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BS in Public Administration

Meet the Degree Celebration Keynote Speaker: State Senator, Schar School Graduate Saddam Salim

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:26:43 +0000

Meet the Degree Celebration Keynote Speaker: State Senator, Schar School Graduate Saddam Salim Andrew J Schappert Wed, 04/22/2026 - 15:26

Keynote speaker Sen. Saddam Salim on his run for Congress: ‘It’s one of those opportunities where you help a lot of people at your current job and then you see you can scale that up at the national level.’ Photos provided

Virginia State Senator Saddam Salim (D) still sounds a little surprised when he talks about coming back to campus—not as a student, but as the keynote speaker for the May 16 Schar School of Policy and Government Degree Celebration at 91��. When invited, he recalled thinking, “I’m not important enough to be doing this, but I will give it a go.”

2012 and 2015 Schar School graduate, Sen. Saddam Salim

That humility is a throughline in Salim’s story, one shaped in classrooms and experiences at the Schar School, where he earned degrees—BS in Public Administration and Master of Public Administration in 2012 and 2015, respectively—and began to see how public service as less a destination for a career than a set of options—practical, varied, and close at hand. Today, as a state senator, he draws a direct line between those experiences and the work he does in Richmond.

Born in Bangladesh, his family emigrated to the United States in 2000 after surviving the devastation of severe drought followed by a catastrophic flood. He was 8. After a year in Washington, D.C., the family was made homeless when their building was sold and converted into luxury condominiums.

Low-income and affordable housing helped the family survive in Falls Church, Virginia, as did the available community health centers and a web of public services. These experiences inform his public service to this day.

“When you are struggling, when you’re stuck, that is going to be part of life,” he said. “But you are going to realize there are so many more people that would like to lend you a hand and say, ‘Look, we got you.’”

That perspective—equal parts realism and encouragement—reflects both his personal journey and the ethos he encountered at George Mason.

At the Schar School, Salim, who lives in Falls Church with his wife, Fatimah, found more than political theory—he learned how to use practical tools in the real world. An example that continues to resonate: One class offered hands-on use of sophisticated software used by key agencies in Washington. That kind of exposure, he said, translated directly into opportunity.

“For you to put that on your resumé, that was true real-life experience,” he said.

Schar School faculty members with careers beyond academia helped map the terrain and put into focus how careers unfold, he said.

“It’s not always you get a degree and you go right into government,” he said. “You can go into nonprofit, you can go into many other sectors” with a government or policy degree. That flexibility proved essential—not just for him, but for classmates who went on to roles across government, nonprofits, and even elected office.

Salim’s trajectory, which includes being honored as the George Mason University Alumni Association Alumnus of the Year in 2025, reflects another lesson he shares with students: Impact often starts closer to home. After experiencing the range and complexity of federal work, he scaled back and realized he could make a more immediate difference at the state and local levels of government. His Schar School education, he said, “really fits in any of these levels.”

Starting locally allowed him to build relationships, experience, and a record that could grow over time. He now serves on several committees in the Virginia General Assembly, including Rehabilitation and Social Services, Courts of Justice, Privileges and Elections, and Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources.

Circumstances being what they are, current political headwinds have afforded him with another way to apply his penchant for public policy to a larger field. In early April, Salim, who works as a federal financial management contractor, announced he would be running as a candidate for Congress, joining a crowded field of Virginia Democrats vying for a seat in a newly created district in Northern Virginia.

“It’s one of those opportunities where you help a lot of people at your current job and then you see you can scale that up at the national level,” he said. The party primary will be held August 4; the general election is November 3.

Salim assured us his Degree Celebration speech will not be a campaign effort. “I’m here as a sitting senator, an alumni who enjoyed his time here, and really want to empower the students in the audience,” he said.

He knows the audience will be students who are familiar with the classrooms he once sat in. The message, if his own path is any guide, is straightforward: Start where you are, use what you’ve learned, and don’t assume the path has to be linear—even if the opportunity ahead feels a larger than expected.

