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A student-athlete’s marketing play draws fans to the stands

Katarina Benson — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:26:00 +0000

A student-athlete’s marketing play draws fans to the stands Katarina Benson Fri, 04/03/2026 - 11:26

For 911�� baseball player Evan Blanchard, success isn’t just measured in hits and RBIs. During his internship with Mason Athletics’ marketing department, the third baseman helped design a promotional campaign that brought hundreds of fans—and a surge in attendance—to a men’s basketball rivalry game.

Evan Blachard in his Patriots uniform. Photo by Rafael Suanes/911�� Athletics

As a senior majoring in sport management, Blanchard needed to complete an internship of at least 400 hours to meet his degree requirements. His interest in sports marketing began with Lily Plizga, associate director of fan engagement and brand strategy in 911�� Athletics. As a student-athlete, Blanchard saw Plizga working tirelessly during games and knew how strong the department was. After a discussion with Plizga, Blanchard decided to fulfill his internship requirement by working with 911�� Athletics’ marketing department.

“The biggest thing is how fast-paced sports environments are," said Blanchard of his internship experience. “You need to be able to handle multiple roles, communicate effectively, and stay organized.”

Some of his core responsibilities included devising marketing plans, which included creating promotional themes, brainstorming giveaway ideas, and emphasizing social media strategy while ensuring all the marketing materials resonated with the different stakeholders, including students, fans, alumni, sponsors, and donors.

On gamedays, Blanchard was responsible for gathering and distributing promotional items, along with running in-game collateral, such as sponsored student competitions and T-shirt tosses.

His internship also required that he manage a special project. Blanchard decided to do a promotion for the men’s basketball program, with the purpose of boosting attendance by 5% at the big in-state rivalry game between 911�� and James Madison University (JMU) scheduled to take place during Thanksgiving break.

The plans involved collaborating with 911�� baseball alumni Danny Hosley and South Trimble, who are currently Savannah Bananas players. The idea was to have Hosley and Trimble participate in a pre-game autograph session, halftime entertainment, and timeout competitions.

Blanchard at a 911�� men's basketball game. Photo by Art Pittman/911�� Athletics

Aside from getting people to the game, the goal was to attract a new audience, especially baseball fans, while also cross-promoting men’s basketball and baseball. Since most 911�� students were home for the break, the target audience for this promotion also included kids and families in the area.

Blanchard began preparing at the start of the fall 2025 semester, with weekly goals to keep on track. This included reaching out to both Hosley and Trimble and coordinating with the Masonettes, marketing staff, and the department leadership. He also contacted various baseball and softball clubs to coordinate group sales and designed autograph cards for fans, along with additional promotional graphics for the event.

"As an intern, you have value, but you still have to prove yourself," he said. “Preparation was key, and I made sure everything was well planned and gathered feedback from everyone involved."

On the big day, both the marketing department and Blanchard were eager to see whether their planning was successful. The results speak for themselves:

61.1% attendance increase since the last time 911�� played a home game over the Thanksgiving recess
1,499 attendees above the 2023-24 yearly attendance average (39.8%)
19.7% attendance increase since last home game versus JMU

More than 400 fans came through the meet and greet line with trading cards, mini-bats, baseballs, jerseys, and banana hats, eager to meet Hosley and Trimble.

Plizga described Blanchard as one of the best interns she has ever had, with praise for his professionalism and reliability. Early on in his internship, Blanchard stepped in to help when 911�� Athletics decided to participate in Fairfax’s annual Fall Festival within the week of the event. There wasn’t a lot of turnaround time to get staff participation in the day-long event. Blanchard helped Plizga set up and then tear down at the festival. Then they headed back to the campus to work at a 6 p.m. soccer game.

Plizga also appreciated Blanchard’s positive attitude and demeanor. “Sometimes tensions can get high, but Evan’s positive attitude made the workplace a lot better. Everyone loved working with him, and he definitely boosted the mood throughout the day,” she said.

In addition to learning how to operate various technologies, such as the Daktronics videoboard used to promote events, Blanchard said understanding the importance of workplace culture, teamwork, and professionalism, and knowing how to effectively contribute to an organization were also important lessons.

His advice to students seeking internships is to develop good relationships with your professors and to always be on the lookout for opportunities they share.

To those wishing to pursue sport marketing, Blanchard said, “You have to be able to put yourself in uncomfortable situations that involve communicating with people, bringing up new ideas, and just trying out new things. You also have to be able to wear multiple hats at once, while ensuring that you stay organized by having a plan.

