Student Success Blog

2024 CEHD Student Research Symposium Recap

CEHD Student Research Symposium 2024

Over 35 students shared their research at the 2024 College of Education and Human Development Student Research Symposium held on April 25 at Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center. The symposium included three Oral Presentations and 35 Poster Presentations reflecting scholarship at all levels, from undergraduate through doctoral study, and disciplines within the School of Education, the School of Kinesiology, and the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management.

The entirety of the Student Research Symposium (SRS) was intended to introduce students to the process of conducting, submitting, and presenting their research at a professional conference. On behalf on the college, we thank each member of our community who spent their evening learning about and supporting our students’ research!

Faculty support for the 2024 SRS played a pivotal role in its success. By mentoring students through the process, and with some faculty even integrating the submission process into their courses, students reaped the benefits of their professors’ experience as research professionals. Select faculty also volunteered to judge the poster presentations to aid in the professional development of our researchers, and to select award winners.

Thank you to the following faculty who volunteered their time to serve as our 2024 CEHD Student Research Symposium Faculty Judges:

Jatin Ambegaonkar

Dominique Banville

Sheri Berkeley

Jered Borup

Craig Esherick

Margaret Jones

Anastasia Kitsantas

Shawn Lee

Joel Martin

Risto Marttinen

Jacqueline McDowell

Sammie Powers

Tiphanie Raffegeau

Pierre Rodgers

Joan Shin

Debbie Sprague

Debra Stroiney

Continue reading for more information on our poster presentation award winners, and to view photos from the evening and the event program featuring a comprehensive list of student participants.


Award Winners

Outstanding Poster Presentations have been awarded in three categories: Outstanding Doctoral Poster Presentation, Outstanding Master’s Poster Presentation, and Outstanding Bachelor’s Poster Presentation. The award winners were chosen based on scores they received by faculty judges, who examined all poster presentations using the following criteria:

    • Adherence to presentation format requirements 
    • Command of information or depth of knowledge on the topic 
    • Strength and quality of research elements (e.g. problem, methods, conclusion, impact, etc.) 
    • Presentation organization and flow 
    • Professional delivery of presentation (e.g. verbal articulation, pace, inflection, etc.) 
    • Aesthetics of presentation 
    • Overall presentation  

View the 2024 award winners below!


Outstanding Doctoral Poster Presentation

headshot of Kelley Wiese

Kelley Wiese

PhD Education, Kinesiology Concentration

Out of 25 doctoral poster presenters, our faculty judges selected Kelley Wiese as the recipient of the Outstanding Doctoral Poster Presentation. Wiese’s presentation, “Objective and Subjective Sleep in Collegiate Dancers,” was founded in research supported by Jatin Ambegaonkar, Shane Caswell, Jena Hansen-Honeycutt, and Joel Martin.


Outstanding Master’s Poster Presentation

Joseph Hahn

MS Kinesiology

Out of 13 master’s degree poster presenters, our faculty judges selected Joseph Hahn as the recipient of the Outstanding Master’s Poster Presentation. Hahn’s presentation, “Association Between Smart Ring Measured Sleep Variables and In-Game Basketball Performance,” was founded in research supported by Margaret Jones.


Outstanding Bachelor’s Poster Presentation

headshot of Kayleigh Newman

Kayleigh Newman

BS Kinesiology

Our faculty judges selected Kayleigh Newman as the recipient of the Outstanding Bachelor’s Poster Presentation. Newman’s presentation, “Maximal Exercise and Postural Stability: A Comparative Analysis of Fatigue Across Different Modes of Exercise,” was founded in research supported by Joel Martin.


Learn More About #CEHDSRS2024

View the 2024 CEHD Student Research Symposium Program for the full list of student oral and poster presenters, research titles, and faculty collaborators!


Do you have photos from the event? Use the hashtag #CEHDSRS2024 for your chance to be featured on our official social media channels

Would you like to be involved in the next Student Research Symposium? The CEHD Office of Student and Academic Affairs sends out a call for submissions in the fall and early spring of each academic year through the CEHD student newsletter. Interested students may submit an abstract and choose a format for their presentations, which will then be reviewed by a committee to determine eligibility. We look forward to seeing you at #CEHDSRS2025!

Meet Our Spring 2024 CEHD Degree Celebration Speakers!

Meet Our Spring 2024 CEHD Degree Celebration Speakers!

