accelerated masters

Graduating systems engineering student is flying high

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

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

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

Darius Jack. Photo by Virginia Department of Aviation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Darius Jack. Photo provided.

What’s your best memory of George Mason?

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

How have you grown while at George Mason?

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

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

Best piece of advice for incoming students? 

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

What’s next for you?

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

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Winter Commencement

On the Fast Track to a Master of Public Health

John Brandon Cantrell — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 17:39:57 +0000

On the Fast Track to a Master of Public Health John Brandon C… Mon, 03/07/2022 - 12:39

Master of Public Health student Nicole Sanz shares how the bachelor’s to accelerated master’s program has supported her goal of becoming an epidemiologist.

The bachelor’s to accelerated master’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program is a great opportunity for undergraduates that are committed to pursuing an advanced degree in public health. As an MPH student in the accelerated master’s program, Nicole Sanz is already ahead of the curve on her career path at a time when there is growing demand for public health professionals.

“I have felt challenged and motivated by the program, my professors, and my peers,” said Sanz on her experience studying public health at Mason. “While we have different concentrations and career goals, my peers and I all aspire to improve the health and well-being of the public. The public health field is growing and needs dedicated individuals to contribute to the most pressing public health problems.”

The accelerated master’s program allows highly motivated students to complete 12 credits (four courses) of advanced courses that “double-count” in both their undergraduate and graduate degree program. As a result, students in the program can earn their MPH degree in a shorter time. Sanz is in her first year of her master’s program and is set to graduate in December 2022.

Sanz dreams of being an epidemiologist and investigating infectious diseases in communities. So, when she expressed interest in a master’s degree to her academic advisor, he told her about the accelerated master’s program. “I was drawn to apply because of its financial benefits and the opportunity to experience graduate-level courses,” said Sanz. Students who pursue an accelerated pathway can reduce the overall cost of obtaining a master’s degree.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

In her program, Sanz has gained hands-on experience in academic research. Previously, she worked on a research project with former Assistant Professor Suzie Carmack where she helped research how micro-breaks in movement and mindfulness could reduce suicide risk. In a different pilot study, Sanz helped Carmack code and analyze data on a wellness training intervention. In the future, Sanz is interested in researching infectious diseases and global health solutions.

Off-campus, Sanz has continued to make an impact in her community. In September, she started an internship with Fairfax County Government. In this role, she’s had the opportunity to coordinate COVID-19 surveillance testing in addition to other health and wellness events for the county.

“Courses emphasizing social determinants of health, program implementation strategies, and epidemiological concepts helped prepare me for my internship,” said Sanz about how her degree program made her a great fit for the position.

The accelerated master's program is a unique experience that has given Sanz a variety of learning opportunities beyond the classroom. From conducting research alongside faculty to working directly in the community, the accelerated master's program is equipping her with the necessary skills to achieve a successful career as an epidemiologist.

For undergraduate students considering the accelerated master's program, Sanz suggests that students talk to their academic advisor first to see if the accelerated pathway is a good fit and to compare the benefits of the program and the non-accelerated pathway. She encourages them to speak with current accelerated master's students too.

Learn more about the fastest growing health care careers, including epidemiology.

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Department of Global and Community Health

Master of Public Health

In the George

He hits it out of the park on and off the field

Colleen Rich — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 12:56:52 +0000

He hits it out of the park on and off the field Colleen Rich Wed, 02/16/2022 - 07:56

Mason student-athlete Scott Morgan is pursuing a master's degree in his extra year of athletic eligibility, which was granted to all athletes by the NCAA because of the pandemic. Photo by Mason Athletics

When Scott Morgan entered ��AV as a freshman, his major was undeclared.

Morgan said he was just being cautious.

“I wanted to be undeclared just in case I tried computer science and was going to hate it,” Morgan said. “I didn’t want to lock myself into an intense major in which I would set myself up to not have success.”

As it turned out, computer science was exactly the right fit.

“I really enjoy it,” he said. “You’re able to make things happen the way you choose. There’s a creativity with it, even though it’s very technical and very concrete in a sense. Being able to make code your own and make it do whatever you want it to do, it’s just fun and interesting.”

Morgan, from Woodbridge, Virginia, graduated in May 2021, and is now pursuing his master’s degree in software engineering. He also has a full-time job lined up, starting in the summer, with a software company that does work for the Department of Defense.

The bonus for Morgan is that he, along with all student-athletes across the country, received an extra year of athletic eligibility from the NCAA because of the pandemic.

So when the Patriots baseball team opens their season Feb. 18 at Wofford College, Morgan, who led Mason in home runs the past two seasons, will be at first base.

“Scott has been an invaluable part of our baseball program,” Coach Bill Brown said. “He has evolved into a young man who leads by example. Whether it be game day or just a practice, he always gives 100%. He is a pleasure to coach, and I expect him to have another great year.”

