This award is in acknowledgement of students who have made a notable contribution to the Global Affairs community throughout their tenure in the Master of Arts in Global Affairs.
Maria Bello is graduating with a master's degree in Global Affairs and a specialization in Global Conflict and Security. One of her favorite classes at George Mason was Introduction to Conflict Analysis and Resolution. It gave her a better understanding of the many dynamics of conflict and ways to dissolve it. This ultimately led her to select the concentration in conflict and security. Upon Maria's graduation, she will be continuing her role as a Procurement Administrator at an international NGO in DC. She would like to thank God, her parents, and friends who have encouraged her throughout this experience!
Hola, Zdravo, and Hello! Philip Falsetti specialized in Conflict and Security in the GLOA M.A. program. He is incredibly grateful to George Mason for allowing him to make friends out of colleagues and providing access to some of the most renowned and knowledgeable professors during his past two years. He must give a special shoutout to Dr. Ashley and Dr. Hultin, who constantly pushed him to make the most out of his time in the GLOA program, and Dr. Ashley for also acting as the faculty advisor for the GLOA student organization and providing him career guidance. One of his most memorable experiences at George Mason was his capstone class, as it was his first and only in-person class due to the pandemic. Philip has recently accepted a job as a Strategy and Analytics consultant with Deloitte in Arlington (Rosslyn), working in the Government and Public Services sector, and plans to leverage this opportunity to transition to the non-profit arena, specifically focused on the Balkan region, and conflict, reconciliation, and sustainable peacebuilding. He would like to thank his entire family, though specifically his gracious grandparents, his generous aunt and uncle, his constantly supportive partner, and his always encouraging mother, without whom none of this would be possible, quite literally.
Lily was a part of the Global Affairs Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s program in which she specialized in Global Governance and Public Management. She was also the president and continues to serve as the alumni advisor to Mason’s only Pre-Law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta. Lily’s favorite professor throughout her time in the graduate program was Dr. Patrick Ukata. She notes that she was fortunate enough to have 3 classes with him and in each one he taught her a great deal, encouraged her to investigate deeper into new and renewed topics of interest, and kept her going through tough times with his sense of humor. Lily is very grateful for Dr. Ukata and all the professors that have shared their vast knowledge with her during her 4 years at Mason. Lily is deeply appreciative of her supportive parents, family, and friends who inspire and push her to be her greatest every day. In the future, she will apply to law schools this summer and start her first year in the Fall of 2023. Lily plans to use her skills gained through her Global Affairs degrees to continue her efforts to advocate for human rights and justice both nationally and abroad.