Shayla Brown

PhD student’s research addresses how adolescent social media use predicts in-person friendship networks

Shayla Brown — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 18:03:18 +0000

PhD student’s research addresses how adolescent social media use predicts in-person friendship networks Shayla Brown Wed, 02/04/2026 - 13:03

�鶹��Ƶ doctoral student Caroline Toth looks at how adolescents’ social media use is associated with the structure of their in-person friendship networks. Her research shows that friendships were more likely among youth with similar levels of problematic social media use and digital status seeking.

Photo by Getty Images

“This reflects a social network mechanism known as homophily, which is essentially love of the same, meaning that youth select friends who are similar to themselves in problematic social media use and digital status seeking. By doing this study, we're showing that friendships aren't forming at random, but being shaped in part by digital habits and values that are shared among friendship networks,” said Toth, a graduate research assistant in George �鶹��Ƶ’s Applied Developmental Psychology Program in the Department of Psychology.

Her first paper on the topic was recently published at the Journal of Children and Media.

“Adolescence is a very sensitive time for social processing. Teens are very sensitive to social cues,” said Toth, who earned her master’s degree from the same George �鶹��Ƶ program in 2021.

Caroline Toth. Photo provided.

Toth’s paper, “Problematic social media use, availability distress, and digital status seeking: Links to friendship network structure among U.S. adolescents,” explores how adolescents use social media to feel connected to others and gain social standing.

“Previous research has mainly examined links between social media use and disrupted sleep, anxiety, and depression. However, as a social networks scholar, I'm really interested in how adolescents’ online behaviors and emotional reactions to social media affect the structure of their friendship network,” Toth said.

This research is especially relevant to Generation Alpha, born between 2010 and 2024. When adolescents select friends who engage in similar problematic online behaviors, the resulting shared emotional thoughts, reactions, and behaviors can start to feel expected and encouraged within these friendship groups, said Toth.

This can be especially harmful because teens use social media to gain popularity and approval. The normalization of problematic online behaviors within friend groups makes them appear necessary for social success, explained Toth.

An example of problematic social media use is excessive use of social media to the point that it impacts your ability to focus on school or work. Within friend groups, adolescents are likely to reinforce this problematic usage because it’s what they see their friends doing. Toth emphasizes that algorithms are becoming more sophisticated and increasing adolescents’ exposure to highly engaging, emotionally charged content, keeping them constantly active online.

“It's critical that we continue to examine the constant feedback loop between the demands of the peer group and adolescents’ own emotional reactions to their online activities, so that we can help adolescents develop better coping mechanisms and survival skills for online life,” she said.

Toth states that interventions focused on improving self-regulation of social media use and emotional regulation show promise in helping young people resist algorithmic content manipulation, and take back control of their social media usage.

Olga Kornienko. Photo provided.

Toth and her mentor Olga Kornienko, an associate professor of applied developmental psychology, are collaborating with a public school district in Arizona to understand sources the role of social relationships as sources of risk and resilience in the lives of contemporary youth.

Working out of George �鶹��Ƶ’s Peer Networks and Development Lab, Toth and Kornienko are collecting data from ninth-grade students through a series of questions about their social media use, culture, and psychological well-being.

They are collaborating with scholars from University of California, Davis, and Arizona State University, where Kornienko earned her PhD in 2010.

“Our study is not specific to any one social media platform. We were able to capture the broader digital experience that adolescents have online that reflects their everyday life. We hope it will remain relevant to Gen Alpha and beyond because even as individual platforms go in and out of use or new ones pop up, they're still going to have those core aspects of promoting constant engagement and peer feedback,” said Toth.

Toth said that while she didn’t have much experience with academic publishing before coming to graduate school at George �鶹��Ƶ, she hit the ground running. “We started [this research project] in my very first semester, so it was a very important part of my professional development working with Dr. Kornienko,” Toth said. “[She taught me about] so many different aspects of peer interaction and networks, social media, and how they're all interconnected.”

“It’s been such a pleasure seeing Caro grow as a researcher and academic,” said Kornienko. “She is addressing a very complex topic and contributing to more positive adolescent experiences.”

Topics

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

George �鶹��Ƶ faculty and students host inaugural Qualitative Research Day

Shayla Brown — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:46:15 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ faculty and students host inaugural Qualitative Research Day  Shayla Brown Wed, 01/21/2026 - 09:46

In This Story

Supriya Baily

Erin D. Maughan, PhD

�鶹��Ƶ recently held its first-ever Qualitative Research Day, an event for PhD students of all disciplines to engage in hands-on and interactive opportunities with the goal of learning new qualitative research techniques and methodologies. The inaugural event is the latest innovation in George �鶹��Ƶ's ongoing efforts to find new ways to support its PhD students.