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Topics

Alumni

Master of Public Administration

International Security and Law

Graduation

Schar School Students Turn Language Barriers into Award-Winning Entrepreneurial Opportunity

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:44:15 +0000

Schar School Students Turn Language Barriers into Award-Winning Entrepreneurial Opportunity Andrew J Schappert Mon, 04/20/2026 - 15:44

Schar School senior Jayden Banks, left, and sophomore Anthony Even-Vaca pose with ceremonial checks at the Baylor New Venture Competition. Photo provided

Two Schar School of Policy and Government undergraduates took third place and an honorable mention award during the 14th Annual Baylor New Venture Competition in March for pitching a prototype of their medical language translation platform.

The Doctors United DPT/91�� sign at the Baylor New Venture Competition

The cofounders “really felt like the underdogs,” said Anthony Even-Vaca, a 19-year-old sophomore in the Schar School’s International Security and Law degree program at 91��. “I definitely was the youngest there.”

The national competition held at Baylor University’s Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation in Waco, Texas, drew student entrepreneurs from around the country eager to pitch their startup business ideas to panels of judges for cash awards and sage advice. Many of the competitors were doctoral students affiliated with established ventures, Even-Vaca said, heightening the sense of being underdogs in a field of seasoned innovators.

He and graduating government and international politics senior Jayden Banks took the $1,500 honorable mention prize and $500 for placing third in the elevator pitch competition for their self-funded platform, Doctors United DPT.

The idea for the language translation platform stemmed from Banks’s experience working for the last two years at the Inova Fairfax Medical Campus as a clinical technician, assisting the medical staff in patient care. He began building the app, he said, about a year-and-a-half ago after witnessing firsthand the difficulties of language barriers in a medical environment and how they can complicate even routine interactions.

“I started testing the prototype on the nurses, my coworkers, and they were super supportive of it,” he said. “I interviewed doctors, neurosurgeons, cardiac surgeons, and asked them how language barriers affect them specifically to their specialty.“

Banks and Even-Vaca became friends after working together as coaches at a swim school and then sharing a room for a week during a Schar School study-abroad program to Switzerland. Eventually, Banks recruited Even-Vaca to the Doctors United DPT project “and he immediately had ideas for it, like bringing it to refugee camps. And so we started working on it together,” Banks said.

It was during a second Schar School study-abroad trip, this one to Israel, where the work they were doing in translating medical terminology became real.

“I got sick, I couldn’t get out of bed for a day,” Even-Vaca said. “I was wondering, am I going to have to go to a doctor? I don’t know Hebrew or Arabic, and I felt a little bit hopeless.” (It turned out to be a bad cold. Still, the plane ride home was miserable.)

The app uses AI to render instantaneous translations of some 200 languages, Banks said. It was Even-Vaca’s idea, he said, to add a “confidence meter” to override AI’s sometimes questionable reliability in translations. “The judges loved it,” he said.

The cofounders are actively seeking George Mason alumni and business professors for guidance in building out the award-winning business.

“We’re trying to make more connections, networking, and raising capital,” Banks said. “We see a big demand for interpreter services in other areas, such as international forums and institutions as well as immigration law. We want to implement it around the world and bridge cultural gaps, help people, make a difference. That’s our hope, our vision.”

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Topics

Class of 2026

Government and International Politics

competitions

For more information about the National Security and Public Policy cohort program, visit this website.

entrepreneurship

Artificial Intelligence

Schar School Launches New Yearlong Master’s Program

Andrew J Schappert — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 17:09:35 +0000

Schar School Launches New Yearlong Master’s Program Andrew J Schappert Fri, 04/03/2026 - 13:09

In August 2025, 91��'s Schar School of Policy and Government launched the National Security and Policy cohort program and welcomed its first group of students to campus. The newest addition to the school’s programmatic offerings, the NSPP offers students a full-time, one-year master’s degree experience with a group of like-minded peers who support and challenge each other’s intellectual growth. The inaugural cohort will graduate in August 2026 with a Master of Public Policy degree with an emphasis on national security.

