2021 Seeds of Change: Community Engagement Medallion Recipients AND Award Nominees

We are pleased to share the Community Engagement Medallion Recipients for 2021! These individuals will be recognized at Social Action and Integrative Learning’s (SAIL) Seeds of Change Community Engagement Recognition event on Friday April 23rd from 1pm-3pm, happening virtually via Zoom. We invite you to RSVP for the event here by Tuesday April 20th. Many thanks to the folks that submitted nominations, recommendations and applications and congratulations to all of our recipients and nominees!

At the event we will also be announcing the recipients of the Seeds of Change Awards (nominees are listed below). We hope you will join the celebration of community engagement here at Mason and in our surrounding community!

Many thanks to our selection committee: 

  • Kristen Wright, GMU Undergraduate Education
  • Dr. Emily Ihara, GMU Social Work Department
  • Ayondela McDole, GMU PhD Student within Cultural Studies
  • Kelly Richards, Food for Others

Seeds of Change FlyerSeeds of Change Flyer 2

Community Engagement Medallion Recognition

The Community Engagement Medallion was established to honor graduates who have excelled in their commitment to the community through activities such as community based learning, volunteerism, community/social issue advocacy, community work-study, and political engagement. Congratulations to our 2021 recipients and thank you for all you do!  

2021 Recipients:
  • Bridget AnimBiology, College of Science
  • Jonathan Balan, Accounting, School of Business
  • Jae-lynn Tavarez BrownAnthropology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Kendal ChaseNursing, College of Health and Human Services
  • Tristan CorbettSocial Work, College of Health and Human Services
  • Monica DavidsIntegrative Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Rebecca Durant, Global Affairs, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Taye FolkCriminology, Law & Society, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Amy HannumEnvironmental Sustainability & Studies, College of Science
  • Sarah KahsaySocial Work, College of Health and Human Services
  • Samantha Moore, Government & International Politics, Schar School of Policy and Government
  • Thi NguyenSocial Work, College of Health and Human Services
  • Maya NoredinNeuroscience, College of Science
  • Chinaiya OwenSocial Work, College of Health and Human Services
  • Natalie PaulsenIntegrative Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Catherine PettitSocial Work, College of Health and Human Services
  • Mei QiuSocial Work, College of Health and Human Services
  • Caroline (Callie) Spencer, Government & International Politics, Schar School of Policy and Government
  • Sarah StyerSocial Work, College of Health and Human Services
  • Pratishna ThapaSocial Work, College of Health and Human Services

Nominees for Seeds of Change Awards

Active Citizen Award 

This award is for students who have made a significant contribution to the Mason community. An Active Citizen is a citizen of the world, they are individuals who prioritize the community in their values and life choices. They don’t have to take action on every social issue, but rather, see the world through that lens. Active Citizens take action on issues that matter to them and their communities.

  • Deysi Aguirre-MedinaSocial Work, College of Health and Human Services - AWARD WINNER
  • Zana Hook, Community Health, College of Health and Human Services 
  • Dasha MaslyukovaEnvironmental and Sustainability Studies, School of Integrative Studies
  • Charlotte JoannidisEnvironmental Science, College of Science
  • Eric George Vahouny

 

Dr. Julie Owen Graduate Student Award

This award honors Dr. Julie Owen, a faculty member in the School of Integrative Studies at George Mason University who has been a fierce advocate, supporter and champion of community engagement here at Mason and beyond. Julie has been a voice for graduate students serving as a mentor, guide and connector aiding in their personal and professional growth. This award recognizes the outstanding contributions of graduate students engaged in their community. 

  • Fiorella A. Briceño Huerta, Environmental Science & Public Policy
  • Azbina Rahman, Civil and Infrastructure Engineering
  • Woomee Kim, Education
  • Ayondela McDole, Cultural Studies - AWARD WINNER
  • Elizabeth Schierbeek, Environmental Science & Public Policy  
  • Victoria Tillman, Social Work - AWARD WINNER  

 

Engaged Faculty Award 

This award recognizes university Faculty who have been exceptional leaders in the areas of community based learning, scholarship and service. Recipients will have made a significant contribution to Mason's culture of community engagement and strengthening our commitment to the communities we serve.

  • Dr. Tawnya Azar, College of Humanities & Social Science   
  • Dr. Cher W. Chen, School of Integrative Studies
  • Dr. Esperanza Román-Mendoza, College of Humanities & Social Science  
  • Dr. Sunny Harris Rome, College of Health and Human Services - AWARD WINNER  
  • Dr. Aoi Yamanaka, School of Integrative Studies      

 

Engaged Staff Award 

This award recognizes university Staff who have been exceptional leaders in the areas of community based learning, scholarship and service. Recipients will have made a significant contribution to Mason's culture of community engagement and strengthening our commitment to the communities we serve.

  • Mihee Cho, Mason Korea
  • Patricia MathisonSocial Action & Integrative Learning (SAIL) - AWARD WINNER  
  • Donielle NolanOffice of Sustainability  

 

Exemplary Community Partner Award

Exemplary Community Partner Award: exists to recognize and celebrate partner organizations who not only are doing great work for their community, but are also undertaking additional effort to serve as partners in education collaborating with Mason students, faculty and staff at their organization.

 

Outstanding Partnership, Project and Collaboration Award

As part of our mission for SAIL, true positive change and engagement requires partnerships between community members, students and faculty/staff. We want to honor the outstanding partnerships both on campus and off and recognize folks who are able to identify projects or collaborations in partnership with community. Recipients will have a specific focus on working in partnership with the community and not for the community.

A collaboration between artist Sam Nester; Don Russell, University Curator; Yassmin Salem, Murals at Mason Coordinator; Dr. Aurali Dade, the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact; Dr. Leah Nichols, Institute for a Sustainable Earth; Sarah D’Alexander, the Office of Sustainability’s Patriot Green Fund; Paige Seber, Lighting Designer; the Center for Well-Being; Counseling and Psychological Services; Provisions Research Center for Social Change; Amanda Jarvis, Mason’s Innovation Exchange (MIX); Mark Cooley, the Green Studio; Dr. Andrea Weeks, Ted R. Bradley Herbarium; Doni Nolan, Greenhouse & Gardens program; Ben Auger, Office of Sustainability; and Kirstin Franko, the Center for the Arts.

A collaboration between Sarah D’Alexander, Doni Nolan and Ben Auger of the Office of Sustainability; Erich Miller, Facilities Management; Dr. Cindy Smith, Associate Professor, Environmental Science and Public Policy; Dr. Andrea Weeks, of the Ted R. Bradley Herbarium and Katherina Wilkins, a current GMU student and Patriot Green Fund Committee Member

Congratulations to All 2021 Seeds of Change Honorees!

Seeds of Change Honorees

Many thanks to our SAIL staff and students who have been working hard to bring this event to fruition, specifically the wonderful Jayson Padilla, SAIL Operations Manager and Ally Ng and Sabrina Lyn, Student Co-Program and Events Coordinators for SAIL. Congratulations to all of our nominees and thank you for all you do to make this world a more equitable, just, non-violent and sustainable world.

 

In community, 

Social Action and Integrative Learning Staff