The event was a collaboration between faculty and students from the College of Public Health, the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), and the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, including Supriya Baily from Carter School, Erin Maughan from the School of Nursing, Bethany Letiecq from CEHD, PhD students Karthik Ramanujam and Tara Altay, and Fenwick Library team members, including Debby Kermer and Ramanujam.

The team received funding from each of the colleges as well as the Graduate Nursing Organization and the Graduate Division.

Baily, who served as president of the Comparative and International Education Society, an academic association comprising more than 3,500 researchers, analysts, practitioners, and students, used her connections to bring national research experts to the event to deliver keynotes, lead workshops, and guide students through data analysis activities. Students were able to refine their qualitative research skills and network with professional qualitative researchers from across the globe.

Keynote speakers Kevin Roy (left) and Colleen Vesely at Qualitative Research Day. Photo by Shayla Brown/Office of University Branding.

"We did this purely because we thought the students needed it. We were determined that this was going to be a hands-on and interactive event to ensure that the students left having learned something new," said Baily, who was previously co-director of the Center for International Education.

"I was very grateful they were willing to come here and share their expertise with the students," Baily said of the guest speakers.

"PhD students need to enhance their skills in this area—be more rigorous, professional, figure out how it's valued—and look at the new methodologies of doing it," she said.

Maughan teaches NURS 920 Qualitative Research in Nursing and Health Care in the School of Nursing where she met students who were passionate about qualitative research, including Altay, her advisee and doctoral nursing student.

"I was helping Tara navigate the resources on campus, and that's when we realized that there's actually a bit of a gap in resources for qualitative research compared to that for quantitative research, which tends to be the more traditional research for many [PhD candidates]," said Maughan.

The team made sure the events really resonated with the students by identifying where they wanted more information. The biggest area of interest for PhD students focusing on qualitative research was analysis.

Qualitative Research Day presentation. Photo by Shayla Brown/Office of University Branding.

Guest speaker Jeffrey Lee, former professor of education at University of Massachusetts Global, guided students through best practices in data coding, data analysis, and theme development. His workshop helped students build expertise by framing the complexity of data analysis in an accessible and scaffolded approach.

Lee also categorized reviews from the recent Bruce Springsteen biopic Deliver Me from Nowhere to demonstrate the process for qualitative analysis of audience reception.

Altay, who is working on a PhD in nursing and earned a Qualitative Research Certificate, worked with Maughan and Baily to help make Qualitative Research Day happen.

"To my knowledge, it's rare for students in the School of Nursing to do a full qualitative dissertation, but the nursing faculty have been super supportive of my doing a full qualitative dissertation, which is such a huge thing," said Altay, whose research focuses on the stigma sex workers face with health care providers.

"It's all about students' professional development so they can be the best versions of themselves when they go off and get jobs as researchers and scholars," said Baily. "As the next generation of academics, they'll be able to say 'George �鶹��Ƶ trained me well.'"

Topics

College of Education and Human Development

College of Public Health

Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

George �鶹��Ƶ partners with the Fairfax County Health Department to support employees in earning public health certificates and degrees

Shayla Brown — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:34:51 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ partners with the Fairfax County Health Department to support employees in earning public health certificates and degrees  Shayla Brown Fri, 01/16/2026 - 10:34

In This Story

Marybeth Mitcham, PhD, MPH

Sarah Liu, MPH

�鶹��Ƶ has partnered with the Fairfax County Health Department to provide current FCHD employees with the opportunity to complete public health certificates. Some employees are going a step further and earning their master’s degrees in public health fields.

Photo by Getty Images.

“This partnership between George �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Public Health and the Fairfax County Health Department reflects a shared commitment to supporting the people who protect and promote our community’s health," said Melissa Perry, dean of the College of Public Health. "By investing in public health professionals with strong local roots and proven training, we are strengthening the workforce that serves Northern Virginia every day and building a healthier future for all who live here.”

This partnership with FCHD is another example of George �鶹��Ƶ’s commitment to improving health and well-being, not just for community members, but for the workers who serve the community.

Since the partnership began in 2019, 46 students have enrolled to earn their certificates. Of the cohorts that have completed the certificate, 57% have gone on to earn their MPH from George �鶹��Ƶ.

Sarah Liu. Photo provided.

Sarah Liu, BS Community Health ‘17, is the Department of Global and Community Health MPH program coordinator as well as the program coordinator for the FCHD partnership.

