Students

Mason Lighting the Way: Deion Maith

Colleen Rich — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 19:46:58 +0000

Mason Lighting the Way: Deion Maith Colleen Rich Wed, 01/12/2022 - 14:46

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

More than 130 faculty, staff and students are working on George Mason University’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force, which is taking a hard look at the current state of diversity and inclusivity efforts at the university and making recommendations for the future.

These individuals come from across our campuses and bring their different skill sets and expertise to this work. In this series, we will spotlight members of the task force and find out what drives them.

Mason graduate student Deion Maith. Photo provided

Deion Maith

Graduate student, Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights

Committee: Student Voice

George Mason University graduate student Deion Maith said he will never forget July 13, 2013, when he heard on the radio that George Zimmerman had been acquitted of killing Trayvon Martin.

“That sparked my fire,” said Maith, a native of Heathsville (in Virginia’s Northern Neck), “knowing that Trayvon could have been me or my younger brother.”

He began researching scholars like James Baldwin, Jane Elliott, and others who have contributed so much to the academic body of work on social justice and human rights.

When he had the opportunity to meet Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother, at the 2018 Sojourner Truth Lecture at Mason, Maith recounted his reaction to her son’s murder. She shook his hand firmly and told him: “Don’t ever lose that fire. You are our future and don’t let anyone ever tell you different.”

Maith joined Mason’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force because he thinks it’s important to share lived experiences with other students and faculty/staff.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to voice the concerns of students who look like me,” he said. “I’ve always been eager to have a seat at the table where conversation turns into action, and I’m hopeful that the task force can accomplish just that.”

Maith, who graduated from Mason with a bachelor’s in integrative studies in 2020, is former president and student advisor of Collegiate Black Men; former undersecretary for Contemporary Student Services, Student Government; and former secretary and student advisor for Mason’s Chapter of NAACP. He’s also been involved with the Black Student Alliance, the Black Male Success Initiative, and the School of Integrative Studies Peer Ambassadors.

“The main goal of the Student Voice Committee is to make sure we’re effectively receiving feedback from students and figuring out the best way to reach them,” said Maith. Committee members are meeting with registered student organizations and their members, and working with student-focused offices.

Maith said he’s been pleasantly surprised by the feedback the task force has received from the university community. “Although there has been some backlash, I believe there has been more positivity than anything,” Maith said.

Maith’s work with the task force motivated him to pursue a graduate assistant position in Mason’s Center for Culture, Equity, and Empowerment (formally ODIME), where T. Garey Davis, assistant director of coalition building and diversity education, has served as a mentor.

Maith said Davis is passionate about optimizing the student experience for everyone, but especially students who belong to historically marginalized groups, and together they have built a team to improve Black male success at Mason.

“Promoting social justice and human rights doesn’t exclude anyone,” he said. “It includes everyone no matter your race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, etc. But we must self-reflect and take accountability for the ways in which we benefit and contribute to systematic and institutional racism to move forward.”

Maith has accepted a role at Cooley LLP in Washington, D.C., a Fortune 500 global law firm. After he graduates this fall, he plans to pursue a law degree at Howard University.

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Mason Lighting the Way: Shelby Adams

Colleen Rich — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 20:38:47 +0000

Mason Lighting the Way: Shelby Adams Colleen Rich Fri, 09/17/2021 - 16:38

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

Shelby Adams. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Shelby Adams
Undergraduate Student of Criminology, Law and Society
Committee: Student Voice

As a native to Northern Virginia, Shelby Adams wanted to join George Mason University’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force because she truly believes that change starts within the community.

“Even though Mason is a diverse school, we still have work to do structurally and institutionally to make Mason a more inclusive environment for everyone,” said the criminology, law and society major. “I wanted to be part of that change-making process.”

Adams is former student body president, president of the Mason’s NAACP Chapter, and treasurer of the Black Justice Association. On the ARIE Task Force, she was co-chair of the Student Voice Committee with graduate student Sharrell Hassell-Goodman.

Adams’ work with the task force has allowed her to examine the current structures at Mason and how they can be improved.