As we eagerly anticipate the Spring 2024 College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) Degree Celebration, we are thrilled to introduce the exceptional individuals who have been selected to share their wisdom, passion, and inspiring journeys with this year’s graduating class. Learn more about our Degree Celebration speakers, Gabe Segal and Emma Fleming, below!


Mason alum, Gabe Segal, standing in a Mason Dining Hall. Photo by: Ron Aira/Creative Services/ George Mason University

Gabe Segal

A Champion of Compassion and Education

Our featured speaker, Gabe Segal, is an alum of the CEHD Education Leadership program who embodies the spirit of service and advocacy in the field of education. His story is one of resilience, empathy, and unwavering dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. In Spring 2020, amidst the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Segal utilized his stimulus check funds to pay off school meal debt at Sleepy Hollow Elementary in Falls Church, VA, where he taught. Motivated by the struggles faced by his students’ families, Segal vowed to alleviate school meal debt wherever his career took him.

In 2023, Segal accepted a position at Herndon Middle School, his childhood community, only to discover staggering amounts of meal debt. Undeterred, he embarked on a mission to raise awareness and support from the community. His tireless efforts garnered local and national attention, including appearances on Live with Kelly & Mark and features in the Washington Post. Through his advocacy and the community’s generosity, Segal raised over $50,000 and counting, transforming the lives of countless students and families.

Today, Segal serves as an educator at Herndon High School, teaching Special Education and Algebra while continuing his advocacy work to address school meal debt on local, state, and federal levels. His commitment to compassion, equity, and student welfare exemplifies the values we uphold in CEHD.


Headshot of Emma Fleming

Emma Fleming

Embracing Passion, Igniting Change

Our student speaker, Emma Fleming, epitomizes the transformative power of resilience and self-discovery in the pursuit of one’s calling. Fleming started her undergraduate journey at Mason in a different major, only to realize that her true passion lay within the classroom.

Embracing the vibrant community and unparalleled support of the CEHD Elementary Education program, Fleming flourished, finding her niche and igniting her passion for teaching. Reflecting on her journey, Fleming acknowledges the profound impact of her professors, peers, and mentors, whose unwavering support shaped her into the educator she is today.

As she prepares to graduate, Fleming looks forward to channeling her passion and expertise into her role as a fourth grade teacher in Fairfax County Public Schools. With a vision of creating a classroom where students thrive, feel connected, and become critical thinkers and compassionate community members, Fleming embodies the spirit of excellence and dedication that defines our CEHD graduates.


Join Us in Celebration!

We invite you to join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements and inspiring journeys of Gabe Segal, Emma Fleming, and our Spring 2024 graduating class at the CEHD Degree Celebration on Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 am in the EagleBank Arena.


Celebratory Events for Spring 2024 Graduates

As the semester comes to a close, we are looking forward to celebrating our Spring 2024 graduates at University Commencement on Thursday, May 9, and the CEHD Degree Celebration on Saturday, May 11!

In addition to these ceremonies, there are several other opportunities for this semester’s graduating class to celebrate. View several such opportunities below, and know that you can find the most up-to-date information for all upcoming events on Mason360!


Additional Opportunities for Spring 2024 Graduates

Lavender and WGST Graduation Celebration 

  • Tuesday, April 23, 2024 
  • JC Bistro  
  • 6:30 – 8:30 PM 

Contemporary Student Graduation Cord Pick-Up 

  • Weekdays from Mon, Apr 22, 2024 until Tue, May 7, 2024 
  •  HUB 1012 
  • 10 AM – 7 PM 

International Student Graduation – Spring & Summer 2024 

  • Tuesday, April 30, 2024 
  • Dewberry Hall, Johnson Center 
  • 1:00 – 3:00 PM 

CCEE + First-Gen+ Center Cultural Graduation and Pinning Ceremony*

  • Saturday, May 4, 2024 
  • EagleBank Arena 
  • 5:00 – 7:30 PM 

* If you are NOT attending the Cultural Graduation/ Pinning Ceremony, you may pick up a first-gen pin and cord on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from 12 – 2 PM at the Johnson Center Kiosk D. If you have any questions about first-gen pins and cords, you may email firstgen@gmu.edu. Please email ccee@gmu.edu for any questions related to identity stoles.


The Secret to Interviewing: SHARE Stories

Do you have an interview coming up that you want to crush? Or are you starting the job search process and are unsure of how to prepare for interviewing? If you want to learn how to prepare for the interview process effectively and efficiently, keep reading!   

