SIS Newsletter

October 21, 2025

SIS Newsletter October 21, 2025

Welcome back to the School of Integrative Studies bi-weekly newsletter. For the most up-to-date information, visit sis.gmu.edu

INTS | BIS | HDFS | EVSS | Advising

Our next issue of the SIS Newsletter will be published on November 4th.

SIS Updates

SIS now assigns students to an advisor based on their last name. 

MAJOR ADVISOR (by LAST NAME)
Integrative Studies (INTS) Martin Abruzzo (A-K)
Sara Montiel, Ph.D. (L-Z)
Environmental & Sustainability Studies (EVSS) Martin Abruzzo (A-L)
Kelly Dunne (M-Y)
Human Development & Family Science (HDFS) Kelly Dunne (All HDFS students)
Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) Jessica Shindler (A-G)
Mary Slone-O'Neill (H-R)
Sharron Caldwell (S-Z)

 

If you have had any difficulty making appointments on Patriot Connect with you new advisor, please email the appropriate major-specific email address: INTS@GMU.EDUEVSSINFO@GMU.EDUHDFS@GMU.EDUBIS@GMU.EDU

It's Registration Awareness Week!

Check out our socials to see the Registration Awareness Week (RAW) reminders and helpful tips!

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Important Dates

PRIORITY DATES/TIME TICKETS

  • Thursday, October 30th - SENIORS
  • Monday, November 3rd - JUNIORS
  • Wednesday, November 5th - SOPHOMORES
  • Friday, November 7th - FRESHMEN 

Check out your classes on Patriot Web before your time ticket opens up! Make your advising appointments now!

SIS Alumni & Faculty Updates
Zavin Smith honored with Distinguished Alumni Award

Zavin Smith honored with Distinguished Alumni Award

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to honor Zavin Smith with the 2025 School of Integrative Studies/Bachelor of Individualized Studies Distinguished Alumni Award. Smith is a dedicated professional with a robust background in higher education advancement.

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Cher Weixia Chen honored with Faculty Civic Excellence Award

Cher Weixia Chen honored with Faculty Civic Excellence Award

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to honor Cher Weixia Chen with the 2024 CHSS faculty civic excellence award. Chen is an associate professor in the School of Integrative Studies, the founder of the Human Rights and Global Justice Initiative, a senior scholar with the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, and a faculty fellow of the Institute for a Sustainable Earth, George Mason University.

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INTERNSHIPS, INTS 490, AND MORE!

Internships are vital. Not only does participation in an internship make a student more career ready, but it can also be an avenue to a job. 


INTS 490 - INTERNSHIP

Have you heard about the INTS 490: Internship course? For more information, please visit the Internship page on our website.

The application submission period for Spring 2026 opens on October 12, 2025 and closes on January 20, 2026.

STEPS TO APPLY FOR INTS 490 LINKS & NOTES
1) Submit your online Internship Application Internship Application
2) Review the Internship Packet Internship Packet
3) Draft your Internship Learning Objectives (ILO) See Internship Resources – How to Write Internship Learning Objectives
4) Complete the Experiential Learning Agreement (ELA) form Experiential Learning Agreement
5) Scan & Email completed ILOs and ELA to Barbara O'Connell boconne@gmu.edu
Enterprise Hall, 4th floor
Room 417 or the front desk 
6) Registration Instructions will be sent via email after approval

Your current place of employment MAY BE ELIGIBLE to serve as an internship credit if it can provide clearly define new learning experiences that differ from your usual job responsibilities.

SIS Intern Spotlights

If you missed our SIS Intern Spotlights, here’s your chance to catch up! 🌟 This feature brings together all of our incredible interns—from BIS, EVSS, HDFS, and INTS—who have been making an impact in their fields. Meet our past SIS interns, see how they’re putting their studies into action, and get inspired to share your own story!

Read More

 

 

Already done an internship and eager to share?

CALLING ALL SIS INTERNS:

Are you currently enrolled in INTS 490 and have a cool internship to share about? Have you already earned credit for your internship via INTS 490 and want to spread the word about this course?

Please email Barbara O'Connell (boconne@gmu.edu) for more information on our SIS Intern Spotlight opportunities.  


Want to be interviewed on a podcast?

Requirements/Information:

  • Must be a CHSS Student, willing to talk about your experience!
  • Can be interviewed in person at Horizon Hall 
  • Interviews will be 45-60 minutes
  • Discussions can cover either your major, RSO, internship or another academic topic

Email CHSSPOD@GMU.EDU to apply today! 

Upcoming Events

FALL 2025 INTERNSHIP WEEK

Don't miss this week of events to help you find, apply for, and succeed in your internship!

Clock Icon for October 20, 2025, 12:00 PM to October 24, 2025,  1:00 PM EDTOctober 20, 2025, 12:00 PM to October 24, 2025, 1:00 PM EDT

Internship Week is your opportunity to learn about internships and attend George Mason’s Internship Fair! Join University Career Services for a week of in-person and virtual workshops where you can grab free Handshake swag, prizes, and food, and learn about the importance of being an intern.

Details

Higher Education Graduate Programs Information Session

Clock Icon for Monday, October 27, 2025  7:30 PM to  8:30 PM EDTMonday, October 27, 2025 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT

Map Icon for Online LocationOnline Location

The Higher Education program includes the Higher Education Program Masters and Certificates. Join us to learn more about George Mason University and how to start your educational journey in the Higher Education program

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A Braver Campus Dialogue: How Should the U.S. Engage with Israel & Palestine Moving Forward?

Clock Icon for Wednesday, October 29, 2025  5:00 PM to  6:30 PM EDTWednesday, October 29, 2025 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM EDT

Map Icon for Merten Hall, 1201Merten Hall, 1201

We invite you to join us on Wednesday, October 29th from 5:00pm-6:30pm for an interactive, engaging, and thought-provoking dialogue, centered around the following question: “How should the U.S. engage with Israel and Palestine moving forward?”

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Real Talk: Navigating Your First Year on the Job

Clock Icon for Monday, November  3, 2025  4:00 PM to  5:00 PM ESTMonday, November 3, 2025 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST

What is it like to start working as a first-generation college graduate? Join us for an inspiring panel discussion with recent first-gen alums sharing their journey from college to career. You’ll gain insight from real experiences, practical advice, and empowering tips for navigating the workplace with confidence as a new professional.

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Winter Graduation Fair

Clock Icon for November  5, 2025, 10:00 AM to November  6, 2025,  6:00 PM ESTNovember 5, 2025, 10:00 AM to November 6, 2025, 6:00 PM EST

Map Icon for Johnson Center, Dewberry HallJohnson Center, Dewberry Hall

Attend the Winter Grad Fair to prepare for your big day. Caps, gowns, stoles, announcements, diploma frames, and more will be available at this Johnson Center event.

Details