Scholarships

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

An internship helped connect this EIP grad with a career path

Katarina Benson — Fri, 15 May 2026 17:27:04 +0000

An internship helped connect this EIP grad with a career path Katarina Benson Fri, 05/15/2026 - 13:27

Senior information technology major Crystal Forson likes to joke that her parents have been in school with her the whole time—"just without the studying.” Their support, she said, has been constant, from eighth grade when she joined the 91��’s Early Identification Program (EIP), all the way through graduation this May.

Forson and her family first learned about EIP when she was a student at Potomac Middle School in Dumfries, Virginia, and her mother’s excitement about the program was infectious. “What really pushed me to apply was knowing I wanted more for my future and for my family,” said Forson, who is a member of the Honors College. “I knew it was something worth giving my all.”

Forson completed an internship with CACI. Photo provided

EIP—which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2027—supports first‑generation, college‑bound students beginning in middle school. Participants have access to academic enrichment, tutors, and mentors both in their home schools and on the George Mason campuses.

Through EIP’s STEM Fusion courses, Forson took a Python coding class that changed her trajectory. “After that class, I knew I wanted to do something related to Python,” she said. That early spark led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in information technology with a concentration in web application development in George Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing.

“Crystal is the kind of student who reminds us exactly why EIP exists,” said Alpachino Hogue, EIP's executive director. “She is bright, disciplined, and deeply committed to making the most of every opportunity. She has embraced EIP as both a community and a pathway to her goals.”

Family support is a cornerstone of EIP, and Forson’s parents—who immigrated from Ghana—fully embraced that role. They attended EIP’s Family Academy, ensured she had transportation to every program, and encouraged her at every step. “They were always willing to listen, always willing to show up,” Forson said. “They are one of my biggest driving forces.”

Hogue added, “Students do not sustain this kind of success without a strong foundation, and Crystal’s journey reflects that. Her family instilled in her the habits and values that matter most: perseverance, accountability, and a belief in oneself and the power of education.”

Forson’s dedication extended beyond EIP. She was selected for the inaugural cohort of CACI Scholars, a scholarship made possible by a 2023 gift from CACI International and awarded to 10 EIP alumni.

“By investing early, we’re not only developing skilled talent but shaping future leaders,” said Jeana Plews, vice president of CACI HR consulting solutions. “The program creates a strong, sustainable talent pipeline of motivated individuals with fresh perspectives and strong technical foundations.”

Forson first met the CACI team by chance while volunteering at a STEM event the company sponsored. “She stood out,” Plews said. “Not just for her initiative, but for the way she engaged with others.”

Forson credits EIP's Python course for helping her decide to pursue STEM. Photo provided

Her CACI summer internship, made possible through the scholarship, placed her on a team working to consolidate information across NASA’s many centers nationwide. The project blended her interest in technology with her passion for working with people. “I was exposed to technical solutions, including AI, while also working with the actual customer,” she said.

“Crystal’s academic background and major prepared her exceptionally well for our highly collaborative environment,” said Steve Brylski, CACI senior systems architect. “Her broad skill set aligned naturally with the way our teams work.”

The internship proved such a strong match that CACI offered Forson a full‑time business analyst position upon graduation. The job dovetails nicely with the master’s degree program she is already pursuing as a part of George Mason’s Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s Program. She will earn a degree in management with a certificate in business analytics.

Forson also received the Paul and Gwen Patton Memorial Scholarship Endowment, awarded annually to an EIP alum attending George Mason. The scholarship, housed in University Life, honors Paul Patton’s eight years of service on the University Life Advisory Board and is supported in part by CACI, where he served as a senior vice president for more than two decades.

During her time at George Mason, Forson also served as a resident assistant for two years and was part of George Mason’s chapter of Every Nation Campus, a faith-based international organization. Forson’s Patriot experience, combining her loves of Python and people, her desire for more and better, and fueled by the benefits of EIP and CACI, have already rocketed her to great heights.

