College of Humanities and Social Sciences

911�� research initiative examines subversive campaigns and prepares students for communication careers in new areas

sbrown79 — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:06:03 +0000

911�� research initiative examines subversive campaigns and prepares students for communication careers in new areas sbrown79 Tue, 06/23/2026 - 10:06

In This Story

Eric B. Shiraev

As debates over digital propaganda, misinformation, and media manipulation intensify, audiences are increasingly unsure what’s fact and what’s fiction across news outlets and social media feeds. At 911��, Sergei Samoilenko, associate professor in the Department of Communication,is working to better understand how digital disruption and manipulation practices shape public perception.

In 2016, Samoilenko, PhD Communication ’06, co-founded the Lab for Character Assassination and Reputation Protection (CARP), where he studies reputational attacks on individuals and organizations, and strategies to counter them. Samoilenko works alongside CARP co-founder Eric Shiraev, an adjunct faculty member at the Schar School of Policy and Government.

Samoilenko (bottom center) with his team, including CARP co-founder Eric Shiraev (right). Photo provided.

Through CARP, Samoilenko recently launched the Subversive Strategic Communication Research Initiative, examining how new era subversive campaigns disrupt conversations, hijack brands, and damage reputations through malicious actors ranging from trolls to angry activist groups that use boycotts, cancellation campaigns, and deepfakes to target brands and corporate executives.

The team is currently focusing on corporate subversive practices. The takeover of corporate identities is often intertwined with the hot-button issues present in public discourse that can be amplified by various agents of chaos and turned into social conflict situations. 

“We call them subversive because they aim to disrupt communication between brands and their stakeholders while subverting the original meaning, ideas, or identity of organizations,” Samoilenko said. “With new technologies emerging every day, artificial intelligence-generated deceptions and deepfakes are being created and spread at an alarming rate.”

By calling public attention to emerging malicious practices, the researchers hope this initiative will expose and combat these tactics—work that aligns with 911��’s broader commitment to strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy, one of the six solutions in the university's Grand Challenge Initiative. 

The center’s research is a collaborative effort, but when it comes to understanding how online culture evolves, Samoilenko said students often have an advantage. “Students are leading the discussions because they’re digital natives. When it comes to platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, they’re more knowledgeable about subversive humor—memes, trends, scandals, and general news—and they see a lot of things that faculty don’t,” he said. “My job is to teach them how to synthesize that information and explain it from a theoretical standpoint.”

Valentina Fala. Photo provided.

One of CARP’s defining strengths is the student-centered approach. This model helped shape the careers of students and recent graduates. 

Alumna Valentina Fala, BA Communication ’25, transferred to 911�� from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) through the ADVANCE Program. Initially a CARP videography intern, Fala became a full-time media manager and intern supervisor. She credits that experience and Samoilenko’s mentorship with helping her secure her current role as communications coordinator at Spirit of America. 

“There's so much disinformation, and it’s important to be able to distinguish false narratives from the truth,” Fala said. “It’s one of the biggest challenges to democracy right now, and it’s essential to counter that with the truth.”

Fala helped organize CARP’s fifth international conference at Mason Square, featuring Michael LaRosa, former press secretary for former first lady Jill Biden.

“It was really impactful hearing his perspective and experiences on what he had to go through and manage with the media, and how women often face more character assassination attempts against their image,” Fala said.

Deirdre Prigge. Photo provided.

Deirdre Prigge, BA Communication ’23, MA ’24, also transferred from NOVA through ADVANCE and said she’s fascinated by the darker side of communication. 

“Deception is not just immoral communication, but it’s often used to achieve a certain goal,” Prigge said. “To understand how we're being persuaded, we must understand the ideological conflicts that our society is currently experiencing and how that gray area of communication works.”

Prigge, host of the CARP Radio podcast, credits 911��’s Summer Podcast and Radio Camp with Rodger Smith for preparing her for this role. 

