/07/2024 - 15:31

Keil Eggers is the first to admit that his research methods are unique to the world of conflict analysis and resolution. But as he is hooded at the 2024 Commencement ceremony at George Mason, his unorthodox approach is becoming the standard for George Mason Peace Engineering Lab in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Photo provided

Eggers, who is graduating from Mason with his PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, has been a champion of complexity-informed conflict transformation, futures, and SenseMaker: a technology that applies a quantitative framework to narrative data submitted and interpreted by the subjects themselves.

“My professors have always been willing to let me experiment and have supported me in trying new things,” he said. “That’s one of the biggest strengths of the Carter School, how it allows people to explore unique combinations of scholarship, ideas, and disciplines.”

As a Kansas native with an interest in international politics, Eggers knew he wanted to be in the center of the action in the Washington, D.C., region when applying as an undergraduate. George Mason was the perfect fit. After a year in the international politics degree program, however, he took a course in the Carter School, and “it sealed the deal,” he said.

“I found it to be a much more helpful approach to problem-solving. It’s less about protecting one country’s interests and more about building international relationships based on dialogue, mutual learning, and mutual respect. It creates much more fulfilling relationships.”

After graduating with his BA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from the Carter School and the Honors College in 2015, Eggers received his MA in International Peace Studies from the UN-Mandated University for Peace before returning to George Mason for his PhD.

Eggers’ approach to research using sensemaking technology is unique, particularly in academia, and very few programs could accommodate it. The Carter School, however, was interested in Eggers’ methodology and had a fellowship with that topic in mind. He was the first to receive the Peace Engineering Fellowship, one of the Provost PhD Awards designed to support the creation of the Peace Engineering Lab, where conflict analysis and resolution experts would work with engineers to create innovative technologies for peace building.

“More and more often, engineers are put on the front lines to solve social conflict through designing infrastructure or new technologies,” Eggers explained. “But their solutions also have social impact, which needs to be accounted for and considered during the design process. They need more tools to understand that impact and how it will affect peace, which we can provide. And, on the other side, we need support in developing and implementing new analytical technologies.”

Part of Eggers’ work with the lab included setting up internal and external partnerships, including with the Cynefin Centre for Applied Complexity: the creators behind the SenseMaker tool. The lab has used SenseMaker in local, national, and international research projects.

“I saw my role as creating a strong intellectual foundation for the lab, trying to figure out what our unique approach as the only conflict analysis and resolution school in the broader peace engineering field could be,” Eggers said. “We were building the plane as we were flying it, so to speak. We had a strong belief that this is an emerging field and a gap that needed to be filled. We keep showing up, putting in the work, and we’re cementing our role in the field as being at the forefront of this.”

Through the largest grant ever given to Carter School, the lab recieved funding to expand into one of the university's research centers. It plans to relaunch in fall 2024.

Meanwhile, Eggers simultaneously completed his dissertation, utilizing the same sensemaking technology he worked to implement in the lab. With the support of partnering organizations Horizon Project and Common Ground USA, “Us Against When: Futures and Complexity-Informed Conflict Transformation in the United States” looked at five states with higher risk of political violence, collecting data from 800 subjects. He presented his work at the Alliance for Peacebuilding’s PeaceCon2023, and used his research to build the syllabus for and teach Honors 360: "Us Against When: Exploring Peaceful Futures for the United States."

After graduation, Eggers hopes he can continue his work to develop complexity-informed approaches to research, sensemaking, and futures methodologies through a postdoc position. He also has a dream of putting together a music festival for peace at the Carter School's Point of View facility.

“Your destiny is in your hands when you enter a PhD program,” Eggers said, when asked what advice he would give to a first year PhD. “Explore what you like, craft the experience you want. Believe in your own power to be persistent and pave the path you want to see.”