For graduating senior, Kendall Cade, George Mason University has been the whetstone through which she sharpened her passion towards her true direction.
Cade, who grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia, came to George Mason to study criminology, law and society but dug deeper into her interest in marginalized communities to guide her exploration into working in marriage and family therapy.
"I have always been interested in families and the different combinations of dynamics and composites that encourage uniqueness,” Cade said. “Reflecting on and comparing the different structures of marriages and families helped me to discover the profession of family therapy, especially in respect to marginalized communities. George Mason has given me the tools to enhance my mission through research opportunities, community immersion, and unparalleled advisement from distinguished faculty.”
In November, Cade was honored as CHSS Senior of the Year at the college's Community and Catalysts event. This spring, she will graduate with a degree in human development and family science and a minor in nonprofit studies within the college's School of Integrative Studies. After graduating, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in business administration. Her long-term goal is to become a marriage and family therapist. She aspires to establish her own private practice with a nonprofit aim to reduce domestic violence through addressing housing insecurity and instability, which is encouraged by disparities and the prevalence of poverty.
Cade says her classes at George Mason have prepared her to succeed in her mission. She is proficient in American Sign Language (ASL), and now better understands the specific needs of the Deaf community and their unique perspectives of the world. Her human development and family science (HDFS) class, specifically HDFS 498: Internship and Analysis in Human Development and Family Science, helped her land her internship at Northern Virginia Family Services, where she is a Gang IPE (Intervention, Education, & Prevention) intern for Youth Initiatives.
Cade acknowledges the valuable support of her professors and advisor, who recognized her potential and have encouraged her to pursue opportunities for growth and advancement. She also credits her family for her strong work ethic.
“I would not be here without the blessings that my parents, siblings, niece and nephews, and my own found family. They all taught me the importance of family and motivated me every day to help provide and protect similar sentiments in the homes and lives of others,” she said.
Along with juggling her internship, Cade works a part-time job and is active in various student organizations such as ASL Club, Mason Maniaks, Black Student Alliance (BSA), and My Natural. She was also a Dancer for Emerald Desires her freshman and sophomore years. Despite her busy schedule, she prioritizes her education, recognizing its importance to not only herself but others.
“I view my accessibility to education as a privilege that I one day want to be able to provide for others,” she said. “The only way in which I can do that is by prioritizing my obligations because my effort will affect the future of others.”
May 09, 2025