Alumni

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.

Topics

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Communication

Alumni

Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s

ADVANCE

GCI-Democracy

Research

Student research advances phishing detection and cybersecurity innovation

Katelynn C Hipolito — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:52:13 +0000

Student research advances phishing detection and cybersecurity innovation Katelynn C Hipolito Mon, 06/15/2026 - 09:52

Taylor Le, BS Information Technology ‘26, was participating in the Professional Readiness Experiential Program (PREP) internship at Mobius when he was put in contact with Brian Ngac, the assistant dean for centers and FedWriters, Inc., Corporate Partner Faculty Fellow at the Costello College of Business at 911��, who was helping to fund the program.

(left to right) Tien Nguyen, Taylor Le, Richard Nguyen, and Brian Ngac at the 2026 Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Symposium. Photo provided by Brian Ngac.

During weekly check-ins throughout the internship, Ngac provided Le with a more in-depth understanding of PREP, an experiential learning program he launched at Costello. Le expressed interest in conducting research on phishing detection to which Ngac encouraged him to develop a proposal so he could help secure funding. The PREP internship was sponsored by the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, which also supported the research conducted by Le and his team.

To conduct formal research on a multi-signal phishing detection and continuous user training platform, Le recruited two Virginia Tech computer science students—Tien Nguyen and Richard Nguyen—whom he met through networking. The industry participant Ngac paired them with was Parsons Corporation, a digitally enabled solutions provider at which he also works. Nathan Dykas, senior computational intelligence officer, and Daniel Boyce, AI (artificial intelligence)/ML (machine learning) engineer, mentored the student team during weekly meetings, providing recommendations and guidance on the direction of their research.

“It was awesome to see all the different professors and other students who are going down the same path as us and to see what they were doing with their research, as well as to get additional feedback that we could use to improve our own research.”

— Taylor Le, BS Information Technology ‘26

In collaboration with Parsons Corporation, the team developed Orion, a platform designed for phishing detection and user training. Orion was developed to address the issue of detecting modern phishing pages by combining machine learning with contextual guidance. It turns detection into an immediate teaching moment by mapping findings for the user, showing which parts of the page triggered concern.

Orion was selected for demonstration at the 2026 Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Symposium in Richmond, Virginia, where the team forged valuable connections and gained insights to further strengthen the platform.

“It was awesome to see all the different professors and other students who are going down the same path as us and to see what they were doing with their research, as well as to get additional feedback that we could use to improve our own research,” says Le. The entire team made the trip for the symposium, where they had a booth playing their demo video and where they conducted a live demo as well.

“Being an information technology major, I always thought that I was kind of looped into only being able to do IT-based jobs,” says Le. “But doing a technical project like this gave me more confidence to strive higher and chase those cyber engineering jobs, which I feel like, without the program, I wouldn’t be in the same spot.”

The team’s successful showcase at the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Symposium underscores how experiential learning, research, and industry partnerships can come together to prepare students to develop innovative solutions in the fields of AI and cybersecurity. Because of PREP and its invaluable industry connections, Le graduated with greater clarity, confidence, and direction, ready to make his mark in these evolving fields.

In This Story

Brian Ngac

Topics

Experiential Learning Program

Professional Readiness Experiential Program

Costello College of Business News

Corporate Partner Faculty Fellow

Costello College of Business Students

Cybersecurity

Students

Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI)

Alumni

Tony Skinn earns contract extension through 2031-32 season

ckearney — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:06:20 +0000

Tony Skinn earns contract extension through 2031-32 season ckearney Thu, 06/11/2026 - 13:06

911�� Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis has announced a two-year contract extension for men's basketball head coach Tony Skinn, BA Communication ’06, through the 2031-32 season.

Skinn is the first coach in school history to lead his teams to three-straight 20-win seasons. Photo by 911�� Athletics

The 2025 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year and architect of 911��'s first A-10 championship team, Skinn has put together the best start to a coaching career in school history and cemented himself as one of the top young coaches in the nation.

He's set new program bests for overall wins (70), league wins (35), overall winning percentage (.693) and league winning percentage (.648) for a Patriot coach over his first three campaigns. What's more, Skinn's 69.3 overall winning percentage ranks 17th nationally among current Division I head coaches with at least 3 seasons at the helm.

