This year, the School of Integrative Studies awarded $13,000 worth of scholarship funds to our students! To learn more about our scholarships and awards and to see if you may be eligible, please visit: SIS Scholarships
Jack Fahey Giving Back Scholarship & SIS Founders Endowed
Jaclynn McVay
Jaclynn is a Bachelor of Individualized Study major and her hometown is Springfield, VA
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
One of my favorite classes has been BIS English 302, as it was the most academically challenging course for me. Writing has never been my strongest subject, but this class allowed me to focus on a topic I deeply value—advocating for healthcare. Through this course, I developed skills in scholarly research and learned how to effectively communicate within medical and academic communities. These skills proved invaluable, especially when I was able to engage with my mom’s medical providers on a more informed level—conversations that ultimately contributed to saving her life. The class also helped me grow in my ability to analyze information and articulate my thoughts clearly in discussion boards and research papers, especially within the context of the medical field.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
I’m proud of how I have stood up for myself and taken full advantage of the resources available to me at George Mason. When I faced academic challenges and personal struggles, I sought support from the Communication Center, the Writing Center, and my Success Coach. By advocating for my needs and using these resources to their fullest potential, I was able to overcome obstacles and keep moving forward. This experience taught me the importance of self-advocacy and making the most of the support systems around me.
Drs. Surya and Cecil Howard Book Fund
Wuilmer Hernandez Erazo
Wuilmer is an Integrative Studies major with a concentration in Education Studies and his hometown in Herndon, VA.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
One of my favorite courses has been INTS 375 (Global Well-Being and Happiness). I really enjoyed this class because it gave me a chance to reflect on my own well-being and also learn practical ways to improve my emotional and mental health. What made it even more interesting was how we explored the concept of happiness from a global perspective; learning how different cultures pursue and define happiness. It opened my eyes to how much well-being is shaped by cultural,social and economic factors, and it inspired me to think about how I can support others in living healthier, more fulfilling lives both globally and locally.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
One accomplishment I’m most proud of during my time at Mason is making the Dean’s list for two consecutives semesters. (Fall 2024 & Spring 2025). It took a lot of dedication, hard work and time management, especially while balancing school, work and personal responsibilities. Being recognized for my academic efforts really motivated me to keep pushing forward and also reminded me that all the late nights and studying were worth it.
Sultan Writing Award
Jameson Booth
Jameson is an Integrative Studies major with a concentration in African & African American Studies and his hometown is Chesapeake, VA.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite Integrative Studies Course so far has to be Visual Culture and Society (INTS-245) because it expanded the ways that I could analyze media and further strengthened my writing skills in a critical but still creative manner. It also helped that I had a great professor that was flexible and willing to give advice to me for submitting the best possible work.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
The accomplishment I'm most proud of during my freshman year would have to be carving my own place within Black Mason, especially with the African & African American Studies Department and Collegiate Black Men.
Kenneth Thompson Scholarship
Xue Cheng
Xue is a Bachelor of Individualized Study major and her hometown is Chengdu, China.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
I loved BIS 301. It is a very relaxing course for me. It helps me to understand myself better and make better decisions. I’ve learned how to regain control and reshape my habits. I also loved the two books that my professor introduced. One is Designing Your Life, which has been an eye-opening experience. It has prompted me to reassess the life I’ve built so far and has reinforced the idea that there is no singular, perfect path. Rather, I have the power to continually redesign my life to make it more fulfilling and aligned with my values.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
I got A and A+ for all of my courses.
BIS Endowed & Linda Hemm Scholarships
Gabriella Mensah
Gabriella is a Bachelor of Individualized Study Major and her hometown is in Accra, Ghana.
What has been your favorite INTS OR BIS course and why?
The 2025-2026 academic year will be my third year at George Mason. My favorite BIS course has been BIS 390 - The Research Process. In this course, I got the opportunity to explore the topic of my choice. My research question in this course was the implications of the misuse of OTC medications in Africa and how pharmacists have intervened in this issue. Pharmacy is my dream career, so this course helped me to delve into the field of pharmacy and learn a few things pertaining to drugs and how they work.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
An accomplishment I am most proud of during my time at Mason is being able to maintain a GPA higher than 3.5 for two consecutive academic years and this has earned me a spot on the Dean’s list in all the semesters I have been at Mason. I hope to boost my GPA back to a 4.00 upon graduation.
Linda Hemm Scholarship
Tatiana Navarrete
Tatiana is a Bachelor of Individualized Study major and her hometown is Woodbridge, VA.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite INTS course was INTS 375-DL1. Professor Mark Thurston was so kind and helpful and very understanding. He helped me a lot with this course and the class really helped me understand the benefits of global well-being. I want to help others, so this course helped me learn how certain aspects affect the world and what truly matters to achieve happiness globally.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
My biggest accomplishment I am most proud of during my time in Mason is being on the dean’s list for two semesters. My GPA is very important to me, and I am very proud of that.
Lucas Leadership Scholarship
Lindsay Beymer
Lindsay is a Bachelor of Individualized Study major and her hometown is Falls Church, VA.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite course has been BIS 300 because it allowed me to research CPR during spaceflight, a topic that I never would have gotten the opportunity to study elsewhere at GMU.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
At Mason, I am most proud of the work I have put into my courses to create projects that I am eager to share. My favorite has been a proposal to study different methods of CPR on the Moon and Mars.
First Generation Scholarship
Kelly Moya
Kelly is an Integrative Studies major with a concentration in Life Science and her hometown is Falls Church, VA.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite INTS course was INTS 410 with Susan Howard. She was a great professor and this course helped me view science in a more human-centered way. INTS 410 showed how science impacts real people and communities, especially through issues like healthcare access and public health policy. I also valued learning how integrative approaches that combine science, ethics, and social justice can lead to more fair and meaningful solutions.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
One accomplishment was that I able to pay off school on my own and being the first in my family to graduate from college.
June 24, 2025