2021 School of Integrative Studies Senior Award Winners
On May 15th, 2021 the School of Integrative Studies (SIS) will celebrate the graduation of the class of 2021! Due to the ongoing global pandemic, this year’s ceremony will look a little different. Students can opt to attend one of two in-person graduation events and attend the Commencement Ceremony online which will be live streamed. This year’s Commencement guest speaker is the First Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden!
Each year we recognize and reward students with two distinct awards: Outstanding Graduating Student of the Year and the Academic Excellence Award. We thought it would be fun to get to know all of the awardees a little better.
Outstanding Graduate Winners
The Outstanding Graduating Student of the year is nominated by the faculty of the School of Integrative Studies based on their scholarship, creative actives, research, civic & community engagement, equity & sustainability, and overall broader Mason community contribution.
Darryl Acker-Carter
Darryl is from Annapolis, Maryland and is majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a concentration in Conservation and Sustainability.
What has been your favorite INTS course and why?
My favorite INTS class was INTS 292 Leadership and Sustainability. It was the first official class I had at Mason and it launched into the sustainability field. During the class, I was able to apply for a Patriot Green Fund (PGF) to help revitalize the rain garden outside of Piedmont Hall. It was the first time in my life I recognized the power that a community has to intact change and it was truly, an inspiring experience. It gave me the drive to use sustainability as a tool to create resilience and change.
What accomplishment are you most proud during your time at Mason?
I am most proud of being a part of Mason's first climate rally and the Environmental Justice Conference. Both of these events took a lot of planning and work of all the parties involved but they were both ready successful. I did a lot of the behind-the-scenes work for both events when it came to organizing and now there is a lot of movement around climate action and awareness/education of environmental injustices. I am really proud to have played a part in changing the Mason community for the better!
Marie Arnold
Marie is from Columbia, South Carolina and is majoring in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights and minoring in Non-Profit studies.
What has been your favorite INTS course and why?
There are many INTS courses that I love, but if I had to pick, my most recent favorite is INTS 436: Social Justice Education. I took this course online in Fall 2020 and absolutely loved it! Every week there was a new topic on how educators could incorporate in little ways social justice into their classroom setting. Additionally, the discussion questions and articles were engaging for me as it looked into the ways how different systems impact the education of children and ways to dismantle any prejudices that may result. Although, my concentration is in Social Justice and Human Rights, I found it really helpful to learn ways to educate others in social justice as well as notice the ways that my own education has shaped my own understanding and dismantling preconceived assumptions I have from it.
What accomplishment are you most proud during your time at Mason?
An accomplishment I am most proud of during my time at Mason is having served as a Student Campus Minister for the Catholic Campus Ministry this past year. In particular, it has been a true joy to grow in leadership with them this past year throughout the pandemic as I was challenged in my weaknesses and learned new skills through it. Although it was an interesting year to serve the community, it was absolutely fun to be alongside the Catholic Patriot community during the pandemic and find ways to continue spreading our faith.
Sarah Beya
Sarah Beya is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is majoring in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Leadership and Organizational Development with a minor in Well-Being.
What has been your favorite INTS course and why?
INTS 405, Women and Leadership taught by Dr. Julie Owen. Through this class, I learned a lot about my self-identity and the intersectionality within it. Unfortunately, as a black, African woman, at some point and to one extent or another, I will be challenged socially. In places such as in the workforce, due to one of these factors that make up my identity I will be misjudged and stereotypes might be used against me. Although these difficulties could be a reason for me to develop anger or to be sad, it encourages me instead to do more and to be better. This course was more than just a class to me, it was a wake-up call. A reminder that as long as I am alive, no matter what comes my way, my identity is my purpose.
What accomplishment are you most proud during your time at Mason?
I am proud of my journey at Mason. When I started, I had a hard time adapting and “finding my place”. Living in a new country and continent without direct family members was difficult at all levels. However, I found a purpose in meeting new people, pushing myself academically, and gaining knowledge that I can bring back to my home country. I am especially proud of myself for this award as a believe it is a reflection of the hard work I have put throughout my time at Mason.