Learn more about the Early Identification Program

Topics

Graduation

accelerated bachelor's to master's

Early Identification Program (EIP)

91�� Giving Day 2026 races to a record-breaking finish

Katarina Benson — Tue, 05 May 2026 16:36:42 +0000

91�� Giving Day 2026 races to a record-breaking finish Katarina Benson Tue, 05/05/2026 - 12:36

The 91�� community came together in a powerful show of support on April 2, raising a record $2.95 million during the university’s 24-hour Giving Day. More than 1,900 donors made 3,229 gifts to 293 funds across the university, helping expand opportunities for students, strengthen academic programs, and support initiatives that advance George Mason’s mission.

Throughout the day, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends rallied behind the university with enthusiasm and generosity. Among the donors were 864 alumni and 337 faculty and staff members, and 500 donors made their first gift to the university, representing about 25% of all Giving Day participants.

“It was especially meaningful to see so many people choose to support George Mason for the first time,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president for advancement and alumni relations and president of the 91�� Foundation. “Every new donor strengthens this community and expands what we can make possible for our students. When people invest in George Mason, they are investing in opportunity—in the students whose lives are changed here and in the impact they will go on to make in the world.”

That spirit of generosity was reflected across the university, with donors supporting scholarships, athletics, academic programs, and other priorities that directly shape the student experience. The General Scholarship Fund attracted the largest number of faculty and staff donors, followed by the Costello College of Business’ Spirit of ’77 Fund and Basketball Greatness.

George Mason Athletics generated the highest totals for both dollars and donors on Giving Day.

“Giving Day captures the very heart of our athletics community—from our athletes and coaches to the fans who fuel our mission,” said Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of Athletics. “The extraordinary growth we see year after year is a testament to the trust our supporters place in us and the deep pride they take in investing in the lives of our student-athletes. We are gratified and humbled by this community’s commitment to our championship culture, ensuring every George Mason athlete has the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.”

Along with Athletics’ standout results, the Costello College of Business and the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) also received notable support, in both dollars raised and donor participation. CVPA Dean Rick Davis reflected on the lasting impact of the day. “One of our mottoes, that we return to again and again, is that the arts create community. A gift to Mason Arts is one that develops student talent, enhances creative capabilities, and in turn, enriches our community's experience,” he said.

The momentum of Giving Day adds to George Mason’s historic fundraising campaign, Mason Now: Power the Possible, which has raised more than $639 million toward its $1 billion goal.

“Each gift, no matter the size, helps expand student success, support academic excellence, and create opportunities for George Mason students to learn, lead, and thrive,” said Bowden. “Through Mason Now, that generosity is helping George Mason move forward in ways that will shape the university for years to come.”

Power the Possible. Learn more.

Topics

Campus News

philanthropy

Athletics

Giving Day

Planned gift opens doors for many George Mason students

Katarina Benson — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:56:04 +0000

Planned gift opens doors for many George Mason students Katarina Benson Fri, 04/10/2026 - 16:56

91�� alumnus Robert “Ken” Hedrick Jr., BA History ’71, said his philanthropy is rooted in the examples set by both sets of his grandparents, who were neighbors in a farming community in West Virginia. His paternal grandparents fed anyone who walked by the farm, and his maternal grandparents regularly took in foster children. Both families were always first to share what they had.

Photo provided

These quiet acts of service formed the foundation of Hedrick’s values.

“I was impressed by my grandparents,” he recalls. “They didn’t have any money and yet they always helped others. That has stuck with me to this day.”

Other grounding lessons came from his time as a student at George Mason in the early 1970s.

“My history professor, Dr. Josephine Pacheco, pointed out that the ability to change your mind as you learn is probably the most important thing you’ll gain from your college education,” said Hedrick. “I experienced this firsthand while I was writing and learning about Abe Lincoln during her class. This sense of openness, being open to changing my mind stayed with me.”

