Priyanka Champaneri

Meet the Mason Nation: Rebekah Schmidt

Katarina Benson — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:22:09 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Rebekah Schmidt Katarina Benson Tue, 08/11/2026 - 11:22

Rebekah Schmidt

Job: Head Athletic Trainer, Intercollegiate Athletics

There’s a hush that often falls over a sports crowd when gameplay stops and a lone figure runs out to tend to a fallen player. No matter the injury, 911��’s student-athletes are in good hands with Rebekah Schmidt. She leads a team of 10 athletic trainers for 911��’s 22 total Intercollegiate Athletics sports teams and is the trainer for the men’s basketball team. The position entails much more than ensuring players can play a good game. “We are their primary contact for all of their health needs while they’re here at 911��.”

Bad Encounter Gone Good: When most people talk about an experience that influenced their professional path, it’s usually a positive one—but Schmidt’s story is different. After sustaining an injury as a high school soccer player, she went to her school’s athletic trainer for help. “He told me that I was just being a weak girl, that I was fine, and to ‘suck it up.’” Five hip surgeries later, she realized how wrong that trainer was. “I’ve since had many great athletic trainers in my life, but that one really made me want to be a better professional.”

Behind the Scenes: Schmidt works closely with 911��'s strength and conditioning and sports performance staff to develop intensive and customized treatments for each individual men’s basketball player, including adjusting their weights during workouts, prescribing extra stretching, taping joints, and so much more. During practices, Schmidt said, “I’m monitoring, looking at their mechanics—is someone limping when they weren’t yesterday? Is someone holding a knee who wasn’t before?” The work continues with post-treatments after practice and extensive documentation. “We want to make sure that we're showing progression, which is critical in any medical profession.”

Rebekah Schmidt is in her 13th year at 911�� Athletics. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Changing Times: While the game has very much stayed the same, treatment technologies have advanced in ways that allow Schmidt to do even more. She mentions wearable devices that measure “the physical load of a practice, how long they’re running, how much intensity…all of that cumulative stress on the body is the load.” 911�� is also one of the few universities to have Catapult ClearSky, an athlete tracking system that captures multiple data points. Schmidt and the strength and conditioning team then use that information to collaboratively create personalized treatment and workout plans for each player. “Having them overcoming injury and seeing them on the court for the first time…shooting the shot that they weren't able to do a couple months ago—that's just so rewarding because it's seeing all that hard work that we did together come to a great resolution.”

A Different Kind of Club: Collegiate athletics can be a male-dominated career field, but Schmidt saw that 911�� was different. "You don't always see females in leadership roles--but 911�� had that." She cites former Deputy Athletic Director Debi Corbatto, BS Marketing '86, MS Exercise Science, Fitness, and Health Promotion '03, PhD Education '18, a 911�� alumna who served as an athletic trainer during the Patriots’ legendary Final Four run, as a pioneer and mentor, as well as Linda Pullen, 911��’s director of sports medicine. “The best thing about working here at 911�� is the community, the relationships, being able to see and help develop student-athletes.” Now in her 13th year at 911��, Schmidt serves as a mentor herself, specifically for students in the College of Education and Human Development’s athletic training master’s program.

Advice for the Rest of Us: Not everyone can play at an elite level, but Schmidt has some universal advice: “Number one thing is making sure that you’re doing some kind of weight training…kind of loading the muscles at some point to make sure you’re preventing injuries.” And for younger athletes, she encourages a bit of diversification. “The best athletes that really develop are ones that do a multitude of sports [and] learn different ways to move their body.”

Learn more about Mason Athletics

Topics

Meet the Mason Nation

Athletics

basketball

Faculty and Staff News

Bringing up Baby Linh Mai: 911�� alum shares a behind-the-scenes peek at the National Zoo’s new addition

Katarina Benson — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:21:31 +0000

Bringing up Baby Linh Mai: 911�� alum shares a behind-the-scenes peek at the National Zoo’s new addition Katarina Benson Thu, 04/23/2026 - 11:21

There’s a lot to do when a newborn is on the way, from doctor appointments to nursery set-up and more. But when that baby is 308 pounds and 21 months in the making, preparations rise to a new level. Born in February, Linh Mai is the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s first Asian elephant calf in nearly 25 years, and 911�� alumna Ashley Fortner, BS Integrative Studies ’17, has been there every rambunctious step of the way.