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911�� graduate student advances theater research through yearlong workshop at Folger Shakespeare Library

Shayla Brown — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:10:10 +0000

911�� graduate student advances theater research through yearlong workshop at Folger Shakespeare Library Shayla Brown Mon, 03/02/2026 - 10:10

This academic year, 911�� graduate student Samantha “Chevi” Chung has had a research opportunity that few have had by participating in a yearlong workshop at the Folger Shakespeare Library. The theme of Chung’s workshop is “Shakespeare and Black Performing Women,” which ties in perfectly with her thesis.   

911�� is a member of the Folger Institute’s Consortium, so students and faculty have access to its wealth of scholarly resources. Chung is capitalizing on this collaboration and conducting research for her thesis, “Black Sheroic Couplets in Shakespeare, Black Female Actors Playing Eponymous Male Roles in Shakespeare's Plays from 1821 to 2025.”

Chevi Chung presents her research at the 2026 Black Lives Next Door event. Photo by Jerome Boettcher/College of Humanities and Social Sciences

“My favorite aspect of the workshop is that our conversations are just loaded with a lot of expertise,” said Chung, who is working on a master of arts and interdisciplinary studies (MAIS) in social justice and human rights degree. There is so much to glean from the amazing women I'm working with.”  

Her cohort includes actors, directors, theater practitioners, as well as theater scholars and researchers, and dives into the adaptations of Shakespeare works, Black performing women, and how people are conducting their Shakespeare-focused research. Workshops sessions also include guest speakers from different backgrounds and professions.

“Before my first semester at 911��, I really didn't understand how to conduct my own research, but then I took Professor Rachel Lewis’s [WMST 630] Feminist Theories course. It really opened my eyes and brought so many new resources and methodologies to my attention,” said Chung, who is a first-generation student. 

Chung said Lewis helped her develop her thesis topic on the theory of gender performativity in Black women actors.  

Chung also credits faculty members Jessica Otis, associate professor of history and associate director of the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media, and MAIS Director Shayna Maskell for encouraging her to keep applying to the Folger workshop even after being rejected. 

“It was a good learning experience for me. I think failing forward is so important for growth and realizing that there will be rejections along the way,” Chung said.  

Chung (third from top left) with members of her cohort at Folger Shakespeare Library in D.C. Photo provided

During her graduate studies, Chung also had a summer internship with Maskell where she conducted qualitative research for Maskell’s book on the Riot Grrrl movement. Chung researched music, photography, and fan-made videos from the era, and coded what she found for Maskell’s use.  

Chung said her experience assisting Maskell helped prepare her for time in the Folger program.  

“Chevi played a key role in using the book’s theoretical framework in performance theory and feminist visual culture and applying it directly to the lived performances of Riot Grrrl bands,” said Maskell. “[She] analyzed archival footage and accounts of different performances and helped bridge the gap between abstract concepts and the reality of the stage. Essentially, Chevi helped turn raw data into a cohesive cultural narrative.”  

“[During this internship] I learned to challenge assumptions and not just accept the information given to me, but to validate it myself,” said Chung.   

The Folger workshop will conclude this April, Shakespeare’s birthday month, but Chung’s research into Black theater will continue.  

“Sadly, there are absences and silences in the Black theater archives, and we have to break through these and start asking questions,” said Chung, who is also conducting research within the Center for Mason Legacies under the guidance of 911�� faculty Wendi Manuel-Scott and George Oberle. “I’m determined to expand my knowledge beyond what it currently was, not just regarding Black theater archives, but Black history in general.”  

After graduating in May, Chung will pursue her PhD in theater and performance studies at the University of Maryland this fall.  

“It is an honor to be a part of this group. Beyond the wealth of knowledge I’m receiving, this is also an opportunity to build long-lasting connections and relationships,” she said. 

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Building a career that holds water

Nathan Kahl — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 15:26:51 +0000

Building a career that holds water Nathan Kahl Thu, 02/12/2026 - 10:26

“Some passions are genetic,” said Michael Smedley, a senior civil and infrastructure engineering student in the College of Engineering and Computing at 911��. “My mom was a proud water engineer at Fairfax Water. After she arranged for a cub scout troop tour of the Griffith water treatment facility on the Occoquan, water processes were my passion.”

Smedley is in the Bachelor's to Accelerated Master's (BAM) program, concentrating on environmental and water resources engineering. His particular interest is in water treatment.