Liu describes the partnership as an outgrowth of FCHD’s commitment to the continuing education of its medical professionals. The students’ tuition is covered by the county.

“We help the certificate students register for classes, and they're immersed with other students. A lot of our students are working professionals, so we offer classes that can more easily fit into their schedule,” said Liu.   

It was Gloria Addo-Ayensu, director of health for Fairfax County who reached out to Robert M. Weiler, senior associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Public Health, about the partnership. Weiler was chair of the Department of Global and Community Health at the time. 

“The certificate requires students to complete 18 core credits or six classes. They’re taking most of the same courses as the students in the classes in the Department of Global and Community Health master’s programs, so they have opportunities to get to know all the students,” Liu said.  

Salisa Sathityudhakarn works for FCHD as a school health aide assigned to Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS)  and has worked in the healthcare industry for 11 years. 

“I provide basic healthcare for sick and injured students includes emergency care, administering daily medication, or when necessary, giving EpiPen for allergic reactions and albuterol for asthma attacks,” said Sathityudhakarn, who started with the program in fall of 2024. “I also conduct vision and hearing screenings for the students as well as handle the admin responsibilities.” 

Salisa Sathityudhakarn. Photo provided.

Sathityudhakarn, who previously earned degrees in communication and mental health counseling, said her favorite course was GCH 609 Community Assessment and Partnerships with Marybeth Mitcham. “She created a very supportive learning environment. I see her as a role model and her lessons just made me want to learn more,” Sathityudhakarn said.   

“Through this certificate program, I have learned different aspects of public health. I’m looking forward to applying the knowledge I have learned to my current role as a school health aide and to better serve FCHD, my school, my students and their families, as well as new endeavors in public health,” said Sathityudhakarn. 

Employees who have worked in the health department for at least one year are eligible to participate in the program. 

Liu and Addo-Ayensu are currently working together to expand the partnership and allow more FCHD workers to take advantage of educational opportunities such as this. 

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Students use AI to solve everyday challenges at recent Fail-a-Thon

Shayla Brown — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 17:35:24 +0000

Students use AI to solve everyday challenges at recent Fail-a-Thon  Shayla Brown Mon, 01/12/2026 - 12:35

�鶹��Ƶ is preparing students to transform setbacks into stepping stones with a “Fail-a-Thon," a hackathon event where failing forward is the goal.

The event, hosted by the College of Engineering and Computing, encouraged students to explore bold ideas under two themes: artificial intelligence (AI) for everyday challenges and tech for well-being and creativity.

Junior computer science major Oluwatomisin Badmus and his partner, junior applied computer science major Chesney Noye, working under the team name “AfroHacks,” took first place. 

Chesney Noye (center) and Oluwatomisin Badmus presenting at the Fail-a-thon. Photo provided.

Badmus and Noye are international students and wanted to emphasize the importance of checking in with one another within their community. The duo used an AI coding tool to build an application that allows users to log their current mood over the course of the day, and the system then uses the logged mood when responding to questions.

“You might describe it as a mood-aware AI chatbot,” explained Badmus.

They were able to complete a working version of the application to present to the judges. The team 808s won 2nd place and the Three Musketeers won 3rd. 

“I'm very passionate about AI, so I make sure to take advantage of every educational opportunity regarding AI. I hope to apply that knowledge in my work to make an impact both in and out of school,” said Badmus, an Honors College student. 

Badmus said he has participated in other George �鶹��Ƶ hackathons and competitions at other institutions such as Morgan State, John Hopkins University, and online. Badmus encouraged Noye to participate in the event with him in hopes that he would also find the experience rewarding. 

“I’ve always wanted to participate in a hackathon, so when I saw the flyer for the Fail-a-thon, I knew it would be a great opportunity to gain experience in a relatively low-stakes environment,” said Noye, who has a concentration in software engineering.

Noye said hackathons always seemed too intimidating, but he was encouraged by the fail-a-thon's easygoing approach.

“Having an event centered around failing gave people room to go out there with their ideas, and getting to see all the projects everyone else came up with was great,” he said.

“Getting to share stories with the other participants there on where our projects failed, what weird bugs we had, and how different our initial ideas and final products ended up was a great bonding moment and really helped normalize the idea that failing is okay,” said Noye.

The students had two hours to build real-world practical projects using provided AI tools. Many of the project features were built and working, and judges and attendees could see them live during the presentations. 

Humaira Akhtari (left) with Christi Cartwright Wilcox, director, Office of Outreach Student Success and Engagement. Photo provided.