For Morgan, who committed to an athletic scholarship after his junior season of high school, the camaraderie is just as important as the games.

“I underestimated how important it would be to be really good friends with your teammates, some of them I’ve been with for five years,” said Morgan, who batted .300 in 2021 with six home runs and a team-high 27 RBI. “That’s something I’m going to take with me for the rest of my life.”

Bigger picture, what Morgan will take from Mason is a foundation for a successful future.

Named to the Atlantic 10 Conference’s “Commissioner’s Honor Roll” for four consecutive years, Morgan is participating in an accelerated master’s program in Mason’s Volgenau School of Engineering and has had two internships with Northrop Grumman.

“Scott is a quick thinker, a hard worker, very resilient, and knows how to adapt to difficult situations, all qualities that are learned in baseball and are then essential in academics,” said Jeff Offutt, a professor of software engineering at Mason. “I expect him to grow into strong leadership positions in his career. I am proud to have been one of his many coaches.”

“I knew Mason had a lot of good academic programs across the board,” Morgan said. “I knew they had a good engineering school, a good science school. I ended up going with computer science, which worked out really well for me.”

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On the field and off, Jaylen Simmons always moves forward

Colleen Rich — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 15:28:32 +0000

On the field and off, Jaylen Simmons always moves forward Colleen Rich Mon, 02/07/2022 - 10:28

Granted an extra year of athletic eligibility because of the pandemic, Jaylen Simmons set his sights on a goal that has been elusive despite his record-setting Patriot career: earning a spot in the NCAA championships. Photo by Rafael Suanes/Mason Athletics

As Jaylen Simmons prepares for the Atlantic 10 Conference’s indoor track and field championships, the ��AV graduate student said he will not deviate from his normal routine.

“Just do my job,” he said. “Compete to the best of my ability.”

Still, Simmons admitted there’s a little more on the line this year.

Granted an extra year of athletic eligibility by the NCAA (something all student-athletes received because of the pandemic), Simmons set his sights on a goal that has been elusive despite his record-setting Patriot career: earning a spot in the NCAA championships.

It is one reason Simmons, from Waynesboro, Virginia, continued competing. But the extra year also allowed Mason’s 2021 Student-Athlete of the year to start on his master’s degree in athletic training at a university that, for him, ticks all the boxes. He completed his bachelor's in kinesiology at Mason in 2021.

Simmons holds Mason records in the indoor shot put, weight throw and hammer throw. Photo by Rafael Suanes/Mason Athletics

His mom, Laura Simmons, BA Study of the Americas ’94, is also an alumna.

“It is a very diverse campus and very open, even to the community. And it cherishes what it does in the community,” Simmons said of Mason. “And the faculty looks out for their students, and works with them.”

“I’ve met so many great people while networking and meeting friends along the way,” he added. “With track, you travel, you meet different competitors from every level, even Olympians. I can’t explain how amazing this experience has been here at Mason.”

Simmons has been brilliant in competition and holds Mason records in the indoor shot put (19.33 meters, also a conference record), weight throw (20.3) and hammer throw (58.15). He is also ranked second all-time at Mason in the outdoor shot put and third in the discus.

“Jaylen is a thoughtful and mature athlete who has become a true partner in his training,” said Becky Hartley, who has coached Simmons throughout his Mason career. “He is a hard worker who has identified clear goals and concrete steps to follow to give him the best chance of achieving those goals.”

The Atlantic 10 indoor championships are at Mason, Feb. 26-27. But as with his coursework, Simmons has more than sports on his mind.

In August 2020, after the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, Simmons and several other Mason students and student-athletes staged “Push for Justice” to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

For every dollar pledged, the students pushed a strength and conditioning sled one meter across the field at George Mason Stadium. The final tally was $7,000 for Hinesight, a Fredericksburg, Virginia, nonprofit that addresses generational poverty through family empowerment, its website says.

Jaraad Hines, Hinesight’s executive director, called the donation “a tremendous help to our organization and our efforts in the community.”

“We want to continue to have uncomfortable conversations, so Black Lives Matter is not just a trend but a continued conversation,” Simmons said. “We also want to give back to the Black community and educate people along the way.”

For Simmons, education is the key, whether he is learning on the field or in the classroom on his way to, hopefully, working as an athletic trainer at the national level.

"The lessons learned as an athlete have contributed to Jaylen's success in the Athletic Training (MSAT) program including time management, confidence and a drive to succeed," said Amanda Caswell, director of Mason's Athletic Training Education Program. "The MSAT is a time-intensive health care preparation program, and Jaylen has managed his academic and athletic load with grace."

“I know sports aren’t forever,” Simmons said, “so I want to set up my future.”