Academic Excellence
The Academic Excellence Award goes to those who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and grade point averages during their time at Mason.
Amy Fissmer
Amy is from Ashburn, Virginia and is majoring in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Leadership and Organizational Development.
What has been your favorite INTS course and why?
My favorite INTS course so far has been INTS 204 Leadership Theory and Practice with Julie Owen for a few reasons. First, it helped me learn how to distinguish between the types of leadership as well as what I am looking for in an organization's leadership that I hope to be a part of moving forward. Second, it solidified my understanding of the values I hold as important as a leader and what my own style of leadership is in practice. Third, the professor is a wonderful teacher who makes an effort to connect with the students in an authentic manner and creates a sacred learning community by enabling a space where people feel open to sift through ideas and make meaning together.
Lisa Goodwin
Lisa is from Buffalo, New York and is majoring in Individualized Study.
What has been your favorite SIS course and why?
My favorite BIS course was BIS 399, which now may be BIS 301. It was one of the first courses I took at GMU and was in-person. The course taught me valuable skills and gave me insight into what I wanted for my future that kept me moving forward in the right direction. I met some great people that I still connect with today that understood where I was in my educational journey. My professors were amazing and supportive throughout my time at GMU.
Hayley Magann
Hayley is from Charleston, West Virginia and is majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a concentration in Sustainable Food and Agriculture.
What has been your favorite SIS course and why?
My favorite Integrative Studies course has been INTS 371: Food Systems & Policy. The course gave me a true understanding of why our food system is the way it is and what my generation of policymakers can do to make the system more sustainable for the health of the planet, biodiversity, and people.
Jessica Shindler
Jessica is from Richmond, Virginia and is majoring in Individualized Study.
What has been your favorite SIS course and why?
I hold great appreciation for each of the INTS/BIS courses I have taken, and INTS 312 Images and Experiences of Childhood resonated with me the most. This course took an in-depth look at the historical events impacting childhood since the 16th century, and how such factors as family, social policies, environment, and technology have shaped childhood experiences. The assigned literature for this class equipped me with a better understanding of the adversities that children face and inspired me to read more works by the same authors and within the genre. As an aspiring elementary school teacher and advocate for children, I feel more informed and empowered having taken this course and I would definitely recommend it for anyone interested in working with or having children of their own.
Rebecca West
Rebecca is from Stafford, Virginia and is majoring in Individualized Study.
What has been your favorite SIS course and why?
My favorite INTS course was INTS 336 - Poverty, Wealth, and Inequality in the US with Prof. Samuel Frye. This class was filled with great discussions among classmates from many different backgrounds, and the topics we studied were ones that could enrich one's perspective in everyday life and on any career path. It provided a fundamental base for understanding systems of economic inequality and the intersectional approach necessary to devising solutions to such issues. I enjoyed it so much I spent the next semester as Prof. Frye's research assistant!
Allyson Wilson
Allyson is from Manassas, Virginia and is majoring in Individualized Study.
What has been your favorite SIS course and why?
My favorite BIS course is, no doubt, BIS 490, the Capstone Project. To complete the Capstone Project, I was required to pull what I learned from all my concentration courses. With BIS 490, I have immersed myself in my concentration and created meaningful products that I have used in my job setting. This course has left me feeling quite knowledgeable, accomplished, and proud. In short, I have gained a new level of self-awareness and personal growth from having taken this course.
Regan Wilson
Regan is from Arlington, Virginia and is majoring in Individualized Study.
What has been your favorite SIS course and why?
My favorite INTS class was INTS 346: Art as Social Action with Shayna Maskell. Shayna always pushed the class as a whole to engage meaningfully with different forms of art, and pushed me personally to dig deeper and better myself as a student.
April 30, 2021
