George Mason The Pulse

LETTER FROM THE DEAN

GEORGE MASON UNVEILS NEW LOGO, SLOGAN

THE PULSE MAGAZINE EDITOR/PUBLISHER Buzz McClain (BA ’77) WRITERS Erin Egan Colleen Kearney Rich (MFA ’95) Taylor Ramirez (BA ’23) Gabriella Grabovska Shayla Brown Abigail Danfora (MS ‘24) Aidan Jacobs PHOTOGRAPHERS Buzz McClain Ron Aira Xavier Jimenez Abigail Danfora (MS ‘24) John Boal Photography Jim Remington Photography

A s a high school student in southeast New York state, I was chosen in my senior year to participate in a three-week study program in far off Washington, D.C. Given my early enthusiasm to follow politics, the opportunity was energizing and exciting and I couldn’t wait to live and work in the nation’s capital, even for just three weeks. Part of that program included an internship component, one that seemed too good to be true. I was going to work in the Rayburn Building office of U.S.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, OR IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING, GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY HAS REBRANDED. In late April, President Gregory Washington and the Office of University Branding unveiled the interlocking sans serif “GM,” which replaces the more familiar, 20-year-old “quill M.” Also gone is the shooting star “starbolt” logo used by Athletics. The new logo is intended to echo and support the university’s new slogan, “All Together Different,” which highlights the school’s diversity, inclusivity, and a bold approach to problem solving and research. A new tradition begins. —Buzz McClain

ON THE COVER: Interns: Where, When, How—and Why?

table of contents

MARK J. ROZELL

2 Letter from the Dean:

Even Deans Were Interns Once Masthead: Meet the Crew

Rep. Benjamin Gilman, the moderate Republican who represented my home district. The experience—not that they let teenagers do much of consequence in the way of creating policy—had a big impact on my ultimate decision to major in political science. A second congressional internship, this one during college, also had a profound impact on my career. It convinced me that I much preferred to study and analyze politics than be a practitioner. It was a valuable lesson to learn, and I am grateful I had the period during the internship to learn it. And that’s what internships provide. Working in a professional environment as a college student helps illuminate your true passions, gives direction to your future, and affords an opportunity to assemble a network of new colleagues to make your ambition a reality. Our cover story, “Internships: Where, When, How—and Why,” details the many ways the Schar School helps our students find, apply for, and land internships at key institutions and businesses in nearby Washington, D.C. I’m happy to say we routinely find positions for students in the White House, Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and at countless nongovernment organizations, nonprofits, and private enterprises that have established strong relationships with us over the years. In fact, they count on us to provide them with prepared and enthusiastic students to help them achieve their goals. In addition to learning about internships, this edition of the Pulse has a wide variety of news about our faculty, students, and alumni, all of whom continue to make us proud in a remarkable number of fields. Be sure to stay updated with our latest news at schar.gmu.edu/news-media. Enjoy the Pulse and have a great semester.

17 With U.S. Senate Help, Creating a New AI Center for Small Businesses 18 University’s ‘Senior of the Year’ Joins Master’s Program Jennifer Victor Named NCAPSA Top Mentor 19 ‘Restaurateur of the Year’ Delivers Degree Celebration Keynote 20 ALUMNI NEWS City of Fairfax Mayor Joins Alumni Board 21 Colin Hart: Here’s Why You Establish a Scholarship 22 Famous in Ukraine, Officially Unwelcome in Russia Wahab Named President of American University in Iraq 23 Graduate Student Reaps Rewards of Global Commerce and Policy Program David Hart Becomes Senior Fellow at Council on Foreign Relations 24 A ‘Rising Star’ for Helping Foreign Service, Military Spouses How ’17 Grad Evan Dunne Is Reshaping Tribal Health 25 A Noted Neurosurgeon Earns Biodefense Master’s Degree 26 ‘Washingtonian of the Year’: Nicole Lynn Lewis What is Mason Now ? 27 ODKM Turns 30! 28-31 Cover Story: Interns: Where, When, How—and Why More Resources for Interns 32 Parting Shots: • His Grandmother Was China’s Last Consort • Biodefense Students Get Touchy with Plasticized Organs

3 An All Together Different Logo 4 Shark Writes a Book About AI With AI

Aly Rayle Nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year Fulbright Sends Correa-Cabrera to Mexico

The Pulse Magazine is a publication of the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University. For copies, please contact editor Buzz McClain at bmcclai2@gmu.edu; find it online at SCHAR.GMU.EDU/PULSE ABOUT THE SCHAR SCHOOL The Schar School of Policy and Government is one of the 10 schools and colleges of George Mason University, with approximately 2,000 students, 90 full-time faculty members, and more than 20 degree and certificate programs offered on George Mason’s campuses in Fairfax and Arlington, Virginia. Degree programs include government and international affairs, public policy, public administration, political science, international security and law, and global commerce and policy, among others. The Schar School prepares undergraduate and graduate students to be leaders and managers who solve problems and advance the public good in all sectors and levels of government—in the United States and throughout the world. For more, contact Buzz McClain at bmcclai2@gmu.edu. A DYNAMIC EDUCATION FOR AN EVOLVING WORLD.

5 A New University Partner in Hungary

Rodriguez Wins Award Named for Oppenheimer Virginia Legislature Declares Honor for Malawer 6 CNN Fixture Schneider Creates Scholarship Van der Wees Receives Taiwanese Presidential Medal 7 Faye Taxman’s Career Achievement Award Transformative Travel 8 It’s NEW: Pilot Program Introduces Cohort to Women Leaders 9 Meet Our Ukrainian ‘Scholar in Exile,’ Tetiana Khutor Auerswald Leads America250 Innovation Council 10 A Posthumous Degree Is Conferred 11 A Firebrand Undergrad Departs Early—for Georgetown Law 12 MPA Students Meet MPA Grad Government Leaders 13 Trump Trials ‘Jack’ Podcast Live on Stage Learning Communities Expand 14 The ‘Obama Whisperer’ Reveals All (or Some) 15 TraCCC Creates Map, Warns About Illicit Hubs New Book Debunks Myths of Nonprofit Dynamics 16 From Professional Basketball in Lithuania to I-SEC Master’s Degree

Mark J. Rozell Dean, Schar School of Policy and Government Ruth D. and John T. Hazel Chair in Public Policy

facebook.com/ScharSchool @ScharSchool linkedin.com/school/gmu-schar @ScharSchool @scharschoolofpolicyandgov

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