Jordan Lear

How did you choose your degree program?

I knew I was passionate about communication in its various aspects such as journalism, film/tv, and radio. I also knew I enjoyed criticism and scholarly discussion. When I found Mason’s program it checked all of those boxes and allowed for me to explore and grow in ways I never would have imagined.

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

Being a part of CHSS allowed me to branch into fields of interest I didn’t even know I had. The programs we offer do a fantastic job of offering students a well-rounded understanding of the humanities and social science as a whole. Because of the connectedness of the program I chose, I was able to broaden my horizons within my own field in order to find ways to encourage discourse in multiple fields of study.

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

During my time at Mason I have participated as a member of the honors college. I worked in undergraduate housing for two years. I maintained Dean’s list every semester it was offered. I received honors in research within my field of study and presented my research at NCUR. I also was accepted into the accelerated MA program and have been pursuing that over the past year.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?

I don’t even know where to start with this! So many faculty and staff have been incredibly supportive and instrumental in my success at Mason. Faculty wise, I have always valued and enjoyed the connections I have made with my professors. During my time here the help I’ve gotten from professors like Dr. Wright, Dr. Cai, Dr. Craig, Dr. Tucker, and more recently, Dr. Brennan-Moran, has been invaluable. Mason has always had people who made even the tough aspects of college something to look back on with a fond light. Whether that be getting a pep-talk from former SouthSide employee Robert, or stopping in to a professors office hours, they always took the time to listen and offer the encouragement I needed to push through to success.

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

Currently I am pursuing my MA in communication and plan on continuing that course. I am also looking into pursuing my PhD in Communication or a similar area of study. With these degrees I am interested in branching out into various fields. I am currently an intern with VPM and could see myself pursuing public media or something similar. I am also interested in continuing to engage with research and possibly become an educator at a collegiate level.