Student Success Blog

Outstanding Student Awards 2023 – School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management

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.  

Read below to view the complete list of 2023 Outstanding Student Award recipients in the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management.


Masters and Bachelors Awards


Charley Casserly Award for the Outstanding Student in Sport Management  

Headshot of Vanessa Maria Jasiewicz

Vanessa Maria Jasiewicz


John R. Linn Memorial Award for Outstanding Student Athlete 

Madelyn E. Myers


Sport and Recreation Studies 

Headshot of Grace K. Hashiguchi

Grace K. Hashiguchi

Graduate


Thomas L. Goodale Award for the Outstanding Student in Recreation Management 

Mason M Graphic

Christina Rose Clark

Individualized Concentration

Headshot of Michael Joseph Lynch

Michael Joseph Lynch

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Headshot of Catherine J. Campbell

Catherine J. Campbell

Therapeutic Recreation


Tourism and Events Management 

Headshot of Linh Nu Phi Tran

Linh Nu Phi Tran

Headshot of Rose McLaughlin

Rose McLaughlin

Outstanding Student Awards 2023 – School of Kinesiology

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.  

Read below to view the complete list of 2023 Outstanding Student Award recipients in the School of Kinesiology.


Masters and Bachelors Awards


Janet J. Lozar Commemorative Award for the Outstanding Student in Athletic Training 

Headshot for Kendall N. Mikkelsen

Kendall N. Mikkelsen


John R. Linn Memorial Award for Outstanding Student Athlete 

Headshot of Noelle D. Saine

Noelle D. Saine


Kinesiology 

Headshot of Marika Matilda Korpinen

Marika Matilda Korpinen

Graduate

Mason M Graphic

Ronald Combs Jr.

Undergraduate

Outstanding Student Awards 2023 – School of Education

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.  

Read below to view the complete list of 2023 Outstanding Student Award recipients in the School of Education.


Doctor of Philosophy in Education Award 

Outstanding Dissertation Award 

Headshot of Lauren Biscardi

Lauren Biscardi


Masters and Bachelors Awards


Advanced Studies in Teaching and Learning 

Mason M Logo

Kirsten Ellen Youngquist

Literacy

Mason M Logo

Ashleigh Tanis

Physical Education

Mason M Logo

Darlene J. Mojado-Ligan

STEM


Counseling

Headshot of Mariam Ahmed Abdelwahab

Mariam Ahmed Abdelwahab

Clinical Mental Health Counseling 

Teresa Elizabeth Mercedes Padgett

Teresa Elizabeth Mercedes Padgett

School Counseling


Early Childhood Education for Diverse Learners

Mason M Logo

Heather Lynn Patterson

Undergraduate 

Headshot of Gabriela Briseno-Delbosque

Gabriela Briseno-Delbosque

Graduate

Headshot of Ausra Kauffman

Ausra Kauffman

Graduate


Early Childhood Special Education

Headshot of Neryl Meg Tagle Marquez-Ascher 

Neryl Meg Tagle Marquez-Ascher 


Education Leadership 

Mason M Logo

Kate Adams


 Educational Psychology 

Headshot of Haley McKeen

Haley McKeen

Assessment, Evaluation, and Testing

Headshot of Carrie E. May

Carrie E. May

Learning, Cognition, and Motivation

Mason M Logo

Hope Elizabeth Bennett

Learning, Cognition, and Motivation

Headshot of Sarah Marie Conley

Sarah Marie Conley

Learning and Decision-Making in Leadership


Elementary Education 

Headshot of Sara Alyssa Switzer

Sara Alyssa Switzer

Undergraduate

Headshot of Anna Rose Welch

Anna Rose Welch

Graduate


John R. Linn Memorial Award for Outstanding Student Athlete 

Mason M Logo

Jack Bolz


Learning Technologies 

Headshot of Benjamn James Hardin

Benjamn James Hardin

Learning Design and Technology

Headshot of Heather Shank-Givens

Heather Shank-Givens

Learning Design and Technology


Literacy 

Mason M Logo

Megan Cejka Pavelich 


Mathematics Education Leadership 

Headshot of Amanda Lee Guzman

Amanda Lee Guzman

K–8 Math Specialist Program


Secondary Education 

Headshot of Yong-joon Park

Yong-joon Park

Computer Science

Headshot of Michaela Leann Fox

Michaela Leann Fox

English

Headshot of Yoosun Han

Yoosun Han

Mathematics

Headshot of ErinGrace Drake

ErinGrace Drake

Science

Headshot of Kyle I. Nathanson

Kyle I. Nathanson

Social Studies


Special Education 

Headshot of Erika Lynn Hanback

Erika Lynn Hanback

Undergraduate—Adapted Curriculum, K–12

Headshot of Emily J. Bankson

Emily J. Bankson

Graduate—Adapted  Curriculum Licensure, K–12

Mason M Graphic

Arielle Damasco Morton

Applied Behavior Analysis

Headshot of Sidney Elcan Birchfield

Sidney Elcan Birchfield

Assistive Technology

Headshot of Alicia Brown

Alicia Brown

Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate

Headshot of Hannah Tori Geller

Hannah Tori Geller

Graduate Blindness and Visual Impairments Licensure, K-12

Mason M Logo

Madison Thomas

Undergraduate —General Curriculum, K–12

Headshot of Bryce Andrew Benson

Bryce Andrew Benson

Graduate—General Curriculum Licensure, K–12

Headshot of Brooke Lee Johansen

Brooke Lee Johansen

Graduate

Mason M Logo

Diana Carolina Romero Guerrero

Undergraduate


Teaching Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and Exceptional Learners 

Nicole Catherine Anderson (English as a Second Language) 