Hedrick’s background as a history student was critical to shaping his thinking and his career. His work in public finance with cities, counties, and government agencies was strengthened by his ability to offer a deep understanding of people and their backgrounds. This skill to connect with individuals from all walks of life, which he credits to his George Mason education, proved invaluable to opening opportunities he never expected.

Hedrick’s early career took him to Capitol Hill during the Watergate era, where he worked on President Nixon’s impeachment and met the future Hillary Rodham Clinton. He also worked with Senator John Glenn, an experience that would later open a door to attending graduate school and securing a job in the financial industry—defining moments that proved life-changing.

Hedrick is now focused on helping future generations of George Mason students gain access to their own life-changing moments. Through his planned gift, Hedrick has created four endowed scholarships in tribute to those who shaped his life: his late husband, Walter Huxley; his late parents, Robert Hedrick and Lorraine Kisner Hedrick; and his late partner, Hans-Gerd Mehrtens.

Robert Hedrick Jr. and Walter Huxley. Photo provided

The Robert K. Hedrick Jr./Walter F. Huxley Scholarship Fund benefits history students in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Originally established in Hedrick’s name alone, he added his late husband’s name, Walter Huxley, after his passing. For Hedrick, the naming of this scholarship serves as a testament of their life together, honoring their marriage and their shared belief in the power of philanthropy.

The Lorraine Kisner Hedrick Scholarship Fund benefits students in the School of Nursing and is named in memory of Hedrick’s mother, whom he describes as a gifted, determined woman, and who became a registered nurse during a time when opportunities for women to pursue advanced degrees in medicine were limited. She graduated from nursing school at the top of her class and had a long career in emergency care and community health.

After raising her children, Kisner Hedrick enrolled in George Mason’s Bachelor of Individualized Study Program and graduated in 1985. She later pursued a PhD in psychology at the University of Richmond but passed away before completing the degree. Her dedication to education and service stands as a powerful example of lifelong learning and resilience.

The Robert K. Hedrick Sr. Scholarship Fund supports students in the College of Engineering and Computing and is named in memory of Hedrick’s father. Hedrick Sr. was an engineer and innovator and shared the family’s commitment to education and helping others. He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from George Washington University using his VA benefits, then went on to complete a master’s in civil engineering from Catholic University and pursue a PhD at George Washington University while employed by the U.S. Army. In that role, he pioneered military technologies later used throughout Europe and Greenland.

Hans-Gerd Mehrtens and Robert Hedrick Jr. Photo provided

The Hans-Gerd Mehrtens Scholarship Fund supports students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts and is named for Hedrick’s late partner. Mehrtens grew up near Bremen, Germany, and attended Universität der Künste for his bachelor of fine arts and Freie Universität Berlin for his PhD in philosophy. He was part of the vibrant art scenes in Berlin and the East Village, New York City, and his work has been shown in New York, Canada, and Germany. Mehrtens had a passion for living life to the fullest, and his art carries an intensity that reflects his rage against the HIV epidemic and his own HIV diagnosis.

These scholarships demonstrate Hedrick’s commitment to helping the next generation and his gratitude for the opportunities that shaped his life and career.

“When we each reflect on our lives, we’ll likely realize there have been many people who have given us a helping hand up,” says Hedrick. “I've had a lot of people help me, for which I'm eternally grateful. This is one way I can give back, help someone, help the next generation.”

He hopes the students who receive these scholarships use the opportunity to advance themselves and are inspired to help others in the future. For Hedrick, directing his support to George Mason students was intentional, as our university represents the heart of educational access and has a high percentage of first-generation students.

“George Mason is a place where education truly transforms families—where support makes an immediate and lasting difference,” he said.

Hedrick’s planned gift contributes to Mason Now: Power the Possible campaign and underscores how our community of alumni, friends, faculty, and staff are committed to meeting the challenge of transforming the future.