NSPP students toured the Defense Intelligence Agency and had lunch with Schar School alumni who work there.

“Our cohort students bring a new dynamic to the program,” said NSPP Program Director Justin Gest. “They’re hustlers who have decided to devote more time to their studies to expedite their education and entry into the world of public policy. And perhaps most importantly, they value the community that our MPP program engenders among students.”

The NSPP program pushes boundaries in its exploration of national security, integrating a focus on economic statecraft and transnational crime along with the traditional study of international relations and intelligence. Students take four courses each semester and are trained in the fundamental skills of policy—economic and statistical analysis, program evaluation, and policy communication—while applying these skills to national security problems.

A unique feature of the program combines classroom learning with the Schar School’s expert faculty and a robust co-curricular program that introduces NSPP students to a variety of security-related careers and organizations.

Cohort members met with Virginia Senator Tim Kaine while in Washington, D.C.

In its inaugural year, cohort programming has included a winter study-abroad session in Brussels, Belgium, to visit NATO Headquarters and the EU Commission; a trip to New York to observe the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty negotiations; a tour of the Defense Intelligence Agency and lunch with Schar School alumni working there; a day on Capitol Hill with the Senate Armed Services Committee; lunch with a former governor of Virginia, a meeting with a member of Congress, and a visit to a security-related think tank led by its CEO.

Students have also met with leaders and managers at the Department of Justice, Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, and national security consulting firms and defense contractors.

Elaina Ryan, a member of the first cohort, had taken a summer course at George Mason as an undergraduate student, so she was familiar with “the unique expertise that Schar School faculty bring,” she said.

The small size of the NSPP program also appealed to Ryan. “It’s nice that all of my professors know who I am and could speak to my abilities in the classroom,” she said. “It's also enlightening hearing from the others in my cohort, who bring a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. We learn from each other as much as we learn from our professors. It also brings more accountability to group projects—everyone goes above and beyond because we have personal relationships with each other and don't want to disappoint.”

Former Ambassador Richard Kauzlarich describes the students in his POGO 750 Energy in a Turbulent World course as dedicated and driven to succeed. “They develop a team-centric approach that is important in making the cohort-based program work,” he said. “I hope the students come away from my class with a strong sense of why energy—the major public policy challenge facing the U.S. and other countries as well—represents a key building block in their national security studies.”

Nikki Forry teaches POGO 646 Policy and Program Evaluation in the NSPP program and has enjoyed teaching the group and observing the close ties they’ve formed. “The small class size allows for more interaction and personalized instruction,” she said. “The cohort approach allows for stronger bonds to be developed between students and these bonds enhance the learning community.”

To round out the program, students meet regularly throughout the year with Schar School Career Development Office staff and develop a tailored plan for securing internships and their first job in the field, along with a framework for continued professional growth.

“The program has repeatedly offered us experiences with networking and also did a mandatory resume review last fall,” said Ryan, who landed an internship at the Niskanen Center think tank. “I spoke with Duane [Bradshaw] and Brian [Bar] at the Career Development Office, and it was their advice that was primarily responsible for landing my current internship.”

Other recent internship placements include the U.S. House of Representatives, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Cohort programs like the NSPP offer students a distinctive educational and professional development experience that they can’t get elsewhere, Forry says.

“The rich curriculum targeting national security provides students with the skills they will need to graduate and find employment,” she said. “The cohort program offers an intensive learning environment beneficial to highly motivated students.”

In This Story

Justin Gest

Richard Kauzlarich

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Topics

National Security and Public Policy

Master of Public Policy

Schar School Student Spotlight

From Kyiv to Capitol Hill: Meet Graduating Schar School Senior Gabriella Grabovska

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:53:19 +0000

From Kyiv to Capitol Hill: Meet Graduating Schar School Senior Gabriella Grabovska Andrew J Schappert Wed, 04/01/2026 - 14:53

Gabriella Grabovska photographed in September 2022: ‘A lot of the people that I met, a lot of the opportunities that I got, and the communities that I became a part of were all a result of me deciding to get out of my comfort zone and go do things.’ Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Originally from Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv, Gabriella Grabovska moved to the United States in August 2022 to attend college, leaving her family and familiarity behind. Navigating a new country on her own, she quickly learned to balance academic rigor with the challenge of adapting to—and flourishing in—a new cultural and social environment.