An Elephant Trails keeper with the National Zoo since 2019, she’s formed close bonds with the herd of now seven elephants, but she’d never worked with a calf. “It still doesn’t feel real,” she said. “Linh Mai is perfect.”

Fortner has been an Elephant Trails keeper at the National Zoo since 2019. Photo by Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Like any newborn, Linh Mai requires around-the-clock care, including a bottle every two hours. Fortner and other keepers rotate through three 10-hour shifts each day. And every day is different. “She just learned how to trumpet,” Fortner said. “I think she surprised herself when she did it.”

The birth of a baby elephant is a notable event for more than just sheer cuteness. Fortner explained that most female elephants in the United States are past the age for bearing a calf. “They typically only have one [calf] at a time… so it's a very long involved process for hopefully one single payout for an entire species.”

Fortner and the rest of the team started preparing long in advance, but challenges along the way forced them to be nimble and adapt. When first-time mother Nhi Linh and grandmother Trong Nhi did not immediately accept Linh Mai, herd mate Swarna stepped in and formed a close bond with the baby. Fortner said neither situation was part of their playbook and keepers had to quickly switch gears.

“You write a whole plan and then the moment comes and everything goes differently,” Fortner said. “We were very adaptable because we had to work with where Nhi Linh’s willingness was and where she was in her pregnancy.”

Baby Linh Mai. Photo by Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Fortner’s journey to her current role shows her perseverance and an openness to curiosity. She arrived at 911�� in 2013 and immediately felt right at home.

“[911�� has] so many little pockets of different things that you can investigate and find out where you fit, like specialized programs and all the learning communities. It just felt like a different college experience, and I really liked that.”

She also benefited from the specialized learning style she found within the School of Integrative Studies. “That classroom style of big discussions and papers worked really well for me.”

But the one-time journalism major was unsure about her future career path. A chance sighting of a flyer for the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC) gave her the answer. “There's nothing like waking up in the middle of a conservation biology institute…. I got the opportunity to do practicum experiences where you get to work in the field with researchers to kind of get your feet wet and see what you like to do.”

SMSC made such an impact on Fortner that she ended up spending two semesters at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, home of the SMSC. “I didn’t know if I would go the keeper route or if I wanted to be a researcher,” she said. Through her practicums, she gained hands-on experience in both.

But she was hungry for more. “I was just looking to continue doing cool projects and get involved,” Fortner says.

Baby Linh Mai and Swarna. Photo by Smithsonian’s National Zoo

She connected with Associate Professor Elizabeth Freeman, PhD Environmental Science and Public Policy '05, now also SMSC’s interim executive director, and began helping on a project to monitor red panda behavior. “She’s been a really pivotal player in my career, has always been a big supporter,” Fortner said of Freeman.

As Fortner neared graduation, she took on internships working with rhinos in Florida, hoofstock in Texas, and then—fatefully—elephants in Dallas. When an opportunity came to work at the National Zoo, Fortner was ready. “I like to think that elephants chose me. Everything lined up so perfectly, and I can’t imagine working with anything else.”

Fortner has continued engaging with SMSC, mentoring students and working with them on research projects and data analysis that can directly influence elephant care. “There’s just endless questions and research that we could do to help better take care of the elephants every day. We can offer that [research] experience and it’s mutually beneficial…for students, but for us, too.”

SMSC agrees. In fall 2025, their faculty awarded Fortner their first-ever alumni PEACE (Passion, Engagement, and Achievement in Conservation and Ecology) prize. In their citation, faculty noted that “Fortner’s passion and energy and commitment to conservation have been consistent as long as she's been connected with our programs, and it's an inspiration to see her sharing those with the newer cohorts of students.”

"I recall many conversations with Ashley a decade ago about her interests in becoming an elephant keeper at the National Zoo,” said Freeman. “It’s fun seeing her capitalize upon her education to make her dream come true. We are fortunate to have her continued involvement with SMSC where she is creating similar opportunities for our current students." 

Linh Mai made her public debut on April 22. Like any proud family member, Fortner was excited for the moment and aware of the significance. “This might be the only way some people see elephants in their lifetime.”