Mason Alumni

Power the Possible

Topics

Alumni

philanthropy

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

Campus News

Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra will headline this year’s ARTS by George!

ckearney — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:22:51 +0000

Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra will headline this year’s ARTS by George! ckearney Mon, 03/16/2026 - 12:22

91��’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) announces the ARTS by George! benefit event, headlined by acclaimed actor and musician Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. ARTS by George! takes place on Saturday, October 3, on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus.

Jeff Goldblum. Photo by Pari Dukovic

The event raises vital support for student scholarships in visual arts, dance, music, theater, game design, film, and arts management, as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. Tickets and sponsorships are available for purchase on the event website.

Goldblum’s storied career spans nearly six decades of award-winning work as a starring actor in film, television, and theater. He recently co-starred as the Wizard of Oz, alongside Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, in the global box office smash Wicked and its sequel Wicked: For Good. He has also produced film and television projects and is an Academy Award-nominated director for his short feature film, Little Surprises.

Goldblum’s many film credits include The Big Chill, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Fly, Independence Day, Jurassic Park, and Thor: Ragnarok. He has received Emmy nominations for his work on Will & Grace and for the National Geographic/Disney+ series, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, which he also executive produced. Onstage, he has starred in Broadway’s The Pillowman, the Off-Broadway production of Domesticated, as well as the London production of Speed-the-Plow.

Goldblum launched the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra 30 years ago. Since then, he and his band have performed for audiences throughout the United States and around the world. The group has released four albums with Decca Records, featuring guest artists that include Gregory Porter, Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus, Fiona Apple, Freda Payne, Haley Reinhart, Imelda May, and Maiya Sykes. On June 5, 2026, Goldblum and The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are set to release Night Blooms, the companion album to Still Blooming, under Universal’s recently relaunched Fontana label, featuring Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Charlie Puth, dodie, Haley Reinhart, Melody Gardot, Scarlett Johansson, and others.

ARTS by George! begins at 5 p.m. in the de Laski Performing Arts Building with CVPA students and faculty collaborating in a series of showcases and exhibits in art, music, dance, theater, film, and more. At 8:30 p.m., Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra headline a performance in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall. The concert will feature contemporary arrangements of jazz classics and American Songbook standards, brought to life with Goldblum’s signature improvisation and charm.

Mason Arts Board member Annie Bolger serves as event chair. Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner, immersive presentations by CVPA students and faculty, premium orchestra seating for the headlining concert by Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, an onstage toast and dessert reception following the concert including a special appearance by the artist, and free garage parking. Each ARTS by George! ticket includes a charitable donation directly supporting CVPA student scholarships and community arts programs. Since 2006, the event has raised more than $4.6 million for Mason Arts.

Subscribers to the Center for the Arts 2026–27 season can add tickets for the 8:30 p.m. performance to their subscription package beginning on May 28. Individual tickets to the 8:30 p.m. performance go on sale August 4 through the Center for the Arts website.

Join us at ARTS by George!

Topics

Campus News

College of Engineering and Computing Scholarships

George Mason Scholarship for Service students commit to America’s cyber defense

tdonnel — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 16:08:18 +0000

George Mason Scholarship for Service students commit to America’s cyber defense tdonnel Mon, 02/16/2026 - 11:08

With the support of the National Science Foundation’s CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program, 91��'s Department of Cyber Security Engineering (CYSE) and Department of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) are training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals committed to public service.

Funded by a $3.9 million grant, the SFS program provides students who commit to working in federal, state, or local government cybersecurity roles after graduation with two or three years of full tuition. The first cohort of five students is already demonstrating how financial support, professional development opportunities, and a shared service mission can accelerate careers in the public interest.

CyberCorps Defending America's Cyberspace Scholarship for Service logo

The students receive professional development support not only through exclusive networking events and job opportunities but also through funding for certifications, conferences, and workshops.

“That kind of professional support is a big deal,” said senior DJ Strigel. “It really helps you build credentials while you’re still a student.” Strigel, a CYSE Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s (BAM) student concentrating in artificial intelligence, added that the scholarship made graduate study feasible.