Grabovska will graduate in May from 91�� with a degree in government and international politics. She also has a concentration in political behavior and identity politics and a double minor in political communication and forensic psychology.

When considering where to study, George Mason and the Schar School of Policy and Government stood out for their programs and opportunities that they offered as well as its proximity to Washington, D.C., she said.

“Looking back, I know that I wouldn’t have had all of my internships, I wouldn’t have met different politicians, members of the Cabinet, or people in my field, if I was in Connecticut or New Jersey,” she said.

The Schar School’s Undergraduate Learning Communities program played a key role in helping her get started professionally. Grabovska recalled an event hosted by the Jurisprudence Learning Community (now called the Pre-Law Learning Community) that helped her eventually secure her first internship with the Committee on House Administration, Democratic Staff. Since then, she has completed six internships, holding positions with organizations including the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan nonprofit that collects data on political funding.

“The Schar School became my home in the U.S., especially Democracy Lab,” she said, referencing the immersive residential learning community. “I remembered how, in my freshman year, the Schar School and the Democracy Lab really made me feel welcomed and at home."

Grabovska's résumé is so long and varied because she took advantage of all the opportunities the university and its location offered. "I couldn’t say ‘no’ to anything. If there was an opportunity in front of me, I would take it.”

Gabriella Grabovska arrived in the United States in 2022 as Russia was invading Ukraine. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

A student in the Honors College, Grabovska is also an award-winning professional ballroom dancer, president of George Mason’s European Student Association, an occasional model for the Office of University Branding, and a resident assistant for the Office of Housing and Residence Life. She also served as a deputy field organizer for NextGen America, a nonprofit that encourages political activity among young citizens. She enjoys salsa dancing for fun.

But politics, which have shaped her life since her childhood, is where her ambitions lie.

“Politics directly affected my life since I can remember—I didn’t have privilege of not talking about it,” she said.

She recited a list of dramatic political events—the 2014 Kyiv Revolution, the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014, and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022—as key events that motivated her to pursue a degree and career in politics.

Grabovska credits faculty and staff—including Associate Professor Jennifer Victor, Assistant Professor Shea Holman, Robinson Professor Steven Pearlstein, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs Ann M. Ludwick, and Communications Manager Buzz McClain—for their encouragement and support during her time at George Mason.

'Politics directly affected my life since I can remember—I didn’t have privilege of not talking about it.' Photo by Office of University Branding

One piece of advice that Grabovska would give to new or prospective students is to get out of their comfort zone and face their fears.

“A lot of the people that I met, a lot of the opportunities that I got, and the communities that I became a part of were all a result of me deciding to get out of my comfort zone and go do things,” she said.

She recalled an example where she met a future mentor during an internship at a law firm while waiting in the security line to enter the Capitol Hill Rayburn House Office Building in D.C. That brief introduction and its results reinforced for her the value of taking initiative.

Through her academic work, internships, and extensive involvement in campus life, Grabovska has turned her experiences into preparation for a career in politics and public service, grounded in the global perspective she brings from Ukraine and the community she found at the Schar School.

In This Story

Jennifer N. Victor

Shea M. Holman Kilian

Steven Pearlstein

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Topics

Honors College

Class of 2026

Government and International Politics

internships

Graduation

Patriots advocate for George Mason at Mason Lobbies event in Richmond

Katarina Benson — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 17:59:50 +0000

Patriots advocate for George Mason at Mason Lobbies event in Richmond Katarina Benson Wed, 03/18/2026 - 13:59

Eighty-one energetic Patriots traveled to Richmond on March 5 for Mason Lobbies, where 91�� President Gregory Washington joined House Majority Leader Charniele Herring, BA Economics ’93, and Senator Saddam Salim, BS Public Administration ’12, MPA ’15, in welcoming students to the General Assembly for a whirlwind day of advocacy.

