This year, the School of Integrative Studies awarded $10,000 worth of scholarship funds to our students! To learn more about our scholarships and awards and to see if you may be eligible, please visit: SIS Scholarships
SIS Founders Endowed Scholarship
Aisun Abedinzadeh
Aisun is a Human Development & Family Science major, and Loudoun County is her hometown.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite INTS course is hard to choose from because I sincerely enjoyed my INTS courses and learned a lot of useful information that I know I can apply later in life. Ultimately, my favorite INTS course I have taken is INTS 490 which was an internship credit course. For my degree pathway and within my major, I am required to take two internship credits, INTS 490 is designed to take early on in your undergraduate career in order to navigate and explore potential career interests. The internship I chose for INTS 490 was a program where I got to work with kids. It has been over a year now and I have still continued the internship. I learned that I absolutely love working with kids and it has evidently become one of my passions. This was certainly one of my favorite jobs I have ever done and I look forward to seeing the kids every shift. I learned a lot through this internship and I am glad I got to experience a diverse opportunity.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
I believe that Mason opens doors to a lot of opportunities and adventures for students if they desire. After becoming more involved on campus, I feel I have accomplished a lot. The accomplishment I am most proud of during my time at Mason is becoming an Admissions Outreach Fellow for the Admissions Office. The Admissions Office at George Mason formed a Fellows Group in Fall 2023. I am proud to have been part of the first-year group for this organization, where I met people and made connections. This job allowed me to feel more involved and comfortable as a student attending George Mason. Additionally, this was my first major student involvement role and is, therefore, memorable and notable to my college experience.
First Generation Scholarship
Ofori Mensha
Ofori is majoring in Bachelor of Individualized Studies and her hometown is Accra, Ghana.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite INTS course was INTS 202, Public Speaking. This was my favorite course because public speaking was extremely hard for me. I would always get tense when asked to speak in front of people. This class helped me immensely and has boosted my overall confidence. I have been able to apply the techniques to my other classes, and I am more confident in public speaking.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
My proudest accomplishment as a student at George Mason University is being able to maintain a 4.0 GPA for two consecutive semesters. I will continue to work even harder to maintain this GPA throughout my time at George Mason University.
BIS Endowed Scholarship
Rebecca Orfila
Rebecca is a Bachelors of Individualized Studies student and was DC-born, Chantilly/Fairfax-raised, and resides in Alexandria, Virginia.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite INTS or BIS class is difficult to narrow down. My favorite cheerleaders and mentor teachers are Dr. Al Fuertes and Professor Janet Ha Poirot. I have taken multiple classes with each of them, and have found myself and my worth and purpose through them.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
I am proud that I have been able to mentor fellow students because of my advanced age, disabilities, and true empathy. I am also proud of my Dean’s List and A average since returning to George Mason, despite my disabilities.
Linda Hemm Scholarship
Jennifer Grimes
Jennifer is a Bachelors of Individualized major and her hometown is Flint, Michigan
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My first class upon returning to college in the fall of 2022 was BIS300 with Professor Janet Ha Poirot. At that time, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new information. I had never written a research paper nor navigated the online library system, and I found the online infrastructure of George Mason University confusing. However, Professor Ha Poirot had a remarkable ability to connect my existing knowledge to the coursework. Through her guidance, I became more familiar with resources that I would later use in all my courses. The research pathways she provided not only helped me in my studies but also benefited my career. While I have enjoyed most of my courses, this one stands out as the most enriching so far.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
I am particularly proud of achieving high grades since returning to school. Initially, I was uncertain if my career and family commitments would allow me to dedicate enough time to my studies. However, with the tremendous support from my workplace and family, I have been able to devote the necessary attention to my coursework, and it has been incredibly rewarding.
The Jack Fahey Giving Back Scholarship
Eman Mohamed
Eman is a Bachelor of Individualized Studies major from Sudan.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course, and why?
The following courses are the most beneficial and enjoyable for me: INTS 456, INTS 321, BIS 490, and BIS 302. These practical classes have equipped me with real-world skills and knowledge, such as effective communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking, which will be invaluable in my future career. This practical approach to learning has been instrumental in my academic growth and success.
INTS 456 has been a transformative experience in my academic journey. It has not only equipped me with essential time management and stress reduction techniques but has also helped me navigate the burnout and stress that often accompany a demanding academic schedule. This course has prepared me for my future teaching position and the pursuit of my accelerated master's degree, shaping my academic journey in a profound way. I am proud to say that this is a testament to the transformative power of the Women's Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund.
INTS 321 helped me understand the concepts and challenges of parenting, family diversity, and risk factors. It considers interactions between parents and children from birth to adolescence and cross-cultural, historical, and societal influences.
BIS 490 Capstone project. This course helped me demonstrate my ability to critically analyze a problem related to my interdisciplinary concentration/major, Special Education, and Disability Studies. The problem I focused on was "The Impact of Special Education Teachers' Personality Traits like Patience, Empathy, And Resilience on Academic Performance and Emotional Well-Being in Students with Autism." Through my analysis, I proposed that the study examine the role of personality characteristics (persistence, empathy, and patience) in teachers' emotional thriving and successful learning of children with autism. For the most effective educational accomplishments in students with autism, it is essential to establish a functional learning environment with teachers who manifest such characteristic qualities; There is a need for the development and implementation of evidence-based workshops for teachers to address the skills gap in terms of how to work with learners who are on the autism spectrum and offer the corresponding special attention required, which can have a significant impact in the academic performance for students with Autism spectrum disorder.