Ailene (Diemmi) Dao, a CYSE BAM student specializing in digital forensics, said the scholarship allows her to focus fully on learning and skill development. “The [CYSE] program itself is really fun, including interesting, engaging, hands-on labs. This scholarship lets me concentrate on building the experience I’ll need to do this work well.”

For junior Shanti Nadimi, the program aligns with a strong sense of civic responsibility. “Without federal and Virginia state aid, I wouldn’t be able to go to college at all,” Nadimi said, “so I feel like I should give back. I want to contribute to our nation’s security.”

"I grew up liking the security and structure of government and the sense of service that comes with government work," added senior Tristan Boyd.

As the first cohort, these students are shaping the culture of the program. The group regularly shares job leads, internship advice, and guidance on navigating federal hiring and security clearance processes.

“We all send each other opportunities and teach each other about the process,” said Carlos Javier Navarro‑Montanez, a sophomore. “That camaraderie has been really important.”

Kun Sun

For George Mason, the SFS program is both a powerful student support mechanism and a mark of distinction. It reflects the university’s national leadership in cybersecurity education and its role as a trusted pipeline for public‑sector talent. Professor Kun Sun, principal investigator of the program, is excited by how well the first cohort started. “The students have already shown impressive technical skill, curiosity, and a real sense of purpose around public service and cybersecurity,” he said.

The cohort’s work is already paying off. One student has completed an internship with the Department of Homeland Security while two others will complete internships for the Department of Defense.

With strong faculty mentorship, federal investment, and students already entering public‑service cybersecurity roles, George Mason’s SFS program is helping safeguard the future by preparing those committed to serving it.

Learn more about George Mason's SFS program: https://sfs.cec.gmu.edu/prospective-students/

In This Story

Kun Sun

Learn about Cybersecurity at George Mason

Learn about CEC's Bachelor's to Accelerated Master's

Topics

Cybersecurity

public service

National Science Foundation

CEC BAM program

Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s

Costello Scholarship Luncheon showcases growth in named scholarship funding

Katelynn C Hipolito — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 20:39:51 +0000

Costello Scholarship Luncheon showcases growth in named scholarship funding Katelynn C Hipolito Wed, 12/17/2025 - 15:39

The Costello College of Business at 91�� recently announced a significant increase in scholarship money awarded to students—$1.3 million for the 2024-25 academic year—$500,000 of which went to named scholarships. Over the past five years, both the total amount of scholarship funding and the number of students who have received Costello scholarships have more than doubled.

Costello scholarship recipients. Photo by Hannah Patterson/Costello College of Business.

As outlined by Ajay Vinzé, interim provost and executive vice president of 91��, priority number one at Costello is student readiness and career preparedness. “Scholarships play a huge role in the success of our students,” he said.

Costello celebrated donors and scholarship recipients on November 18 at the annual Costello Scholarship Luncheon. The luncheon featured an inspiring lineup of speakers whose lives and careers have been shaped by scholarship support. Mitchell Cho, BA '99, founder and CEO of FedWriters, Inc. (FWI), shared his journey. As a student, he said, he was not the overachiever some might assume. What he did have was persistence and grit. Today, as a member of the Corporate and Community Partners Program, Cho views scholarships as an investment in the future. “Supporting scholarship is not just about philanthropy for us,” he said. “It’s about investing in the future.”

Longtime donor Jim Beers, retired managing partner of Beers & Cutler, encouraged students to keep pushing forward toward their dreams. “It’s so important what you’re doing now—and it will be even more important after you graduate,” he said.

Sandra Flores, BS Business Analytics ‘23, MS Business Analytics ‘25, Historian of the Costello Alumni Chapter, speaking at the Costello Scholarship Luncheon. Photo by Hannah Patterson/Costello College of Business.

Current students also shared their heartfelt reflections.

“Something I really appreciate about Costello is how it helps us grow,” said Iman Choudry, recipient of the Robert Amy Scholarship.

