Meet a Student

Explore student and alumni stories to see where the Schar School experience has taken them—whether it's participating in research projects, founding a nonprofit organization, or interning on Capitol Hill.

Research May Help Your Health When Flying
Nereyda Sevilla created a computer model for tracking and stopping suspected pandemics transmitted by airplanes.

Photo of Schar School Biodefense student Nereyda Sevilla

Student body president Shelby Adams on the left with vice president David O'Connell
Meet Student Body Vice President David O'Connell
David O’Connell, Government and International Politics major and Mason student body president, has interned on Capitol Hill and been an active part of campus government.
Finding Political Uprising in the Bolivian Uprising
Yasser Aburdene, Government and International Politics major, was involved in protests at the Bolivian embassy in Washington, DC against Evo Morales’ questionable election victory.

Yasser Aburdene Marcos, BA in Government and International Politics '19

Schar School Masters in Biodefense student Stephanie Smith
Putting her Stamp on Postal Investigations Job with a Biodefense Innovation
Already a forensics scientist and chemist, soon-to-be Mason master’s grad Stephanie Smith studied biodefense and policy to help better protect the nation’s mail.

Undergraduate Student Liaisons

Schar School student liaisons are undergraduate students who are interested in supporting prospective and current students in finding a home at Mason and in the Schar School. They are here to answer your questions about the Schar School and Mason as you navigate the undergraduate application and admissions process. 

Liaisons can help you learn about great opportunities in your areas of interest, explore university resources, and develop connections with faculty, students, and staff. We’d love to hear from you! To set up a conversation with a Schar School liaison, email us at scharuaa@gmu.edu.

HadiyyahAidaAbdulJalaal200

Hadiyyah Aida Abdul-Jalaal 

Government and International Politics major with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Conflict Analysis and Resolution

I’m involved in Mason Ambassadors and Hamro Chino (Nepali Fusion Dance Team) and have served as a Mason Admissions Telecounselor and Global Politics Fellow.

JacobSaneda200

Jacob Saneda 

Government and International Politics major with a concentration in American Institutions and Processes with a minor in Economics

I’m involved in the Leadership and Community Engagement LLC (Living and Learning Community) and the Global Politics Fellowship Program. I am also serving as a Peer Student Success Coach.

Photo of May Kadow

May Kadow

Government and International Politics major with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies

I am involved in the Arab Student Association and serve as the Arab-American Business and Professional Association Student Ambassador to Mason.

“The program at Mason just simply made sense. With D.C. in our backyard, the opportunities are endless. Research at the Schar School is abundant, and our faculty does the best at trying to connect students in fields they are interested in!”

—Jenna Pan, BA in Government and International Politics student

Jenna Pan, BA in Government and International Politics student

Ask a Graduate Ambassador

The Schar School Student Ambassadors are current graduate students who voluntarily devote time and energy to sharing the student perspective with prospective students. Whether at a Master’s Open House, over phone, or email, they are a resource to learn more about the student experience at the Schar School.

Martha Alemu
Program: Master's in Public Policy (MPP)
Hometown: Austin, TX
Email: malemu@gmu.edu

Kathleen Krupenvich
Program: Master's in Public Policy (MPP)
Hometown: Newport News, VA
Email: kkrupene@gmu.edu

Emily Rogers
Program: Master's in Public Administration (MPA)
Hometown: Springfield, VA
Email: eroger@gmu.edu

Maira Smits
Program: Master’s in Public Administration (MPA)
Hometown: Woodbridge, VA
Email: msmits3@masonlive.gmu.edu

Albert Smolinski
Program: Master's in Public Policy (MPP)
Hometown: Swartz Creek, MI
Email: asmolins@masonlive.gmu.edu

Halie Stannard
Program: Master's in Transportation Policy, Operations, and Logistics
Hometown: Ashburn, VA
Email: hstannar@masonlive.gmu.edu