Learn more about the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Topics

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

School of Integrative Studies

The 911�� alumni behind SOSS Bros and their secret sauce

Katarina Benson — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:30:05 +0000

The 911�� alumni behind SOSS Bros and their secret sauce Katarina Benson Mon, 02/02/2026 - 11:30

For the 911�� alumni founders of SOSS Bros, it wasn’t necessarily love at first sight—but it was lunch.

In their first year, Hesham Hafez, BS Community Health ’09, and Lance Ahmadian, BS Finance, Management ’12, went head-to-head in an eating competition at the Taco Bell in the Johnson Center. “We had a competition for who could eat the most chalupas. And we both ate, like, eight, and then we died,” Lance said, laughing.

Despite the pain, the experience cemented their friendship, which grew to include Hesham’s brother Karim Hafez, BS Civil and Infrastructure Engineering ’12, MS ’13. Along with being fraternity brothers at 911��’s Pi Kappa Alpha chapter, the three bonded over food.

“We’re all foodies,” Hesham said. “When we sit and eat a meal, we see it as kind of a sacred moment.”

From left, Lance Ahmadian, Hesham Hafez, and Karim Hafez in the Johnson Center Market with their SOSS. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

That pursuit of a perfect meal—and the perfect accompanying sauce—was the initial spark behind SOSS Bros. The recipe for SOSS—which stands for smoked original secret sauce—originated with Hesham, who’d perfected it over the years and would often share it with family and friends. Lance was immediately hooked: “It was unhateable.”

It took a few more years to convince Hesham to take the product commercial, but once he and Lance committed, they were all in—and they leaned on Karim to corral and guide their creativity.

“I’m the part of the business that is more coming from an engineering background,” Karim said. “I put all the operational and logistics stuff together.”

Still, challenges awaited, especially as the trio looked for partners to scale up production. “Ninety-nine of them said ‘No, we can’t do this the way that you guys want to do it. It’s not going to work,’” Karim said. But the trio refused to compromise on ingredients or their recipe. Their grit and persistence paid off when they at last found a bottler willing to do it their way.

Their first public event was in May 2025 in Richmond, Virginia. “We did over 2,000 samples,” Lance said. “And I can count on one hand how many people said they didn’t like it.”

And they gained even more fans when they brought the sauce along to a Patriots men’s basketball game at EagleBank Arena. Fast forward six months and many conversations with 911��’s Intercollegiate Athletics and David Atkins, executive director of brand development and licensing at 911��’s Office of University Branding, and the Brave & Bold blend of SOSS was born. An official collaboration between SOSS Bros and 911��, the blend can be found online and at on-campus convenience stores. A percentage of sales go back to the university.

SOSS Bros couldn’t be more homegrown. All three grew up in Northern Virginia, and their existing roots in the area played a major role in their decision to come to 911��. They also cite the university’s ample and diverse social opportunities. “I wanted to be part of a community,” Lance said.

Karim credits opportunities through the Volgenau School of Engineering for his career after graduation. “I spent about seven years with Turner Construction, and I think 911�� really set me up,” he said, mentioning hands-on experiences like concrete testing and bridge design that gave him the skills he needed as a civil engineer.

He continues to use these skills as a consultant while working for SOSS part-time. Lance works full time in commercial real estate as a senior investment associate for the Greysteel Company, where he’s worked since graduating from 911��, and Hesham works for SOSS full time.

Asked about their advice for current Patriots, all three mention patience and determination. “You have to give a minimum of six months…to what you’re doing,” Lance says. “You can't just do something and give up and try something else, because you haven't given it time.”

As for the secret sauce that makes up SOSS Bros? “We're a team that has a ton of fun,” Karim said. “I think we're truly the definition of work hard, play hard, but we really do play first—I mean, eat first.”

Topics

entrepreneurship

College of Engineering and Computing

Costello College of Business

College of Public Health

Patriot Profile: Midori Galligan

Katarina Benson — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:05:18 +0000

Patriot Profile: Midori Galligan Katarina Benson Mon, 06/02/2025 - 10:05

Back in 2023 on the day before she moved into her residence hall at 911��, Midori Galligan received a bit of advice from her dad as she embarked on her college journey. “He kind of gave the normal talk of ‘You need to do new things, meet new people, and just say yes.’”