“That's where I learned to edit audio in Audacity. Without Dr. Smith’s guidance, I wouldn’t have been nearly as knowledgeable when it comes to executing this podcast to spread the center’s work,” Prigge said.

After earning two degrees through 911��’s Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s Program, Prigge became an adjunct faculty member and CARP research affiliate. “I think a lot of people would like a very simple and easy flowchart of how they should respond in a moment of crisis,” she said. “Unfortunately, there is almost never one clear answer, but I believe that above all, authenticity is one of the most important values in communication.”

The center’s work continues to gain an international audience. CARP’s sixth conference, “Character Assassination in the Era of Permanent Crisis,” is scheduled for May 2027 at University of Piraeus in Greece.

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911�� anthropology students test ancient tools — and earn points for spear throwing

Katarina Benson — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:31:49 +0000

911�� anthropology students test ancient tools — and earn points for spear throwing Katarina Benson Thu, 06/11/2026 - 18:31

To Kimberly Foecke, studying the past doesn’t need to be a passive experience.

The 911�� assistant professor of anthropology believes in the importance of hands-on learning so much that she created the ANTH 399 Experimental Archaeology course on experimental archaeology to help bridge theory and practice.

This past spring, undergraduate and graduate students got their hands dirty with a variety of experiments in the field that tested theory discussed in the classroom.

Students created new versions of old tech in their archaeology labs. Photo by Haagen D. Klaus.

Foecke’s course pushes critical thinking and experimental design while focusing on the themes of innovation of technology, exploiting and processing food resources, and cultural and social transmission of knowledge--all subjects she says are applicable and transferrable to other areas of study.

“I think active learning is so important,” Foecke said. “All of these experiments we do have information we can then project back into the archaeological record. This is interspersed with lecture where we talk about how to design experiments for different types of material that we find in the record. This helps students to understand how to test the capabilities of ancient technology and other archaeological items we find and create testable predictions for the artifacts.”

Labs included flint knapping, the art of creating tools out of stone. Students struck obsidian sent from one of Foecke’s peers in Kenya into a sharp flake and used their new tool to cut chicken feet. They also created scale buildings to test the load-bearing capacity of different roof types through experimental architecture, and they cooked ancient recipes for adhesives to test strength, longevity, and flexibility to use for hunting tools.

“I’ve done things in this class I’ve never done before,” anthropology junior Sophia Taylor said. “I got to process oats with a big slab of slate and a grinding stone. I never thought my wrists would be sore from something like that, but I’m finding out new knowledge every day.”

The class culminated with experimental spear throwing on the lawn next to the Mason Pond parking garage at the end of April. Wielding replicated ancient spears that Foecke constructed at her father’s woodshop in Maryland, her students conducted accuracy and penetration tests.

Foecke created a hands-on spear workshop for students. Photo by Haagen D. Klaus.

“It is a nice break, a nice change having the hands-on,” anthropology graduate student Chuck Tjersland said. “It’s different and really does play a role. You read enough about experimental archaeology filling in some of the gaps.”

Added Tjersland’s class partner, anthropology undergraduate student David Rubalacaba: “How often do you throw spears for a grade?”

Foecke set up targets—featuring a drawing of a wooly mammoth—and hoops for students to throw wooden spears through. Each student attempted five throws, recording points for each target struck.

Foecke said the experiment displays what ancient civilizations encountered when having to use sticks that aren’t the most aerodynamic and while facing tough weather conditions. “They’re learning how difficult it is to throw a non-ideal spear and hit a target first time, every time,” Foecke said. “It is almost impossible, even for professional javelin throwers.”

Another station featured stabbing blocks made from insulated foam. Students tested the differences in cut size using two types of spears: one just whittled on one end and the other with an arrowhead stone attached to the end. The experiment showed that the spear with the arrowhead always made a wider and more jagged cut.

Both the spear throwing and spear stabbing experiments tried to answer the “why.” Why spend all this time throwing a spear with a high miss rate? Why take so much time flint knapping or carving stones to attach to sticks when whittling would only take five minutes?