Historian of the Costello Alumni Chapter Sandra Flores, BS Business Analytics ‘23, MS Business Analytics ‘25, credited her donor’s generosity for making her dreams possible. “I made a promise that I would give back when I can,” she said.

“I made a promise that I would give back when I can,” she said.

— Sandra Flores, BS Business Analytics ‘23, MS Business Analytics ‘25, Historian of the Costello Alumni Chapter

While the speeches inspired and provided valuable insights, the luncheon’s greatest asset was bringing students and their donors together to express gratitude, network, and to ask questions. Many of the donors once stood in the shoes of the recipients, facing similar challenges.

Costello scholarship donors and Costello Alumni Chapter members. Photo by Hannah Patterson/Costello College of Business.

The Costello Scholarship Luncheon is a proud tradition, celebrating both student achievement and the generosity of donors. With the named scholarship funding continuing to rise, the Costello College of Business is sending a clear message that their business is student success.

Learn about Mason Now

In This Story

Ajay Vinzé, PhD

Sandra Flores, '23

Topics

Costello Scholarship Luncheon

Corporate and Community Partners Program

Costello College of Business News

Costello College of Business Scholarships

Costello College of Business Alumni

Costello College of Business Students

philanthropy

A legacy of resilience: New scholarship helps students persevere to get their degree

sholla4 — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 20:46:17 +0000

A legacy of resilience: New scholarship helps students persevere to get their degree sholla4 Thu, 11/06/2025 - 15:46

“What advice would you give to someone who’s in the process of understanding and knowing their worth?” Amany Bouali asks her mother.

“Everyone one of us has a lot to give and a lot to receive. You are so precious, and you are worth this world and more,” Zeineb replies.

It’s a bittersweet interlude on Amany Bouali’s album Came from Something: Her mother, Zeineb Mrad Bouali, passed away not long after recording. She was a student in 91��’s MA in English program.

Amany (left), Fathi, and Ons hold a photo honoring Zeineb at Ons' graduation from Elon University. Photo provided

Inspired by their mother’s determination, Amany and her sister, Ons, and their father, Fathi, created the Zeineb Mrad Bouali Tenacity and Perseverance Award for students who have had to pause their educational goals and are now hoping to return to complete their degrees.

Zeineb called herself an “avid life wanderer,” her daughters said. A mother, a daughter, an educator, a poet, a cake decorator, and a business owner, Zeineb wore many hats throughout her life. But she had one dream waiting to be fulfilled: completing a master’s degree.

Before immigrating to the United States, Zeineb was an accomplished English teacher in her home country of Tunisia. But like many immigrants, her credentials didn’t transfer upon her arrival in the U.S.

“Part of my mom’s struggle in this country was all the barriers that are in place for immigrants to start a business, go back to school, resume where they were in their country,” explained Ons. “She had to start her college education from scratch.”

Throughout her life she tried returning to school to be reaccredited, periodically taking classes at University of Texas at San Antonio, George Mason, and Northern Virginia Community College. Life just kept getting in the way of a formal degree program.

But Zeineb cared deeply about her daughters’ education. “Her whole life's dream was watching us succeed. When we went on college tours and got acceptances, she was so excited,” said Ons. “She was beside herself with happiness when the acceptance letters came in.”

“That was her moment,” agreed Amany. “It meant so much more to her than it could have ever meant to me.”

Zeineb in from of the Department of English offices. Photo provided

And it was her daughters who encouraged Zeineb to try for her master’s degree one more time. “Our mom put her whole life on hold to make sure we could achieve our dreams,” said Ons. “And once we were older, we told her that it was time for her to go after her dreams.”

With support from then-graduate admissions coordinator of the Department of English Holly Mason Badra, Zeineb applied and was accepted into the MA in English program in 2021, where she planned to pursue a concentration in literature. She passed unexpectedly from complications due to a rare autoimmune disease in September 2022. This is the inaugural year for the scholarship honoring her legacy.

