This award is given to graduating students who have made a notable contribution to the global affairs community as well as the Mason community through consistent academic performance, class participation, and service.
She has two concentrations which are Media, Communication, and Culture and Asia.
She wanted to learn a different language during her college years and achieved her goal by taking CHIN110, 201.
GOVT 444 class was her favorite class.
The cinema classes(FRLN 331, JAPA 320, THR412, etc.) were enjoyable and gave her a lot of knowledge.
UNIV421 was the most challenging class.
Ahmad Mohamed Maaty was her best professor.
Her favorite Mason memory is when she challenged herself and successfully managed it.
She is planning to work in the communication field after graduation.
Rami Alkhafaji is from Altoona, Pennsylvania and a member of the George Mason University Men's Tennis Team. His time at George Mason University has been amazing. The professors, students, and community truly seek the best for the students of George Mason. The opportunities in Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. have allowed Rami to explore and learn in the classroom and beyond. His favorite class at GMU was American Security Policy with Professor Mahmut Cengiz. His favorite Mason memory would be every spring when the flowers bloom on the trees next to Mason Pond. Rami would like to thank his parents, Rajih and Ikbal Alkhafaji, his brother, Amir Alkhafaji who also earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees at George Mason, and the rest of his family and friends that have supported him. Always an amazing view. After his undergraduate degree at George Mason University, he will attend American University Washington College of Law or Columbia Law School to pursue a J.D. and concentrate in International Law. Thank you Mason Nation for all your kindness and support.
Jess Boyd will graduate with Latin honors from the Honors College and the CHSS with a major in Global Affairs concentrated in Human Security, and a minor in Intelligence Analysis.
One of her favorite classes was the LLC course GOVT 399: International Relations Policy Task Force, for which her class was the pilot class this past year. Professor Eric McGlinchey and GTA Dersu guided their discussions through a plethora of crucial topics, from COVID protocols to climate change, to LGBTQ+ and gender rights.
During her time at Mason, Jess has many fond memories of late nights staying up with friends and having intense conversations about the world around us that often are only found in a university atmosphere. She has had many fun times, including spring break right before COVID with the GMU club ultimate frisbee team.
Jess would like to sincerely thank the friends she has made at her new home here in NOVA, as well as friends back in NY, and her entire family for supporting her and pushing her to put in the work and do her absolute best. Jess' sweet grandmas have been wise and comforting companions and offered sanctuary during COVID online semesters. Her parents and the chaos that is her large and loud family have taught her that it is okay and wonderful to take up space and form her own opinions. Her precious COVID rescue pup, Oakley, gives her countless cuddles during and after long, stressful nights of studying and papers.
Following graduation, Jess will backpack throughout Europe for a month before returning to NOVA to pursue a career in government and private security work within the DC area, and hopefully travel throughout the world with her dog.
Steven Calozzi will be a graduate of the 2022 class with a Global Affairs and Conflict Resolution dual major, as well as having a concentration in Global Governance. In addition, he is an ROTC cadet here at Mason, and following graduation, he will commission into the United States Army as an active-duty Infantry and Military Intelligence officer. He is thankful for the Global Affairs program for the fun, invigorating, and rewarding opportunities, such as studying abroad twice and the ability to learn about international law from the best in the field.
Karen Garcia credits her degree in Global Affairs with a concentration in Global Governance and a minor in French as the foundation for developing international career goals, including the prospects of attending Sciences Po Paris in France for a dual master's degree in international affairs and political science as well as continuing to study international law. Despite beginning her degree program amidst the pandemic, and only being on campus for two semesters, Mason's Olympic weightlifting team, Global Affairs department, French club, Early Identification Program, and Student Transition Empowerment Program are very dear to her heart. In January, Karen will begin full time internship at the White House while studying Italian and programming to move abroad.
" I am beyond grateful for the diverse relationships of mentors, peers, friends and community that I have built at Mason. All glory to God for what my educational and career path has looked like and for what the next chapter holds"
Haley Grizzle fell in love with Global Affairs during her Patriot preview because it was a major where she could sample all different kinds of subjects. She is graduating with a concentration in Media, Communications, and Culture along with a classics minor. Her favorite professor was Eric Shiraev because she loved International Relations and found that his experiences and career resembled her goals and plans. She served as the Global Affairs Undergraduate Student representative for a semester which she really enjoyed as she got to take on a hands-on role within her major. Haley was active with Mason GEO and loved working with the office, especially Global Gateway. Haley spent nearly a year at the Mason Korea campus and hopes to one day work in Asia. She will be continuing in the GLOA Masters Program but plans to work for the state department after graduation.
Livija Kaktaite is a native of Lithuania, studying Global Affairs at George Mason University. She is a member of the George Mason Women's basketball team. Participated in the Global Politics Fellows program in the Spring of 2021. She is a member of SAAC and a Provost scholar. Livija is passionate about international relations, philosophy, history, reading, and outdoor activities.
Hyun Hui (Jenny) Kim is a recent graduate majoring in Global Affairs holding a double concentration in Human Security and Global Governance with a minor in Conflict Analysis and Resolutions. She had transitioned from Mason Korea campus this year to complete her undergraduate degree. While studying in both campuses, Hyun Hui has contributed her work by participating in Mason Korea student government, Mason Korea regional campus student ambassador, and a student representative of President-Student Advisory Group for Fall 2022. One of her favorite classes at Mason were the Global Health courses she had taken which helped her expand her knowledge and interest for studying further in public health and policy. Hyun Hui’s favorite memory must be getting the opportunity to study in the Fairfax campus and meet wonderful colleagues and professors. Hyun Hui hopes to work in public health fields in the future.