She learned how an anti-racist framework can be implemented in education systems, which taught her that it could be implemented in any environment. Adams hopes to continue her anti-racist work in her future career field.

When asked if anything was surprising about working on the task force, Adams said she was surprised how passionate ARIE members were throughout the process.

“I knew this task force would be great, but I have learned so much from other individuals,” she said. “I am extremely grateful that I have been able to be a part of this with such incredible minds.”

She hopes ARIE’s future impact on Mason will create a more inclusive environment within every sector of the university. She sees a future Mason, “where every student, faculty, and staff member works to create and foster an anti-racist environment in whatever they participate in.”

After Adams graduates in spring 2022, she plans to attend law school.

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Mason Lighting the Way spotlights

Mason Lighting the Way: Austin A. Deray

Colleen Rich — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 16:16:05 +0000

Mason Lighting the Way: Austin A. Deray Colleen Rich Thu, 08/19/2021 - 12:16

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

Austin A. Deray
Doctoral Student, Cultural Studies
Committees: Student Voice and University Policies and Practices

Austin A. Deray

As a graduate student with intersectional racial and ethnic identities, George Mason University doctoral student Austin A. Deray said he believes it is his responsibility to champion the voices of his communities.

His work on the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force directly aligns with those personal and professional goals.

“As my dissertation is on the lived experiences of racial and ethnic identity students attending predominantly white institutions (PWIs), I feel my work on the Student Voice committee, being a voice for my communities, and the University Policies and Procedures committee, advocating and helping change university policies to be more inclusive and equitable, is aligned with my current and future work in higher ed,” said the Savannah, Georgia, native.

Austin began his PhD work in Mason’s Cultural Studies Program in 2016, and he is interested in how regionalism and institutionalism codify collegiate masculinity, the socio-historical creation of the collegiate man, and the space fraternal organizations hold both on campuses and in the collective understanding of collegiate men. He expects to complete his PhD in Cultural Studies by Spring 2022.

For the past five years, Deray has worked the Office of Graduate Student Life, a part of Mason’s University Life.

“I like to joke that I am the longest-lasting GA in University Life as I am working on my PhD and most leave after their two years are up,” said Deray. “I've stayed because I love the work we do, am blessed to have the mentorship of Dr. Julie Choe Kim, director of Graduate Student Life, and have the support and advocacy of the Dean of Students Juliet Blank-Godlove.”

Currently Deray advises the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GAPSA) and works with other graduate student organizations on campus.

“This job has also given me the opportunity to continue advocating for and working with graduate students of color,” he said.

Deray said he is proud of how the University Policies and Practices Committee has set an example for creating equitable experiences for students, faculty, and staff.

“I feel validated by the faculty and staff who I have worked with on the committee for creating the space for my voice and experiences and letting me be a driving voice in the room,” he said.

When asked what future impact he envisions ARIE will have on Mason, Deray sees “an R1 institution that has moved away from an ivory tower model.” He hopes the university will focus more efforts on inclusivity and equity for graduate and professional students.

During his time at Mason, Deray has been involved with an impressive list of student organizations.

In addition to advising GAPSA, he serves as a faculty advisor of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, is the past chair and current admissions committee member of Student Organizing Committee for Cultural Studies, is a non-voting Graduate Student Life GA representative of Graduate Council, and faculty advisor to the Afghan Student Association.

He is also the Diversity and Inclusion Commissioner and Delta North Provence President of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, which seeks to establish a chapter at Mason this year.

In his free time, Deray is “an avid reader, traveler, foodie, and open to discuss any argument uttered in earshot.”

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Mason Lighting the Way: Natalia Kanos

Colleen Rich — Mon, 10 May 2021 13:07:57 +0000

Mason Lighting the Way: Natalia Kanos Colleen Rich Mon, 05/10/2021 - 09:07

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

Natalia Kanos, Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

Natalia Kanos
Junior, Government and International Politics and Conflict Analysis and Resolution Majors
Committee: Training and Development

Junior Natalia Kanos, who comes from Jos, Nigeria, chose George Mason University because of its proximity to Washington, D.C., and her interest in government.