While Smedley’s three older siblings chose other Virginia universities, the Burke native appreciated how close 911�� was to his home, and the campus tour impressed him.

“In high school I got really good at calculus and AP environmental science and my mom said, ‘Oh, well, you know what that means. You can try civil engineering,’” he said with a smile. “I don't regret it.”

Smedley loves every opportunity he has to get out in the field. Photo provided.

He cites BAM’s benefits. He was working on a minor in environmental engineering and his advisor, Lisa Nolder, currently director for student affairs and academic excellence in the Department of Cyber Security Engineering, explained that he could forgo the minor and spend that time working toward his master’s. “Lisa really helped me get set up with that and understand what it was.”

While at 911�� he first had an internship at Fairfax Water, where he worked in the planning department, running simulations on water pressure at fire hydrants, called fire flows, and enjoying the opportunity to take field trips to the water treatment facility. He then had an internship with CDM Smith, an engineering, design, and construction firm.

“I’ve been there for two years and I'm going back this summer. I really like the nitty gritty calculations, and you get to go see the work up close. And that's really, like, magical for me,” he said.

At Fairfax Water, he helps with design calculations, which is what he wants to focus on professionally. “It’s doing calculations on flows and making a rough sketch of what a device or system then should look like, based on flow simulations.”

Smedley said last summer he learned from his experience at a water treatment plant in Fredericksburg, a facility in the process of doubling in size. He was stationed out of the facility for two weeks, where he had free rein to look at different treatment processes and collect data. “I saw every stage of that water treatment plant.”

Where some people don’t think twice about some rainfall or the course of a flow, Smedley loves it. “I would watch the stream outside my bedroom window during high precipitation events. The flow of water has always fascinated me.”

He’s graduating with his bachelor's this semester and plans to complete his master’s in December 2026. “I have learned so much about how we try to control the uncontrollable. I learned how the private and public sectors differ, and I hope to incorporate this into how I contribute to the water industry,” said Smedley. “Water is a topic that is discussed more frequently in this ever-changing environment. I hope to bring a little piece of stability and consistency to a world that thirsts for more.”

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Student consulting group brings expertise to business development in Fairfax City

sholla4 — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 20:46:41 +0000

Student consulting group brings expertise to business development in Fairfax City sholla4 Fri, 02/06/2026 - 15:46

Experiential learning is one of the ways 911�� prepares its students for life beyond the classroom. It’s a core part of our mission. For Costello College of Business sophomore and Honors College student Iman Chaudhry, it’s also an inspiration that helped shape Mason Consulting Group’s (MCG) new venture: pro bono consulting support for local small businesses in Fairfax City.

Mason Consulting Group presents their recommendations to Make My Day CPA. Photo provided.

MCG began as a means to educate the 911�� community about consulting as a career path. When Chaudhry, the current president of MCG, began an internship with Fairfax City Economic Development (FCED), she came with a vision for the group to expand their impact and reach through free consulting services for local businesses in Fairfax City.

“It was mutually beneficial: we help strengthen our local community and support small businesses, as well as providing experiential learning opportunities aligned with Costello’s strategic priorities,” she said. “We still want to educate the community about business consulting, while providing real, tangible, experiential learning opportunities to students where they’re working with a real-life client.”

As an intern, Chaudhry served as a bridge between FCED and Costello: “A person on the inside,” she said, who helped make the initiative successful.

With support and guidance from FCED and Costello College of Business, Chaudhry and the group developed the program structure, reviewed applications, selected the inaugural clients, and negotiated a contract with FCED for funding.

MCG completed their first round of consulting in Fall 2025, serving two Fairfax City clients: BE2 Pilates and Make My Day CPA. Throughout the semester, the team held regular meetings with clients to provide updates and pitch ideas; at the end, they presented their final recommendations and deliverables to both businesses and FCED.

“Knowing how to market my business has been my Achilles’ heel,” said Julia Hughes, founder and owner of BE2 Pilates. “I thought I’d toss my hat into the ring when I saw the call for applications for the program.”

The team provided Hughes with a comprehensive social media marketing plan and a range of business development recommendations, such as adding QR codes to business cards and developing a pricing structure for students.

Mason Consulting Group visits BE2 Pilates with founder and owner Julia Hughes (third from left) and MCG prsident Iman Chaudhry (fourth from left). Photo provided.

“Everything they gave me in terms of deliverables are things that could be started on the small scale and grown over time,” Hughes said. “And their recommendations helped me think outside of the box for business development, thinking more broadly about with whom I can partner, with whom I can connect.”

