SIS Newsletter

November 4, 2025

SIS Newsletter November 4, 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 18th.

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)

PRIORITY DATES/TIME TICKETS

Spring Registration has already opened for Seniors & Juniors - Sophomores and Freshmen can register THIS WEEK! Search for your classes on Patriot Web today. 

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

Don't know what classes to take? Make an advising appointment ASAP!

Registration times are assigned to each class code in order of completed hours from most to least. Go to Patriot Web to verify your registration time and to make sure you have a record free of holds that prevent registration. Click here to view a tutorial on how to find your registration time ticket in Patriot Web.


FALL 2025 SENIORS - CAPS, GOWNS, REGALIA, FRAMES, CLASS RINGS AND MORE - AT THE GRADUATION FAIR!

Winter Graduation Fair

Clock Icon for November  5, 2025, 10:00 AM to November  6, 2025,  7:00 PM ESTNovember 5, 2025, 10:00 AM to November 6, 2025, 7:00 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
BIS Student Spotlight
BIS Student Spotlight: Susan Vetter Ricker

BIS Student Spotlight: Susan Vetter Ricker

Meet Susan Vetter Ricker, an SIS Senior, majoring in Bachelor of Individualized Study with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence Ethics and Technology.  Aside from being a student, Susan is the Director of Operations for a national water industry trade association, where she bridges the worlds of advanced technology and critical infrastructure. Her academic journey reflects a deep commitment to understanding artificial intelligence—not just as a tool for innovation, but as a catalyst for ethical problem-solving and collaborative progress.

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SIS Faculty Updates
Prof. Al Fuertes Visits Indonesia for Trauma Healing Training

Prof. Al Fuertes Visits Indonesia for Trauma Healing Training

Dr. Al Fuertes, SIS professor, has just returned from Indonesia after a week-long facilitation on trauma healing as part of the Trauma Healing Training for Community Facilitators, which included participants from Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Ghana, and Germany.

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Susan Howard is the Keynote Speaker for OH Day at CSU

Susan Howard is the Keynote Speaker for OH Day at CSU

Susan Howard, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor in the School of Integrative Studies,  College of Humanities and Social Sciences, will deliver the keynote address, “Gaming to Uncover Unseen Links Between People, Animals, and Ecosystems,” at Colorado State University’s One Health Day Celebration on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Fort Collins, CO. 

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Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation

Apply now* for either of our two upcoming semester-away programs! Spend the spring at our campus inside the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute living and learning amongst experts in the field. Become part of a community of conservation scientists and leaders from around the world who have come together to tackle the biggest challenges facing our environment.

Credits from our semester-away programs can satisfy the Minor in Conservation Studies, and can apply to the Conservation and Sustainability Concentration for the BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, Mason Core Requirements, and more.

Spring 2026 Courses to check out!
Events

GMU Pop Culture Lab presents: Sinners (Screening followed by Panel)

Clock Icon for Friday, November  7, 2025  5:30 PM to  9:00 PM ESTFriday, November 7, 2025 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM EST

Map Icon for Innovation Hall, 105Innovation Hall, 105

The Department of Communication's Pop Culture Research Lab is hosting a screening of the film Sinners on November 7th at 5:30pm, followed by Faculty and Student led discussion. SIS Assoc. Prof. David Powers Corwin will be on that panel. 

Details

Sophia Balakian (Assistant Professor), “Refugees, childcare, and the future of resettlement in the United States”

CHR Residential Fellow Talk

Clock Icon for Tuesday, December  2, 2025 12:00 PM to  1:00 PM ESTTuesday, December 2, 2025 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST

Map Icon for Horizon Hall 6325 and zoomHorizon Hall 6325 and zoom

Real Talk: Reframing Age in the Job Search

Clock Icon for Wednesday, December  3, 2025  4:00 PM to  5:00 PM ESTWednesday, December 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.

Details