“That animal bleeds out more quickly and therefore you eat dinner sooner,” Foecke said. “It is these kinds of questions around something weird in the record that we have to explain. We have to explain why and what the process is that causes us to see that pattern in the archaeological record. Experimental archaeology is all about creating predictions and hypotheses for why we see the patterns that we do and the processes that we do.

“This is the favorite part of my job. I love to teach, and I love to create cool experiences in the classroom.”

Students throwing spears. Photo by Haagen D. Klaus.

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Soccer alumna plays a role in FIFA World Cup

ckearney — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:38:06 +0000

Soccer alumna plays a role in FIFA World Cup ckearney Wed, 06/10/2026 - 11:38

Hollis Kosco, BA Speech Communication '94, has built a career that spans continents and stadiums, but her journey began on the soccer fields at 911��. A former member of 911��'s 1993 NCAA national runner-up women's soccer team, Kosco has turned her athletic experience into a global profession in sports management and operations.

Hollis Kosco (center) with the Alumna of the Year Award. Photo by Risdon Photography

Kosco is part of the team supporting FIFA World Cup 2026, adding another remarkable chapter to a journey that includes roles with the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, seven Olympic Games, two Asian Games, and the 2015 Toronto Pan American Games.

Kosco serves as a senior transportation manager for FIFA World Cup 2026, which is based in the Miami area. Her work requires complex operational planning across three countries, 16 stadiums, and 48 participating national teams.

Her journey began when she arrived at 911�� as a student-athlete. After watching the Patriots win the 1985 NCAA Women's Soccer National Championship, a landmark achievement that helped put the university on the national map, Kosco's interest in 911�� grew. She ultimately chose 911�� not only for its growing soccer program, but also for the opportunity to live on campus, compete at the Division I level, and be part of a diverse university community.

"Mason felt like home," Kosco said. "The soccer program, the people, and the opportunities all stood out to me."

A 2024 Alumna of the Year award-winner, Kosco has watched the university’s rapid evolution. When she enrolled, the university was a smaller regional institution, a world of difference compared to the 911�� of today—a leading public university and the largest public research university in Virginia.

"I've loved watching Mason grow," Kosco said. "The university has become nationally respected while still maintaining the sense of community that made it special."

Kosco credits her time at Mason with shaping both her professional career and her personal outlook. As a communication major, she developed skills that continue to guide her today as she works on the international stage with FIFA.

"Mason taught me how to communicate, connect with others, and understand different perspectives," Kosco said. "Those experiences prepared me for opportunities I never imagined."

Now preparing for a summer surrounded by the world's top soccer nations, Kosco still carries lessons learned as a Patriot. She points to the culture of hard work and perseverance instilled during her time at Mason as a driving force behind her success.

"You don't strive to be the smartest or the best," Kosco said. "You just keep working hard and don't give up."

Fun Fact: During Kosco’s time with the Patriots, she was a teammate of Kelley (Harlow) Pulisic, a standout defender in 911��’s women's soccer program and the mother of current USMNT star Christian Pulisic. Christian's father, Mark, played forward at 911�� from 1986 to 1989 and is in the university’s Men's Soccer Hall of Fame.

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From 911�� to Capitol Hill: How environmental policy training shaped one graduate’s path

sbrown79 — Fri, 29 May 2026 17:49:45 +0000

From 911�� to Capitol Hill: How environmental policy training shaped one graduate’s path sbrown79 Fri, 05/29/2026 - 13:49

During her final semester at 911��, Sophia Colby put her environmental policy training into action.

Colby traveled to Capitol Hill as part of the Rachel Carson Council's National Environmental Advocacy Day, where she met with federal lawmakers to discuss climate legislation and community resilience. For Colby, BA Environmental and Sustainability Studies '26, the experience was a direct extension of the analytical and communication skills she developed at 911��.