"Tony represents everything we value in 911�� men's basketball and in our broader athletics program," said Lewis. "In just three seasons, he has elevated our competitive standard, delivered sustained success on the court, and built a culture rooted in accountability, player development, and integrity. This extension reflects our confidence in Tony's vision, his leadership, and his commitment to continuing to position 911�� as a nationally respected program. We're excited about what lies ahead for Patriot basketball under his direction."

Skinn is the first coach in school history to lead his teams to three-straight 20-win seasons. The fastest bench boss to 50 wins in program annals, Skinn has guided the Patriots to two consecutive NIT appearances, marking the first time since 2007-09 the program has reached back-to-back postseasons (NCAA or NIT). 911�� is one of just three A-10 programs during Skinn's tenure to finish in the NET top-100 all three seasons.

"This extension is a testament to what our staff and players have built together while bringing the vision of Patriot Pressure to life," Skinn said. "We've set a strong foundation over these past three years and will continue to elevate our collective standard. I'm grateful to our fans and administration who have invested in this program and understand what it takes to compete at the national level. The best is yet to come."

Tony Skinn has been instrumental in the development of dynamic players who have brought his Patriot Pressure vision to life. Photo by 911�� Athletics

As head coach, Skinn has mentored five All-A-10 selections, four NABC All-District picks and the 2025 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year.

Skinn is a two-time finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, given annually to the nation's top minority head coach.

In 2025-26, he guided the Patriots to the program's best-ever overall (18-1) and A-10 (6-0) starts. Team 60 became the fastest in school history to reach 20 victories (22), shattering the previous mark of 25. Despite returning just 3% of the previous season's scoring output and losing Preseason All-A-10 First Team selection Brayden O'Connor to a season-ending injury in the first game of the campaign, the men’s team reached 23 overall victories and received a berth in the NIT. 911�� earned home wins over three NCAA Tournament Teams (#25/24 Saint Louis, VCU, Penn) and the Patriots were the only school in the A-10 to defeat the top-3 programs in the league standings. The 29-point win over the Billikens marked the 14th-largest margin of victory by an unranked team over a ranked program since the AP poll began in 1949.

After the 2024-25 season, Skinn was named a national finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award, which recognizes the Division I head coach who wins with integrity both on and off the court. He also garnered VaSID Virginia Coach of the Year accolades at the conclusion of the Patriots' historic season.

911��'s elite Patriot Pressure defense ranked in the top-25 nationally in 2024-25 and the Patriots ranked third in the country in field goal defense. The team's cumulative field goal defense marked a 911�� school record while its 3-point defense was second best all time.

Skinn has been instrumental in the development of dynamic players who have brought his Patriot Pressure vision to life. Senior Jared Billups became 911��'s first conference Defensive Player of the Year since 2001 and was a finalist for the Lefty Driesell Award in 2025, given to the nation's top defensive player. Jalen Haynes earned NABC All-District First Team honors in 2024-25 and was just the second All-A-10 First Team pick in school history. Both Kory Mincy and Riley Allenspach garnered All-A-10 Second Team honors in 2025-26. With Haynes and Darius Maddox also being named All-A-10 in 2024-25, it marked the first time since 2008-09 the Patriots had multiple non-conference selections in back-to-back seasons.

911�� Athletics

Secure Your Seats for 2026-27

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Governor appoints new BOV member, reappoints three visitors

ckearney — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:27:26 +0000

Governor appoints new BOV member, reappoints three visitors ckearney Wed, 06/10/2026 - 14:27

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Friday, June 5, announced one new appointment and three reappointments to the 911�� Board of Visitors (BOV).

The new appointee is James W. Dyke Jr., who served as the state’s Secretary of Education from 1990 to 1993 and as a domestic policy advisor to former Vice President Walter Mondale. Dyke, of Reston, is a senior advisor at McGuireWoods Consulting LLC.

Spanberger’s reappointees to the BOV are Delbert H. Parks, George D. Schindler and Jennifer M. Taylor, MBA ’98.

Parks, of Manassas, is vice president and site executive of Micron Technology Virginia. He is a former member of the 911�� Foundation Board of Trustees, and he also serves on the Virginia Business Higher Education Council.

