2023 School of Integrative Studies Senior Award Winners
On May 18th, 2023 the School of Integrative Studies (SIS) will celebrate the graduating class of 2023 in Eagle Bank Arena on the Fairfax campus at 2:30 PM! This year’s Commencement guest speaker is the Virginia’s Governor, Glen Youngkin.
Each year we recognize and reward students with two distinct awards: Outstanding Graduating Student of the Year and the Academic Excellence Award. We thought it would be fun to get to know all of the awardees a little better.
Outstanding Graduate Winners
The Outstanding Graduating Student of the year is nominated by the faculty of the School of Integrative Studies based on their scholarship, creative actives, research, civic & community engagement, equity & sustainability, and overall broader Mason community contribution.
Heather Moss
Heather is from Fairfax, Virginia and is majoring in Bachelor of Individualized Study. Fun fact, her father Bennett Crandall, also graduated from the BIS program in 2006!
What has been your favorite BIS course and why?
BIS 301: Adult Learner Transition – I took this class my first semester at Mason, and it set the tone for my time here. It completely changed how I viewed myself as a student and a person. I met fellow students with similar views on what being an adult without a degree was like. For so long, I felt alone in that feeling, but it turns out I was not. We all worked on changing our narratives and how we looked at education. I no longer felt that completing my degree was impossible or that I wasn’t smart enough. This class changed my attitude and view of education entirely.
What accomplishment are you most proud during your time at Mason?
Achieving and KEEPING my 4.0, never in my life did I think those words would ever come out of my mouth.
Dakota Storey
Dakota is from Southbury, Connecticut and is majoring Integrative Studies with a concentration in Women and Gender Studies.
What has been your favorite INTS course and why?
INTS 400: Temptresses: Constructs of Sex and Power with Prof. David Powers Corwin. I have been wanting to take this course since sophomore year, and I was so happy that I finally got the chance in my last semester. It's a fascinating look into the ways in which we have created the concept of what temptresses and villainesses are throughout history, and I've been exposed to many new books and movies through the course material. The discussions we have are incredibly interesting and always teach me something or show me a new perspective.
What accomplishment are you most proud during your time at Mason?
The accomplishment I'm the proudest of during my time at Mason is putting together an open mic fundraiser as part of a project for my Judaism and Social Justice class. We raised over $800 to support NoVA RAFT, an organization that supports Afghan refugees as they resettle in the Northern Virginia area. It was a great way to bring together some of our Mason community, and I'd love to do something similar in the future on a larger scale!
Natsuki Watanabe
Natsuki is from Kailua, Hawaii and is majoring in Environmental and Sustainability Studies with a concentration in Business and Sustainability.
What has been your favorite INTS course and why?
My favorite INTS course was INTS 334: Environmental Justice, which I took last semester! Not only were the readings/videos interesting, but I also liked the way discussions were held in this class. The section I took was an asynchronous, but there were six video journal assignments during the semester that made the discussions really engaging and authentic. Overall, I learned that environmental injustice is involved in most sustainability issues because it is a fact that people are affected by these issues in varying degrees based on their socioeconomic status. Therefore, I think this Environmental Justice course is a critical piece in my EVSS education.
What accomplishment are you most proud during your time at Mason?
I am proud that I reached out to Dr. Dann Sklarew in Fall 2021 when I was thinking of doing an independent study on the topic of a circular economy for plastics. Pursuing this independent study with Dr. Dann was the best decision, because not only did it help me realize that I want to further my expertise on this topic, but it also led to publication! The article I co-wrote with Dr. Dann, which was an extension of the independent study, was published last month (March 2023) in the Journal of Student Research!
Charlotte Walmsley
Charlotte is from Midlothian, VA and is majoring in Human Development and Family Science.
What has been your favorite INTS course and why?
My favorite INTS class was INTS- 321 Parent-Child Relationships. There is so much to be learned from studying familial relationships, especially parent-child relationships. This class was amazing because it provided many opportunities for me to utilize information and knowledge that I have learned from my other GMU courses. This class helped fuel my passion for understanding human relationships and pushed me in the direction of my current education path. I started my internship at Formed Families Forward at the same time I was in this class and it was extremely satisfying being able to use the new knowledge from this class and apply it to what I was learning at my internship.
What accomplishment are you most proud during your time at Mason?
Working at my internship site, Formed Families Forward, has been my biggest accomplishment during my time at Mason. My internship put me in leadership roles that have helped me become more organized, learn how to manage my time, be a friend as well as a mentor, and made me realize how passionate I am for helping others. I was given the opportunity to facilitate a class that gives high school youths a place to discuss healthy relationships and provides a safe support group with other like-minded students. I had to overcome a lot of obstacles and stress to make this class successful for the students and myself, but at the end of the learning weeks I was able to see the impact I made on the students and how the way they viewed their relationships had changed for the better.