“Watching students turn ideas into functional solutions in just two hours was genuinely exciting and inspiring,” said Humaira Akhtari, a term instructor in the Department of Information Science and Technology and one of three faculty judges at the event.

Other judges included professors Socrates Dimitriadis and Maha Shamseddine from the Department of Computer Science.

“I kept telling the teams, ‘I would be the first person to use your app’ because their ideas were genuinely useful. Seeing students build practical solutions, collaborate across disciplines, and confidently present their work made the experience incredibly rewarding,” said Akhtari. “It brings me so much joy seeing my students grow beyond the classroom. Whether it’s capstone presentations, Fail-a-Thon, or Engineering Week, I love seeing how my students are thriving.” 

Students from electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, IST, and cyber security engineering participated. The mix of backgrounds really elevated the ideas and discussions, said Akhtari. 

When evaluating projects, judges looked at creativity, risk-taking, learning through failure, and how well teams communicated their ideas.  

“Rather than penalizing mistakes, we looked for evidence of iteration, reflection, and growth. The goal was to celebrate experimentation and meaningful learning,” said Akhtari. 

“Events like Fail-a-Thon create a safe space where students learn that failure is not something to avoid—it’s part of the process. This mindset is essential not only in academics, but also in entrepreneurship and real-world problem solving,” said Akhtari.

One team built a study management tool where students could upload their course syllabus, and the app would automatically generate a personalized study plan based on upcoming assignments and deadlines.

Another team designed a nutrition app that helps users track dietary preferences like Halal, vegan, and other restrictions.  

There were also projects focused on productivity, motivation, and wellness—apps that help users stay on track with their schedules, motivate them to stay consistent at the gym, or even guide users while grocery shopping based on their calorie goals.  

Topics

College of Engineering and Computing

competitions

Hackathon

Applied computer science

computer science

Artificial Intelligence

Honors College

Students

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In This Story

Humaira Akhtari

Socrates Dimitriadis

Maha Shamseddine

Artificial Intelligence at George �鶹��Ƶ

Film students spread the mission of a local nonprofit through the power of storytelling

Shayla Brown — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 17:57:37 +0000

Film students spread the mission of a local nonprofit through the power of storytelling  Shayla Brown Wed, 01/07/2026 - 12:57

�鶹��Ƶ film and video studies major Aryaman Kantawala knew that getting real-world experience was an essential part of building his career. But he wasn’t expecting to get as much creative free rein as he did on his most recent project. 

Kantawala is directing a student-produced documentary about  the nonprofit DC Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation, a local nonprofit that supports children with cancer, as well as their families. 

The opportunity to direct the documentary came courtesy of Entertainment 2 Affect Change (E2AC), an organization that provides creative students and individuals the opportunity to use storytelling to share the mission and impact of local nonprofits.

Kantawala working on the documentary film. Photo provided.

E2AC is partnering with chapters from Delta Kappa Alpha (DKA), a national cinematic arts society open to all majors, including the George �鶹��Ƶ  chapter. 

“We talked to [E2AC], and they gave us some guidelines, but mostly they gave us a lot of freedom,” said Kantawala, who is part of the E2AC Student Fellowship program. 

Kantawala has mapped out the arc of the film, which will be shown at a DC Candlelighters’ fundraising event in March 2026. 

“We’re making a narrative of a family whose child was diagnosed with cancer, and our documentary will center on their lives and how they were impacted by this. Then we'll show how they found this amazing organization,” said Kantawala, a sophomore Honors College student and the networking chair for George �鶹��Ƶ’s DKA chapter. 

“We’ll show some of the organization events and then at the end of the documentary, we’ll loop back to the original family to see how the child is doing,” he said. 

Mel Moya-Jaldin is a senior film and video studies major with a concentration in producing and a minor in business who is also working on the film as a producer. She joined George �鶹��Ƶ’s DKA chapter in the fall of 2023 and is now the president.  

“I was very excited to hear about a huge national organization like E2AC wanting to work with young filmmakers and actually taking that initiative,” said Moya-Jaldin. 

Mel Moya-Jaldin (front, center) with other Delta Kappa Alpha members. Photo provided.

“From the first meeting, whether it was with the organization’s presidents or volunteers, I felt like I was connecting with a wider community, which is where you’d start for any kind of project, but especially nonfiction, documentary film work.”

Moya-Jaldin says she hopes to learn more about the logistical and business side of filmmaking as well as improve her public speaking skills so she can become more comfortable pitching films, “and also supporting any filmmakers that might be a little bit shy to put themselves out there," she said. 

