Author: Brianna Alford

 Each year, faculty in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) come together to select an outstanding student in their program to receive the honor of being named as their program award winner. Students selected for this award embody the very best of their program: they excel in their studies; they demonstrate leadership in classes and internships; and they have a genuine and tenacious passion for their discipline.

This year, faculty in Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Exceptional Learners (TCLDEL) have selected Jennifer Sokol as their Outstanding Student in Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Exceptional Learners. Congratulations, Jennifer!

Q & A with Outstanding Student in Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Exceptional Learners (ESOL), Jennifer Sokol

What academic accomplishment are most proud of?  ​ 

I have been able to connect almost all of my class Performance Based Assessments (PBAs) to an issue I care deeply about in my own classroom and school – increasing equity for non-Spanish speaking emergent bilinguals.  

What organizations/affiliations have you been involved with while at Mason? ​

As a part time graduate student and a full time teacher, I have not been involved in Mason specific organizations, but have gotten involved in the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) based on the recommendation of several professors.  I am also a member of the education divisions of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), American Chemical Society (ACS), and National Science Teaching Association (NSTA).  

What are your plans after graduation? 

After graduation, I am going to continue to teach science in both general education and sheltered language instruction settings.  I also plan to continue with action research focused on improving engagement, inclusion, and academic outcomes for non-Spanish speaking emergent bilinguals in Spanish dominant ESOL programs.    

What is your favorite memory in CEHD or your favorite part of being a CEHD student?

My favorite memory is the way the my whole 661 class (almost) was a subset of the 520 class.  We worked together and supported each other as a true community of learners.  I especially love that during these exceptional circumstances, the group reconnected over text to touch base and check on each other – even if I still can’t reply to the whole group at once.   I also always felt like the professors were really interested in what myself and my classmates were doing in our classrooms and who we are outside of class.  

What advice do you have for fellow CEHD students (especially those that are not graduating yet)?

 My advice is to be proactive.  Reach out to your professors and your classmates when you are struggling academically or personally.  They will help you to be successful if you ask.  Then, when you get your own classroom, remember to be there the same way for your students. 

Ws there anything else you would like to share about yourself? 

I started my program to learn how to better teach my emergent bilingual students.  While I did gain some strategies and a better understanding of how to reach students where they are, I learned a lot more about my own reasons for teaching and how to ensure that I continue to grow as a person and a professional. 

 

Each year, faculty in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) come together to select an outstanding student in their program to receive the honor of being named as their program award winner. Students selected for this award embody the very best of their program: they excel in their studies; they demonstrate leadership in classes and internships; and they have a genuine and tenacious passion for their discipline.

This year, faculty in Sport and Recreation Studies have selected Hunter Pucell as their Outstanding Graduate Student in  Sport and Recreation Studies . Congratulations, Hunter!

Q & A with Outstanding Graduate Student in Sport and Recreation Studies, Hunter Purcell

What academic accomplishment are most proud of?  ​ 

The opportunity to be Charley Casserly’s Teaching Assistant during the spring semester of 2019 and my internship opportunities with the Washington Redskins and NFL Players Association (NFLPA)  

What organizations/affiliations have you been involved with while at Mason? ​

GMU Affiliated: Patriot Club, GMU eSports, Bachelor Accelerated Master’s Program (BAM), Outside Organizations: Washington Redskins (Internship), NFLPA (internship), James Madison University Football (Internship)  

What are your plans after graduation? 

Pursue a J.D. from an accredited law school in the hopes of eventually finding full time employment in Football Administration within a high-level football environment (NFL, NFL Club or an Agency)  

What is your favorite memory in CEHD or your favorite part of being a CEHD student? 

My favorite part of being a CEHD student was the opportunity to work with some of the incredible staff in the Sport Management department specifically. I couldn’t have gotten to this point without the excellent guidance of some of the wonderful faculty and staff that I had the pleasure of working with during my time at GMU. My greatest thanks goes out to them.  

What advice do you have for fellow CEHD students (especially those that are not graduating yet)?

For fellow CEHD Students, I would advise you brainstorm your next steps for your career and keep pushing until you get the opportunities you desire. Heed advice of those who are knowledgeable, but know that no one knows what is best for you except you. Finally, take as many unpaid opportunities as you can while you can, and be sure to take full advantage of these opportunities by putting your best foot forward and making a great impression.  

Ws there anything else you would like to share about yourself? 

