Honors College at George Mason University, 4400 University Drive MSN 1F4, Fairfax, VA (2026)

04/27/2026

“I got to meet so many people, tell others about work that I am truly interested in, get feedback on it, and bond with classmates outside of the classroom.” Meghan Clark, a senior Honors College and biology student, shared this while reflecting on her experience presenting at the Virginia Collegiate Honors Council (VCHC) 2026 Conference.

Clark’s research proposal focused on decreasing atmospheric carbon dioxide to help protect the American honeybee population. She explained that as carbon dioxide levels rise, plant pollen quality declines. Because bees rely on pollen as their primary source of protein, this reduction can negatively impact their health and survival. She explained how decreasing carbon dioxide can help protect the honeybee population, "less carbon dioxide = more plant pollen = more bees".

Clark’s study investigates how different garden types—horizontal and vertical—affect both carbon dioxide levels in the air and bee visitation frequency and population at a given site.

When asked about what advice she'd give to other Honors College students who are interested in conducting research and presenting it at VCHC, she replied, "Relax, go for it. Research is not perfect and it is not meant to be. We learn from all aspects of research-- the failures and successes. Your idea will help no matter the outcome of the research, no matter if there is a typo in your title, no matter if you stumble over your presentation, and no matter if you get a fact wrong."

04/14/2026

Can a student-led research initiative help strengthen a country’s national security?

At the Taiwan Security Monitor (TSM), led by Michael Hunzeker, students like Honors College senior Joe O’Connor and Schar School senior Noah Reed use open-source intelligence to track naval movements, monitor military activity, and analyze risks to Taiwan’s communication networks, producing research that supports scholars, policymakers, and public understanding of regional security issues.

O’Connor, a senior international security and law student, joined the project through the Schar School’s Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP). He noted that TSM has “attracted some attention,” with its research cited by Wall Street Journal, Taiwan Plus, CNA/Focus Taiwan, Le Monde, Newsweek, and Taiwan News, as well as posts on X reaching over a million views!

Click the link in the comment section to read more about how students like Honors College senior Joe O’Connor are contributing to real-world security research at Taiwan Security Monitor (TSM)!

04/07/2026

Meet twins Kaitlyn and Regan Bestick, Honors College students at George Mason University who are finishing one chapter and beginning another.

After starting at different schools, Kaitlyn and Regan have spent the past three seasons together on the lacrosse field. Kaitlyn, a four-year player, ranks second on the team in goals scored, while Regan, a three-year starter in goal, has recorded 96 saves this season. Their success goes well beyond the lacrosse field. This year, they both earned the Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar-Athlete Award for outstanding academic achievement.

Although this is their last season together before graduation, their futures are bright. Kaitlyn is heading to law school this fall, and Regan will begin her four-year veterinary school journey after graduation. Although they have different paths ahead, they share the same drive to make an impact. They’ll soon be apart, but Kaitlyn says, "there will be a lot of FaceTime calls and texts."

Congratulations, Kaitlyn and Regan! The Honors College community is excited to see all that you achieve.

Click the link in the comment section to read more about their journey together at George Mason!

04/01/2026

“It came down to building the program I wish I had access to as an undergraduate,” reflected Honors College alumnus Zayd Hamid.

Now a master’s student of public policy, Hamid co-developed a new minor in Lobbying and Advocacy alongside Schar School Term Professor David K. Rehr, with the program set to launch in Fall 2026.

One of only two programs of its kind in the country, and the only one in the Washington, D.C. area, the minor will give students hands-on experience through internships, field projects, and the annual Mason Lobbies trip. Students will gain the skills to influence policy and create real-world impact.

“Given our location near Washington, D.C., the minor will be taught by a stable of top academics and practitioners, and graduates will be prepared to advocate effectively for meaningful and efficient change, even if they do not become full-time lobbyists themselves,” Rehr shared.

The Honors College is proud to see Zayd Hamid shaping opportunities for future students and looks forward to the program’s success!

Click the link in the comment section to read more about the program.

03/26/2026

Honors College student Nathan Ferraro is the Managing Editor of the student newspaper, Fourth Estate. Over Spring Break, Nathan was one of thirteen students sent by the Office of Student Media and Department of Student Involvement to the College Media Association's National College Media Convention in New York City. At the convention, Nathan learned from professional journalists in print, broadcast, radio, and more, while connecting with student journalists from across the country. He noted that the most insightful session was the one led by Bill Ruthart and Carla Correa of The New York Times, where they shared advice on how to prepare for a career in journalism while still in college.

Outside of the convention, Nathan had the opportunity to tour Bloomberg's headquarters in Manhattan, after being one of six student journalists selected through a lottery for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the newsroom’s daily operations with radio journalist Bob Bragg. Another highlight Nathan shared was “watching the George Mason women's basketball game against the Dayton Flyers on the New York subway on the way to dinner with friends and cheering on the sidewalk when Louis Volker scored the game-winning points after the buzzer!”

Nathan continues to credit the Honors College for his accomplishments, saying, "Honors College courses and faculty always push me to do better, work harder, and deliver tangible results."

The Honors College is always happy to see students like Nathan take their passions beyond the classroom and into real-world experiences.

03/19/2026

Honors College professor Dr. Melanie Fedri recently spent time in Costa Rica collaborating with faculty, researchers, and students at the Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Económicas (IICE) at the Universidad de Costa Rica.