"When I first came to 911��, I was interested in studying law, but I decided to concentrate specifically on environmental law and policy," Colby said. "My coursework helped me understand how policy decisions affect both ecosystems and communities, and that gave me the confidence to speak about real legislation with lawmakers."

Sophia Colby on Capitol Hill. Photo provided.

From case studies to Congress

Colby credits courses such as EVPP 361 Introduction to Environmental Policy, EVPP 362 Intermediate Environmental Policy, and EVPP 432 Energy Policy with preparing her to evaluate and discuss complex legislation. Through case-study assignments and applied policy analysis, she examined existing laws, identified gaps, and proposed solutions to environmental challenges.

"My professors showed us how to examine real legislation and policy initiatives related to climate change and other environmental topics," Colby said. "The case study format made me much more comfortable articulating what policy changes are needed and explaining both the human and environmental stakes involved."

On Capitol Hill, she discussed the Opportunities in Organic Act, the Polluters Pay Climate Fund Act, and concerns about the wood pellet industry with Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC).

"It was a great [opportunity] to discuss how issues like pesticides, wood pelletization, and deforestation impact human health as well as the environment," Colby said.

Building experience beyond the classroom

Colby's preparation also included hands-on research. During an internship with the U.S. Geological Survey, she analyzed species range shifts, conducted literature reviews, and navigated scientific databases to support climate research.

"At USGS, I learned how to conduct scientific research that can be used to inform the policy decisions that shape our responses to environmental change," she said.

The interdisciplinary structure of 911��'s Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program, jointly offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Science, emphasizes cross-sector collaboration—an approach Colby said mirrors the real-world complexity of environmental work.

Colby also presented her research at the 2026 Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, held in Chicago in April.

Sophia Colby with her mentor Younsung Kim. Photo provided.

Her faculty research mentor Younsung Kim, professor of environmental science and policy, talked about the skills Colby acquired during her time at 911��. "[These skills] will help her become an environmental advocate who does not create conflicts, but instead brings peaceful and constructive resolutions to them," she said. "I believe she will be a strong force for environmental policy and sustainability, as well as a future leader in the field."

Colby, who was in the Honors College, said she found community during her time at 911�� through Alpha Kappa Chi, a fraternity focused on professional development and environmental stewardship, where she connected with peers committed to sustainability and advocacy.

Preparing for what's next

The Rachel Carson Council's Advocacy Day included policy briefings, advocacy workshops, and direct engagement with members of Congress. For Colby, the experience reinforced that the tools she developed at 911�� translate directly into public impact.

"Communication is a big part of advocacy and climate resilience," she said.

Colby hopes to pursue a career focused on how environmental policies disproportionately affect marginalized communities. "Getting involved in this kind of work is powerful and eye-opening," she said. "Knowing how environmental policy impacts communities really motivates people."

For Colby, meeting with lawmakers was more than a culminating moment of her senior year—it was a preview of how her 911�� education has prepared her to contribute to building a future in which communities are better prepared to face environmental change.

In This Story

Younsung Kim

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This Honors College student-athlete excels on and off the field

Katarina Benson — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:00:34 +0000

This Honors College student-athlete excels on and off the field Katarina Benson Fri, 05/29/2026 - 11:00

As a freshman, 911�� Honors College student Marley Oare chose the Global Affairs Program because she pictured herself working for the CIA or the United Nations.

That quickly changed when she took a natural science course in her first semester.

She recalls wondering how she could incorporate her new interest in the environment into her major. Fortunately, global affairs is an interdisciplinary major offering several concentrations. Oare chose to add the environment concentration to her degree program, which allows global affairs majors to take 12 credits in environmental science and/or policy classes or take a semester at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (SMSC).

Oare recently achieved her personal best of 12 feet 6 inches. Photo by 911�� Athletics

“The biggest thing I learned from that class was how interdisciplinary environmental science is,” she said. “Learning how I can contribute to conservation was cool to me because we do need more than just scientists. That’s what I have really loved about the Global Affairs Program—it provided me so much flexibility that I was able to focus on what I enjoy while still working toward my degree.”