“I hope my mom’s story inspires the recipients to be resilient and to find a way to achieve their dream no matter the obstacles, even if it doesn't look exactly like they planned,” said Ons. “I want them to think, ‘what would Zeineb do?’”

“We want the scholarship to give people from diverse backgrounds who have these additional challenges they’re facing a bit of additional support and kind of ease that burden from them, so they can persevere like our mom did,” said Amany.

This year’s inaugural awardees honor Zeineb’s legacy through their determination to achieve their dreams despite major setbacks.

Hyerin Cha

Major: Global affairs

Photo provided

When Hyerin Cha was a child, she and her family were displaced from their home in South Korea after a major tragedy. Rebuilding from those early hardships shaped her deep commitment to education and community service. “I’m always trying to learn something” she said. “Because of the lack of resources around me, I had to teach myself.”

Driven by curiosity and compassion, Cha grew into an active advocate for equitable education. She has served as a STEM and coding mentor for underprivileged children, an NGO strategy coordinator, and a volunteer leader in community development initiatives both in Korea and abroad. “Giving back through education became my way of honoring the help I once needed,” she said.

Knowing early on that she wanted to work in policymaking, Cha chose Mason Korea for its global connections and focus on international governance. Balancing her studies with part-time jobs to fund her education, she continued to excel academically and serve her community.

As a Mason Korea student, she was required to complete a year at the Fairfax Campus, but her student visa limited her ability to work. The Zeineb Mrad Bouali Tenacity and Perseverance Award provided crucial support, allowing her to continue her studies and complete her degree.

“This scholarship didn’t just relieve a financial burden, it reaffirmed my belief that perseverance and purpose matter,” she said. “It reminded me that I’m on the right path, and that I can keep going.”

Andrea Delgado Portillo

Major: Criminology, law and society

Photo provided

Andrea Delgado Portillo and her family immigrated to the United States in 2017. Despite being approved for a green card and completing her high school education in Virginia, Delgado Portillo did not qualify for in-state tuition and was ineligible for federal financial aid.

After graduating from high school in 2020, she completed three semesters at Northern Virginia Community College, paying out-of-state tuition. Already facing financial strain, she was forced to pause her education when her mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2022.

“My primary focus shifted to providing for her both financially and emotionally, and after my money ran out, going back to school was out of the question,” she said.

But Delgado Portillo, a first-generation high school graduate, had dreams of studying criminology and law and being the first in her family to get a college degree. “My community doesn't have a lot of representation in law enforcement,” she said. “When my mom went through a domestic violence incident, she didn’t have anyone to translate for her. I want to be able to help people like that in my community.”

While supporting her mother through treatments, she saved money whenever she could in the hopes of returning to college. After a two-year gap, she applied to George Mason to finish her degree.

“[George Mason’s] financial aid office helped me be accepted for in-state tuition and showed me where to apply for scholarships,” she said. The Zeineb Mrad Bouali Tenacity and Perseverance Award was one of her awarded scholarships.

“With the scholarship I was able to pay for books, parking, and part of my tuition,” she said. “I hope one day I can pay their generosity back, maybe through supporting another immigrant student who, like me, had a dream they were struggling to achieve.”

Delgado Portillo plans to graduate in Spring 2026.

“When I came here [to the United States], I knew nothing, not even how to say, ‘how are you?’” she said. “Now, I’m going to graduate from college. Hopefully, my mom is going to see me walk across the stage.”

Zeineb Mrad Bouali: A remembrance, a celebration, a legacy

Topics

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

At 2025 ARTS by George! donors support George Mason student artists

kheydt — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 20:31:54 +0000

At 2025 ARTS by George! donors support George Mason student artists kheydt Wed, 10/08/2025 - 16:31

91��’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) celebrated the 20th ARTS by George! benefit event on September 27.

From left, College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Rick Davis and award-winning artist Darren Criss lead a toast at the 20th annual benefit at the Center for the Arts. Photo by Cable Risdon Photography.