MCG’s services are free to those businesses that are accepted through the FCED program. Hughes noted that the quality of the business consulting provided was above and beyond her expectations.

“The level of professionalism, the product presented, and the deliverables MCG provided were all of a caliber that far surpassed their years of experience,” said Hughes. “I was quite impressed by them at every step of the way.”

“The Mason Consulting Group has done an outstanding job diving deep into the consulting world. The students are getting hands-on experience with real clients to understand the dynamics of consulting and the complexities of the business world,” said MCG’s faculty advisor Katherine Rosenbusch, associate professor of management in Costello.

After the success of this first cohort, FCED has agreed to extend funding for another semester. MCG is selecting their next round of clients for the Spring 2026 semester.

“We’re a young club, but I think Costello and 911��’s vision of high access and high outcomes makes us stand out,” Chaudhry said. “I want to help put 911�� on the map as a hub for high-caliber student talent delivering real-world impact."

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Congressional internships teach Mason LIFE students independence, resume skills

sholla4 — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:26:47 +0000

Congressional internships teach Mason LIFE students independence, resume skills sholla4 Mon, 12/01/2025 - 14:26

911�� knows the value of hands-on experience in the workplace for all students. An internship can lead to the experience of a lifetime. And that includes Mason LIFE students who are interning on Capitol Hill.

Established by former Representative Gregg Harper in 2010, the Gregg and Livingston Harper Congressional Internship Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities matches Mason LIFE students with House and Senate congressional office internships. Students start their internships in their second year and continue them through completion of the program.

“We’re helping them gain the skills needed to seek a fulfilling career when graduating from the program,” explained Linn Jorgenson, director of Mason LIFE, a four-year nondegree educational transition program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One of Mason LIFE’s core curriculum requirements that supports this development is the internship.

“We’re helping them learn what they like and don’t like, how to make decisions on their own, and developing their ability to advocate for themselves,” Jorgenson added.

This fall, eight Mason LIFE students interned across 16 different congressional offices on Capitol Hill.

“My favorite part is getting to see what happens behind the scenes of the government,” said Madison Gulley, a third-year Mason LIFE student and one of the congressional interns.

Mason LIFE students and peer support staff in Washington, D.C. Back row: Nehal Gundawar, Ankit Borle, Shane Sorensen, and Nick Ortega. Front row: Amar Malik, Max Gulley, Noah Coon, Shreya Adusumilli, Sofia Puritano, Eli Zhou, Madison Shaw, Leah McDuffie, Vrushali Vijay Patil, and Varsha Ponnaganti. Not pictured: Aryaa Bhole and Riya Stanly.

Every Friday, Mason LIFE students and their peer support staff—911�� students who travel with the students to their workplaces to provide support and guidance—take the Metro into Washington, D.C., complete their internship assignments for the day for their two congressional offices, eat lunch, and take the Metro back to Fairfax. Students in the program tackle a variety of work for their assigned congressional offices: answering phones, researching bills, delivering mail, giving tours, and doing data entry, to name a few.

“The students working on the Hill are part of a team, completing work that is essential and meaningful to all parties involved,” emphasized Jorgenson.

“When our students come to their internships, our peer support staff are there to facilitate inclusion and support students in successfully completing tasks,” said Melissa Chabot, employment and community involvement coordinator for Mason LIFE. “So not only are these necessary jobs done, you know they’ll be done well.”

Through the internship program, Mason LIFE students learn independence, confidence, and social and cultural competencies; they build valuable resume skills; and they explore their interests to see if they’re the right fit for a long-term career. And for the peer support staff, the benefits are just as important.

Ankit Borle, one of the newer peer support staff, is working toward a master’s in data analytics engineering. “I’ve learned to listen actively, communicate clearly, and tailor support so people can be independent—skills that build trust with teammates, clients, and stakeholders...Most importantly, I’m taking forward an inclusive mindset—making sure every voice is heard—which will make me a stronger colleague and leader wherever I work,” Borle said.

Madison Shaw, a graduate student in the Master of Social Work Program, has worked with Mason LIFE for three years. “It can be so important to focus on abilities versus disabilities. Each student carries so many strengths within themselves and has a lot to offer,” she said.

There’s a similar benefit to the employer. “Mason LIFE students bring an important perspective to the office,” said Chabot. “Employers get an opportunity to reflect on their inclusivity. What are the employers doing that helps everyone be successful, and where can they improve?”

