SIS Newsletter

December 2, 2025

SIS Newsletter December 2, 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 December 16th.

SIS Updates

 ACCELERATED MASTERS STUDENTS 

If you have been accepted to an Accelerated Masters Degree program, please make an appointment with your advisor early during the spring semester to complete the BAM transition form to stay on track! 


 SIS ADVISING 

Still don't know who your advisor is? SIS Advisors are assigned based on the student's last name. Look at the chart below find your advisor by MAJOR and LAST NAME.

MAJOR ADVISOR (BY LAST NAME)
Integrative Studies

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)

 Still have questions? Email SISINFO@GMU.EDU.

Important Dates

Winter 2025 Commencement & Degree Celebration

Commencement: Thursday, December 18th, 2025 at 9:30 A.M. until 11:30 A.M. in Eagle Bank Arena. | CHSS Degree Celebration: Thursday, December 18th, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. in Eagle Bank Arena. Overflow location will be in the JC Dewberry Hall.

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 DECEMBER 2025 GRADUATES: DO YOU HAVE POST-GRADUATION CAREER PLANS? SHARE THEM WITH US! 

The Career Plans Survey is now open to all December graduates, both undergrad and grad. Whether you’ve locked in your next steps or you are still figuring things out, we encourage you to share what you know now. You can update your responses later if your plans become more certain. Your input helps George Mason showcase the success of our alums to employers, grad schools, and future Patriots. Your participation directly contributes to the strength of the Mason community – now and in the future.

Upcoming Events

CHSS End-of Semester De-Stress Event

Clock Icon for Wednesday, December  3, 2025  1:00 PM to  3:00 PM ESTWednesday, December 3, 2025 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM EST

Map Icon for Horizon Hall, Atrium - Bottom FloorHorizon Hall, Atrium - Bottom Floor

Destress before final exams! Join our CHSS Ambassadors for donuts, cocoa, and cookie decorating. All CHSS undergrads; advisors and faculty are welcome

Details

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

Are you 40+ and navigating a career transition or job search? Join University Career Services for this empowering workshop designed to help you challenge age-related stereotypes and highlight the value of your experience in today’s job market.

Details
SIS Faculty Updates
Dr. Fuertes facilitates Trauma Healing Program in Ethiopia

Dr. Fuertes facilitates Trauma Healing Program in Ethiopia

Dr. Al Fuertes, SIS professor and chair of the Board of the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation at Mason, presented and facilitated a workshop (Nov 17-20) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the topic, "From Trauma Narratives to Trauma Healing Program Implementation: A Framework to Advance Psycho-social Healing in Post-war and Displacement Settings.“

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Spring 2026 Courses to check out!
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.