SIS Newsletter

February 24, 2026

SIS Newsletter February 24, 2026

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 March 10th.

SIS Updates

Spring 2026 Graduates

Spring Graduation information has been updated! 

  • Commencement is on Thursday, May 14th @9:30AM at the Eagle Bank Arena 
  • CHSS Degree Celebration is on Saturday, May 16th @2:00PM at the Eagle Bank Arena 
    • FYI, all our undergrad majors (INTS, EVSS, BIS and HDFS) are a part of the School of Integrative Studies - which is housed within the College of Humanities & Social Sciences (CHSS) 

 SIS ADVISING 

Friendly Reminder: We don't offer Walk-in Advising Appointments - if you need to set an advising appointment with you advisor, please do so via Patriot Connect. 

SIS advisors are assigned by last name and major as shown in the chart below. 

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)

 

Scholarship Opportunities

Our Scholarships and Awards applications are OPEN! Apply by April 5th. 

Jon Sultan Writing Award 
($1000 - Open to INTS, EVSS and HDFS Freshmen only)

This award is open to all freshman students who have declared an Integrative Studies, Human Development and Family Science or Environmental and Sustainability Studies majors. Mr. Steven A. Sultan and Mrs. Susan E. Sultan established the Jon Sultan Writing Award in memory of their son, Jon, who was a valuable member of the first Integrative Studies cohort in 1995. The Sultan Award winner receives $1,000. Students must apply and submit writing sample materials in order to be considered. 

Apply today - DEADLINE APRIL 5TH


Check out the rest of our Scholarship Opportunities on our website here

SIS Alumni & Faculty Updates
Integrative Studies alum wants coffee to create intentional moments​ of rest​

Integrative Studies alum wants coffee to create intentional moments​ of rest​

Michael J. A. Davis, BA Integrative Studies ’09, has partnered with George Mason to create a co-branded coffee: "Brave & Bold."

Read More
SIS Assoc Prof Cher Weixia Chen speaks on "Called To the Bar" podcast

SIS Assoc Prof Cher Weixia Chen speaks on "Called To the Bar" podcast

In this episode of Called to the Bar, Tamsin Phillipa Paige is joined by Aoife O’Donoghue (Queen’s University Belfast), Ruth Houghton (Newcastle University), and Cher Weixia Chen (George Mason University) to discuss their newly published Research Handbook on Global Governance (2025). 

Read More
Study Abroad Opportunities

STUDY ABROAD APPLICATION DEADLINE - MARCH 1ST, 2026

Japan Study Abroad Opportunity - Leading Outside the Lines: Women, Culture & Community Leadership

Students will engage directly with women leaders making an impact across fields such as religion, agriculture, entrepreneurship, Indigenous advocacy, and cultural preservation. Apply to join this Summer 2026 Study Abroad Opportunity by March 1st.

Read More

Philippines Study Abroad Opportunity - Human Trafficking, Peacebuilding, & Community Engagement in the Philippines (Summer 2026)

Hosted by Dr. Al Fuertes, email him if you have any questions!

Tentative Travel Dates: May 17, 2026 - June 15, 2026

Calling all SIS Athletes

Want a chance to be featured in the SIS newsletter, on our website and social media? 

We want to learn more about YOU! By having you answer a few questions about your team position, how your season is going, sports-academic-life balance, and anything you're willing to share about your academic journey. If you are interested, fill out the Google Form here!

Check out our past SIS Athlete spotlights here: Nick Barenz | Drew Canody | Elijah Lazor | and Gabriel Silveira

Events

Pop 'N Talk with CHSS Peer Mentors

Clock Icon for Thursday, February 26, 2026  2:30 PM to  4:30 PM ESTThursday, February 26, 2026 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM EST

Map Icon for Horizon Hall, Atrium (bottom floor)Horizon Hall, Atrium (bottom floor)

Stop by our Pop 'N Talk walk-in hours! Whether you want to learn about campus resources or just need to talk to someone who's been there, our CHSS peer mentors are here for you! No appointment necessary. Just drop by Horizon Hall Atrium any Thursday during the semester from 2:30pm-4:30pm.

Details

The New Politics of Online Feminism

Clock Icon for Thursday, February 26, 2026  3:00 PM to  5:00 PM ESTThursday, February 26, 2026 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM EST

Map Icon for Online Location, OnlineOnline Location, Online

Spring 2026 Grad Fair

Clock Icon for March  3, 2026,  9:30 AM to March  5, 2026,  6:00 PM ESTMarch 3, 2026, 9:30 AM to March 5, 2026, 6:00 PM EST

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

Attend the Spring Grad Fair to purchase graduation regalia. Caps, gowns, stoles, cords, announcements, diploma frames, and more will be available at this Johnson Center event.

Details

Book Event with SIS Faculty: McCarron and Balakian

Clock Icon for Wednesday, March  4, 2026  6:00 PM to  8:00 PM ESTWednesday, March 4, 2026 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST

Map Icon for Merten Hall, 1204Merten Hall, 1204

Join us for a timely conversation with Mason authors whose recent books examine migration and displacement across global, historical, and lived contexts. Through an engaging panel discussion, the authors will reflect on the motivations behind their books, key findings from their research, and the broader social, political, and human implications of migration today.

Details

Spring 2026 Urban Research Hub Speaker Series

Black Communities of Fairfax: A History

Clock Icon for Monday, March 16, 2026  4:30 PM to  6:00 PM EDTMonday, March 16, 2026 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM EDT

Map Icon for Horizon Hall, #1007Horizon Hall, #1007

The co-authors of Black Communities of Fairfax: A History, will lead an engaging roundtable, discussing the process of doing local history and their research methods.

Details

Pop 'N Talk with CHSS Peer Mentors

Clock Icon for Thursday, March 19, 2026  2:30 PM to  4:30 PM EDTThursday, March 19, 2026 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM EDT

Map Icon for Horizon Hall, Atrium (bottom floor)Horizon Hall, Atrium (bottom floor)

Stop by our Pop 'N Talk walk-in hours! Whether you want to learn about campus resources or just need to talk to someone who's been there, our CHSS peer mentors are here for you! No appointment necessary. Just drop by Horizon Hall Atrium any Thursday during the semester from 2:30pm-4:30pm.

Details