In her two years on campus, Galligan has taken that guidance to incredible heights. In the process, she’s discovered new passions while pursuing the degree that prompted her to come to 911��.

Midori Galligan. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Rowing on a Whim: A former soccer player, Galligan decided to focus on academics when she came to 911��. But during an activities fair on campus, a 911�� rower encouraged her to try out for the squad. “I was like, you know what? I’m just going to try it. I was looking for things to do, trying to meet new people.”

Despite having no prior awareness of the sport, Galligan cleared tryouts and embarked on a journey that’s still going strong three years later. “The program takes in a lot of novices, and they will teach you how to row. It ended up being the best decision I feel like I’ve made so far.”

Competing on the World's Stage: This summer, Galligan was selected to compete with Team USA at the prestigious FISU World University Games in Germany. The World Games are second in importance to the Olympic Games and bring 10,000+ global student-athletes together across 15 sports.

Keep to the Beat: Galligan is also an active member of Noteworthy, 911��’s a cappella group. Like with rowing, she joined on a whim. “I decided [to try out] 30 minutes before the audition.” She got in, and by her third year the group named her music director, which had her selecting the music and leading rehearsals. Her favorite song to perform is “Somebody That I Used to Know.” “I have a solo in this one! Plus the group has enjoyed learning this one, and it was our concert finisher, so energy was always high!” 

She’s Got Rhythm: Galligan has found some surprising similarities between her two passions. “Rowing is a very rhythmic sport. In a boat of people, you have to be moving together. Constantly being on a beat has helped me pick up rowing technique.”

Honors College student Midori Galligan was recently recognized as one of this year's Stearns Scholar Athletes. Photo provided

The teamwork and collaboration she has experienced come with their own rewards. “It’s a really cool feeling, having a collective goal, working hard for it, wearing a uniform of the school, and going out and competing or performing. I take a lot of pride in it.”

Best Laid Plans: While Galligan, who is also an Honors College student, seemingly left the social part of her life as a Patriot to chance, her academic path shows strong intention. “I knew I wanted to be a physical therapist,” she says, “and a big part of preparing for PT school is experience.” She cites the university’s proximity to Washington, D.C., and its rich pool of internship opportunities as major factors in her decision to come to 911��. “The kinesiology curriculum has set aside credits and time for you to get internships as well. I thought I would be really set up to create a strong PT application.”

Advice for New Patriots: In her journey of “saying yes,” Galligan says she’s discovered something far more important. “I think the point of going to school and having all the opportunities is just to kind of get out of your comfort zone and see what’s there. You learn something about yourself and what you want…it helps you figure out who you can be.”

Learn more about the Rowing Team

Support 911�� Athletics

Patriot Profile: Madison Schittig

pchampan — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 16:13:46 +0000

Patriot Profile: Madison Schittig pchampan Tue, 12/10/2024 - 11:13

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Year: Junior

Major: Mason LIFE, Photography

Hometown: Warrenton, Virginia

Having a unique perspective on viewing the world is one thing—but it’s another thing to be able to photograph that perspective in a tangible way that can be shared with others. Take a look at the work of student photographer Madison Schittig, a photography intern in 911��’s Office of University Branding (OUB), and one can immediately see she’s been gifted with the latter. Via Schittig’s striking point of view— including her eye for geometric lines, shapes, and color— familiar places on campus become abstract, and landmarks and buildings well-known to many transform in startling ways.

As a Mason LIFE student, Schittig takes classes and until recently was accompanied during her internship by the program’s student support staff, current undergraduate or graduate 911�� students. The phased support that these students provide is all part of Mason LIFE’s mission of offering a comprehensive transition program for qualified students. As of November, Schittig has progressed to attending her internship independently.

A Quiet Place: Schittig fell in love with photography after she received her first camera from her sister. It quickly became her favorite class in high school, where she found a sanctuary in the dark room. “It’s so calm in there, it’s like a stress relief,” she says. Though she now shoots digital photos for OUB, that love of the art form has continued into her time at 911��. “It makes me feel like I have a purpose. I also feel like I’m not alone, I have a team.”