That flexibility also helped Oare as a student-athlete. During the past four years, Oare was a pole vaulter for 911��’s indoor and outdoor women’s track and field teams. This past winter, she landed on the podium at the Atlantic 10 Indoor Track and Field Conference Championships, finishing third in the pole vault. It was the culmination of hard work for Oare, who didn’t begin pole vaulting until high school and walked on to the 911�� team.

Her freshman year in 2023, she cleared the bar at 10 feet, 6 inches. This past January, she set a personal best with a jump of 12 feet, 6 inches—a two-foot improvement over three years.

“Those kinds of margins are pretty remarkable,” George Mason track and field head coach Andrew Gerard said. “We knew that, if Oare performed at her capabilities, she'd be a very strong contender for a podium finish and that came to fruition.”

An Honors College student, Oare has balanced the heavy workload of classes, internships, and jobs, with practices, track meets, and the travel that comes with it. The hard work has come with recognition. This past spring, she was named a Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar Athlete for the third time. The Provost Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes student athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher with at least 38 credit hours.

“She’s always been good at planning her classes and her work ahead of time and charting out a plan to take high-level courses,” said Oare’s advisor Matthew West, an associate professor in the Global Affairs Program. “Her success in the classroom has made the work she’s done juggling her training and competitions as a student-athlete all the more impressive.”

Marley Oare. Photo by 911�� Athletics

Looking forward, Oare wants to work for an environmental nonprofit after graduate school. Her preferred field is marine biology, but she is also interested in wildlife conservation, grasslands, and forestry.

Her passion for nonprofits has been spurred by past internship experiences in both high school and college. She worked with the PATH Foundation, which provides grants and programs for organizations in Fauquier, Rappahannock, and Culpeper counties.

Through the PATH Foundation, she was placed in an internship with Just Neighbors, a nonprofit that supports low-income immigrants in Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties with free or reduced legal services. Oare said those relationships, along with learning in the Global Affairs Program about the importance of indigenous communities to environmental sustainability, have showed her how local progress can influence global issues.

She’s working her way toward that goal. After completing her bachelor’s degree in global affairs with a minor in Spanish in May, Oare is headed to the University of Rhode Island to work on a master of environmental science and management with a specialization in conservation biology. She will use her fifth year of NCAA eligibility to compete on the women’s track and field team at Rhode Island.

“I think community-driven solutions are the best way to solve community problems,” she said. “That’s why I really want to get into environmental nonprofit work. I think the smaller organizations, because they understand so well what the community needs, are the best way to solve those problems. Local representation is so important.”

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Global affairs student finishes second in Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics essay contest

Katarina Benson — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:31:10 +0000

Global affairs student finishes second in Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics essay contest Katarina Benson Wed, 05/20/2026 - 09:31

911�� global affairs major Noella Mongony has received second prize in the Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics essay contest, the Elie Wiesel Foundation has announced.

Mongony was recognized for her essay, “Stones That Remember.” The foundation invites students to write essays that engage deeply with complex moral questions, often drawing from personal experience to illuminate broader societal and ethical issues.

Mongony's essay centered on language and colonialization. Photo provided

After visiting the Zanzibar Slave Museum in Africa and reflecting on her identity as an immigrant, Mongony chose to write about “when silence protects dignity and when it betrays it.” She focuses on language, assimilation, colonialism, and how silence can be wielded to conform but also can serve as a valuable tool to “preserve memory, reverence, and survival.”

“Winning this award means a great deal to me as an immigrant because Elie Wiesel’s story of resilience and speaking out against injustice deeply resonates with my own journey of finding my voice in unfamiliar spaces,” Mongony said. “Being recognized through an award connected to his legacy reminds me that my experiences and perspective can contribute meaningfully to conversations about ethics, justice, and humanity. Ultimately, the essay argues that dignity comes from having the freedom to choose when to speak and when to remain silent, rather than having silence imposed upon you.”