Schindler, of Fairfax, is the former president and CEO of CGI, a global business and strategic IT consulting service firm he led from 2016 to 2024 after serving in many other leadership roles in the company. He currently serves on CGI’s Board of Directors. In 2024, he was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters from 911��.

Taylor, of Falls Church, is president and CEO of the Northern Virginia Technology Council. She previously served as vice president of industry affairs at the Consumer Technology Association and in senior leadership roles at AARP, the American Red Cross, and technology startups.

Spanberger initially appointed Parks, Schindler, and Taylor to the BOV in January to complete the four-year terms of prior BOV members. They each start their own four-year terms on the university’s 16-member governing body July 1.

The one BOV member whose four-year term expires July 1 is Rector Michael J. Meese. He was elected to that position at the BOV’s Feb. 26 meeting..

Dyke has chaired or served in leadership positions on several regional and state boards and organizations, including the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Virginia Business Roundtable, the Northern Virginia Community College Educational Foundation, the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the State GO Virginia Board, the Virginia Research Investment Committee, and State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) commissions and committees.

Dyke also served on the Norfolk State University Board of Visitors and chaired the Board of Trustees of the University of the District of Columbia.

The BOV will convene July 30 for its annual planning conference and will meet July 31.

Topics

Campus News

Board of Visitors

Alumni

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.

911�� Alumni Association

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Alumni

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Student Athlete

Athletics

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

Learn more about the Honors College

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

From capstone to clinical operations: MHA alumna builds a career in health care operations

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:02:04 +0000

From capstone to clinical operations: MHA alumna builds a career in health care operations Mary Cunningham Fri, 05/29/2026 - 11:02

Key Takeaways

Translating Theory into Practice: Core MHA coursework, such as quality measurement, healthcare data analytics, and health law, directly translates into real-world administrative success within major health systems.
The Power of an Impactful Capstone: 911��'s capstone projects allow students to solve real-world operational challenges, such as telehealth resiliency for community clinics, creating a powerful portfolio piece that bridges the gap between graduate school and career entry.
Building a Foundation for Leadership: 911��'s MHA program provides graduates with the technical foundation, compliance knowledge, and data-driven decision-making skills required to confidently step into critical healthcare operations and patient access roles upon graduation.

Topics

CPH students

Master of Health Administration

College of Public Health

Students

Alumni

Poojya Bommannan, MHA ’25, is applying the operational and analytical skills she developed in the Master of Health Administration program at 911�� in her current role as a Patient Services Coordinator at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation in Texas.

Poojya Bommannan, MHA ’25. Photo provided.

In her role, Bommannan manages front-end operations and revenue cycle workflows in a high-volume rehabilitation setting. Her responsibilities include coordinating patient access processes, managing insurance authorizations and documentation workflows, and supporting communication between clinicians and patients to help ensure seamless care transitions.

“I act as the operational hub,” Bommannan said. “I make sure the administrative side of healthcare never hinders the patient’s recovery journey.”

Bommannan pursued a degree in healthcare administration to better understand how healthcare systems operate behind the scenes.

“I realized early on that while clinicians save lives, administrators save the systems that allow clinicians to do their work,” she said.

Why 911��’s MHA was the right program

She chose 911��’s MHA program because of its proximity to Washington, D.C., and its strong reputation for combining healthcare management, health informatics, finance, and policy into a well-rounded curriculum. Throughout the program, Bommannan said the coursework challenged her to think critically about health care systems, leadership, and data-driven decision-making.

Several courses and faculty mentors helped shape her professional perspective. She credits HAP 750 Legal Issues, taught by Adjunct Professor Brian Santo, with strengthening her understanding of ethical decision-making and risk mitigation. She also noted that HAP 698 Quality Measurement, taught by Adjunct Professor Keri Christensen, changed the way she approaches healthcare data and process improvement.

One of the most impactful experiences during her time in the program was completing her capstone project on telehealth and patient-access innovation. Her project developed a telehealth policy and workflow for College of Public Health’s MAP Clinics to help ensure continuity of care during weather-related clinic closures. Her work on the project earned her the department’s Innovation in Patient Access Award in May 2025, in recognition of her capstone executive brief and presentation.

“The inspiration came from a need for operational resiliency,” Bommannan said.