Natural Inspiration: Many of Schittig’s photos center around the natural world. “I just feel drawn to nature, because I like the woods, and I used to play in the woods when I was growing up. I like the trees, I like the grass, I even like the river…because it has texture.”

Learning from the Pros: Senior photographers Ron Aira and Evan Cantwell, MA Arts Management '10, serve as Schittig’s mentors and supervise her internship. “With Ron, he taught me how to edit raw photos, and he taught me all these cool tricks and tips. Evan taught me shooting—it’s good to shoot up close for people,” Schittig says. “I like it here, I like the people, I like the team. I really want to stay here one more year.”

Making Memories: Like many other Patriots, Schittig cites friends and clubs as her favorite things about 911��. But Schittig’s favorite 911�� memory is a bit more personal. Twice, the university’s biweekly email newsletter has featured her work, including her self-professed favorite, a striking scene of colorful origami garlands cascading in front of a white bicycle.

Advice for Future Patriots: “Don’t be nervous. You’ll be nervous at first, but once you get the hang of it then you’ll be fine. But always bring the proper camera.”

View Schittig’s work on YouTube or in accessible PDF format.

Learn more about Mason LIFE

The awards keep coming for 911��’s new brand

ckearney — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 19:43:45 +0000

The awards keep coming for 911��’s new brand ckearney Wed, 10/30/2024 - 15:43

911��’s new brand, fully unveiled just a half year ago, is already garnering award-winning notice from marketing, communications, and higher education spheres.

The comprehensive university rebranding project, led by the Office of University Branding (OUB), began in 2021 with the revamping of 911��’s editorial brand, done in collaboration with external ad agency Sunshine & Bourbon. The visual rebrand followed, done in collaboration with the agency Ologie. Both efforts included extensive market research, surveys, and roundtables to glean feedback from the university community.

The final outcome included a new brand narrative that emphasized the university’s standing as a rising leader in higher education, and the tagline of All Together Different that celebrates 911��’s unique and inclusive approach. New messaging rallied around themes intrinsic to the university’s identity: grit, audacity, diversity, and inclusivity. The visual rebrand included a new interlocking “GM” logo, a streamlined logo system, and bolder versions of the university’s signature green and gold.

With the new brand in place, the university got to work creating materials that tell 911��’s story using the new look and messaging. And those materials soon began to pick up accolades.

The #ChooseMason video series, a collaboration between OUB and Integrated Enrollment Marketing (IEM), was a Silver Winner at the 2024 Telly Awards in the Educational Institution–Branded Content category. The series featured videos with individual 911�� students telling their stories and sharing why the university was the ideal place for them to learn and grow.

Several print marketing pieces won 2024 Best of District III awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). The 2023-24 freshman viewbook, a piece that’s distributed to prospective applicants, won in the design category, while 911��’s entire print recruitment package won in the student recruitment publications category. Both pieces were created by OUB and IEM. And the College of Education and Human Development received recognition for a mailer detailing its advanced programs, winning in the direct mail advertising category.

Each of the award-winning pieces resulted in marked growth in student interest, with a 12% increase in freshman applications, 18% in Honors College, and 8% in transfers. These pieces are all key to telling the 911�� story and attracting future Patriots.

The latest accolade came from Chief Marketer, which awarded 911�� Best Campaign Look and Feel/Design in the Design and Creativity category—surpassing such national competition as the revived Motorola Razr campaign. The Chief Marketer awards are juried by executives from both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, including UnderArmour, AAA, and the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning.

“Rebranding an institution as large and as celebrated as 911�� is a massive undertaking,” said Paul Allvin, vice president and chief brand officer. “The fact that we’re seeing such a positive response both from the university community but also from industry leaders is a tremendous validation of the thoughtful collaboration and work that went into this effort.”

Go behind the scenes to learn about our growth and journey to modernize 911��'s brand identity

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Office of University Branding

Integrated Enrollment Marketing IEM

Strategic Direction

911�� alumna and her furry coworker fight for Fairfax County kids

ckearney — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 14:27:02 +0000

911�� alumna and her furry coworker fight for Fairfax County kids ckearney Fri, 08/16/2024 - 10:27

When Samantha Carrico, MSW ’15, enters a room, eyes usually lock onto her charismatic coworker Rylynn, a five-year-old Labrador golden retriever mix. But while Fairfax County’s facility dog gets all the attention, Carrico is the key to making it all happen.