Herring spoke with the students before their meetings with legislators. “Virginia legislators are proud that we come from all walks of life,” she said. “We’re part-time legislators with careers and diverse experiences, representing diverse communities.”

Maceo Franks Jr. during Mason Lobbies event. Photo by Drew Precious

Salim, whose district includes George Mason’s Fairfax Campus, encouraged students to “advocate not only for yourself, but also your fellow students.”

Mason Lobbies gives students interested in the political process a chance to practice their advocacy skills. Before the trip, students identify issues to champion, research the university’s accomplishments, including economic impact and student success outcomes, and prepare informational packets to leave with legislators and their staff.

Hannah Kohler, a sophomore majoring in government and international politics with a concentration in political behavior and identity politics, said she was encouraged by the reception students received. This was her first time participating in the event. “I was very delighted to see that the legislators and their staffers are very open to hearing our pitches.”

Kohler is also a Student Government representative and sustainability liaison. One of the legislators she met was Delegate May Nivar, whose daughter graduated from George Mason. “As a GMU mom, I’m very familiar with George Mason’s impact,” Nivar said. “I understand how its diverse environment helps students develop socially and prepares them to successfully enter the workforce.”

While Kohler is still considering her post‑graduation plans, she sees opportunities like Mason Lobbies as valuable professional development. “This event allowed me to test my abilities as an advocate and evaluate whether I could see myself doing this as a profession,” she said. “It’s given me the confidence that I can definitely do this.”

Senior environmental and sustainability studies major Maceo Franks Jr., also a first-time Mason Lobbies participant, gained a new appreciation for the pace of policymaking. “The legislators are very busy during session,” he said. “One of my target legislators was interrupted during our meeting to vote on a bill. She said her vote was being requested for bills all morning.”

As he and other Patriots met with legislators, Franks appreciated the personal connections they made. He recalled Delegate Dan Helmer asking the group about their favorite Taco Bamba orders. “He connected to us on a simple human-to-human level, and I loved that.”

Mason Lobbies attendees. Photo by Drew Precious

A prospective policy writer, Franks said Mason Lobbies offered a glimpse into his future career. “It was beneficial for helping me understand how politics works at George Mason and at the state level,” he said. “I also was able to network and get to know who I may be working with or for in the future.”

For Kohler and Franks, Mason Lobbies is more than an annual event.

“Mason Lobbies is a tradition,” Franks said. “All students, no matter their major, should get involved with it at least once during their time at Mason.”

Kohler agreed. “Every student has a unique experience, so there are endless testimonials to be heard by legislators. It truly makes me feel like I have a stake in my university’s success, especially since it gave me the opportunity to share my story with legislators in hopes of a continued bright future for 91��.”

Mason Lobbies supports the Strengthening peace, trust and engagement in democracy solution of George Mason's Grand Challenge Initiative

Topics

Center for Business Civic Engagement

Introducing a New Minor in Lobbying and Advocacy—and Meet the Student Who Helped Create It

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:23:33 +0000

Introducing a New Minor in Lobbying and Advocacy—and Meet the Student Who Helped Create It Andrew J Schappert Thu, 03/12/2026 - 13:23

A new Schar School of Policy and Government undergraduate minor debuts in fall 2026: Lobbying and Advocacy is an interdisciplinary minor that develops students' understanding of policy institutions and industries, and how to influence both as a professional advocate.

Zayd Hamid: ‘It came down to building the program I wish I had access to as an undergraduate.’ Photo provided

The program, one of only two in the country and the only one in the Washington, D.C., region, will offer opportunities for experiential learning, including field projects, internships at key Washington, D.C., firms, and the 91��’s annual grassroots advocacy trip Mason Lobbies to the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia.