After the Summer of 2018 and my internship with James Madison Football, I was offered a full-time Graduate Assistantship position with the JMU football program. This would have meant transferring to JMU as a graduate student while receiving all tuition paid alongside a monthly stipend. Even after receiving a plethora of advice from professors and family members that I should go to JMU, my decision was certainly not one to do with money as they suggested it should have been, but rather it was about opportunity and positioning towards future success. In the end, I decided the place that provided the best path for myself in regards to the opportunities I desired was George Mason, so I doubled down on my commitment to GMU and decided to stay. This lead to opportunities with the Redskins and the NFLPA in the following year. The decision to stay was both the best and most difficult decision I made during my academic career, and it showed me the importance of taking a risk, knowing what is best for me personally and pursuing my own path. 

 

Each year, faculty in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) come together to select an outstanding student in their program to receive the honor of being named as their program award winner. Students selected for this award embody the very best of their program: they excel in their studies; they demonstrate leadership in classes and internships; and they have a genuine and tenacious passion for their discipline.

This year, faculty in Kinesiology have selected Hadley Graham as their Outstanding Student  in  Kinesiology. Congratulations, Hadley!

Q & A with Outstanding Student in Kinesiology, Hadley Graham

What academic accomplishment are most proud of?  ​ 

The academic accomplishment I’m most proud of is making the dean’s list every semester while I’ve been at Mason. 

What organizations/affiliations have you been involved with while at Mason? ​

During my time at Mason, I’ve been involved with the GMU Kinesiology Club as the communication director and events coordinator. This past year I’ve worked with the Office of Student Involvement as a program assistant on the GMU Well Being Team. 

What are your plans after graduation? 

After graduation I will be attending physical therapy school at Shenandoah University. 

What is your favorite memory in CEHD or your favorite part of being a CEHD student? 

My favorite part of being a CEHD student is being involved with the Mason Kinesiology Club. Not only does it allow me to explore my field of study even further, but most importantly it connect me with other students, professionals, and gives me opportunities to participate in events and experiences that enhance my time at Mason. 

What advice do you have for fellow CEHD students (especially those that are not graduating yet)?

My advice for fellow CEHD students: It’s never too late to get involved and/or reach out to others for support. There are so many opportunities to grow academically and professionally at Mason, so take advantage of them and never stop exploring, learning and bettering yourself for the benefit of helping others.

 

All this month, the College of Education and Human Development will be highlighting our Class of 2020 graduates here on the Student Success Blog and on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. While nothing can make up for the season of graduation festivities that have been interrupted by COVID19, we are determined to honor our grads remotely until the time comes when we can welcome them back for an in-person celebration!

We will be featuring our Program Award Winners individually here on the blog each day from now until the university’s launch of the virtual Celebration of the Class of 2020 on May 22. You can also expect to see messages from our faculty and staff here and on our social media during the School Spotlight Days and other events:

School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management Graduate Spotlight Day – Monday, May 18

School of Kinesiology Graduate Spotlight Day – Tuesday, May 19

School of Education Gradute Spotlight Day – Wednesday, May 20

PhD Fête – Thursday, May 21 (invitation links will be shared soon)

CEHD and University Celebration of the Class of 2020 Website Launch – Friday, May 22 (links and details will be shared soon)

Please check in regularly and help us honor these amazing graduates!

Each year, faculty in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) come together to select an outstanding student in their program to receive the honor of being named as their program award winner. Students selected for this award embody the very best of their program: they excel in their studies; they demonstrate leadership in classes and internships; and they have a genuine and tenacious passion for their discipline.

This year, faculty in Special Education have selected Mervette Rhodes as their Outstanding Student in  Special Education (Students with Disabilities who Access the General Curriculum). Congratulations, Mervette!

Q & A with Outstanding Student in Special Education, Mervette Rhodes

What academic accomplishment are most proud of?  ​ 

I am most proud of maintaining a 4.0 GPA while teaching full time.

What organizations/affiliations have you been involved with while at Mason? ​

I completed my program through the FCPS cohort. 

What are your plans after graduation? 

After graduation, I plan to continue teaching. 

What is your favorite memory in CEHD or your favorite part of being a CEHD student? 

My favorite part of being a CEHD student was the friendships I formed with other members in the Fairfax 43 cohort.  

What advice do you have for fellow CEHD students (especially those that are not graduating yet)?

 If you are in one of the cohorts and working full-time, you can do it; push yourself to excellence in everything you do! For undergraduate students, this is a short chapter in your life. Do your best and enjoy these moments! 

Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself? 

I am a mechanical engineer who used to work on aircraft carriers.