And the joy of watching their fellow students succeed is perhaps the greatest reward of all.

Peer coach Nehal Gundawar, a master’s student in computer science, works with one of the Capitol Hill interns. “In the beginning, they [the Mason LIFE student] were nervous about interacting with staff and unsure how to approach tasks without guidance...after a few weeks they began initiating tasks on their own and even asked for additional responsibilities. Their supervisor complimented their improvements,” he said. “Watching them grow into a more confident and independent employee was incredibly rewarding.”

The congressional interns see the changes in themselves as well.

“Mason LIFE helps me with the skills that are required to be an independent man,” said Amar Mailk, a third-year student.

“Mason LIFE has changed my life,” said Aryaa Bhole, a second-year student. “Because of the lessons and skills, I know to stand out and inspire others and to lift them with my voice.”

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This Costello student leader is working to create opportunities for all

Katarina Benson — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 20:30:10 +0000

This Costello student leader is working to create opportunities for all Katarina Benson Thu, 11/13/2025 - 15:30

There are few 911�� students as busy as senior Rakibul Alam. A senior majoring in business and concentrating on management and marketing, Alam has become one of the most visible student leaders in the Costello College of Business, where he works as a marketing and communications intern. Recently he was among the speakers welcoming the community at Fuse’s grand celebration in September at Mason Square.

But when you hear Alam talk about his campus experiences, it is surprising to learn that his first week of college was rocky. As a first-generation student commuting to campus from Centreville, Virginia, Alam said wasn’t he sure how he would fit in.

“I remember thinking, I need to get involved if I want to have the best 911�� experience,” Alam said, and that he did.

Within weeks, Alam joined Student Government and soon co-founded the student organization Collective Organization of South Asia. A semester later, he joined another student organization, Mason Consulting Group. As vice president of the Mason Consulting Group, he has worked to ensure that other students have access to experiential learning opportunities.

Alam spoke at the Fuse’s grand celebration in September. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“911�� has such unique individuals with so much talent,” said Alam, who is also a member of the Honors College. “We need to go out into the community and show what we can do. My goal has been to create those opportunities for others.”

Mason Consulting Group is open to 911�� students of all majors. Alam said about 210 students are registered, but there is a core group of about 70+ who are the most active members.

Under his leadership—he is now president of the group, the Mason Consulting Group has grown into more than just a student organization. Over the past few semesters, the organization has brought in representatives from Northern Virginia companies, such as KPMG, one of the area’s top four accounting firms, to talk to students about careers.

And those connections are paying off. He said seven of the group’s members secured high-profile internships in consulting this past summer, including Alam himself who served as a human resources and change management advisory intern at KPMG.

“That says a lot about the kind of pipeline we’re building,” Alam said. “911�� students are competing head-to-head with students from Stanford, Cornell, and Harvard—and we’re ending up in the same places.”

That pipeline is expanding beyond the corporate world. Through a formal partnership with the Mason Consulting Group, Fairfax City Economic Development supports experiential learning opportunities for 911�� students who consult with local businesses. Program funding is provided to 911��, which administers the initiative, ensuring students benefit from real-world experience while businesses gain strategic insights.

“These are the ripple effects,” Alam said. “We’re being recognized not just as students, but as professionals making an impact.”

Rakibul Alam presenting at the 2024 Patriot Pitch competition. Photo by Office of University Branding

Alam himself has a résumé that reflects both ambition and a deep commitment to service. Last year, his summer internship with the U.S. Navy reinforced his interest in government consulting.

“After my Navy internship, I realized how much I wanted to serve the public sector,” he explained. “Administrations change, but the government will always be here. Consulting allows me to use my skills to support the American people.”

That sense of purpose also extends globally. Alam was the recipient of the prestigious Gilman Scholarship, which allowed him to study international development in Morocco in January 2025. He also represented 911�� at a United Nations Cooperatives Youth conference in India, where he worked alongside students from across disciplines, including public health and business.

“It was incredible to see 911�� represented on the world stage,” he says. “These experiences showed me how interconnected business, policy, and global development really are.”

Alam’s drive has earned him recognition closer to home as well. Early in his 911�� career, he won Costello’s Patriot Pitch competition with a social entrepreneurship project. He has since served as a mentor to other entrepreneurs in the annual competition, paying forward the guidance he received from faculty mentors.

“Every opportunity I’ve had, I had to pitch myself for it,” Alam said. “But when I get to the top, I want to throw the rope back down for others. Because there’s always room at the top.”