On March 11, she presented “Diagnosis and Design: Bringing Social Innovation into Conversation with Environmental Economics.” Her talk explored how social innovation and social entrepreneurship can help address complex environmental challenges by rethinking systems, fostering collaboration, and developing creative, community-driven solutions. She emphasized that “addressing current challenges requires experimentation and learning.”

At the George Mason University Honors College, Dr. Fedri co-teaches HNRS 131: Innovations for the Environment with Milagro Saborio-Rodriguez, Director of IICE. In this course, students examine environmental initiatives through both economic and social innovation lenses, gaining insight into how solutions are developed, tested, and adapted to meet real-world challenges.

We’re proud to see Honors College faculty leading these important global conversations that drive meaningful change.

Visit the link in the comment section to read more about Dr. Fedri’s discussion at the Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias Económicas (IICE) at the Universidad de Costa Rica.

03/17/2026

In February, Dr. David Powers Corwin, Honors College alumnus Lindsay Lowry (BA Integrative Studies ‘24), and Honors College student Gabriel Dole presented at the Southwest Popular Culture and American Culture Association (SWPACA) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The group facilitated a roundtable discussion titled "How We Teach Research?: Teaching Research Methods in the Popular Culture Classroom". The roundtable addressed common misconceptions, instructional approaches, key lessons for students, and was followed by interactive breakout discussions.

Dr. Corwin shared that this was the best attended session they have moderated this year, and it even sparked interest in future collaborations!

Both Lindsay and Gabriel credit the Honors College for preparing them to think across disciplines and present confidently.

From Honors College classrooms to national conferences, Honors College students are leading conversations that shape their fields. The Honors College is proud to celebrate their excellent work and contribution to the field! 👏

03/05/2026

74 student athletes received the Peter N. Stearns Provost Scholar-Athlete Award for achieving a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher with at least 38 credit hours. Among this year's honorees, 21 are Honors College students.

Marvin Lewis, Assistant VP and Director of Athletics, congratulated the student athletes at the ceremony and stated, "Tonight is not just about athletic talent—it's about discipline, curiosity, leadership, and the mindset required to bring your best in every arena."

The Honors College is proud to recognize and celebrate the following student athletes for their exceptional academic achievements:

Maxwell Vom Saal
Regan Bestick
Riley Ellis
Giselle Torain
Kaitlyn Kutz
Marta Kux
Ryan Serbia
Jordan Lucas
David Hill
Shivaani Ganesh
Caitlin Cardin
Luke Brown
Victoria Bates
Sarah ("Midori") Galligan
June Johnson
Isabella Puentes
Kaleigh Friend
Harlowe Nigh
Pilar Cerritos Gatto
Peyton Farley
Ella ("Marley") Oare

The Honors College also sends a belated happy 90th birthday to former Provost Peter Stearns. 🎉

03/03/2026

Honors College senior Mariamme Latif Estafan is turning personal experience into passion for meaningful research and advocacy at George Mason’s Institute for Immigration Research (IIR). She will graduate this spring as a double major in Government and International Politics and Conflict Analysis and Resolution.

Her passion for politics, immigration, and advocacy began early, shaped by personal experiences and a desire to support marginalized communities.

As an undergraduate research assistant, Estafan plays a key role in Understanding the Contributions and Challenges among Fairfax County Residents, a project that examines the positive contributions immigrants bring to the community and the challenges they face.

As a trilingual student (English, Arabic, and Spanish), she helps lead interviews, translate, recruit participants, and document immigrant stories in Fairfax County. Through this work, she ensures community voices are heard and represented accurately.

Conducting interviews reminds her of her father’s immigration journey and reinforces the importance of collecting and sharing immigrant stories.

Estafan shares, “Working on this project really made me feel like I am actually making some sort of change, even if it is on an individual level.”

The Honors College is proud to support Mariamme and celebrates her effort to create positive change for those living in Fairfax County.

Read more about Mariamme’s work at IIR by clicking the link in the comment section.

02/26/2026

Where could your Honors College journey take you?

Honors College & Conflict Analysis and Resolution student Angelina DiMatteo spent Spring 2025 studying abroad at University of Oxford, where she conducted rigorous research on restorative justice, organizational conflict, and international law.

From Honors College classrooms to one of the world’s most rigorous academic environments, DiMatteo credits her experience in Principles of Research and Inquiry with preparing her for the opportunities she's encountered.

DiMatteo shared, “HNRS 110 gave me the tools I needed to excel in the rigor of Oxford as well as allowed me to be a collaborative team member working within my cohort.”

This achievement showcases what’s possible when foundational Honors College courses meet driven, high-achieving students.

02/25/2026

48th Vice President of the United States Mike Pence made his Schar School debut as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice in the course, The Character of the American Constitution, where over 150 students will learn about the often-overlooked roots of the Constitution and its impact on today’s conversations about executive power, civil rights, and elections.

The course is cotaught by Mike Pence and former Counsel to the Vice President and Solicitor of Labor, Greg Jacob. Pence and adjunct professor Jacob teach course numbers GOVT 319-005 and POGO 550-005.

Honors College student Logan Miller shared, “I want to learn more about Pence’s perspective on the Constitution, how he believes we should run our government and criminal justice system.”

Miller’s expectations were quickly met. In their first class, Pence and Jacob examined the foundations of the Declaration of Independence, offering insights shaped by their distinct professional backgrounds.

Senior Elijah Lawrence reflected on the first class, “It’s actually really refreshing to see a public leader be so adamant and energetic about teaching us—the American public—about our history.”

Read more about Pence's Schar School debut as a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice by clicking the link in the comment section.

Photo by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

Honors College at George Mason University

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