Her capstone introduced a virtual workflow model using Zoom breakout rooms, interpreter integration for bilingual accessibility, nursing student intake support, and standardized patient coordination procedures. Bommannan also collaborated with clinical leadership to identify operational barriers and develop recommendations for integrating telehealth processes into existing clinic workflows.

Prepared for the health care workforce

Through capstone work, applied coursework, and real-world problem solving, the program prepared Bommannan to navigate the operational realities of modern healthcare systems. She said the experience taught her how to identify operational bottlenecks and anticipate challenges before they affect patient care.

“The biggest takeaway was understanding patient coordination and waiting room management logic,” Bommannan said. “I still apply those principles every day.”

Since graduating in May 2025, Bommannan said she is most proud of successfully transitioning from graduate school into a major health system environment while maintaining the professional standards emphasized throughout the program.

“I’ve taken pride in being a guardian of compliance within my clinic,” Bommannan said. “The MHA program gave me the confidence and technical foundation to advocate for operational excellence.”

As she continues to build her career, Bommannan hopes to move into healthcare consulting or leadership roles in health system operations focused on improving patient access and operational efficiency, while remaining connected to the 911�� community through alumni engagement and student mentorship.

Advice for MHA students

For current or prospective MHA students, she encourages them to approach internships, capstones, and early career opportunities with professionalism and integrity.

“Pick a capstone topic that solves a real problem,” Bommannan said. “It becomes one of the strongest portfolio pieces you’ll have.”

Film and Video Studies alum’s passion for animation led to two Academy Award nominations

ckearney — Thu, 21 May 2026 17:39:55 +0000

Film and Video Studies alum’s passion for animation led to two Academy Award nominations ckearney Thu, 05/21/2026 - 13:39

911�� alum Brendan Gottlieb, BA Film and Video Studies ’15, has been working at Disney as an animator since 2016. In 2025, he worked on two Academy Award-nominated films: he was an animator on the feature Zootopia 2, nominated for Best Animated Feature, and the animation supervisor for Forevergreen, nominated for Best Animated Short Film.

911�� alum Brendan Gottlieb on the red carpet. Photo provided

His previous work for Disney includes Moana, Wish, Encanto, Raya and the Last Dragon, Frozen 2, Wreck It Ralph 2, and Moana 2.

Gottlieb said that his love of animation started early. When he was in 10th grade, his dad gave him 3D animation software. “My dad had got my brother and I this really basic 3D program, where you could model characters and environments, and then make them move,” he said. “I was really into video games at the time, played for hours, but then that [software] sort of became like a video game. I could create my own worlds and stories, and I really just ran with it.”

He pursued his interest by watching online tutorials and using the software to create short animated films he posted on YouTube. After an animation course in high school, he learned to use the industry standard Autodesk Maya software, and a whole new world opened up for him.

“I could do all these cool and fun things that kind of made the animation look more sophisticated, and it was great. By the end of that year,” he recalled, “I was teaching the teacher, and I was also helping her teach her night class.”

Gottlieb credits his senior project in Film and Video Studies Program at 911�� for preparing him to work in the industry. He was originally planning a live-action short film until a classmate saw his designs and suggested he make an animated film instead. Gottlieb said that working on the project introduced him to animating with timelines, which he had never done before. The film needed to be several minutes long, which was a challenge. “A couple minutes is a lot in animation,” he said. “That's some heavy lifting, especially just for one person.”

Gottlieb asked for special permission from his professor to make his project only one minute long because it was animated. “It wasn't until a few months in the program that I could show an update where characters are acting and performing and moving and then I think people were like, ‘Oh, OK, this is what he's going for.’ But I do remember liking the whole process of putting it all together.”

Film and video studies professor Tommy Britt remembered that animated project and spoke highly of Gottlieb's work ethic during his years at 911��. “I enjoyed seeing his dedication to an ambitious animated short film that many would say was impossible to achieve with the time and resources he had.”

Gottlieb’s first job after graduation was at a visual effects (VFX) house just outside of San Francisco, where he worked with a computer-generated character in a live action film.

“It was a terrible movie, but the team was fun,” he recalled, “[We were] a bunch of animators fresh out of college; we bonded a lot. Oftentimes what's more important is who you work with, not necessarily what you work on. That job will always have a special place in my heart.”