911�� alum Samantha Carrico and her coworker Rylynn. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

As the supervisor of Volunteer and Partner Services within the county’s Department of Family Services (DFS), this 911�� alumna plays a leading role in providing critical services to children and their families through programs that are powered entirely by volunteers.

“I like to call Volunteer and Partner Services the best-kept secret in DFS,” she said. “We’re providing so many resources to families and communities.”

Those resources include their popular holiday assistance program, Adopt-a-Family; the Befriend-a-Child mentoring program; and body safety classes for children offered in the public schools. Last year, the Body Safety Program alone served 15,000 children.

“It’s been really nice to see the impact that we’re making,” Carrico said. “Prevention is definitely where we’re going to move the needle for child welfare.”

When not managing four full-time staff members, almost 100 volunteers, and leading the county’s child welfare mandated reporter training for agencies ranging from county police departments to the CIA, Carrico is also the official handler for county facility dog Rylynn.

Rylynn is certified to accompany children to the witness stand when they must testify in court. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Carrico was working with Manassas City when she heard of a colleague who worked with a certified service dog and broached the idea with her supervisor. When she learned they could have one only if the dog were free, Carrico didn’t give up. After much research, her perseverance paid off. She found Canine Companions, an organization that offers trained service dogs to organizations and individuals free of charge, and Rylynn entered her life.

“Rylynn is actually the only facility dog at a family services or social services agency in the whole country,” Carrico said. Rylynn attends events and is certified to accompany children to the witness stand when they must testify in court. “She doesn’t have a vest, a badge, a gun. She’s not intimidating, and it’s very rewarding for a family or for a child to know that Rylynn is here for them, with no other agenda.”

Carrico hopes her experience with Rylynn—and her determination to find a way to make it happen—will help pave the way for more agencies nationwide to acquire their own facility dogs.

“Children will disclose when they’re ready, but also when they’re comfortable. And sometimes it’s on us as the professionals to help make sure the environment is comfortable for them.”

A licensed social worker, Carrico has been with Fairfax County in a full-time role since 2020, but her entry into the world of child welfare started long before that—and included a pivotal stop at 911��.

Born and raised in Northern Virginia, Carrico’s first memories of the university came at an early age, when she attended Camp Mason at the Fairfax Campus. When it came time to think about getting her master’s in social work, the choice was easy.

“Mason felt like a second home,” she says. Encouraged by the Department of Social Work faculty in the College of Public Health, Carrico decided to additionally pursue her licensure.

Carrico cites Valerie Cuffee, a former long-time social work faculty member who also had child welfare experience, as a particular influence. “Having a professor who was sharing her real cases and what she learned from them, and the mistakes she made—that was invaluable.”

Equally invaluable were the many internship opportunities the university offered her, including at a homeless shelter and with Loudoun County’s Department of Family Services. “What really resonated with me from being a student into being a professional is…how enriching my internships were.” She’s since paid the opportunities forward by frequently hiring 911�� students as interns.

It all comes back to her desire to make a difference, whether she’s offering in-person training or sitting quietly while Rylynn comforts a child in distress. “My heart really lies in wanting to do more.”

CPH Master of Social Work graduate program climbs among top programs in the nation

Internship doesn’t pay? Mason’s got you covered

ckearney — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 17:43:20 +0000

Internship doesn’t pay? Mason’s got you covered ckearney Fri, 01/12/2024 - 12:43

Unpaid internships, while often touted as a necessary gateway to a dream job, can pose unexpected barriers for students who may lack the funds for a professional wardrobe or child care, or who simply can’t take on extra hours in addition to working part- or full-time jobs.

Tourism and events management major Yuliana Rud used her scholarship to help pay for an internship in Argentina with Hola Veggie. Photo provided

Traditionally, the benefits of the internship experience have been used to justify the lack of pay. 911�� is anything but traditional, and instead is mindful of these economic barriers that can keep qualified students from taking an unmissable opportunity.

And that’s where Mason’s commitment to access via the Scholarship for Unpaid Internships comes in. Open to all undergraduate and graduate Mason students, the scholarship offers a much-needed infusion of funding that can often mean the difference in allowing a student to take on a career advancement opportunity without compromising themselves financially.