That mindset—paired with his relentless schedule—has required discipline. Between taking 18 credits, leading a student organization, and juggling multiple internships, Alam relies on strict time management.

“I learned early on that I needed structure,” he said. “I use calendars, I set boundaries, and I make sure to take mental breaks. And I also have mentors—some older, some younger—who keep me grounded.”

In turn, he also mentors undergraduate business students.

Despite his packed calendar, Alam said he finds balance through pickleball, which he plays religiously, and painting, which fills his home with his own watercolor and mixed-media creations. “Sports and arts keep me well-rounded,” he said with a smile.

Looking ahead, Alam is weighing whether to finish his bachelor’s degree early or pursue an accelerated master’s. Either way, he plans to remain in Northern Virginia after graduation, contributing to the same business and government ecosystems that shaped his education.

“Businesses in Northern Virginia should know they don’t need to look far for talent,” he said. “We’re right here, and we’re ready to make an impact.”

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Confidence meets opportunity at Fall 2025 Career Fair

Katarina Benson — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 20:56:29 +0000

Confidence meets opportunity at Fall 2025 Career Fair Katarina Benson Thu, 10/23/2025 - 16:56

Over the three days of this fall’s Career Fair, more than 5,000 911�� students filled Dewberry Hall in sharp professional attire and with polished résumés in hand—ready to take the next step toward their careers.

911��’s Career Fair, held each fall and spring semester, is the university’s largest on-campus recruiting event, connecting students with representatives from more than 100 companies and organizations. The event offers students opportunities to explore internships, part-time roles, and full-time positions across a range of industries.

Wilkerson and fellow staff members at the career fair. Photo by Emily Campos/University Life

“These are opportunities to get right in front of the employers,” said Phillip Wilkerson, employer engagement consultant at University Career Services (UCS). “I like to tell students this is not a place where you can automatically get a job or a magic ticket; it’s a great way to build relationships, get business cards, and stay in touch.”

While the fair is about connections, success begins long before students step into Dewberry Hall. University Career Services offers one-on-one advising to help students refine résumés, craft cover letters, and practice introductions before the career fair.

“Confidence comes with preparation,” Wilkerson said. “The more prepared you are, the more confident you are.”

A students converses with an employer. Photo by Emily Campos/University Life

Mary Claire Kraft, employer outreach manager for University Career Services, recommended that students research before the fair to be even more prepared. “Number one, check Handshake, 911��’s job search web site,” she said. “When students meet an employer they’re interested in, they can then share one thing they already know about them.”

Each day of the fair is focused on a different area or industry. Day one was focused on science, technology, engineering and health; day two was a general day for all companies; and day three was mainly attended by business, government, education and nonprofit organizations.

Iman Chaudhry, a sophomore majoring in management information systems, approached the fair with an open mindset, something she credits with helping her make the most of the fair. “I think it’s important not to limit yourself, even if you have a specific major,” she said. “There are benefits to attending all days of the Career Fair.”

First-year student Lilliana Russell attended her first fair this fall eager to learn. The civil and infrastructure engineering major arrived early with a list of employers to meet and a curiosity about what her field has to offer. “I’m really just trying to scope out what the different companies in my field are and maybe score an internship,” she said.

Students meet with potential employers. Photo by Emily Campos/University Life

Russell added that her nerves faded once she began speaking with recruiters. “Once I got to know everyone and saw how excited they were to talk with students, I let go of any preconceived notions I had about the event,” she said.

University Career Services hosts a wide variety of career fairs throughout the year. Students can keep the momentum going a Clearance Ready event on October 28 at noon. Engineering Careers Week kicks off November 10. Learn more about these and other career opportunities.

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Skills Learned in Jurisprudence Learning Community Help Student Land Full-Time Position

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:19:03 +0000

Skills Learned in Jurisprudence Learning Community Help Student Land Full-Time Position Andrew J Schappert Wed, 10/22/2025 - 08:19

Cameron Chambers likes a plan. As a high school senior, the Bethesda, Maryland, native already had his career path mapped out.

Cameron Chambers: “I was looking at any opportunity as an undergraduate to get my foot in the door and also investigate law as a practice and see if it was something I would do.”

Now a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s (BAM) student majoring in accounting in the Costello College of Business, Chambers chose 911�� specifically for the BAM pathway and the opportunity to jumpstart his education and achieve his goal of practicing tax law.