“I’ve had two opportunities this semester to make videos similar to the one we’re making for DC Candlelighters. Thankfully, I’ve been able to apply the knowledge I’ve obtained from DKA and my courses to the work I’m doing for E2AC,” she said. “I'm learning about what it takes to work with a nonprofit and make content for them in real time, which is really cool.” 

“The DKA environment is really inspiring. Everyone is so knowledgeable and they really uplift the organization. I decided to focus on producing and hopefully eventually enter a leadership position within the organization and am very happy to have made it this far,” said Moya-Jaldin, who is partnered with Kantawala for the E2AC Student Fellowship program. 

The students say working with E2AC is a really good opportunity for young filmmakers who are trying to get their foot in the door while also supporting an important cause. 

“Their goals are definitely something that's aligned with me personally because I really want to find my footing in the filmmaking industry, but also make an impact on my community,” Moya-Jaldin said. 

Learn more about the College of Visual and Performing Arts

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College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

Historic victory for George �鶹��Ƶ’s Debate Team

Shayla Brown — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:22:50 +0000

Historic victory for George �鶹��Ƶ’s Debate Team  Shayla Brown Thu, 12/04/2025 - 11:22

�鶹��Ƶ's Debate Team won the prestigious West Point Sword at the United States Military Academy’s 60th annual National Debate Tournament in West Point, New York.

“This is one of the most iconic awards in college policy debate, and it was the one title George �鶹��Ƶ Debate had never won until now,” said Jackie Poapst, director of the Debate Team. “To see our name finally engraved among the champions in the tournament’s 60th year is nothing short of historic. This moment represents six decades of legacy, and the future of excellence at George �鶹��Ƶ.”

The victory in October was one of many for the George �鶹��Ƶ varsity team this season.

George �鶹��Ƶ's Debate Team. Photo provided.

George �鶹��Ƶ students competed against teams from Harvard, Cornell, James Madison University, Liberty University, Binghamton University, New York University, the University of Rochester, and Suffolk University.

This year’s tournament topic was labor rights, and the George �鶹��Ƶ team had several wins on the tournament leaderboard:

Austin Davis (Communication, sophomore) and Del Gorman (Government and International Politics, sophomore) — 1st Overall Seed, undefeated, Tournament Champions
Ashley Wright (Government and International Politics, junior) and Ben Witkov (Economics, freshman) — 2nd Overall Seed, Tournament Co-Champions
Reet Taxali (Criminology, junior) and Dean Richter (Government and International Politics, senior) — 4th Overall Seed, Elite Eight
Brenda Reyes (Conflict Analysis and Resolution, senior) and Amira Shananier (Computational and Data Science, senior) — 7th Overall Seed, Elite Eight

George �鶹��Ƶ debaters also triumphed as individual speakers, winning four of the top five speaker awards, with Davis taking first place.

Students from George �鶹��Ƶ's Debate team accepting the West Point Sword. Photo provided.

“I told my coaches last year after losing in the finals that it was ‘Sword or bust’ this season. To win it with Del and to do it for George �鶹��Ƶ Debate, it’s a dream realized,” said Davis, who is also a teaching assistant for the writing-intensive course COMM 300 Rhetorical Theory and Criticism.

Other students placing individually were Witkov at 3rd, Gorman at 4th, and Wright at 5th.

Reyes also serves as the team’s social events coordinator.

“We've been going to this tournament every single year, and our director has always been our biggest supporter. I’m so proud of my team's hard work and dedication. It’s an honor to be part of this legacy,” said Reyes, who is in George �鶹��Ƶ’s Bachelor’s to Accelerated Master’s Program.

“My partner Amira and I centered our debate on marginalized populations often neglected in labor rights,” said Reyes, who also serves as vice president of George �鶹��Ƶ’s Kappa Alpha Pi Pre-Law and Government Fraternity. “We argued that migrants and undocumented workers are not classified as workers by the [National Labor Relations Act] therefore, do not get access to all labor rights under most generic cases. This makes teams start to question what they can do for migrant laborers who are undocumented, who we believe are the backbone of America.”

One of Reyes’ takeaways from this experience is that as a senior, her time on the team is winding down.

“The moments of working together to achieve our team's goal of earning the West Point Sword will always be a special core debate memory,” said Reyes. “These memories from supporting our George �鶹��Ƶ team, no matter the results, are what matter the most.” “We argued that migrants and undocumented workers are not classified as workers by the [National Labor Relations Act]; therefore, they do not get access to all labor rights under most generic cases."

George �鶹��Ƶ’s performance was described by tournament officials as “one of the most comprehensive team showings in recent memory.”

