Katarina Benson

Field of career dreams: Grad student spends summer identifying and protecting native plants

Colleen Rich — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:48:10 +0000

Field of career dreams: Grad student spends summer identifying and protecting native plants Colleen Rich Tue, 09/02/2025 - 13:48

Growing up in Winchester, Virginia, Jordan Edlich would often visit Blandy Experimental Farm on field trips as a child. Now a graduate student in environmental science and policy at �鶹��Ƶ, Edlich just spent a summer interning at the farm, which is also the State Arboretum of Virginia, cataloging native plants. One of Edlich’s main goals for their master's research is to create a local floristic survey to help the rehabilitation and revitalization of native plants in Northern Virginia.

Why did you choose George �鶹��Ƶ and how did you decide your major?

Graduate student Jordan Edlich surveyed the arboretum’s native meadow by sections, documenting populations and locations of plant species. Photo provided

I chose this program because it provides students with both the background of environmental science and the political and social tools to address environmental problems. I also grew up in the area and have always been passionate about conserving our local biodiversity. I am looking forward to helping preserve and strengthen regional biodiversity.

What projects have you been assigned during your internship?

My main project at the State Arboretum of Virginia, also called Blandy Experimental Farm, is closely related to my master's research. Using old maps and a GPS device, I surveyed the arboretum’s native meadow by sections, documenting populations and locations of plant species in each section. I was also able to rediscover a rare plant species that the arboretum curators can now conserve and collect seeds from. These include the Green Fringed Orchid (Platanthera lacera) and the Green Milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora), native plants not originally planted at Blandy. After I conducted the plant survey, I also wrote up a management plan of how best to conserve native plant communities in the meadow and tactics for establishing more of these communities in the future.

How have your courses at George �鶹��Ƶ helped prepare you for the internship?

My courses at George �鶹��Ƶ have allowed me to think about my work at Blandy from various points of view. While I was studying plants from a scientific botanical lens, I was also helping in restoration projects that related to my studies of the logistics of solving conservation-related problems. Practicing ecology from different scientific, political, social, and economic views has helped me understand more about how Blandy is able to successfully work as an arboretum and a conservation entity.

George �鶹��Ƶ graduate student Jordan Edlich (left) working at the Blandy Experimental Farm. Photo provided

How does this internship tie into your career goals?

My career goals include working in natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. This internship directly helped me better understand how to survey and maintain native biodiversity. I could even see myself returning to Blandy in the future, continuing to work in curating and conserving the arboretum's native habitats. This internship gave me both the hands-on skills in how conservation and restoration projects are done, and the resources for understanding the logistics behind these projects. I hope to use these skills to conduct similar projects of my own in the future.

What advice would you give to students starting an internship?

Don't be afraid to explore a field or a type of career that you know little or nothing about. Not only did this experience allow me to become more of an expert in native plants, but it also helped me realize that this was a field I wanted to pursue and continue working in. I would not have been able to know how much I enjoy this field of work and research without trying it first as a beginner. Just the ability to be adaptable and willing to learn new things is a strong ability to have in your career.

You mentioned you’ve had a long relationship with Blandy. What have you done with them over the years?

On summer breaks during my bachelor's, I volunteered at Blandy Farms and assisted with maintaining their native plant trails. Volunteering in projects to remove invasive species and protect native habitats gave me a way to make a direct beneficial impact on my local environment. It was nice getting to know the local arboretum curators and other volunteers who had the same passion for protecting our regional biodiversity. This would ultimately help guide me further toward a career in conservation work. When I applied for the internship, those same curators remembered me and were excited to have me back as a summer intern. Everyone at Blandy was passionate about their work and always willing to teach me something new. I am grateful for how much Blandy has taught me over the years and how it has inspired my academic and career path.

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Tyrone Johnson is September Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:27:25 +0000

Tyrone Johnson is September Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Mon, 08/25/2025 - 14:27

Tyrone Johnson has worked as the clinical laboratory manager in �鶹��Ƶ’s Student Health Services (SHS) for the past two years. For his dedication to putting students at ease, his work ethic, and his positive impact on the office overall, he is being recognized as the September Employee of the Month.