The course was codeveloped by Schar School Term Professor David K. Rehr, professor of public policy and director of the Center for Business Civic Engagement, and Zayd Hamid, a master of public policy student (with an emphasis in education policy), over a multiyear process.

Rehr, a former longtime advocate for major nonprofit organizations including the National Association of Broadcasters and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, is happy to share the inspiration for the course with Hamid, who had the idea as an undergraduate in the Schar School’s public administration program.

“He drafted the outline of the minor and I adjusted it to maximize value for students from various George Mason departments whose students could benefit,” he said. Students in degree programs including business, communication, conflict analysis and resolution, environmental and sustainability studies, economics, and other fields would find lobbying skills useful.

“Given our location near Washington, D.C., the minor will be taught by a stable of top academics and practitioners, and graduates will be prepared to advocate effectively for meaningful and efficient change, even if they do not become full-time lobbyists themselves,” he said.

“The government,” Rehr added, “is increasingly becoming more involved in the activities of businesses, nonprofits, and other industries and professionals who understand the advocacy process who can provide innovative solutions will be increasingly valuable to their employers.”

David K. Rehr: ‘Given our location near Washington, D.C., the minor will be taught by a stable of top academics and practitioners, and graduates will be prepared to advocate effectively for meaningful and efficient change …’

For Hamid, the minor is personal. As the Honors College student's graduation approached in spring 2024, the proudly first-generation college student began thinking less about what he had accomplished as a student and more about what he would leave behind.

His college accomplishments were substantial, among them, discovering advocacy through Mason Lobbies, serving as a panelist for a congressional staff briefing on financial aid, and being named the inaugural National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics Student Advocate of the Year, an award he dedicated to Rehr.

“The nexus between all those pivotal moments in my undergraduate years was taking Dr. Rehr’s GOVT 318 Interest Groups, Lobbying, and the Political Process class,” Hamid said. “I am a direct product of the wisdom and industry insights he shared with me and of the mentorship and support he’s given me over the years…. His class and Mason Lobbies shaped the trajectory of my undergraduate experience, cultivating my interest in policy into a passion for education advocacy.”

As he considered what he could leave as a legacy, the answer became clear: “It came down to building the program I wish I had access to as an undergraduate,” he said.

Hamid, who is a graduate professional assistant with George Mason’s University Life, is cochair of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Student Advisory Committee, the commonwealth’s coordinating agency for higher education. That latter role, alongside his previous experience as the student representative on the education integrity advisory Mason Core Committee, accustomed him to academic program policies at a state and institutional level. This positioned him to support his and Rehr's proposal through George Mason's internal processes, culminating in a final vote by the Undergraduate Council in December, clearing the way for inclusion in the catalog in fall 2026

The proposal’s review was expedited and streamlined amid political shifts in Washington, which, to Hamid’s mind, created opportunities for employment for graduates.

“Federal furloughs and a changing Washington, D.C, policy landscape have resulted in more students exploring careers outside of—but adjacent to—Congress and the White House,” he said. “So, this minor also helps the Schar School meet the moment and respond to a shifting job market.”

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In This Story

David Rehr

Topics

Mason Lobbies

Lobbying and Advocacy

Master of Public Policy

education policy

public administration

First Generation

minors

Honors College

Schar School of Policy and Government Joins Peace Corps Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:43:21 +0000

Schar School of Policy and Government Joins Peace Corps Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program Andrew J Schappert Mon, 03/09/2026 - 16:43

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Mark J. Rozell

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New partnership supports Returned Peace Corps Volunteers pursuing graduate education and continued service

The Schar School of Policy and Government at 91�� is proud to partner with the Peace Corps as a Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program institution, expanding opportunities for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) to pursue graduate education while continuing their commitment to service in communities across the United States.

The partnership aligns closely with the Schar School’s mission to prepare principled leaders equipped to address complex public policy challenges at the local, national, and global levels. By welcoming RPCVs into its graduate programs, the Schar School builds on its longstanding focus on public service, international engagement, and policy leadership.