“This win means everything to our students,” Poapst said. “They have proven that teamwork, resilience, and belief in each other can quite literally make history.”

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George �鶹��Ƶ dance students perform alongside Limón Dance Company

Shayla Brown — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:27:00 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ dance students perform alongside Limón Dance Company Shayla Brown Wed, 12/03/2025 - 12:27

This fall, �鶹��Ƶ’s dance studios buzzed with excitement as School of Dance students prepared for and performed José Limón’s 1958 original composition Missa Brevis, alongside professional dancers from the Center for the Arts artists in residence Limón Dance Company.

“We’re thrilled to welcome one of the most prestigious modern dance companies to George �鶹��Ƶ,” said Victor Adebusola, assistant director of programming and engagement in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “Their residency gives our School of Dance students the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with incredible professional artists.”

More than 80 George �鶹��Ƶ students participated in an intense audition process, led by Limón company members Kurt Douglas and Logan Francis Krueger, and 13 were selected to perform the piece.

Junior dance major Avery Nank said that these auditions can get pretty intense. Nank had previous experience with the dance company, participating in two Limón summer intensive sessions in Colorado and New York City, but auditioning still made her nervous.

“I had previously learned some of the choreography, but I was still really nervous because I wanted it so badly,” she said.

After winning a spot in Missa Brevis, the students then worked with Douglas and Krueger to learn the choreography and prepare for the company’s November Concert Hall performance.

Guest artist residencies are intense learning opportunities and a chance for George �鶹��Ƶ dance students to make connections that are invaluable to their careers. After the guest artists choose their cast, a challenging 10-day rehearsal period begins that parallels a professional work schedule. These long days result in a finished work that is performed before a Center for the Arts audience.

School of Dance students rehearsing with Limón Dance Company members. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding.

Limón Dance Company was founded in 1946 by José Limón and Doris Humphrey. The piece Missa Brevis takes place during World War II and was inspired by Limón’s tour of Europe, organized by the U.S. Department of State. The choreography is meant to reflect resilience and hope amidst devastation.

“When [Limón] went to Poland, he saw how ruined it was, but also how uplifting the people were,” said sophomore dance major Robert Harris. “He wanted to carry that and show the world that even though something can be torn down, the fight against adversity is higher and that you can achieve what you want to with your community.”

The guest artist program lets George �鶹��Ƶ dancers learn to perform the piece and gain insights into the lives of professional dancers.

“It was cool to hear about the dancers’ experiences that led them to Limón,” said Harris. “They were very open with us, answering all of our questions and being very patient with us. It was a very eye-opening experience because it showed me that there really is a possibility of me being able to do this in the future.”

“As a young student, it's not often that you get to work with a professional company as a learning opportunity. I’m very thankful knowing that I was able to be a part of this. It was once in a lifetime,” said Harris.

Nank said her biggest takeaway was the possibility of growth when working as a team.

“We can all grow immensely if we're doing it at the same time and we’re doing it together. It just takes patience, discipline, and taking the time to care about the people around you,” she said.

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Three Minute Thesis Competition showcases doctoral research

Shayla Brown — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:40:07 +0000

Three Minute Thesis Competition showcases doctoral research Shayla Brown Mon, 12/01/2025 - 10:40

In This Story

Alyssa Bivins

Makayla Johnson

Rania Zaied, a fourth-year PhD student in �鶹��Ƶ’s Department of Communication, has won first-place at the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, an engaging event that showcases the innovative research of doctoral candidates. She will advance to the 2026 regional competition in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, hosted by the Council of Southern Graduate Schools. 

3MT first place winner Rania Zaied (left) with Stephanie Bluth. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding.

The competition took place on November 7, 2025, and was organized by the Graduate Division of the Provost’s Office. The competition invites PhD students from various schools and colleges within the university to present their research in a concise and compelling format. 

Students from the College of Education and Human Development, College of Engineering and Computing, College of Humanities and Social Science, College of Public Health, and College of Science participated, presenting their chosen research topics with a single slide and a strict three-minute time limit. A panel of eight judges evaluated the presentations. 

This year, the doctoral candidates explored a diverse range of topics, including the integration of Gen-AI in K-12 classrooms and novel approaches to combating bacteria and biofilms. The competition concluded with the following winners: 

First Place: Rania Zaied (CHSS): “Decoding the Joke: Muslim Representations in Comedy and Their Impact on Internalized Anti-Muslim Racism.” 
Second Place: Mahmood Almosuli (COS): “Designer Phage: The Way to Beat Bacteria and Biofilms.” 
Third Place: Rooshna Mohsin (CPH): “Balancing the Risks: Dietary and Social Predictors of PFAs Exposure and Associated Health Outcomes in Hispanic Children.” 
People’s Choice: Oakley Thomas Hill (Carter School): “The Justice Languages of America.”