BIS 301 helped me to use research-based, problem-solving educational experience. This program allows me to learn about the various factors affecting adult degree completion. Students will assess their situation concerning these factors and develop skills and plans to overcome the challenges of completing a bachelor's degree as adults.
My journey from my vibrant African hometown in Sudan to my current pursuit of an accelerated master's degree and a teaching position has been a testament to my personal growth and resilience. I have faced numerous obstacles and financial difficulties, but I have never let them deter me from my dreams. My journey is a source of inspiration for others, showing them that with determination, they can overcome any obstacle. I believe this resilience and determination will be valuable assets in my future career.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
I am proud of what I have accomplished. As an ambitious woman, I decided to take the risk of pursuing and completing my bachelor's degree while raising my children, facing many obstacles and financial difficulties. I am also thankful for the guidance and support of my BIS professors, who played a crucial role in my academic journey. The flexibility the BIS program offered me as an adult student was also beneficial. This experience taught me how to balance my different responsibilities better than before.
Linda Hemm Scholarship
Katherine Lutz
Katherine is a Bachelors of Individualized Study major and her home town is Vienna, Virginia.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite INTS course has been INTS 456, "Self-Care & Well-being for Helping Professionals" taught by Dr. Mark Thurston and Mary Elizabeth Lynch Esq. Helping professions, such as art therapy, run a high risk of developing burnout and compassion fatigue. This class identifies common factors that trigger burnout and compassion fatigue and provides ample ways to bounce back and even prevent it from happening. I'm incredibly glad that my advisor suggested this class to me because it was a life-saver during this difficult semester. I know I will continue to use the knowledge and resources in this class for the rest of my life.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
The accomplishment I'm most proud of at Mason (so far) is that I built a screech-owl birdhouse that has been approved to be installed on the Fairfax campus indefinitely. I created this native birdhouse during my first semester here at GMU in my Art as Social Action class (AVT 309) taught by Ben Ashworth.
Lucas Leadership Scholarship
Stephanie Woosley
Stephanie is majoring in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Women and Gender Studies. Born in Lexington, NC and lived in Belle Vernon, PA for several years.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite INTS course has been INTS 400 Constructs of Sex/Power: Temptress with Dr. David Corwin. I love taking classes with this professor. I am fascinated by sexuality studies and loved how this course blended history with modern theory.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
I am most proud of graduating Fall 2024 after starting in Fall 2022 as a freshman. I'm proud of being involved in the LGBTQ community on campus and helping others.
Jon Sultan Creative Writing Scholarship
Alessaundra Shallal
Alessaundra is an Integrative Studies major and her hometown is McLean, Virginia.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite Integrative Studies (INTS) course and the reason I applied for the Jon Sultan Creative Writing Scholarship is the INTS cornerstone course (INTS 101). I recall that on the first day of class, I came in with an open mind, excited to see what my major holds, and 30 minutes into the class, the professor and I came to a disagreement. Something my professor had told another student struck a nerve, and I spoke up, challenging her initial statement. Thankfully, I did not let that small disagreement deter me from throwing myself into the course work and into her good graces. From that day on, our admiration for each other’s viewpoints and approach towards the course grew, evident through healthy debates and respectful exchanges of opinion. I finally understood why she challenged her students on the first day—to encourage differing opinions in class and learn how to respectfully challenge opposing viewpoints. The remainder of the course inspired me as I: 1) wrote thousands of words for mere discussion board assignments because I found the sources so telling of contemporary issues; 2) actively spoke in class, yearning to share my take on social inequities; and 3) reflected on my own narrative constantly, as seen in my scholarship writing sample.
In some way, my professor and the nature of the course gave me a glimpse of what my life would be like, teaching me invaluable skills for the academic and professional world, especially as an aspiring law major. People will disagree with me, as I will with them, but allowing my voice to be heard, to occupy space, and to be able to logically argue my case, while it may not sway everyone, is a success in itself. To constantly challenge, ask questions, and broaden horizons is paramount to my aspirations. I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to take this course, meet my favorite professor, and strengthen my voice.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
In addition to becoming the 2024 Jon Sultan Creative Writing Scholarship recipient, my most significant achievement at Mason is my recent acceptance into GMU’s Honors College. Being a part of the Honors College at George Mason University represents not only a pursuit of academic excellence but also an opportunity to immerse myself in a community committed to intellectual growth and collaborative learning. I am particularly drawn to The Honors College for its vibrant community. Establishing meaningful connections with peers and professors is essential to my development as a student and future professional. I am eager to engage in thought-provoking discussions and build relationships that extend beyond the classroom.
Furthermore, I am enthusiastic about collaborating with my peers on research projects and community outreach initiatives aimed at fostering positive change within our academic environment and beyond. My passion for social and legal justice aligns with the community's commitment to the use of academic resources to empower students to lead impactful projects. Currently, I am engaged in my own research project, which examines university anti-discrimination policies and their efficacy in protecting students, with a particular focus on Arab American and Hijabi Muslim-American students. This research builds on work I initiated in INTS 203 – “Inquiry to Action: Facilitating Change,” inspired by my background as the daughter of a Chaldean (Iraqi-Christian) immigrant. In an era prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism, I aim to leverage the Honors College’s diverse platform to advance my research, advocate for comprehensive reform of university anti-discrimination policies, and promote the destigmatization of the Arab world.
May 29, 2024