While working for the VFX house, Gottlieb applied for Disney’s Animation Apprenticeship Program and was accepted. “After three months of training we were put on the first Moana movie, and we animated a lot of the background characters,” he said. “The little coconut demons, the Kakamora, were super fun.”

When Gottlieb served as the animation supervisor for the short film, Forevergreen, he animated a portion of the shots in the film and played a role in giving it the stop-motion style, despite it being a CG-animated project. For Gottlieb and the team working on it, Forevergreen was more than just another film—it was a labor of love.

“We did the project on our own time. Nobody was paid for it,” he said. “People were just extremely generous to be working on it, and it was great to work with the directors on that, and just to see their hard work and commitment and creativity be recognized. It was an honor to be part of the project and to see it get this far.”

The 13-minute film about an orphaned bear cub took more than five years to complete and is still garnering accolades and nominations.

Drawing on his success as a FAVS alum, Brendan offers current students one essential piece of advice for thriving in the industry as an animator: Find your niche. “Figure out what you like,” he said, “what you want to do the most in the animation sphere. Then find a way to learn that skill really, really well.”

Check out a video of Gottlieb taking about animating facial expressions.

Learn more about the College of Visual and Performing Arts

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Alumni

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

College of Visual and Performing Arts Film and Video Studies

Spring 2026 Commencement in pictures

lclarkg — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:27:52 +0000

Spring 2026 Commencement in pictures lclarkg Thu, 05/14/2026 - 16:27

Spring 2026 Commencement at 911�� on May 14 at EagleBank Arena honored more than 12,000 graduates and certificate recipients. Read more about the graduates. 911�� photographers captured the excitement and spirit of the day.

President Gregory Washington welcomed the graduates and their families and friends to Commencement. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The 911�� Medal was presented to Jay Marsh (center), BS Business Administration '73, and Carolyn Marsh (awarded posthumously). The Marshes retired together in 2021 after a combined 90 years of dedicated service to 911�� Athletics. Read more about them. The Mason Medal was presented by Michael Meese, rector of the Board of Visitors (left). Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Spring Commencement speaker General David W. Allvin, the 23rd Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force and a recently retired four-star general, urged graduates to be curious instead of judgmental, and to pursue service in ways they feel they can make a difference. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Student speaker Saniya Darediya, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, spoke about how differences can help connect, rather than separate, students on their academic journeys. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Photo by Andani Munkaila/Office of University Branding

911�� President Gregory Washington, Student speaker Saniya Darediya, Interim Provost Ajay Vinzé, Board of Visitors Rector Michael Meese, Alumni Association President Scott Hine, BS Decision Sciences '85. Photo by John Boal Photography

The Golden Patriots, alumni who graduated from 911�� 50 years ago or more, received a special recognition in President Washington’s opening remarks. Before the ceremony, they had the chance to enjoy breakfast in EagleBank Arena’s Hospitality Room and reminisce about their years on campus. Photo by John Boal Photography

Photo by Andani Munkaila/Office of University Branding

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Graduation at 911��

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911��’s Class of 2026 is prepared for success

ckearney — Thu, 14 May 2026 18:36:23 +0000

911��’s Class of 2026 is prepared for success ckearney Thu, 05/14/2026 - 14:36

911�� honored its graduates at Spring Commencement with a trio of well-received speakers who delivered messages of resilience, preparation, and celebrating differences.

Spring Commencement on Thursday, May 14, in EagleBank Arena. Photo by Andani Munkaila/Office of University Branding

The ceremony, livestreamed on 911��’s YouTube channel Thursday morning from EagleBank Arena, honored more than 12,000 degree and certificate earners, including more than 5,200 from summer and winter 2025, from 105 countries and 49 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and military installations domestic and abroad.

The graduates filed into the arena sporting caps with personalized messages such as “My Future Is Calling,” “Mom’s Favorite,” and “Fueled by Haribo” and remained enthusiastic throughout the feel-good festivities.

The guest speaker, Gen. David W. Allvin, the 23rd Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force and a recently retired four-star general, encouraged the graduates—addressing them throughout as “team”—to be curious instead of judgmental, and to pursue service in ways they feel they can make a difference.