“I was always fascinated by D.C. and knew there were great opportunities here to get experience in my field,” Kanos said.

One of those opportunities has been involving herself in Mason’s Student Government, where she was speaker pro tempore and now holds the highest office. In April, Kanos was elected Mason’s new student body president. Her running mate and vice president is government and international politics major Veronica Mata.

In a way, she is following a family tradition. Her brother, David, is a Mason alumnus who graduated in 2018 and also served as student body president. In fact, he was the first international student elected to the office. He is also one of the reasons she came to Mason.

Kanos has also worked a research assistant at the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation in the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, where she participated in research on the truth commissions.

“I also did research on religious groups’ responses to COVID-19 around the world and how a government’s partnership with religious groups while making Covid guidelines affected the cooperation of citizens,” she said.

Kanos wanted to serve on the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force because she saw room for improvements at Mason.

“I love the diversity of Mason but saw a huge lacking when it came to inclusion,” she said. “College is supposed to be a place where you are able to express yourself and find yourself. I wanted everybody to be able to feel comfortable in their space.”

Working on the Training and Development Committee also helped her pursue her personal and professional goals.

“[The work] has really allowed me to find my voice and become a true advocate,” she said. “I have also gained a lot of knowledge on [diversity, equity and inclusion] from the other members of the committee.”

She adds: “It was nice to know that others are seeing the issues I see and want to do something about it, especially students.”

While Kanos isn’t sure what her career goals are, she does want to work in government in some capacity and do international work.

“I would like to work in Africa and help advise leaders,” said Kanos, who hasn’t been home to Nigeria because of the coronavirus. “I would love to work with the United Nations too.”

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Mason Lighting the Way spotlights

Mason Lighting the Way: Sharrell Hassell-Goodman

Colleen Rich — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 14:15:27 +0000

Mason Lighting the Way: Sharrell Hassell-Goodman Colleen Rich Wed, 03/31/2021 - 10:15

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

Sharrell Hassell-Goodman. Photo provided

Sharrell Hassell-Goodman
Doctoral Student, Higher Education Program

Committee: Co-chair, Student Voice

One of the things Sharrell Hassell-Goodman loves about George Mason University is its diversity. Prior to coming to Mason, Hassell-Goodman studied at Miami University in Ohio, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in early elementary education and two master’s degrees, an MEd in education leadership and MS in college student personnel.

Mason’s diverse student body was a welcome change for her.

“I loved seeing so many Black and brown faces,” she said.

She also worked on the student services side of universities, including a stint as director of sorority and fraternity life at Ohio State.

Now Hassell-Goodman is working on a PhD in higher education with a specialization in women and gender studies and social justice, and enjoys working on the academic side of Mason. She has taught courses in the School of Integrative Studies on identity, social justice, and social science research.

As a first-generation college student herself and one of the founders of the Black Graduate Student Association at Mason, she understands the importance of supporting students and has focused some of her research on first-generation students. Her research interests also include Black women in higher education, social justice advocates in higher education, identity and leadership, and critical participatory action research.

“I really wanted to look at the experiences of those who are historically marginalized,” said Hassell-Goodman.

For her dissertation research, Hassell-Goodman has been inspired in part by a group of Black women in academia, a movement that is often called #Blackintheivory in social media. In fact, she has her own “research collective.”

“It was students and alumni talking about their experiences in the academy, and then the world shifted,” Hassell-Goodman said of how George Floyd’s death changed the conversation. “[Then] Black women, who identify as first-generation college students, from across the country were interested in being a part of this research collective.”

The stories and experiences of these women are informing Hassell-Goodman’s research. Her dissertation is titled “An Endarkened Feminist Critical Participatory Action Research Project: First-Generation Women of the African Diaspora.”

As co-chair of the Student Voice Committee of the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force, Hassell-Goodman had the opportunity to present at both town halls and bring forward recommendations from the committee that included adding anti-racism to the university’s research agenda, more courses on anti-racism and inclusion topics, and faculty training to create more inclusive classrooms.