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accelerated masters

Working on spacecraft and 3D-printed solar cars, junior accelerates his career at Mason

Mariam Aburdeineh — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 19:15:24 +0000

Working on spacecraft and 3D-printed solar cars, junior accelerates his career at Mason Mariam Aburdeineh Tue, 01/25/2022 - 14:15

In This Story

John Shortle

Syed Abbas Zaidi

Michael Riggi, president of Mason's solar car team, Hypernova Solar, poses with Orion, a solar car his team revamped. Photo provided by Hypernova Solar.

Since Michael Riggi was about six years old, his father and brother would take him to a “Cars and Coffee” show in Great Falls, Virginia, on weekends. Being around classic automobiles and luxury vehicles, Riggi said he developed an appreciation for cars, and other machines that go fast, including planes, boats, and rockets.

Riggi developed an appreciation for cars at a young age. Portrait by Michael Riggi.

Now, as a junior at ��AV, his career path has also been racing forward.

The systems engineering major working on an accelerated master’s degree is the president of Hypernova Solar, a student organization creating what they believe will be the world’s first 3D-printed solar car.

Ultimately, Riggi said he aspires to work in the aerospace industry. His work with Hypernova Solar combined with his degree helped him land an internship with the global aerospace, defense, and security company, Northrop Grumman, he said.

“[Systems engineering] is in high demand in almost all tech industries,” Riggi said.

“Mason is one of the only schools I found in this area that offered a system engineering major, and Mason’s program was ranked higher than [the University of Virginia]’s,” he said. “I chose Mason off their great program.”

When Riggi interned with Northrop Grumman in summer 2021, he said he worked on spacecraft that go up to the international space station—in particular, the Cygnus Mission. Riggi said his tasks involved taking measurements, estimating error, and creating a CAD model of the thruster.

Riggi interning at Northrop Grumman. Photo provided.

“We made a tool that allowed Mission Control to quickly throw in measurements of the motors to see how it affects the angle of the spacecraft on-the-fly, so they can steer the spacecraft,” Riggi said.

“The qualities about Michael that impressed me and my colleagues [at Northrop Grumman] were his imagination and ability to tackle a task that was initially beyond the scope of his previous experience,” said Roseann Alvarez, systems engineering manager at Northrop Grumman. “He shows plenty of growth potential and will be an asset to any future employer.”

“Based on Michael’s performance and his contributions to the [Commercial Resupply Services] program, I would highly recommend Northrop Grumman recruitment of Mason interns and graduates in the future,” she said.

Riggi said he’s excited to intern again with Northrop Grumman in summer 2022.

“There’s something about being on the cutting edge of technology and science that I really love,” he said. “[My internship] helped me realize what traits I value in a workplace and helped me realize specific parts of my education to focus on because I’ve seen what’s actually needed in the workforce.”

In addition to opportunities in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, Riggi said he has enjoyed learning from supportive Mason professors including John Shortle, Abbas Zaidi, and Colin Reagle.

“Michael embodies the ideal of a systems engineer, being able to assemble and lead a large team of students with diverse skills to design, build, and test a complex system,” Shortle said. “He’s a great ambassador for the discipline and will be a great asset in the workforce.”

When he’s not leading Hypernova Solar, Riggi said he enjoys going off-roading and taking photos.

When he's not leading Hypernova Solar, Mason student Michael Riggi enjoys going off-roading with his truck and taking photos. Photo by Michael Riggi.

Photography by Michael Riggi.

“It’s really a great way to blow off steam and relax,” Riggi said, suggesting diverse activities help keep his life balanced yet exciting. “If there’s one thing I hate, it’s being bored.”

That’s another reason he appreciates the opportunities at Mason.

“My favorite part of Mason is the community,” Riggi said. “The diverse student population has taught me so much and helped me make so many friends, the amazing faculty have been so helpful, and the community of Fairfax is very diverse and a great space to explore.”

Riggi (front left in green) with members of Mason's solar car team, Hypernova Solar. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications/��AV

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Space

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College Launches New Accelerated Masters of Science in Nutrition and Revises Curriculum for Existing Accelerated Programs in Health Administration, Health Informatics, and Public Health

mthomp7 — Tue, 25 May 2021 21:28:11 +0000

College Launches New Accelerated Masters of Science in Nutrition and Revises Curriculum for Existing Accelerated Programs in Health Administration, Health Informatics, and Public Health mthomp7 Tue, 05/25/2021 - 17:28

In This Story

Lilian de Jonge, PhD

Robert M. Weiler, PhD, MPH

Janusz Wojtusiak, PhD

Brenda Helen Sheingold, PhD, RN, FNAP

Accelerated programs offer highly qualified students a faster and more and cost-effective path to master’s degrees.