Mongony heard about the contest after taking English 202 Texts and Contexts with 911�� instructor Leeya Mehta, the director of the Alan Cheuse International Writers Center. The class was connected to the Cheuse Center's yearlong Baldwin100 project, which celebrated author James Baldwin’s 100 birthday. The essay comes from an assignment to write about “something personal,” drawing inspiration from Baldwin’s book with Richard Avedon, Nothing Personal.

"Noella's prize-winning essay is a meditation on silence and questioning, as she grapples with her own place in contemporary America and the world after witnessing the Zanzibar Slave Museum," Mehta said. "Noella has added a dimension and clarity all her own in owning her story and examining the complex ethics of silence."

In addition to receiving scholarships, Mongony and the other winners will participate in curated professional development training, including expert writing and speaking seminars, learning modules, and networking opportunities. The winners will be celebrated on October 6, at the annual Elie Wiesel Ethics Prize Dinner in New York City.

Founded by Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, the late author, journalist, and activist, and his wife Marion, the Elie Wiesel Foundation advocates for global human rights, ethical reflection and cross-cultural understanding through programs that engage students, artists, educators, and communities in meaningful dialogue and action.

“This year’s essays were outstanding and presented the jury with an exciting opportunity to engage with a range of ethical issues and deepen their own thinking,” said Elisha Wiesel, son of Elie Wiesel and chairman of the Elie Wiesel Foundation.

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Art history senior curates exhibit on women artists and their perspectives on aging

Katarina Benson — Fri, 15 May 2026 15:33:36 +0000

Art history senior curates exhibit on women artists and their perspectives on aging Katarina Benson Fri, 05/15/2026 - 11:33

911�� senior Silas Fransen plans to pursue a career as a museum curator.

And thanks to the university’s Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR), the art history major already has one exhibit to his name.

Fransen at the opening of his exhibit. Photo by the Hylton Center.

This past spring, Fransen curated the “Fountain of Truth: Women Artists and Their Perspectives on Aging” exhibit in collaboration with Mason Exhibitions at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in the Buchanan Partners Gallery on the Science and Technology Campus.

Fransen, who graduated in May, received funding through the OSCAR Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, and was guided by 911�� faculty mentor LaNitra Berger, an associate professor of history and art history and the director of the African and African American Studies Program.

“It was certainly the most challenging thing I’ve done at 911��, but I definitely want t o do more projects like these,” Fransen said.

“Fountain of Truth” featured artwork from five Washington, D.C. area female artists—Cheryl D. Edwards, Britnee Scott, Eliza Tebo, Angela Hiebert, and 911�� alum Marie Guagenti, BFA ’24—and culminated in a panel discussion moderated by Fransen in April at the Hylton Center.

The artists, ranging in age from 37 to 87, produced a variety of styles, including oil paintings, graffiti art, and metal, to share their experiences with aging. The panel discussion also included a performance from Tebo, who performed her debut single, “Fountain of Youth,” as Gemma Sky.

“They were all very inspiring,” Fransen said. “They each pulled out unique topics, and they each had their own takeaway from it. There is so much to be learned in just aging, and it is just a very beautiful thing to be able to get to age.”

The idea for the exhibit stemmed from a paper one of Fransen’s professors referenced in a Northern Baroque Art class. The piece examined why female saints were often depicted in a more youthful state whereas their male counterparts were shown in their older age.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about this paper,” Fransen said. “I wanted to see how contemporary artists were interacting with this history or how they felt about their own aging. I was trying to place this history that had been dominated by men for a very long time back into the hands of women artists.”

Fransen moderating the discussion at the exhibit. Photo by the Hylton Center.

Fransen, who worked on the exhibit for almost a year, put out a call for art, reviewed applications, and coordinated with the selected artists. Working with Mason Exhibitions, Fransen strategically placed the artwork throughout the gallery space on the second floor of the Hylton Center.