Located in Arlington, Virginia, the Schar School connects fellows to the center of public policy, national security, global commerce, and public administration. Through rigorous academic training and practical experience, Schar School graduate programs prepare students to lead in government, nonprofit organizations, international institutions, and the private sector.

Coverdell Fellows at the Schar School will pursue one of six eligible master’s degrees while completing a substantive U.S.-based internship that benefits underserved communities, continuing the Peace Corps tradition of service while gaining advanced policy and leadership training. In further support of that service component, George Mason’s Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning (CECIL) will serve as a partner in helping connect fellows to internship and community engagement opportunities.

“Returned Peace Corps Volunteers bring deep experience, perspective, and a strong commitment to service,” said Mark J. Rozell, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government. “Their global perspective and dedication to community engagement reflect the values we seek to cultivate at the Schar School. We are proud to welcome them as Coverdell Fellows and support their next step in public service and leadership.”

Eligible Schar School graduate programs for Coverdell Fellows include: Master of Biodefense; Master of Global Commerce and Policy; Master of International Security; Master of Organization Development and Knowledge Management; Master of Political Science; Master of Public Administration; and Master of Public Policy.

Learn more about the program benefits. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers interested in applying as a Coverdell Fellow should contact the Schar School for application fee waiver instructions and program guidance by emailing schargr@gmu.edu.

Topics

Corruption Networks and Transnational Crime Research Center

Peace Corps

pathways

CONTRA: Schar School Announces New Center Focusing on Transnational Crime, Corruption, and the Networks That Sustain Them

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:49:49 +0000

CONTRA: Schar School Announces New Center Focusing on Transnational Crime, Corruption, and the Networks That Sustain Them Andrew J Schappert Mon, 03/09/2026 - 14:49

The Schar School of Policy and Government at 91�� announces the launch of the Corruption, Networks, and Transnational Crime Research Center—CONTRA—a research hub dedicated to advancing the study of one of today’s most urgent global challenges—transnational crime.

Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera

Building on the Schar School’s longstanding strengths, CONTRA brings together the faculty’s broad, interdisciplinary, and highly regarded expertise to investigate the complex dynamics of transnational crime and its far-reaching impacts on global order.

CONTRA’s cutting-edge scholarship underscores the Schar School’s role as a leader in the study of transnational crime. Led by codirectors Professor Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera, Professor and Omer L. and Nancy Hirst Endowed Chair Naoru Koizumi, and Distinguished University Professor Janine Wedel, the center draws on each of their landmark contributions to their fields:

Wedel’s seminal analyses of corruption and informal power networks reveal how elites operate across blurred public–private boundaries, reshaping governance and accountability worldwide.
Koizumi’s highly innovative quantitative methods and network modeling approaches illuminate illicit organ trafficking and other hidden economies, offering powerful and practical tools to understand and disrupt criminal markets.
Correa-Cabrera’s research on migration, borderlands, networks, and criminal organizations has significantly advanced understanding of the intersections between human smuggling, organized crime, and state power.

Naoru Koizumi

Together, their pathbreaking scholarship pushes the boundaries of how transnational crime can be understood and studied, combining deep empirical insights with sophisticated and diverse methodological approaches.

The team leads a seasoned staff of researchers and academics who are well-regarded in their respective fields and bring their knowledge and expertise to George Mason classrooms.

“CONTRA presents a great opportunity to nurture cutting-edge scholarship on topics of crucial import to the future of democracy and security,” said Wedel, a pioneer of applying anthropological insights to corruption.

“This is such a great opportunity to contribute to the study of different forms of transnational crime and illicit networks from an interdisciplinary perspective and using complex methodologies in the areas of data analysis and machine learning,” said Correa-Cabrera, an internationally recognized expert on immigration and border security. “Working with Janine and Naoru, this will be possible.”

Janine Wedel

For her part, Koizumi is looking forward to “learning from each other, collaborating with more faculty, and furthering this important area of international security research.”