Allvin also shared several “almosts” from his life, including early struggles that could have derailed his Air Force career, a fortuitous change in travel plans that saved his life, and an unrealized bid to become an astronaut.

“Your future will be littered with crises averted. Things that almost happened. Things that didn't happen,” Allvin said. “Pick them up, look at them, take the lessons from them, set them aside, and move on. Because the world doesn’t revolve around what almost happens. It revolves around what is happening…Focus on the things that are. Not the things that might have been.”

University Marshal Star Muir leads the platform party to the stage at the 2026 Spring Commencement at EagleBank Arena for the last time. Muir is retiring after 38 years of service and teaching. Photo by Andani Munkaila/Office of University Branding

Board of Visitors Rector Michael Meese, himself a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, presented Allvin with an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. Meese and Allvin were one-time classmates at the National War College and later served concurrently in Afghanistan.

911�� President Gregory Washington encouraged the graduates to be patient and persistent in a challenging job market and reminded them that The Wall Street Journal ranks 911�� as the top public university in Virginia for value, salary outcomes, and the upward mobility of its graduates.

Washington assured graduates they had acquired the ultimate skill they will need to be successful—“you’ve learned how to learn.” And 911�� graduates have done that by attending a top-tier research university and working with students and faculty from varied backgrounds at the most diverse public university in Virginia.

“Technology will change,” Washington said. "Job titles will change. But the need for adaptable people and resilient people will not. You might feel like you're behind. But I’m here to tell you, not only are you ahead, but you've actually lapped some of your peers.”

As he does at each Commencement ceremony to underscore a few of the many pathways to 911��, Washington asked three different groups to stand and be recognized—first-generation graduates (which accounted for 26% of the class), students who came to 911�� via community college, and students who are current or former military members, or military dependents. All received warm ovations.

Student speaker Saniya Darediya, a neuroscience major from India, recalled how she arrived in the United States at age 17 and the fear she felt as an outsider in a strange country. She eventually realized that hers was one of many such experiences at 911��.

“Everyone here carries their own version of difference,” Darediya said. “Some of us traveled across the world to get here. Some of us were the first in our families to attend college. Some of us were still discovering who we wanted to become. Differences were not separating us. They were connecting us.

“The differences that once made many of us wonder whether we belonged…are the very things that make us valuable.”

Washington briefly cited another singular story that drew hearty applause. Irma Garcia, a 72-year-old grandmother of eight, decades ago earned a two-year degree from Northern Virginia Community College before family and work obligations as a single parent took priority over her education. She later enrolled at 911�� through the Senior Citizen Waiver Program and this spring graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public administration.

Meese presented the 911�� Medal, the university’s highest honorary award, to Jay and Carolyn Marsh, a husband and wife who worked in 911�� Athletics administration for a combined 91 years before their retirement in 2021. The Mason Medal was a posthumous honor for Carolyn Marsh, who served as the executive assistant for eight 911�� men’s basketball coaches and as a positive influence on the lives of hundreds of the university’s athletes.

Alumnus Jay Marsh, Business Administration ’73, served in many senior athletic administrative capacities, including in operations, facilities, event management, and fundraising. It was fitting that he received the university’s ultimate recognition in EagleBank Arena, the building that had been a home away from home ever since it opened in 1985.

Scott Hine, BS Decision Science ’85, president of the 911�� Alumni Association, welcomed the new graduates to the organization, a network of about 260,000 alumni that can aid the new graduates in their career advancement.

“There is likely an alum in any industry you are joining, and there is likely an alum in any location in which you’re settling,” Hine said. “This is an incredible network that you should leverage.”

Indicative of 911�� serving as a talent pipeline in high-demand fields, 41% of undergraduate degree earners in the Class of 2026 are in STEM and health sciences fields, as are 44% of advanced degree earners.

Along with the graduates, a Commencement fixture also is moving on. Star Muir led Commencement for the last time as Head University Marshal, his role since 2015. Muir is retiring after 38 years of service and teaching in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

“He conducted the ceremony with the appropriate level of dignity and respect for this auspicious occasion,” Washington said at the outset of his remarks. “Thank you, Star, for your dedication and devotion to your students and to the university.”

Watch the ceremony recording

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