Outstanding Graduate Student Honorees - Spring 2022

PhD in Communication

Adebanke is a fantastic teacher with exceptional student engagement skills in any context—whether in-person, hybrid, or fully online courses—and is developing an impressive portfolio of scholarship.

MS in Criminal Justice

During the MS research practicum course, Kelsey built a strong research project with the DC-Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. Throughout her time in the MS program, she has also developed a great command of the academic scholarship, while participating fully in the initiatives of the MS program to enhance the reputation of the program and department.

MA in English (Literature)

As one faculty member writes, "she is one of the best students I've had at Mason: incredibly conscientious and thorough with her work; the work is meaningful to her in a way that is actually quite rare; and she is a close and rigorous reader of literary works and produces rich and thoughtful analyses."

PhD in Economics

During her time at GMU, Rachael has taught several courses, published numerous academic papers, and presented her work extensively at conferences and workshops.

MPS in Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Teresa has exhibited an extraordinary level of work and accomplishment for someone who is working full time and taking courses in this program.

MA in Higher Education and Student Development

Leslie has demonstrated this commitment through coursework, graduate assistantships, and a practicum, including work with the Student Transition Empowerment Program, the Center for Culture, Equity and Empowerment, and the Student Support and Advocacy Center.

MA Arts - Psychology - Human Factors and Applied Cognition

According to faculty, "Chelsea has emerged as a "gem" of the program. She is an active participant in all of her classes, and a joy to have in the classroom. She is a great problem solver and shows the courage to plow through the unknown."

MA in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Justice and Human Rights

In addition to a strong GPA, her capstone thesis on the experiences of queer Middle Eastern women in the United States offers a highly original contribution to literature on transnational sexualities, migration and diaspora, and queer ethnography.

PhD in Sociology

Sahar’s dissertation explores the symbolic representation of the Green Movement in Iran, a cycle of anti-government protests that took place following the contentious presidential election of 2009.

MA in Anthropology

Their research calls for a braided approach derived from Indigenous Studies that interrogates developmental stress and disease across the lifespan from a social, communal, and household perspective to better understand colonial violence and resilience in these communities.

MA in Psychology (with a concentration in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience)

Rafael has received several scholarships, including a Resiliency award, a First Gen/Next Gen Scholarship, and the Art and Helen Poland Endowed Scholarship.

MA Philosophy with a focus in Traditional and Contemporary Philosophy

Paul has drawn praise from everyone in the department who has worked with him, emphasizing his intelligence and "seriousness of purpose."

MFA in Creative Writing

Ben is a perfect example of living a little before creating art. As a soldier in the Army, Ben served tours in Afghanistan, was honorably discharged after a injury suffered in the field, and now aspires to a career in state corrections.

MA in Foreign Languages (Spanish)

With a 3.84 GPA in her MA program in Spanish-Bilingual | Multicultural Education, Sarah has performed admirably in multiple disciplines of Spanish: Hispanic linguistics, Spanish-language education and Spanish-language literary and cultural studies.

MA in Global Affairs

Thea is a critical thinker and carefully considers all perspectives of a global issue or challenge. She served as the student representative on a faculty search for GLOA, has been an active member of the graduate student community, and is currently an intern at the International Monetary Fund.

PhD in Criminology, Law and Society

For her dissertation, Heather used advanced decision tree modeling with machine learning techniques in order to create a model to better predict whether specific crimes in which the offender is unknown might be committed by a juvenile.

MA in Economics

Polina is interested in immigration research and a career in public policy. She has also interned at the Cardinal Institute, the Atlas Leadership Academy, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Eurasia Foundation.

PhD in Cultural Studies

Riley is completing a dissertation on feminist activism and social media, one whose significance and rigorousness have already earned her two academic job offers, including one at the University of Amsterdam. Recipient of a CHR Dissertation Fellowship, she has also amassed a significant publication record.

PhD in History

Chris has been a public historian first at Arlington Cemetery, later at the Library of Congress, and now at Smithsonian.

MA in Art History

Laura's professors note the exceptional quality of her well-researched and well-argued scholarship. She was singled out with glowing praise for her internship with the Medici Archive Project.