Saeyeon Kwon is a graduating senior from South Korea with a double concentration in Global Governance and in Human Security, and a minor in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Her time at Mason, both at the Fairfax campus and the Korea campus, was wonderful.
Mason, Fairfax, and the Washington D.C. area were her first impression of America. She loved exploring and often visited famous sites in D.C. During her time at Mason, she worked hard at the Fenwick Library as a student assistant and helped the growth of the Character Assassination and Reputation Politics Research Lab under the department of communications as a media outreach intern.
Her best memories at Mason involved interacting with peers in her classes and at organizations, clubs and events. The diversity at Mason led her to interact with diverse people from various cultural backgrounds, which in turn helped her develop a new perspective.
One of the courses she enjoyed at Mason was GOVT 444: Foreign Intelligence and Civil Liberties by Professor Robert L. Deitz, where she explored the conflict between the powers of the state and the liberties of the individual. She also enjoyed taking INTS 210: Sustainable World, taught by Professor James Dake Taft, where she learned about the world's current environmental problems and its related ethical matters.
Saeyeon will be starting her ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) internship at a Fintech company in New York to bring sustainability in business, where she will apply the theories she learned during her time in college.
Michael is graduating with a B.A in Global Affairs with a concentration in Human Security. While at Mason, Michael was part of the initial Global Gateway program where he spent a semester abroad in South Korea. One of his favorite classes was American Security Policy with Mahmut Cengiz. However, his favorite professor would have to be Albert Kim, who taught Government and Politics of Asia. During his time at Mason, Michael worked part-time as a waiter and played for Mason’s Club Football team. His favorite Mason memory would have to be joining a fishing interest group as a freshman and having fishing turn into one of his main hobbies. During his junior year, Michael worked as a Department of State intern with the Office of International Visitor’s Community Relations Branch. Following graduation, Michael plans on pursuing a career within the federal government. He would like to thank his friends, family, and professors for their support.
Adriana was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia and has been living in the United States since 2013. Her time at George Mason University has been incredible; she has enjoyed every class she has taken during her undergraduate. As a Global Affairs student with a concentration in Global Governance, some of her favorite classes were GLOA 101, CULT 320, and GLOA 400. While at GMU, Adriana has had many amazing professors that have gone above and beyond during the semester, and she is grateful to have had professors that seek the best for the students.
Following graduation, Adriana will spend some time back home with her family and friends before returning to the United States to pursue a Master of Arts degree and plans of pursuing a career within the Federal Government.
My favorite professor would have to be Dr. Rabin. I really enjoyed the classes I took with her. My favorite class overall would definitely have to be Government & Politics of Latin America with Dr. Burt
My favorite Mason Memory would have to be winning Alpha Phi's annual King of Hearts Male Beauty Pageant Charity event for women's heart health or getting to participate in the Spring 2020 Global Gateway: Morocco program.
I plan to continue attending Mason next week and finishing up my master's degree by the end of next May and hopefully partake in a graduate research assistantship!
Thank you to all of the wonderful professors, friends, faculty, organizations, etc. which have made by time at GMU truly memorable.
Amaris Rancy is a Winter 2022 graduate of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Amaris was born in Georgia but spent most of her life overseas, and now calls Northern Virginia home. She is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Affairs with a double concentration in International Development and Africa, and a minor in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Her favorite class at Mason was the Global Africa anthropology course she took this semester with Dr. Christopher Morris, and a close runner-up was the African history course she took with Dr. Hooper. Amaris spent five semesters abroad at the Mason Korea campus learning in a global environment, during which she made some of her favorite Mason memories. After graduation, Amaris plans on pursuing a Master’s in International Development.
Jayoung Sung is from South Korea and started semesters here at Fairfax since Fall 2021. She graduated with a bachelor's degree of Global Affairs, concentration in Global Economy and Management with double minors in Marketing and Communication. She spent meaningful time at both Fairfax campus and Mason Korea with self-improvement and challenging new opportunities.
One of her favorite classes was COMM 384: Public Relations and Social Media by Professor Suzanne Lowery Mims. She could learn the influence of the media on the public in the modern society and the process of planning and proceeding a social media project. Another class she enjoyed was GLOA 400: Global Affairs Capstone about Global Health & Development with Professor Iccha Basnyat. She could explore and understood public health in developing countries by researching how to increase public health access at a governmental and international level.
Most enjoyable Mason memory was that Jayoung assisted COMM 320: Business and Professional Communication by Professor Susan Tomasovic as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant at Fall 2022. Based on this experience, she is a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Honor Society for colleges and universities. Also, she worked as a Student Assistant and Peer Career Advisor at University Career Services, meeting many students with various background and actively communicate with students, faculties and staffs here at Mason.
Jayoung could interacted with various peers and co-workers due to the diversity here at Mason. She also loves visiting new places and meeting new people, so she travelled NY, Maimi, LA and DC with her friends while developing her international perspective and good memories. She would like to say, "with my family, friends, professors and Mason staffs, I can have these valuable experiences."
I am a GLOA major student, and I am glad that I could get my degree in this wonderful school. I could meet a lot of nice and lovely people in GMU, and I am glad that I could take these great memories with me to Korea.
Although I only took three semesters in GMU Fairfax campus, I still had great professors and classes. It is hard to pick one, but I would say my favorite classes were dance and Korean classes as they all had nice and great professors. I could learn new techniques in dance, and I could learn various ones I could do with Korean, like translation techniques!
However, the greatest memory I had in Mason would be my language partner one. I’ve met so many great people and because of this, I could get over from the struggles on getting used to the U.S. Thanks to my friends, I could make wonderful memories and meet new people.
I am planning to go back to Korea and get a job on media industries there. This was my ‘dream’ job, so I am looking forward to live my life after all those studying years!