According to Saskia Campbell, executive director of University Career Services (UCS), Mason is filling a gap that can make all the difference in a student’s future. “Internships lead to job offers and higher starting salaries, and University Career Services is focused on creating more inclusive pathways for students to gain relevant experience,” said Campbell.

Since being established in 2017, the scholarship has grown significantly. According to Rebekah Truog, office manager at UCS, 160 students have thus far benefited from the scholarship with close to $250,000 distributed. Initial funding for the scholarship came from the University Life Parents Fund, which continues to occasionally contribute.

Kayleigh Newman. Photo provided

“Most of our funding comes directly from revenue from our Career Fairs,” said Truog. “We also get funding from our Employer Partner Program, as well as direct donations to Career Services. Of those direct donations, 100 percent goes to funding for the scholarship.”

And with those funds, students get to take on opportunities that can make a real difference in securing a career in their dream field after graduation. Among the organizations that Mason students have interned with and gained valuable experience from, Truog noted that many are community health organizations, nonprofits, the federal government, or nongovernmental organizations.

For some of these students, an internship is necessary to gain professional hours required for licensure. This was the case for Nathan Park, who is pursuing an MEd in counseling and development, with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling.

“My internship allowed me to obtain counseling hours so that I may apply for licensure in the state of Virginia,” said Park. “Receiving the scholarship alleviated my financial distress in paying for gas and rent.”

Kinesiology major Kayleigh Newman received the scholarship this past fall to intern at Innovative Physical Therapy and Wellness. “Being exposed to my field [physical therapy], getting to be hands on…and being inspired by seeing the things I am learning in practice” were all benefits of her internship, she said. “My internship has really confirmed to me that this is the right career path for me.”

Nathan Park. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Yuliana Rud, a tourism and events management major, echoes the sentiment. Rud interned in Argentina with Hola Veggie, a plant-based meal kit company. “I’m now more sure than ever that the major and career path I’ve chosen is right for me, and this internship was a big factor in that,” she said. “The scholarship helped cover daily costs while I was living in a different country, such as travel expenses, groceries, and materials for my work.”

Mason alum Austin McManus, BA History ’17, MA History ’18, was one of the first students to benefit. The scholarship helped pay for his housing in Washington, D.C., where he interned for the History Office at the National Archives.

“My time working at the National Archives was an important step in my professional career as a history educator,” said McManus, who is leads the History/Art Department at Fusion Academy, Tysons. “It was essentially the first time working as a historian in the professional world, and I developed important skills that I use in my current role.”

Learn more about the Scholarship for Unpaid Internships

Eating with an Entrepreneur

Lynn Tierney — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 19:29:00 +0000

Eating with an Entrepreneur Lynn Tierney Mon, 10/23/2023 - 15:29

In the endless sea of social media, perhaps you’ve stumbled upon the videos of @DCSpot and been introduced to a new hangout in the Washington, D.C., area.

Clocking in at under a minute, the videos feature first-person walk-through perspectives of a venue, making the viewer feel like they’re already there, taking in the vibe, about to dive into that dish or drink in front of them. Only at the end do you sometimes see the person behind @DCSpot’s more than 200,000 Instagram followers: Mason alum Alex Hussein, BS Information Systems and Operations Management ’21, who was featured in a February 2023 Washingtonian article about food influencers.

Mason alum Alex Hussein, owner/creater of DC Spot. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

“My page isn’t about me,” he says of his content. “It’s about D.C. and the DMV. It’s like a community page.”

Community plays a large role in his career trajectory—particularly the community at Mason. His siblings and four of his friends—all Mason alumni—and his parents influenced his decision to transfer to Mason from Northern Virginia Community College. And when a fellow student suggested he make a video for a Mason sorority, Hussein found his passion and realized he could parlay his skill into a business.

“I wouldn’t have gotten the start I did if I didn’t go to Mason and make the connections I did,” he says. “I was able to network with people—that’s how the opportunity came.”

He took a two-year break from school to focus on his business, often cold-calling or emailing potential clients and offering his services for free. That initiative paid off, and his community circle began to include more individuals paying for his work. But Mason always lingered in the back of his mind, and in spring 2020 he decided to return, switch majors, and finish his degree. “My parents being immigrants, they wanted me to get the degree,” he says. “It felt good just to be able to say, ‘You know, I finished.’”