The center will launch its public programming with “From Cartels to Combatants: The Intense Militarization of America’s Drug War” on Monday, March 23, from 1 to 6 p.m. at FUSE 1311 at Mason Square. The conference will examine the impacts of the designation of transnational criminal organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and assess the legal, diplomatic, operational, and strategic consequences of that shift.

The event is free and open to the public; registration is required. For questions, contact contra@gmu.edu.

In This Story

Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera

Janine R. Wedel

Naoru Koizumi

Louise I. Shelley

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CONTRA

Government and International Politics

Research

Four Schar School Student-Athletes Score Provost Awards—and Not for the First Time

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:35:57 +0000

Four Schar School Student-Athletes Score Provost Awards—and Not for the First Time Andrew J Schappert Mon, 03/02/2026 - 16:35

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Four Schar School of Policy and Government student-athletes were among the 78 from 91�� athletics who received the 2026 Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar-Athlete Award in February. All four were awarded the distinction multiple times in their Schar School careers.

Two-Time Winners

June Johnson, the coxswain on the women’s rowing team, is a senior graduating after three years in the international security and law program. She is from Warrenton, Virginia.

June Johnson, women’s rowing, poses with her award with Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Ajay Vinzé, left, and Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis, right.

“For me, balancing my academic and athletic schedule comes down to intentional planning and centering in purpose,” she said. “It’s also about gravitating toward things you enjoy—take classes that genuinely interest you and try every new opportunity till you find something you can’t imagine putting down.

“I love my school, my team, and what I do. Because of that, I’m always excited to work hard to elevate my community and go the extra step.”

For new and prospective students weighing options, she said, “I like the saying ‘If not now, then when? If not you, then who?’ Every day is a new opportunity and it’s always important to center in the value and reward of taking chances and putting in the effort to reach your goals.”

Learn more about Johnson’s journey in the story, ”Balancing Oars and Advocacy.”

Carly Passaro, who plays defense on the women’s soccer team, is a GVIP junior from Farmington, Connecticut.

Carly Passaro, women’s soccer

“Managing an elite athletic career with successful academic performance requires discipline and consistent effort,” she said. “Striving to perform at the highest level possible in every aspect of my life is what continually motivates me to push myself.”

Three-Time Winners

GVIP 2025 graduate Kaitlyn Bestick, a goalkeeper on the women’s lacrosse team, is a current student in the Master of Political Science program from Fredericksburg, Virginia. She will finish her Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s (BAM) degree program in May.

Kaitlyn Bestick, women’s lacrosse

“Managing an academic and athletic career as intense as this one, it has been a collection of leaning on the people around me,” she said.

“The connection between the athletic and academic staff allows for a seamless transition from student-to-athlete and is without a doubt the reason I have been able to be successful.

“The lacrosse team specifically places a high emphasis on our academic success—the time set aside, and the consistent support, from our coaches makes managing this intensity much easier.”

Catilin Cardin is a team leader in co-ed cheerleading and a government and international politics (GVIP) senior from Tolland, Connecticut.

Caitlin Cardin, co-ed cheerleading

“I manage both cheerleading and academics by utilizing time-management skills and setting aside specific times throughout my day to complete my schoolwork,” she said, offering good advice for any student. “I structure my days, assigning time for my schoolwork, my job, my personal life, and my sport. While it is not easy, it is certainly achievable if you stay focused and determined.”

The Provost Scholar-Athlete Award was established in 2009 by then-Provost Peter N. Stearns to recognize student-athletes who have earned at least 38 credit hours at George Mason and achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher.

“This award represents the very best of what it means to be a George Mason student-athlete,” said Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis at the award ceremony. “Tonight is not just about athletic talent—it's about discipline, curiosity, leadership, and the mindset required to bring your best in every arena.

“Keep working hard. Keep pushing forward. And keep inspiring the people around you—because you are the standard.”

Topics

Master of Political Science

International Security and Law

Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s

Patriot Profile

Student Athlete