MA Academic Achievement Global Affairs

Belle is graduating with a Master of Arts in Global Affairs with a concentration in Global Education where she oriented her research focus towards sociolinguistics and language learning/acquisition across different cultures. Her favorite classes were EDEP 653: Culture and Intelligence, EDEP 654: Learning, Motivation, Self-Regulation, and GLOA 710: Seminar Abroad. Belle's most memorable and moving experiences included building connections and relationships with her fellow classmates. These individuals motivated Belle, highlighting her strengths and talents, and reconfirming her sense of purpose/passion for her path. Belle would like to extend a special thanks to Professors Dr. Sahar Wahidi for leading by example, motivating, and for being a genuinely great person, Dr. Patrick Ukata for believing in every individual’s potential and for characterizing respect, diligence, and sensibility, and Dr. Paul Smith for respecting individualism and freedom of choice while building up individuals and rooting for their success. Belle’s time at Mason has been an overwhelmingly positive experience. For Belle, this graduation symbolizes more than academic achievement; it reflects God’s indescribable love and guidance towards her personal growth and accomplishments. Lastly, to Belle’s family: thank you for loving her, being here for her, and for being a source of support for her

Lexi is a graduate student at George Mason receiving her master’s degree in Global Affairs with a self-designed specialization in Russian and East European Studies. She has a special interest in Ukraine as well as the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster. Some of her favorite courses from her MA program have been Global Humanitarianisms as well as Globalization in/of Europe. She hopes to become a university professor after getting her PhD, where she feels she can make a significant difference in the world, as she believes that education is an invaluable resource that should be available to every person and can help create a more sustainable, inclusive, and equal world society. Lexi would like to thank her family, her professors, and herself for getting her to this graduation ceremony today. This summer, she plans to travel to Bosnia and Croatia on a Mason led trip focused on reconciliation and post-conflict reconstruction.

Mustafa is graduating with an MA in Global Affairs, specializing in Global Conflict and Security. His favorite course in the MA program was GLOA 600: Global Competencies. He is grateful to have been part of such a diverse and bright group of minds while pursuing his degree in Global Affairs. He will next be assigned within the MENA region as a Foreign Area Officer. He would like to thank Dr. Niklas Hultin and Virginia Holm for their unwavering support throughout his time in the program. 

Joseph “JT” Shealy is graduating from the Global Affairs MA program, with a specialization in Global Conflict and Security. During his time in the GLOA MA program, JT conducted research on security issues and challenges in Northeast Asia, with an emphasis on the security dynamics of the Korean Peninsula. JT’s coursework throughout the GLOA MA program allowed him to explore multiple global security topics, including the challenges of North Korean denuclearization, the emergence of cyber warfare in international security, the value of intelligence in national security policymaking, and the implications of the Russia-North Korea strategic partnership for South Korea’s security. While at Mason, JT enjoyed participating in the GLOA 710 Seminar Abroad in South Korea, as it aligned with his research and coursework and complemented his subject-area expertise in security developments on the Korean Peninsula. The seminar abroad in South Korea provided JT with invaluable knowledge and insights from scholars and experts, as well as lasting memories to look back on. JT would like to thank Dr. Niklas Hultin, Dr. Iccha Basnyat, and Dr. Jennifer Ashley for their guidance and support during his time in the GLOA MA program.