This year, the School of Integrative Studies awarded $11,500 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.
Linda D. Hemm Scholarship & First Generation Scholarship
Fatiha Mohammad
Fatiha is a Bachelor of Individualized Study and her hometown is in Pakistan.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
Spring 2026 was my first semester at GMU. I took four courses this semester that included BIS 300, BIS 301, INTS 316, and INTS 456. Each course was valuable for me, as I learned a lot from it. However, if I need to choose one course, I will choose INTS 456 Self-Care and Well-Being for Helping professionals. This course is such a great resource as it provides you with information and resources that help you be successful in your helping profession. This course made me realize that it’s extremely essential to prioritize your own social, emotional, and physical well-being before helping others. It also presented how mindfulness meditation can help enhance our focus, attention, and productivity. In conclusion, I found this course helpful as the information learned from this course will be helpful for me in my career as a teacher.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
Getting all A+’s in all 4 courses and a 4.0 GPA is my biggest achievement in my first semester at GMU.
Linda D. Hemm Scholarship
Fabian Carbajal Crespin
Fabian is a Bachelor of Individualized Study major, his hometown is in Peru and currently lives in Sterling, VA.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite INTS class was 456-Self Care/ Well Being, because I learned how to meditate and be in peace in my mind without stress. A healthy mind in a healthy body.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
I am proud of my first semester. I worked hard, and I got straight As, However, before I started, I prayed to make easier and understandable for me.
Drs. Surya & Cecil Howard Book Fund
Mouhamed Tucker
Mouhamed is an Integrative Studies major, he was born in Dakar, Senegal and was raised in Richmond, VA. Growing up between two cultures shaped his perspective, work ethic, and appreciation for community.
What has been your favorite INTS course and why?
My favorite course has been Global Leadership because it challenged me to think about leadership beyond titles and positions. The course helped me understand how leadership can be practiced through service, resilience, and influence in everyday situations. As a student-athlete recovering a major injury, I found many connections between the concepts we discussed in class and the leadership required to stay committed through adversity.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
The accomplishment I am most proud of is continuing to pursue both my academic and athletic goals while recovering from a significant knee injury. The recovery process required patience, discipline, and perseverance, and it taught me valuable lessons about resilience. Through that challenge, I remained committed to my education, continued making progress toward graduation, and grew as both a student and a person. Receiving the Howard Book Fund Scholarship is especially meaningful because it recognizes my effort and motivates me to continue striving for excellence.
Bachelor of Individualized Study Endowed Scholarship
Ahlam Mahdi
Ahlam is a Bachelor of Individualized Study major and her hometown is Alexandria, VA.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite INTS course was INTS 317: Issues in Family Relationships because it helped me better understand communication, family dynamics, and how relationships influence individual well-being and development. I especially enjoyed connecting course concepts to real-life experiences and learning how strong communication and support systems can positively impact individuals and families. The course was also connected to my interest in supporting individuals with disabilities and working with families in meaningful and inclusive ways.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
The accomplishment I am most proud of at Mason is maintaining a 4.00 GPA and earning a place on the Dean’s List every semester since enrolling.
Jack Fahey Giving Back Scholarship
Abena Asiama
Abena is a Bachelor of Individualized Study major and her hometown is Kusami, Ghana.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite course has been INTS 202: Public Speaking and Critical Thinking Skills. The course helped me become more confident in public speaking and strengthened my critical thinking and communication skills. I enjoyed learning how to present ideas effectively and engage with different audiences. These skills have been valuable throughout my academic journey and in my work as an Instructional Assistant.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
The accomplishment I am most proud of during my time at Mason is maintaining a strong academic record while working full-time and pursuing my degree. Balancing work, school, and personal responsibilities has been challenging, but it has helped me grow, stay determined, and move closer to my goal of becoming a special education teacher.
Jon Sultan Writing Award
Noah Sanchez
Noah is an Integrative Studies major and he grew up in Williamsburg and Smithfield, VA.
What has been your favorite INTS course and why?
My favorite course was honestly Rule of Law, because as someone who prides themselves on being a humanities major and wanting to be a lawyer (fingers crossed!), it really recontextualized what the law means and what it has meant for as long as its been instated, in turn recontextualizing the career I plan to pursue even now.
What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
What I'm most proud of is my time on the George Mason Debate team, which I have gone to Octo, Quarter, and even Semi-finals with, finding and flourishing with a community.
Lucas Leadership Scholarship
Sharmin Khan
Sharmin is a Bachelor of Individualized Study major and her hometown is Dhaka, Bangladesh and moved to Virginia six years ago. Growing up in Dhaka shaped her values of hard work, resilience, and community service. Many of the experiences there, especially raising her daughter with ADHD and working with children with special needs, inspired her to pursue a career in special education.
What has been your favorite INTS or BIS course and why?
My favorite BIS course has been BIS 301: Adult Learner Transition with Professor Laura J. Todd. I found this course especially meaningful because it helped me reflect on my personal, academic, and professional journey as an adult learner. As a non-traditional student returning to college later in life, I found many of the topics very relevant to my experiences. The course encouraged me to think more deeply about my goals, strengths, challenges, and plans. I also learned valuable life lessons about resilience, personal growth, time management, and lifelong learning. Professor Todd’s teaching style made the course engaging and thought-provoking, helping me gain confidence in my ability to succeed both academically and professionally.
What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
The accomplishment I am most proud of during my time at George Mason University is continuing my education as a 55-year-old non-traditional student while working full-time in special education. Returning to college after many years, adapting to a new educational system, and balancing work, family, and academics has been challenging. Completing the BIS program and preparing to apply for the Accelerated Master's (BAM) program represents years of determination and perseverance. It has brought me one step closer to becoming a licensed special education teacher in Virginia and continuing my mission of supporting children with special needs.
SIS Founders Endowed Scholarship
Jessica Hale
Jessica is an Environmental & Sustainability Studies major and her hometown is Philadelphia, PA.
What has been your favorite INTS course and why?
My favorite INTS course has been INTS 390 because it has allowed me to do these study abroad internships for credit towards my major. Two summers ago, she went to Argentina for an Environmental Sustainability Internship in Buenos Aires. This summer she is in Costa Rica doing an internship studying native orchids and ecotourism.
What accomplishments are you most proud of during your time at Mason?
I am most proud of completing my semester at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation last semester and the internships I’ve been able to experience due to Mason’s Study Abroad program.