The winners of the 3MT competition. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding.

Zaied had previously competed in a 3MT competition at James Madison University during her master’s studies and found it a rewarding experience.  

“It truly helped me share my research clearly with any audience in a way that was simple, and to the point, regardless of their background. So, I really wanted to do it again for my doctoral dissertation, and train myself to talk about my research simply and concisely,” Zaied explained. 

Zaied is conducting a qualitative study involving online interviews with Muslim audiences, utilizing thematic analysis to identify and interpret recurring themes in participants' experiences.

She attributes much of her success to the constructive feedback received from various resources at George �鶹��Ƶ, including workshops led by Graduate Professional and Career Development Program Coordinator Alyssa Bivins, preliminary round feedback from judges, and consultations with her mentor Melissa Broeckelman-Post and Communication Center staff.

“I also attended a practice session with Dr. Bivins and Makayla Johnson, who provided valuable feedback regarding clarity for a general audience, body language, and word choices in my speech,” said Zaied, who has a concentration in strategic communications.

With the support of George �鶹��Ƶ’s resources, Zaied polished her presentation through continuous practice and refinement.  

“Some feedback might have been small tweaks here and there, but all of it together truly brought my speech a long way from where it had started and really made a huge difference,” she said.  

“I’m very excited to move forward to the regional competition and represent �鶹��Ƶ there,” she said. 

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Three Minute Thesis

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

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Students

Students in Honors College class examine food insecurity on college campuses

Shayla Brown — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:19:21 +0000

Students in Honors College class examine food insecurity on college campuses  Shayla Brown Wed, 11/19/2025 - 13:19

At college campuses across the nation, as many as 30-40% of students grapple with food insecurity, unable to consistently access nutritious and culturally relevant meals due to financial constraints.  

At �鶹��Ƶ, students in Tawnya Azar’s Honors College 260 Society and Community Engagement course are focused creating awareness campaigns around hunger and food scarcity. The course aims to empower students through writing and collaborative efforts, fostering a critical examination of the challenges surrounding food access and inspiring tangible solutions. Other community engagement course sections engage students on topics such as civic engagement, philanthropy, and using dialogue for understanding and connection.

Azar partnered with George �鶹��Ƶ’s Patriot Pantry and Greenhouse and Gardens Program where students completed 15 hours of volunteer work as part of the class. 

The course explores different models of community engagement including the approach of mutual aid, a community-based system where both parties involved benefit, which Azar says is “arguably the direction the field is heading in. Mutual aid is the more effective model for serving a community's needs.” 

Mehmood Shajih volunteering at George �鶹��Ƶ's Honeybee Pollinator Garden on the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Shayla Brown.

“George �鶹��Ƶ’s students continue to be more and more diverse, coming from different backgrounds, and as the economic pressures that they face increase, food insecurity is also going to increasingly become an issue in this country, especially among college students,” said Azar, term associate professor in the Department of English. 

 “We also have to have challenging conversations about what the limitations to everyone having access to free nutritious meals or to reliable, nutritious meals all the time can look like,” said Azar. 

“Although there can be a lot of negative stigma and stereotypes associated with the issue, many of my students very generously shared experiences they or family members have had with access to reliable, nutritious food sources,” she said. 

Another one of their community partners is Community of Faith Food Pantry in Herndon, which recently received a commendation from the state of Virginia via the state legislature for the work they’ve done to address food insecurity. 

Azar, who previously worked for Community of Faith, said the organization offers fresh produce, meat, eggs, and dairy products and serves about 300 families every week. They rely exclusively on volunteer support and charitable donations, she said.   

The students developed an awareness campaign to inform members of the George �鶹��Ƶ community about food insecurity as well as increase awareness and access to existing food resources for food insecure community members. 

Junior Mehmood Shajih called the class “the most important Honors course I’ve taken because it’s talking about an issue that is so prevalent in colleges.  

“It taught me that about 40% of college students face food insecurity throughout their four years, which I was very surprised to learn,” said the psychology major who worked with the Greenhouse and Gardens Program. 

“It also allowed me to explore different ways to help out, but then this class goes a step further because we also approach it through community writing and group campaign tables that we did across the George �鶹��Ƶ campus, where we passed on the information we were obtaining in class,” he said. 

The students' interactive games in the format of the Jeopardy! game show. Photo provided.

