Student Profiles

George Mason University recently held its first-ever Qualitative Research Day, an event for PhD students of all disciplines to engage in hands-on and interactive opportunities with the goal of learning new qualitative research techniques and methodologies. The inaugural event is the latest innovation in George Mason’s ongoing efforts to find new ways to support its PhD students.

Collin Terling, United States Air Force veteran and health administration student, says George Mason’s forward momentum as an institution resonates with his goals for personal growth.

George Mason  has partnered with the Fairfax County Health Department to provide current FCHD employees with the opportunity to complete public health certificates. Some employees are going a step further and earning their master’s degrees in public health fields.  

Esther Park, Iulia Fratila, Allison Miner, and Yanika Kowitlawakul discuss how they got started as new faculty members, their efforts to transform their teaching and students’ learning, and engagement with professional development on a Keystone Concepts in Teaching: A Higher Education Podcast from the Stearns Center.

Rooshna Mohsin earned third place for her presentation on dietary and social exposure to forever chemicals and related outcomes among Hispanic children.

Navy veteran Becca Simon says coming to George Mason University and her experience as a student in the College of Public Health Department of Social Work has been life-changing.

In addition to fostering student-athletes' wellness, the collaboration will offer applied learning for nutrition students in the college.

From improving underserved communities’ care to supporting faculty research on women living with HIV, Janell Addo-Boateng, MPH ’25, gained hands-on experience in policy, evaluation, and communication.

Interdisciplinary teams sweep the awards with actionable plan to address sexually transmitted infections in young adults.

For Master of Public Health student Olivia Thornton, completing a practicum at the Inova Fairfax Department of Community Health was an opportunity to step into the field and explore public health in action.

Gina S. Brown, PhD, MSA, RN, FAAN (PhD Nursing ’99), has made history as the first woman to become president of Oakwood University. Recognized nationally as a leader in nursing and education, Brown brings extensive experience revitalizing academic institutions and fostering community engagement. She credits her time at George Mason University as a formative and supportive chapter in her journey.

Students share experience gained from participating in the National Conference for Undergraduate Research, exemplifying it is never too early to contribute to academic discourse and bodies of knowledge.