Accelerated bachelor to master’s academic degree programs offer academically motivated undergraduates a faster and more cost-effective pathway to earn a master's degree in a specialized field of study to advance their career goals.

The College is pleased to announce the launch of a new accelerated Master of Science in Nutrition and upgrades to three existing accelerated master’s degree programs: the Master of Health Administration, the Master of Science in Health Informatics, and the Master of Public Health. The nutrition, health informatics, and public health accelerated degree programs are open to undergraduates from any discipline/major.

Upon admission to one of the four accelerated master’s degree programs, undergraduates can complete up to 12 graduate credits during their junior and senior years which can be applied to both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. In addition, students may earn up to 6 additional reserve credits of graduate coursework while finishing their undergraduate degree program.

“The College is committed to offering high quality, affordable, accelerated master’s degree programs for students who interested in pursuing advanced degrees at George Mason,” said Robert Weiler, senior associate dean for academic affairs. “The revised curriculum allows students to complete the master’s degree in less time and is less costly. One of the best features of the program is that undergraduates pay undergraduate tuition for graduate course credits until they matriculated into their master’s program. This is a win-win for students and for the College in our efforts to retain talented students throughout their graduate studies.

“The new accelerated master’s degree in Nutrition provides students with extensive experiential learning opportunities while allowing them to complete their graduate studies in less time and at cost savings,” said Lilian de Jonge, associate professor and director for nutrition programs. “The need for dieticians and nutritionists continues to increase. Our program prepares students to engage in further study for research careers in nutrition and for careers in organizations that seek to improve nutrition at the local, national, and global level.”

"The existing accelerated health informatics program attracted the best students within the field, and we are excited to open the revised program to students from all other majors. This is an important step towards reinforcing a strong health informatics presence at Mason," said Janusz Wojtusiak, associate professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy and program director for health informatics.

“The accelerated MHA program benefits healthcare delivery overall by providing employers with job candidates that have administrative competence faster. The ability to fulfill this need is critical as we enter a post-pandemic era where the application of cutting-edge leadership knowledge is required,” said Brenda Sheingold, associate professor in the Department of Health Administration and Policy and program director for health administration and policy.

Mason undergraduates who have completed at least 60 credits toward their bachelor’s degree and no more than 100 credits toward the degree are eligible to apply to accelerated programs. To learn more about these programs and degree offerings, please see this page.

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Civil engineering student draws inspiration from her birthplace

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 20:03:39 +0000

Civil engineering student draws inspiration from her birthplace Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/18/2021 - 15:03

Civil engineering major Karla Pineda’s undergraduate career is about to end. Yet, as she prepares to embark on her accelerated master’s program, she reflects on what inspired her to study civil engineering.

Karla Pineda is also a member of Mason's chapter of the American Society for Civil Engineers.

Born in El Salvador, Pineda and her family moved to Northern Virginia when she was 4 years old. She always had an interest in STEM and loved working on tangible projects, so she quickly realized civil engineering was her path.

But visits back to El Salvador led her to concentrate on transportation engineering. “When I traveled home, it was hard to see the harsh difference in infrastructure, especially transportation infrastructure, and that made me more interested in the transportation side of civil engineering,” she says.

Pineda is specifically interested in the intersection between transportation and sustainability. “In El Salvador, and many other places, you can clearly see how pollution has affected the lands and the communities. I know we can do better, we have one earth, and we have to make changes.”

She sees transportation as an accessible path to pursue sustainable efforts because almost everyone uses some form of transportation regularly. “There are little modifications we can make in transportation engineering that will have a huge impact,” says Pineda. Changes like recycling asphalt, using more sustainable materials, and adjusting one’s lifestyle can make a difference.

Mason’s student club, Engineers for International Development (EfID), fascinated Pineda because of their mission to tackle these grand challenges, one small change at a time. Currently, she serves as the vice president and works with the president and the executive board to coordinate events centered around sustainability.

“Typically, we take a trip down to Ecuador in the winter and summer to help a village build a sustainable water supply, but with COVID-19, we haven’t been able to do that,” she says. “We have gotten creative to help the village from a distance and creating other socially distanced events. We’ve hosted a few tree planting events throughout the community, and I worked with other members of the club to translate guides and information to send to the village in Ecuador.”

As part of her accelerated master’s program in transportation engineering, Pineda has already started taking graduate courses during her undergraduate education. She says she chose the accelerated master’s option because it made sense for her long-term career goals and allows her to learn more about transportation engineering. “Getting a master’s in one year instead of two is a great opportunity. I get to take graduate courses in my undergraduate career, and in five years, I come out with a solid foundation of knowledge in civil and transportation engineering,” she says.

“I love school, I love to learn, and the bachelor’s program gives a strong foundation in civil engineering, but I want to be prepared for a career in transportation engineering,” says Pineda.