Fiona Klotz

How did you choose your degree program?

I chose my degree program during my second semester sophomore year. I chose to concentrate on Social Justice and Human Rights because I felt that my passions, interests and eagerness to learn stemmed from my experiences with social justice initiatives and desire to transform my corner of the world.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

My academic experiences within the the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impacted me by allowing my critical thinking skills to become a large part of who I am and how I use my skills and experiences not only within educational spaces but beyond those spaces, within the methodologies and actions of my every day life.

What accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud of?

Being a founder for the Bonner Leadership Program at Mason is one of my accomplishments that I am most proud of. Through the 3 years I dedicated myself to this program, my team and my fellow students, I developed so many relationships with people who have truly changed my life and impacted me in so many different ways! I am so grateful for everyone who helped us start this program and for everyone who will continue grow it in the future!

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career? Please give an example of this impact if possible.

There are so many people who have made a difference during my time at Mason, I wish I had enough words to share my gratitude! I would not have grown as much or become the agent of transformation I so hoped to be without the brilliance, teachings, guidance and never ending support from Patty Mathison, Elexus Robinson, Kristen Wright, all of SAIL, every one of my Bonner students and of course, Dr. Manuel-Scott and Dr. Al Fuertes. Thank you all for all that you are and do!

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

I plan to work in the DMV area for a maximum of 2 years working and collaborating with communities and organizations around Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Intersectional social justice initiatives, anti-human trafficking methods and hopefully further my knowledge on trauma healing to work with folks on sexual violence prevention and inclusive sex education implementations around the DMV area and beyond. One day I would like to be a college professor, traveling field practitioner and an agent of social transformation through the work of transnational trauma healing.