Minhei Kang (Foreign Language) 

Krystle Elise Perez (International Elementary) 

Nicole Catherine Anderson

English as a Second Language

Mason M Graphic

Minhei Kang

Foreign Language

Mason M Graphic

Krystle Elise Perez

International Elementary


Tony DeGregorio Memorial Award for the Outstanding Student in Health and Physical Education   

Headshot of Dana Jeanjaquet Briosos

Dana Jeanjaquet Briosos


Transformative Teaching 

The Program Award is given in honor of the Transformative Teaching (TT) graduating class of 2023, a learning community made up of critically reflective practitioners whose extensive knowledge, diverse experiences, multiple perspectives and enduring commitments to teaching and learning provide fertile ground for the personal and professional growth of all members of the community. The TT Class of 2023 has weathered unprecedented storms and managed to successfully complete the master’s degree program, in many cases with exceptional effort.

2023 CEHD Student Research Symposium Recap

George Mason University College of Education and Human Development Logo with title "Student Research Symposium 2023" and a lightbulb graphic made of colorful gears

Over 45 students shared their research at the 2023 College of Education and Human Development Student Research Symposium held on April 20 at Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center. The symposium included six Oral Presentations and 41 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.

In its first year in person since the start of the pandemic, the annual symposium hosted over 100 guests committed to supporting and furthering student research. According to Caroline Masakayan, Student Enrichment Coordinator for the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the renewed interest in the symposium reflects Mason’s strong commitment to valuing research. 

“Students who engage in research are better equipped with critical skills that make them engaged citizens and well-rounded scholars and practitioners.”

Caroline Masakayan, Student Enrichment Coordinator for CEHD Student and Academic Affairs

Faculty support for the 2023 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. Faculty attendance at the event was high, and many encouraged their classes to attend as well.

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. The CEHD Office of Student and Academic Affairs sent out the call for submissions in the fall and early spring. Interested students submitted an abstract and chose a format for their presentations which were then reviewed by a committee. During the event, student poster presenters were evaluated by CEHD faculty and staff volunteers to ultimately select three categories of award winners.

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


ORAL PRESENTERS

Portrait of Megan Sax van der Weyden
Megan Sax van der Weyden
PhD, Education

Concentration: Kinesiology

The Effects of a Law Enforcement Duty Belt and Vest on Muscular Activity While Walking
Portrait of Margaret Gerry
Margaret Gerry
PhD, Education

Concentration: Special Education, Teacher Preparation, International Systems of Education, Families

Perspectives and Experiences of Immigrant Families with Special Education in the United States
Portrait of Zikun Li
Zikun Li
PhD, Education

Concentration: Interdisciplinary Studies in Sport for Development and Peace (SDP)

Sociocultural Influences on Body Image Concerns in Men of Color – A Structural Equation Modeling Study
Portrait of Bethany Wagener
Bethany Wagener
MS, Learning Design and Technology and eLearning Certificate

An Analysis of Meaningful Work of Hospitality Employees in Relation to Service Robots
Portrait of Kelley Wiese
Kelley Wiese
PhD, Education

Concentration: Kinesiology

Physical and Mental Workload in Collegiate Dancers
Portrait of Alejandra Salazar Salame
Alejandra Salazar Salame
PhD, Education

Concentration: Interdisciplinary Studies in Multilingual Multicultural Education, Education Policy, and Teaching and Teacher Education

Community Building in Spanish Dual Language Classrooms During COVID-19

POSTER PRESENTATION AWARD WINNERS

Outstanding Bachelor’s Poster Presentation
Photo of Nana Osei-Wusu holding her Certificate

Nana Osei-Wusu

BS, Sport Management

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Julie Aylsworth

The Winning Game

Outstanding Master’s Poster Presentation
Photo of Devon Trieschock holding her award

Devon Trieschock

MS, Kinesiology

Collaborators: Dr. Jennifer Fields (Springfield College), Dr. Andrew R. Jagim, Meghan Magee

Faculty Mentors: Dr. Margaret T. Jones

Determination of Low Energy Availability by Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry Versus Air Displacement Plethysmography in Collegiate Athletes

Outstanding Doctoral Poster Presentation 
Photo of Beth Hosek holding their award

Beth Hosek

PhD, Education

Faculty Mentors: Dr. Stephanie Dailey, Dr. Heather Walter

The Impact of Contextual Factors on School Communities During an Active Shooter Simulation


2023 Student Research Symposium Program

View the 2023 CEHD Student Research Symposium Program for the full list of student presenters, research titles, and faculty collaborators!


INTERESTED IN SEEING PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT?

View our Instagram and TikTok channels for more content from the College of Education and Human Development, including this 2023 Student Research Symposium Recap Reel. Do you have photos from the event? Tag us for your chance to be featured on our official social media channels! 

CEHD Students Chosen to Attend the TOP Institute

The 2023 Teachers of Promise (TOP) Institute was held this past weekend, and five CEHD students were nominated to attend this prestigious event. 

The Teachers of Promise (TOP) Institute was established in 2004 to identify and recognize the best prospective teachers from college and university schools of education across Virginia. The Institute is funded by The Teachers of Promise Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Roanoke, Virginia, and is organized by a team of practicing educators. To date, the Institute has honored more than 3,650 Teachers of Promise from more than three dozen institutions of higher education.

CEHD Students in Attendance:

Colleen CookEnglish to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Education (PK–12 Licensure)

Vaishnavi DholakiaSpecial Education 

Dianne McshaneHealth and Physical Education

Yong-joon ParkSecondary Education

Isabel PigottElementary Education

We are so proud of our incredible students, and look forward to seeing the influential work they contribute to the field of education!