All the while, he continued growing @DCSpot into what it is today—a content creation company five employees strong. While many social media accounts focus solely on the trendiest new restaurants, Hussein has taken a distinct departure by highlighting family-owned institutions. With his large audience, such videos can have a real positive impact on a business owner’s future prospects. “I like storytelling [about] local small businesses who could use the support…it’s not just me making the impact, but all the people who go out there and support it too.”

Giving back is a major driver for Hussein. His most-watched videos show him walking around various city hot spots and randomly handing out gift cards and positive notes to people he encounters. “It makes for a fun video. I feel good giving back, too,” he says. “I just like to have a good connection with people.”

It’s a different approach, but it’s one that speaks to Hussein’s motivations. “I’m here to grow,” he says. “Doing your passion—you can make more of an impact that way in the world, too.”

As for other Patriots wondering how they can forge their own entrepreneurial paths just like Hussein, he has some advice. “Figure out what you’re passionate about and how you can provide value to people,” he says. “The number one step is to just start.”

This story appears in the Fall 2023 Mason Spirit magazine.

Hussein comes from a Mason family, and with @DCSpot he’s continuing to pay it forward to Patriots. His sister Manal Hussein, BS Administration of Justice ’08, is an alum, and brother Nader Hussein, BS Biology ’11, is an alum and has taught as an adjunct faculty member in the Honors College. And two more Mason alumni are on @DCSpot’s payroll—Emmy Hamed, BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies ’18, MS Conflict Analysis and Resolution ’20, and Emily Compton, BA Sociology ’20.

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Birds of a Feather: Alum’s detective work can improve flight safety

ckearney — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 18:37:21 +0000

Birds of a Feather: Alum’s detective work can improve flight safety ckearney Wed, 01/11/2023 - 13:37

The pilot reported that his plane had hit something in the air big enough to knock a hole in the side of the wing. But when Carla Dove, MS Biology ’94, PhD Environmental Science and Public Policy ’98, received the strike sample's DNA results from the lab, she was stumped. “It kept coming back as whitetail deer…we sent it three times.”

Carla Dove in her lab. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution

The case of the deer in the sky was just one of the 10,000 bird strike cases Dove’s team investigates every year in the Feather Identification Lab at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. As program manager, the 911�� alum identifies the specific birds involved in collisions, with samples coming to her from various branches of the U.S. military, commercial airlines, and more.

It's work that can save lives and improve flight safety. Once the species is identified, airfield biologists work to mitigate the habitat to keep those birds from being attracted to the airfield, while engineers use the data to design safer aircraft and build models to increase awareness of this aviation hazard.

Dove has done this work for decades, going back to when she was pursuing her master’s and PhD at Mason. Mason’s flexibility, she said, was ideal. “The courses being offered at night allowed me to work during the day.”

She also credits the mentorship she received from the late Mason professor emeritus Carl Ernst. “He was extremely helpful, patient, and encouraging because he knew I was a first-generation college student and that I needed a little bit of extra help.”

Carla Dove examines a specimen. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution

Dove’s experience is typical of Mason’s ethos of welcoming and supporting every kind of student, with 40% of current students identifying as first-generation.

Because of Dove’s work with government and military entities, Ernst advised her to look at a policy PhD. Dove says her PhD helped her advance professionally. “It helps open doors; it helps write grants. It was something that I needed for my job here.”

And her job is a busy one. In addition to the aviation industry, Dove works on everything from crime scene investigations (think evidence from a down jacket or a pillow) to identifying the feathers used on anthropological artifacts like arrow heads, spear tips, and headdresses.

As for that collision supposedly caused by a deer at 1,500 feet? Dove took another look and found a tiny feather remnant. When she observed it under the microscope, it all clicked into place.

“It turned out to be a black vulture,” she said. The bird was likely feeding on a deer just before it soared into the sky and collided with the plane. “That for me was a case of ‘mind over molecules’…you always have to have an open mind [and] think about it in the broad sense—how does all this fit?”

It all comes down to being able to think differently—just one of the ways Dove and her alma mater are birds of a feather.

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