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Started at George Mason University
As soon as I walked on campus, I knew the George Mason University was the place for me. With state of the art facilities and opportunities far beyond what I ever thought I would have, I began my college career and made the best decision of my life. -
NCLC 101- Narratives of Identity
Digital Story- NCLC 101I participated in the Cornerstones program my freshman year, a unique first year experience that allowed for transition into college with small classes, learning community structure, and out of the classroom experiences: experiential learning. We explored key concepts of identity in this class through exploring our own and other's lenses of worldviews. The major project in this class was a digital story which shows who we are and what we will become. I have attached my digital story in a link. -
Cornerstones: NCLC 102- Global Networks and Communities: Food
In NCLC 102, we explored globalization through the lens of food. I learned so much in this class about where food comes from and what influences our food from the marketing of it to the production of it. We took field trips to international grocery stores, sustainable farms, and the Chinatown community in D.C. We learned a lot about connections to food and globalization issues that other countries face. The photo is one I took of my group at a restaurant in Chinatown. -
Cornerstones: NCLC 103- Creativity in Science and Art
This was one of my favorite classes in the cornerstones program as it integrated two of my favorite things: science and art. A main theme of this class was creativity and how science could not exist without it. We took many field trips with this class to art galleries, environmental study areas, and museums. We examined different forms of art and science and created a final science project at the end. Attached is a photo of an art gallery we visited and learned about early environmental art. -
Cornerstones: NCLC 203- Inquiry into Action- Facilitating Change
This class was an experience based class in which we assisted Farifax County Public Library with the redesign of Woodrwo Wilson Library for the 21st Century. We conducted quantitative and qualitative interviews and surveys to recommend a new design for the library. This was an excellent experiential learning activity as we were conducting real research for a real project. Even though it wasn't in my particular area of interest I still gained a lot of valuable experience in community engagement. -
BIOL 308: Foundations of Ecology and Evolution
In this course we explored founding principles of ecology and conducted various field experience activities from forestry health indexing to water quality testing in the Mason pond to compare levels during times of construction. -
NCLC 401: Conservation Biology
Link to NCC News article about our classThis was one of my favorite classes I have ever taken. We explored the principles of conservation through unique trips, projects, films, guest speakers, and experiences. We took a wonderful trip to North Carolina to learn about management strategies in a wildlife refuge including red wolf management. We also studied roadkill ecology and the importance of habitat corridors. See link on article to photo albums. -
BIOL 377: Applied Ecology
In this course, I participated in a project funded by the National Science Foundation that asked environmental science and psychology students from GMU to team up with business students in France to find real life solutions for the fisheries crisis. We completed real research that was reviewed by the NSF. -
NCLC 375: Conservation, Spirituality and Action
This course examined world religions and their perspectives of the environment. We practiced yoga and had guest speakers representing various religious groups. The major component was community engagement with a religious community and establishing an environmental education program there. I helped start a recylcing program at my church in Rockville, MD. -
BIOL 435: Primate Behavior and Conservation
In this course we examined conservation issues threatening primate populations as well as behavior and theories of primate evolution. We conducted behavior studies of golden lion tamarins at the National Zoo which was great experience in animal behavior studies. -
NCLC 334: Environmental Justice
In this course I gained the knowledge and passion for issues of environmental justice. We examined historical and current events of environmental injustices and the foundations I learned in this course inspired me to pursue further research on mountaintop removal and fracking in future classes the the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation. -
Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation
Northern VA Daily Article InterviewThis fall I began the Smithsonian-Mason semester at SCBI in Front Royal, VA. This has been a significant part of my career especially in applying key concepts in conservation. I have conducted many field experiences, taken many field trips and been involved in many projects. This is the definition of experiential learning. Attached is an article of me representing the school in Northern VA Daily Newspaper.