The student groups were able to get creative in their outreach efforts, making interactive games in the format of the Jeopardy! game show in the Johnson Center, which included questions about food insecurity. 

Through this course, senior biology major Rori Martinez-Breitenstein started volunteering at a Fairfax food bank, Food for Others, completing tasks such as picking up donations from grocery stores and local vendors and packing lunches for K-12 students experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County. 

“I find working with Food for Others very rewarding, and I've also had the opportunity to make a lot of connections with different people who are also there because they want to support the community,” said Martinez-Breitenstein, who is also volunteering at George �鶹��Ƶ’s Potomac Heights Organic Vegetable Garden tending to the vegetables. 

Martinez-Breitenstein is also a residential advisor on the Fairfax Campus and is collaborating with Patriot Pantry on a food and resource drive, collecting non-perishable food items as well as personal hygiene products for students in the residence halls who might not have access to these products otherwise, she said. 

“I'm passionate about public health. My main goal will always be working toward making sure everyone has equitable access to the necessary resources for their highest level of health and quality of life,” said Martinez-Breitenstein, a public health minor.  

Shajih and Martinez-Breitenstein say they plan to continue working with these organizations even after completing the course and hope to get their family and friends involved in community service as well. 

“I’m honored to be involved in something that's bigger than myself,” said Martinez-Breitenstein.  

Topics

Honors College

food insecurity

Greenhouse and Gardens Program

Community Engagement

innovative classes

Students

George �鶹��Ƶ alum and Marine Corps veteran enters new role as president of University of West Georgia

Shayla Brown — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 16:02:59 +0000

George �鶹��Ƶ alum and Marine Corps veteran enters new role as president of University of West Georgia Shayla Brown Mon, 11/10/2025 - 11:02

�鶹��Ƶ alumnus and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Christopher Michael “Mike” Johnson, MAIS ’11, was recently appointed University of West Georgia’s ninth president. He stepped into his new role on August 1.

Johnson’s selection followed a national search led by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, which named him the sole finalist in May before appointing him in June.

“It’s always a bit of a transition period having a new president come to a university with new goals and visions, but the north star will always be our students. Student success is our no-excuse priority,” said Johnson.

Michael Johnson. Photo by the University of West Georgia,

This role is the culmination of Johnson’s 20+ year career in higher education. In addition to his work at George �鶹��Ƶ, where he started a program that became the university’s Office of Military Services, Johnson has held leadership roles at Purdue and Northern Virginia Community College. Most recently he served as chief of staff at the University of Houston System and the University of Houston, where he also earned a PhD in higher education leadership and policy studies.

George �鶹��Ƶ was Johnson’s first job after transitioning out of the military.

“There was a wave of veterans like myself starting to come back to college campuses. The Office of Military Services allowed me one foot into the military space and one foot in the higher education space,” said Johnson.

“Although it was a transition period, I was still able to engage with a body of people that I felt comfortable around while helping them navigate their college experience. I feel honored to be a part of that growth of the university towards supporting veterans,” he said.

Johnson, a first-generation college graduate, accomplished a lot as a student and an administrator during his time on the Fairfax Campus, and he said his perspective as a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps has influenced his leadership style and approach to service and resilience.

While he and his wife, Beth, MA Strategic Communication ’12, raised their family, they also took classes while working full-time at George �鶹��Ƶ. While Mike was advocating for veterans, Beth worked as a communications manager for the university’s fund-raising efforts in the office now called the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations.

“Beth and I pursued grad school at the same time. We had a small child and had to move in with her parents, but I think that work-life balance was certainly made easier by George �鶹��Ƶ,” said Johnson. “Because the university had one of the best education benefits for its employees, they basically took away all of the reasons for me to say ‘I don’t have time.’”

Recently the College of Humanities and Social Sciences recognized Johnson for his dedication to student success, institutional advancement, and strategic leadership with the 2025 MAIS Distinguished Alumni Award.

“I can’t think of a greater honor than to come back to my alma mater and be recognized for the excellent work that I’ve been doing. The College of Humanities and Social Science provided a critical base of knowledge for me to draw upon as I was pursuing my PhD work,” he said. “And even today, I think those lessons learned have served me well in my current role.

“I don't think I truly appreciated my time at George �鶹��Ƶ fully until I stepped into this role,” Johnson said. “And I find myself from time to time reflecting on those experiences with my leadership team and the lessons that I observed as the university was maturing and have brought those experiences here to the University of West Georgia.”

Reporting by Jerome Boettcher contributed to this article.

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Office of Military Services

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Shayla Brown

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