Headlined by Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-winning actor, singer, and songwriter Darren Criss, the evening’s festivities raised more than $289,000 in support for student scholarships in visual arts, dance, music, theater, game design, film, and arts management, as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy (MCAA), Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. This year’s donations and sponsorships bring the total of funds raised through ARTS by George! to more than $4.6 million since its inception in 2006.

“Talent is equally distributed, but opportunity is not, and you all are helping to provide that opportunity. When you support a student here, you support that student, their family, the university, our community, and your region, and I want to thank you,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington.

The evening featured 18 performances and exhibits by George Mason students. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

During the evening, more than 230 CVPA students and faculty presented 18 performances and exhibits for guests to enjoy.

Students and faculty from the Dewberry School of Music performed jazz, opera, piano, and instrumental music in various ensembles and offering guests an exciting sample of upcoming performances on campus.
Students from the School of Theater captivated audiences with an excerpt from their upcoming production of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, including the entire cast performing the "Prologue" on the stage of Harris Theater.
School of Dance students impressed guests with their use of bodies in dialogue and the journey of freshman majors since arriving at school four weeks ago.
Student films from graduating seniors and alumni of the Film and Video Studies Program were on display in the immersive screening room.
Guests explored a gallery featuring sculptures created by students and faculty in the School of Art and Mason Exhibitions. Displays in the gallery also showcased the current exhibitions and events offered by Mason Exhibitions and the planned Arts District, including an expanded sculpture garden, for the Fairfax Campus.
Guests engaged with a photobooth from the Arts Management Program and created miniature art for the Free Little Art Gallery, created and managed in Arlington, Virginia, by Arts Management alumna Stacey Schwartz.
Students and faculty from the Computer Game Design Program led virtual reality demos in a dedicated gallery space, helping guests to understand the possibilities of the technology for professional training and other serious game innovations.
Talented young students from the Mason Community Arts Academy performed musical selections on piano, saxophone, and violin, as well as performing "For the First Time in Forever" from their previous production of Frozen, Jr..
Guests, including President Washington and presidential partner Nicole Washington, danced and sang along during a performance from Green and Gold Soul, one of the Green Machine Ensembles. Led by Arts Management alumnus Bobby Lacy, the ensemble created a high-energy welcome for guests entering the Center for the Arts before the evening's headlining performance.

Recent George Mason alumna Madison Koren had her film "Pas de Deux" screened at the event. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

In the Center for the Arts, a live Fund-A-Student appeal raised nearly $50,000 in just six minutes toward the total amount raised at the event.

“This outpouring of generosity is really breathtaking,” said CVPA Dean Rick Davis, after the Fund-A-Student appeal. “You are helping the next generation of young artists take flight, and you’ve clearly been inspired by what you’ve seen here tonight.”

In an annual tradition, a distinguished Mason Arts graduate returned to the stage before the evening’s headlining concert. This year, School of Theater alumna Rebecca Wahls shared the trailer for her film Him and spoke to the audience about how her experiences as a scholarship recipient at George Mason shaped her life. A dedicated educator and artist, Wahls is a long-time teacher with MCAA, working for her mentor and former professor Mary Lechter, now executive director of MCAA. Wahls also shared how in addition to enriching her career George Mason is where she met her husband. Wahls said she used her Young Alumni Commissioning Project grant to hire an attorney to support the post-production process of her film, which is available now on multiple streaming platforms.

An Evening with Darren Criss followed, where the songwriter and performer shared songs from throughout his wildly eclectic career on Broadway and TV. The evening’s program concluded with an onstage champagne toast, during which Criss shared his enthusiasm for the cause of supporting arts students and thanked the ARTS by George! guests and supporters for being part of that effort.

For complete information about ARTS by George!, including scholarship stories, a schedule of student showcases, previous ARTS by George! images, and more, visit the event website.

The Presenting Sponsor for ARTS by George! 2025 is Atlantic Union Bank.

Learn more about ARTS by George!

Topics

Mason Arts

Center for the Arts

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

ARTS by George