“People always said, ‘Think of education as an investment,’ so I just researched it,” he said. “911�� offered the BAM program and I could apply to be a CPA. It lets me do that faster so I can go to law school. It gave me a good place to do all those things.”

As an undergraduate in the Honors College, Chambers explored avenues that would enhance his interest in a future law career. He is a member of the 911�� Academic Standards Committee and an editor for the Undergraduate Law Review, part of the Schar School Patriot Pre-Law Program.

He also discovered the Jurisprudence Learning Community (JPLC), one of four faculty-led communities, each with its own academic theme, housed in the Schar School of Policy and Government. JPLC is open to any sophomores, juniors, and seniors who plan on pursuing law school following graduation or are interested in learning how the law pertains to a career in public administration, policy, or politics.

“I was looking at any opportunity as an undergraduate to get my foot in the door and also investigate law as a practice and see if it was something I would do,” he said.

In addition to joining a community of peers interested in law and attending field trips in and around the Washington, D.C., area, Chambers gained something unexpected in the JPLC.

“We were assigned a lot of legal research projects,” he said. “I don’t do that as an accounting major.”

The experience of doing research served Chambers well when he interned for eight weeks last summer at PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) doing mergers and acquisitions.

“There’s a lot of tax code I had to go through,” he said. “That legal research skill set that I got was invaluable. Other people didn’t have it. And I thought ‘Why am I not struggling?’ Because I did this.”

Chambers, slated to graduate in December and begin next semester as a graduate student, credits JPLC with helping him secure a full-time offer from PwC as a tax associate starting in the summer. He reached out to Shea Holman, director of JPLC, to share the good news.

“I told her that the [JPLC] class prepped me for this perfectly,” he said. “It was that legal research ability that differentiated me and definitely helped me get that return offer in a competitive space.”

For more information about the Jurisprudence Learning Community or any of the Schar School’s other learning communities, visit the Schar School Learning Community webpage.

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Shea M. Holman Kilian

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Environmental science major lands internship with U.S. Geological Survey

Katarina Benson — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 19:35:51 +0000

Environmental science major lands internship with U.S. Geological Survey Katarina Benson Wed, 10/15/2025 - 15:35

911�� Environmental Science and Policy major Melanie Medrano has long aspired to work in the federal government, ideally on the front lines of creating meaningful environmental change. She took a major step toward that goal by starting an internship with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), where she will assist in their communication efforts through December 2025.

USGS provides a range of data and expertise on earth sciences, water, biology, and mapping to aid decisions on environmental and public safety issues. At USGS’s National Climate Adaptation Science Center, Medrano supports two principal investigators working on the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework. This decision-making tool helps resource managers develop informed strategies for responding to ecological transformations within landscapes caused by climate change.

Melanie Medrano (center) with her mentors Abby Lynch (left) and Jackson Valler (right) at the Reston office. Photo provided

In her communications role, Medrano is helping expand the reach of the RAD framework beyond the USGS by supporting the launch of newsletters, producing case studies that highlight real-world applications of the RAD framework in different transforming landscapes, and interviewing scientists and managers who are implementing or researching RAD.

Although her internship, which started in February, is fully remote—which Medrano said aids in the balancing of her workload with coursework—she met the team in-person this past summer at the USGS headquarters in Reston, Virginia. Medrano said her mentors have taught her a great deal about the importance of engaging in interagency conversations and how to communicate science in ways that are both clear and meaningful. Her experience with USGS has so far reinforced a key lesson: learning never stops.

One of the most significant takeaways, she noted, is the greater understanding of how science informs decision-making across various branches of the federal government, including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of War. Medrano’s work with the USGS, combined with her environmental studies, offers her a comprehensive view of what’s possible when classroom learning is applied to real-world challenges.

Medrano said Department of Environmental Science and Policy professor Younsung Kim played a central role in securing her internship, helping with the application process and facilitating communications between her and USGS.

“It was definitely an opportunity I couldn’t miss,” Medrano said. “Dr. Kim always pushes students to gain real-world experience. She would constantly share opportunities with us, and one of those opportunities was the USGS program.”

Just as impactful, she said, was the encouragement she received from a close friend and fellow 911�� student already in the program. “She gave me the push I needed to apply,” Medrano said. “That kind of peer support reflects the culture at Mason.”

A first-generation college student, Medrano chose to study at 911�� because of its diversity and proximity to Washington, D.C. She is actively involved on campus, serving as the multimedia director of the Hispanic Latina Leadership Alliance, handling outreach to Hispanic students on campus.