“The students on this committee represent many different demographics, but all want to interrupt all forms of oppression,” she said. “I am so impressed with these students and how committed they are.”

She also feels this task force provides a great opportunity. Not only have all the student committee members learned more about how a university works, they are involved in this process at an optimal time.

“We are at a place where we are creating action,” she said. “Students are so central to this process, and Mason is thinking of students first.”

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Mason Lighting the Way: Dominique Dowling

Colleen Rich — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 18:36:10 +0000

Mason Lighting the Way: Dominique Dowling Colleen Rich Wed, 02/03/2021 - 13:36

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

More than 100 faculty, staff and students are working on George Mason University’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Task Force, which is taking a hard look at the current state of diversity and inclusivity efforts at the university and making recommendations for the future.

A few weeks ago the United States was captivated by poet Amanda Gorman and the words she spoke at President Biden’s inauguration. Among them were: “For there is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”

President Gregory Washington wants Mason to be a national exemplar in anti-racism and inclusive excellence, and these task force members are helping to light the way for this important work.

Dominique Dowling
Junior, Integrative Studies Major
Committees: Student Voice and University Policies and Practices

Junior Dominique Dowling has been working to enact social change since high school. She joined the GMU NAACP chapter in her second year at Mason, and now she is the group’s vice president.

Through the chapter, she has been involved in numerous panels and committees, which inspired her to do more anti-racism work on campus.

“Being part of the NAACP has exposed me to different initiatives and people who have been doing this work for years,” said the integrative studies major. “It made me realize that anti-racism work requires an ongoing dedication because there is always work to be done.”

Dowling has been involved with a number of organizations including Student Government. She said she was excited to be involved with the task force because she believes students are often left out of the conversation.

“Many times our voices are not heard due to the lack of representation or the simple fact that one student can't express the concerns of more than 30,000 students,” said Dowling. “I felt like this was my opportunity to elevate the voices and grievances that many students have.”

When asked about her career goals, Dowling is clear about her aspirations: She wants to one day be the U.S. secretary of education. Toward that goal, she plans on continuing on at Mason to complete her MEd and then become an elementary school teacher and eventually work in school administration. And she said her task force work has influenced her trajectory.

“I want to implement anti-racist and social justice components into my teaching,” she said. “Through administrative roles, I want to help other teachers to also implement those principles so that young people don't have to wait until they get the opportunity to take a college course on identity to become aware of inequities.”

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Students

Mason Lighting the Way: Deion Maith

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

Deion Maith

Graduate student, Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights

Committee: Student Voice

Topics

Mason Lighting the Way: Shelby Adams

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

Shelby AdamsUndergraduate Student of Criminology, Law and SocietyCommittee: Student Voice

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Mason Lighting the Way: Austin A. Deray

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

Austin A. DerayDoctoral Student, Cultural StudiesCommittees: Student Voice and University Policies and Practices

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Mason Lighting the Way: Natalia Kanos

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

Natalia Kanos Junior, Government and International Politics and Conflict Analysis and Resolution Majors Committee: Training and Development

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Mason Lighting the Way: Sharrell Hassell-Goodman

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

Sharrell Hassell-GoodmanDoctoral Student, Higher Education Program

Committee: Co-chair, Student Voice

Topics

Mason Lighting the Way: Dominique Dowling

Mason Lighting the Way

Spotlights from the Task Force

Dominique DowlingJunior, Integrative Studies MajorCommittees: Student Voice and University Policies and Practices

Topics

Shelby Adams
Undergraduate Student of Criminology, Law and Society
Committee: Student Voice

Austin A. Deray
Doctoral Student, Cultural Studies
Committees: Student Voice and University Policies and Practices

Natalia Kanos
Junior, Government and International Politics and Conflict Analysis and Resolution Majors
Committee: Training and Development

Sharrell Hassell-Goodman
Doctoral Student, Higher Education Program

Dominique Dowling
Junior, Integrative Studies Major
Committees: Student Voice and University Policies and Practices