Academic Excellence
The Academic Excellence Award goes to those who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship and grade point averages during their time at Mason. They each have earned the highest GPA from the major’s graduating class.
Richard Cash
Richard is from Fairfax, VA and is majoring in Bachelor of Individualized Study.
What has been your favorite INTS course and why?
This was easy for me to pick, and it is INTS305, Conflict Resolution and Transformation with Dr Fuertes. This was the most enlightening class and provided skills that I have been able to use in both my personal and professional lives. The course made you take a deep dive, not only to understand and appreciate others' opinions, but also to gain understanding of why you operate and respond to conflict in a certain way. It reinforced that we all have areas within ourselves that can be improved upon with just a little understanding of our conflict resolution styles and how we are made up. Lastly, the intimate setting of the class led to developing friendships that will be carried on for many years to come.
What accomplishment are you most proud during your time at Mason?
I finally finished!!! My college journey has had its ups and downs, but everything happens for a reason, and I welcomed the challenge of keeping up with the younger generation in college. I am most proud of being 43 years old and able to stay focused in this college adventure, while working full-time as a Police Officer, being married with 4 kids involved in nightly activities/sports, and still being able to put myself first to reach graduation. It was all done for the betterment and security of my family's future.
Heather Moss
Congratulations to Heather for winning both the Academic Excellence Award and our Outstanding Graduate Award! Please see her story above!
Lydia Sullivan
Lydia is from Northern Virginia and is majoring in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Childhood Studies with a minor in Human Development and Family Science.
What has been your favorite SIS course and why?
My favorite INTS course was 322, Teaching a Historical Perspective. The reason why I enjoyed this class is because it covered some of my favorite topics: history, philosophy, and education.
What accomplishment are you most proud during your time at Mason?
An accomplishment that I am most proud of during my time at Mason is achieving this award. It took hard work, dedication, and commitment to my studies to reach this goal.
Erika Chang
Erika is from California and is majoring in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights with a minor in Criminology, Law and Society.
What has been your favorite SIS course and why?
My favorite INTS course has been INTS 437 (Critical Race Studies) with Dr. Manuel-Scott. Doc was a large reason why this course was my favorite. I was moved by her in every single class. Her passion for education and advocacy is admirable. Doc's teaching made my learning experience feel empowering and rich in ways I could never have imagined. Moreover, the actual content of the course itself challenged me, intellectually and morally. It is genuinely the most valuable course one can possibly take, especially considering the political climate, tensions, and moral dilemmas that we currently face in the US. I left each class with hope, with a better understanding of my own identity as an Asian-American woman in this country, and with a better understanding of my own privilege, positionality, and voice. I learned history as it truly was for marginalized folk, as well as the current reality they live in today. I feel wealthy with the knowledge that I had the privilege of learning, and I will make sure to pass it on in whatever I do in the future. This course has changed the way I see politics, social justice, America, myself, and the world. I was surprised with and thankful for my growth after taking the course. This course has made me see the world differently, and I can never go back.
What accomplishment are you most proud during your time at Mason?
One accomplishment that I am proud of is placing third at a dance competition with Mason Ke Rang in Tennessee. In general, I’m very grateful for being able to be a part of this amazing team and making memories and new connections this past year while at Mason!
Natsuki Watanabe
Congratulations to Natsuki for winning both the Academic Excellence Award and our Outstanding Graduate Award! Please see her story above!
Natalie Alba
Natalie is majoring in Human Development and Family Science with a minor in Psychology. She’ll be continuing at Mason to earn a Masters of Education Degree in School Counseling.
What has been your favorite SIS course and why?
My favorite INTS course is PSYC-324-DL1 Welcome to Personality Theory. In the course, everyone can benefit from studying personality theory since it enhances self-awareness and social awareness. It helped me learn more about myself and how I would handle social situations with confidence by taking this course and gaining a deeper understanding of my personality. The quality of the instructor had a significant impact on how I learned and retained knowledge from the course. Furthermore, PSYC-324-DL1 class was interesting because we were taught by a dynamic and well-versed professor who made the content relevant and entertaining. Eventually, the concepts learned in this course we applicable in many different areas of my life, such as relationships, careers, and personal growth. By studying personality theory, I developed a better understanding of myself and others, and applied that knowledge in practical ways.
What accomplishment are you most proud during your time at Mason?
I am proud of completing the courses necessary to obtain my bachelor’s degree in HDFS and minor in psychology. I am also happy that I got an opportunity to join the cheer team at one point where I met incredible individuals. I’m grateful for some of the events I attended at mason too because it allowed me to network, communicate and get more out of the shy bubble I once was in. I’m astonished by how dedicated and passionate of teachers I’ve had who have motivated, encouraged my growth over the years that has impacted me tremendously. I give many thank you’s to the endless support I have received from many of my professors.
April 18, 2023