She is also the social media director for the Sycamore Institute branch at 911��, the first undergraduate Think Tank run entirely by undergraduate students, focused on foreign policy and issues of international security.

When reflecting on her experience with USGS, the only regret Medrano has is the doubt she had for herself before applying to the internship. Her advice for others who are applying for internships is not to self-restrain based on the skills you feel you might be lacking.

“It’s important to network, especially with your professors,” Medrano said. “Let them know what you’re interested in, because you never know what opportunities might be out there.”

Medrano hopes to gain additional field experience and further her research before completing her undergraduate degree this fall. She is eager to continue her work within the federal government, with a particular interest in remaining with the USGS.

“I love what I do right now,” she said.

Since beginning her internship, Medrano has published member profiles for RADish and written a case study on applying the RAD framework to Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula.

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Commonwealth Cyber Initiative NoVa Node nurtures next-gen cyber sleuths

Nathan Kahl — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 18:38:00 +0000

Commonwealth Cyber Initiative NoVa Node nurtures next-gen cyber sleuths Nathan Kahl Wed, 10/08/2025 - 14:38

In This Story

Liza Wilson Durant

This is the first of a three-part series about the NoVa Node’s three foci: workforce development, innovation and entrepreneurship, and research.

A cyber-physical systems testbed, cutting-edge research projects across AI and next-gen networks, a cybersecurity apprenticeship program, and a cybersecurity accelerator are just a sampling of the outcomes from 911��’s role as the NoVa Node headquarters of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI), Virginia’s main access point for workforce development cybersecurity innovation, and research.
According to Jordan Mason, NoVa Node program manager, all programs in the node check at least two of those boxes, but he emphasized that NoVa Node is particularly strong in workforce development. From traineeships to internships for different ages, the NoVa Node has opportunities for people interested in learning more.

“There are more than 50,000 cybersecurity job openings in Virginia and the existing pipeline of cybersecurity-related degree-seeking candidates is not enough to fill the demand,” said Liza Wilson Durant, CCI NoVa Node director and associate provost for strategic initiatives at 911��. “CCI NoVa Node programs widen the pipeline and present new sources of talent, including those with degrees outside of the typical cybersecurity pathway, but with hands-on skills developed in the field. Our programs have touched thousands, and we know we are having an impact.”

The node features a cybersecurity traineeship targeting people who, at the end of the program, will be ready for full-time, entry-level cybersecurity positions. The traineeship builds a bridge for people with non-technical or non-cybersecurity backgrounds, typically either recent grads or career transitioners looking to enter the field.

Mason said, “We pay them to go through a seven-week, full-time cyber fundamentals boot camp. And then we work to place them in 12-week apprenticeships. CCI trainees have been placed with Peraton, one of the first adopters of the program, as well as other government contractors and some small businesses. One graduate from our program landed a position with TikTok and another with Amazon Web Services.”

"The node also runs a subsidized internship program," said Mason, with a sliding scale determining level of support based on company size. “Small and start-up companies have limited resources to support interns and yet they are excellent training ground, providing roles with significant responsibility and opportunities for technical training,” said Durant. NoVa Node’s support of startups and early-stage companies provides secondary reinforcement of the innovation and entrepreneurship foci.

NoVa Node interns participate in "Tech Duels." Photo courtesy CCI.

Fairfax County Economic Development Authority President and CEO Victor Hoskins stressed the need for a skilled technical workforce in the region. “We have five times the data center capacity of Silicon Valley. We have three times the data center capacity of Singapore. So, when you look at what our global competitors would be, we are way ahead of them in terms of their infrastructure capacity. And when you get ahead in the infrastructure, you also must have the talent to run it.”

Recognizing the importance of filling the pipeline when the talent is still deciding on a career path, NoVa Node runs a summer high school internship program partnering with the Children's Science Center, part of the Northern Virginia Science Foundation. The competitive application process yielded 45 students in a recent cohort. Mason said, “The candidate interns go through a two-week professional skills boot camp and are then placed in a five-week paid internship.”

Xin-Wen Wu, an associate professor at the University of Mary Washington, said CCI was instrumental in the university’s growth in cybersecurity education and research. "We have hosted summer camps for high school students, funded faculty-led research involving undergraduate CCI Scholars, and provided students with access to paid internships and experiential learning opportunities. These initiatives have significantly advanced UMW’s research capabilities and contributed to the development of a skilled cybersecurity workforce.”

Coming up next: Innovation and Entrepreneurship

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