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
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 Anim, Biology, College of Science
- Jonathan Balan, Accounting, School of Business
- Jae-lynn Tavarez Brown, Anthropology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Kendal Chase, Nursing, College of Health and Human Services
- Tristan Corbett, Social Work, College of Health and Human Services
- Monica Davids, Integrative Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Rebecca Durant, Global Affairs, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Taye Folk, Criminology, Law & Society, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Amy Hannum, Environmental Sustainability & Studies, College of Science
- Sarah Kahsay, Social Work, College of Health and Human Services
- Samantha Moore, Government & International Politics, Schar School of Policy and Government
- Thi Nguyen, Social Work, College of Health and Human Services
- Maya Noredin, Neuroscience, College of Science
- Chinaiya Owen, Social Work, College of Health and Human Services
- Natalie Paulsen, Integrative Studies, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- Catherine Pettit, Social Work, College of Health and Human Services
- Mei Qiu, Social Work, College of Health and Human Services
- Caroline (Callie) Spencer, Government & International Politics, Schar School of Policy and Government
- Sarah Styer, Social Work, College of Health and Human Services
- Pratishna Thapa, Social 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-Medina, Social Work, College of Health and Human Services - AWARD WINNER
- Zana Hook, Community Health, College of Health and Human Services
- Dasha Maslyukova, Environmental and Sustainability Studies, School of Integrative Studies
- Charlotte Joannidis, Environmental 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 Mathison, Social Action & Integrative Learning (SAIL) - AWARD WINNER
- Donielle Nolan, Office 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.
- Centreville Immigration Forum
- Kara Pascale and Laahiri Chalasani, Children's Science Center
- Doni Nolan, GMU Greenhouse and Gardens
- Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinics - George Mason University's Mason and Partners (MAP) Interprofessional Clinics Collaboration - AWARD WINNER
- Zuzana Steen, Micron Technology, Inc. - AWARD WINNER
- So Others Might Eat
- Caitlin Lundquist, Whitehall Farms
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.
- Sam Nester, Arcadia: An environmental public art installation tapping into plants to generate sound and light - AWARD WINNER
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.
- George Mason University Arboretum - AWARD WINNER
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!
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
April 19, 2021