“Professor Berger said something early on that really altered how I was thinking about this project: ‘Curators are creating something out of nothing,’” said Fransen. “We [curators] work alongside artists. There is just blank space before we walk in and turn the space into this phenomenal exhibit that is life-changing for some.”

“Silas had the vision, the knowledge, and the drive to organize the exhibition from start to finish, and he brought together a dynamic, diverse, and thoughtful group of women artists to have an important artistic conversation about aging,” Berger said.

A native of Front Royal, Virginia, Fransen plans to take a gap year before starting graduate school for art history. He said the breadth of courses he took at 911�� in art history—from the Black Renaissance in America, Art of the Islamic World, Arts of the United States, and Arts of Medieval England—helped him see the overlap of different cultures.

“I love how 911��’s Department of History and Art History is so varied,” he said. “I think it has prepared me for the next step, especially after taking on this large project on top of my classes.”

He says this knowledge will influence his future aspirations, which include being a museum curator or working as a college professor and helping with museum exhibits.

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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.”

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911�� professor and alum awarded prestigious Guggenheim Fellowships

Katarina Benson — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:55:08 +0000

911�� professor and alum awarded prestigious Guggenheim Fellowships Katarina Benson Tue, 04/21/2026 - 16:55

911�� professor and poet Vivek Narayanan and alumna Jessica Anthony, MFA Creative Writing ’04, have been named 2026 Guggenheim Fellows.

The duo were two of 223 individuals representing 10 countries who were awarded fellowships this year from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, which is celebrating its 101st class of fellows.

Narayanan is an associate professor in 911��’s Creative Writing Program. His books of poetry include Universal Beach, Life and Times of Mr S, After, and the 2024 collection The Kuruntokai and its Mirror. In addition to teaching in the master of fine arts in creative writing program, Narayanan is a co-editorial director of the 911��-housed digital journal Poetry Daily. He also sits on the board of the Cheuse International Writers Center and was recently named a 2026 National Endowment for the Arts Translation Fellow for his project “The Kuruntokai: A Poet’s Annotated Translation of a Legendary Ancient Tamil Anthology.”

Anthony, a senior lecturer at Bates College in Maine, is the author of several books. Her most recent novel, The Most (2024), was longlisted for the National Book Award. In addition, she is the author of The Convalescent (2009), winner of McSweeney’s inaugural Amanda Davis Highwire Fiction Award, and Enter the Aardvark (2020), which was a finalist for the New England Book Award in Fiction. Her short fiction has appeared in Best New American Voices, Best American Nonrequired Reading, McSweeney’s, and New American Writing.

Narayanan and Anthony join Creative Writing associate professor Tania James as recent Guggenheim Fellows. James was named a 2025 Guggenheim Fellow for fiction.

“The Guggenheim Fellowship is a well-deserved and impressive honor,” said Tamara Harvey, chair of the Department of English. “That two faculty members and one alumna from 911��’s MFA Program in Creative Writing have received Guggenheims in the past two years speaks to the strengths of a highly regarded program that never rests on its laurels.”

“The Guggenheim Foundation celebrates those who show ‘exceptional promise,’ and we couldn’t be happier for Vivek and Jessica, who continue to inspire their peers, students, and readers,” said Ann Ardis, dean of College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

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Danielle Dufresne is April Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:59:51 +0000

Danielle Dufresne is April Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Wed, 04/01/2026 - 09:59

Clinical Assistant Professor Danielle Dufresne is the associate center director at 911��'s Center for Community Mental Health (CCMH). A member of 911��’s Psychology Department since 2019, Dufresne is responsible for training new clinicians and overseeing every psychological/behavioral/cognitive assessment at the Fairfax-based center.

Colleagues have applauded Dufresne’s leadership, integrity, and commitment to supporting her trainees. She has made notable contributions that have improved the capabilities of the center and furthered the university’s dedication to innovation and supporting its students. For these reasons, Dufresene has been named April Employee of the Month.