Nobody was born knowing how to interview. This is something my dad has told me numerous times, many of which were before my most recent interview for a middle school history and social studies teaching position. Thankfully, I was hired for this position, but not without spending many hours preparing responses to the hundreds of potential questions I could be asked. Before my interview, I asked my family members for advice, which is when I learned about a foolproof method to simplify the interview process: SHARE stories. This method helped me and many of my peers to be hired for their dream position, but how does it work?


What are SHARE Stories?

SHARE stories provide a way to ensure that your learning experiences which qualify you for the position you’re interviewing for are clearly conveyed to interviewers. SHARE is an acronym, with each letter symbolizing a piece of the story you would tell to answer questions in an interview.


S – Situation

When telling a story to answer an interview question, you first want to explain the situation in which the learning experience took place. Here, you’ll focus on the who, what, where, when, and why of your story. Were you student teaching? What did your classroom look like? What unit were you teaching? What time of day was it? Were you completing your Kinesiology practicum? Who were you helping? What techniques did you use to support that individual’s physical and mental health? Were you completing your recreation management practicum? What park or agency were you working in? Who were you working with?


H – Hindrance

Next is the hindrance. This is the task, problem, or challenge you experienced that required you to take action. Think of this as the climax of a story. Was there a student you were unsure of how to help? Was there a patient that you didn’t know how to support? Was there an event that you and your team were unsure of how to plan?


A – Action

Then you have the action you took to solve the problem or help someone in overcoming a challenge. This is where interviewers are looking to hear what YOU did, not what others at your school, company, or park usually do. What actions did YOU specifically take to help that struggling student, patient, or team?


R – Result

Once you’ve taken action, what happened because of what you did? What was the result of implementing a new classroom management strategy? Did your patients’ health improve because you practiced a new technique you learned from your program? How was your event after trying out the new management strategy you took to your event planning team?


E – Emotion/End Result

Finally, you have the emotion you felt because of this experience. The “E” can also be what you learned from the “end result” of the story you are telling. This is usually what most people forget when they are telling a story. If you can include this in each of your responses, you will truly demonstrate your ability to learn and grow as an individual, which all employers should be looking for. Did you gain an increased sense of confidence in your abilities as a teacher, physical therapist, or recreation manager because of the action you took? Did you learn that your attention to detail or unwavering desire to learn is a strength you can apply to other situations?


Helpful Tips

The way my family members and I have successfully used this technique was, first, finding questions we thought we would likely be asked during an interview. For this, you can reach out to your professors, mentors, and supervisors and inquire about interviewing.

Then, you can put all those questions into a Microsoft Word or Google document, and put the SHARE acronym under each one. Once you think of a story or learning experience you’ve had that can answer the question, start filling in the letters of SHARE.

If you’re serious about using this technique, you could even put these questions and your SHARE stories on flashcards to decrease your recall time when you’re put on the spot during an interview.

Finally, remember, you got this! All you need to do is SHARE your story!


Sophia Castle Headshot

Sophia J. Castle

is pursuing her MED in Curriculum and Instruction (Secondary Ed – History and Social Science). After graduating in Spring 2024, she plans to teach middle school history and social studies.

She is also a founding member of the CEHD Student Success Advisory Board!


CEHD Study Abroad Opportunities

Are you interested in experiencing different cultures while completing your undergraduate degree requirements? Consider studying abroad!

Faculty from the College of Education and Human Development are leading engaging study abroad opportunities for Summer 2024. Keep reading for information about two of our upcoming trips to Europe and Mexico. 

Be sure to apply by the deadline of March 10, 2024!


BMX World Cup

European Model of Sport:
Netherlands & Germany

Program Dates: 6/24/2024 – 7/4/2024

Program Highlights:

  • Ten-day tour of 2 European countries
  • Cultural interpretations and their impact on European sport management and sport performance
  • Representatives of top international sport organizations will present a wide range of perspectives during the program. Topics will include the structure and characteristics of European sports, marketing and management in European sports, sports law, sport skill development, and sport performance in professional soccer, basketball, etc.

Learn more and apply

Watch a faculty interview about this experience!


Cancun, Mexico

The Mexican All-Inclusive Resort Business

Program Dates: 6/15/2024 – 6/22/2024

Program Highlights:

  • Students will spend a week exploring several all-inclusive resorts, learning firsthand about this industry’s economic drivers, public policy issues and operational challenges and opportunities.
  • Students will experience notable archeological and eco-tourism destinations to fully understand the Cancun market’s global appeal.

Learn more and apply

Watch a faculty interview about this experience!


​​​