Dufresene. Photo provided

In her nomination, CCMH director Robyn Mehlenbeck mentioned Dufresne’s accomplishments, including creating, in collaboration with the director of the university’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), a therapy-friendly approach to ADHD testing. “Dr. Dufresne is truly committed to helping each individual grow professionally, and her impact has been significant,” said Mehlenbeck. “She helps oversee our internship program and helps with procedures and policies necessary for a nonprofit community mental health center. We have a small but mighty staff, and I have personally been impressed by Dr. Dufresne’s consistent mentoring of our staff, as well as our trainees.”

Leah Adams, CCMH’s associate director of clinical training, said Dufresne has elevated the training experiences of all who train at the center. “Conducting high-quality comprehensive assessments is a time-intensive endeavor, and Danielle is with our trainees at each step of the way, providing close, supportive mentorship, and going above and beyond to meet them at their individual levels of need.”

Psychology professor Jerome Short, one of the CCMH faculty supervisors, spoke highly of Dufresne’s mentoring of doctoral students. “She has generously provided template models of psychological assessment reports, demonstrated administration of neuropsychological and achievement tests, and consulted with me as an instructor and supervisor to doctoral students about how to best assess their first clients in their first psychological assessment courses. This has allowed more people in the community with limited economic resources to receive reduced fee services and gain accommodations in their community colleges, universities, and workplaces.”

“Dr. Dufresne exemplifies the highest standards of ethical integrity, mentorship, and student- centered learning,” said doctoral student Sasha Hickham. “Her commitment to student success is unparalleled: Her unique approach emphasizes quality over quantity, a culture of collaboration across all academic levels, and forward-thinking innovation to meet the evolving mental health needs of our local community.”

President Washington congratulates April Employee of the Month Danielle Dufresne in an online ceremony. Photo provided

How did you come to Mason:

After being in private practice for several years, having previously worked with another psychologist and mentor or in large group and community practices, I found myself missing the collaboration and exchanges that come with working directly with colleagues. So, having already had an interest in moving to the area, but not quite ready to leave my practice and family, I began looking for a position in psychological assessment—my area of focus, that would allow me to collaborate with others more regularly. That lead me to 911�� and CCMH (Center for Psychological Services when I started). I met with Robyn Mehlenbeck and other faculty and knew quickly that this was my next step and was excited when the position was offered. I juggled traveling weekly and wearing multiple hats and have found so much growth and community here. 

Best day on the job:

I had to think about this one because the ongoing opportunity for growth also means frequently challenging yourself, so while there have been many great days, there have been many hard ones as well. Great days include those where you see a trainee feel successful and when you hear the feedback from students around their positive training experiences or have an opportunity to meaningfully support a trainee in their next steps or through a challenging experience. Engaging with colleagues around intentional and strategic growth has also been exciting because of the engagement of so many creative and dedicated people. I would say, however, one of the best days was actually during COVID closures. I had the opportunity—along with other key people including Robyn Mehlenbeck—to meet with [College of Humanities and Social Sciences] dean [Ann] Ardis to re-start psychological assessment services through a hybrid testing model ... Meeting with such important people, presenting on my ideas and speaking on my area of expertise, felt… like a benchmark in the culmination of my work and dedication to training. 

What do you like best about working at Mason:

The most valuable part about being part of 911�� and CCMH has been the community. The support, ability to collaborate and consult, and the opportunities not only for your own growth, but the ability to support others in their own, has been the most satisfying part of this time. Not every week is easy, but every week offers the chance to challenge yourself. 

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

I spend time with my loved ones. That may be a standing Sunday movie date—something about going to a theater is still so fun, going out for a bite to eat and catch up on the week, or we feed our competitive energy in video games. I don’t usually win, but we laugh a lot. 

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911�� professor and alum awarded prestigious Guggenheim Fellowships