President Gregory Washington with September Employee of the Month Tyrone Johnson. Photo by Eduardo Macedo/Office of University Branding

Nandini Koka, SHS executive director, has found Johnson’s leadership in the lab invaluable. “He has streamlined our processes, improved the overall efficiency, and ensured that students’ needs are met promptly and accurately,” she said. “His dedication to student care reflects his strong sense of service and empathy, which is a hallmark of his work ethic.”

“Tyrone Johnson is all the things you want in a dedicated employee,” said Cameron Hoffman, nurse practitioner in SHS. “He immediately puts students at ease during typically stressful situations, such as blood draws or testing in general.”

Erin Wisman, associate medical director of SHS, said that “whether he is assisting students who are anxious about a blood draw or working with the clinical team to solve complex operational challenges, Tyrone's demeanor is consistently calm, thoughtful, and respectful.”

“Tyrone makes a positive impact just by walking into the room,” said Lois Doyle, lead nurse in SHS. “I appreciate his humor and ability to get along with everyone.”

How did you come to �鶹��Ƶ:

I followed a former co-worker here.

Best day on the job:

Every day is my best day because I get to do what I love doing. Today is pretty remarkable after receiving notification of this honor. I have worked as a laboratory professional for 37 years, and this is a first for me.

What do you like best about working at �鶹��Ƶ:

My daily interactions with the students that come to SHS for care. I also love working with my workers and training them to work in the lab.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

I enjoy cooking, traveling, and spending time with my grandchildren.

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Fulbright awards expand George �鶹��Ƶ faculty and staff perspectives

Katarina Benson — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:50:52 +0000

Fulbright awards expand George �鶹��Ƶ faculty and staff perspectives Katarina Benson Mon, 08/04/2025 - 10:50

Each year, academic professionals teach and conduct research abroad through the highly competitive Fulbright Scholar Program. �鶹��Ƶ has a rich history of sending and hosting faculty and staff through the program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of State. This year, Frank Krueger of the College of Science, Nathalia Peixoto of the College of Engineering and Computing, and Yali Pan of the Office of International Programs and Services, received Fulbright awards.

Krueger is working with Tamagawa University.

Krueger, who is a professor of systems social neuroscience, received a Fulbright Scholars award to conduct social neuroscience research in Japan. Based at Tamagawa University in Tokyo, he will also be working on a project about cross-cultural relations to explore people’s perception of trust between the United States and Japan using epigenetic research.

“The interdisciplinary and cross-cultural nature of this Fulbright experience perfectly complements my research philosophy and will significantly advance my work,” said Krueger, who has previously collaborated with Tamagawa University.

“The George �鶹��Ƶ students participating in this research effort will develop a neurologically-based understanding of how individuals across cultures reflect the trust they do or don’t feel,” Krueger further explained.

Peixoto collaborated with Ugandan entrepreneurs. Photo provided

For Peixoto, spending a month in Uganda fulfilled a lifelong dream to go to Africa and has been incredibly rewarding. “I had never been to this continent, despite feeling like I belong here,” she said. “I am originally Brazilian, and I have always heard that Brazil has the largest population of people of African ancestry who live outside of Africa. Many Brazilians consider Africans our cousins, but I don’t know any Brazilians who have ever visited Africa. Now it is clear to me that I really needed to come.”

During her time in Africa, Peixoto, who holds a joint appointment in neuroscience with George �鶹��Ƶ’s College of Science, has also connected with the Ugandan business community, consulting on critical health and community projects.

Pan in a Korean hanbok during the program. Photo provided

In Pan’s role as assistant director of engagement and assessment in the Office of International Programs and Services, she provides programs and initiatives to help international students adjust and feel connected to the �鶹��Ƶ community. Pan was awarded an International Educator's Award to attend a two-week higher education administration seminar in South Korea.

“I saw this as a valuable opportunity to learn more about South Korea—a country that consistently ranks among the top five senders of international students to George �鶹��Ƶ,” said Pan. “I also have a deep appreciation for Korean culture and cuisine, and I was eager to experience it firsthand.”

Pan said she was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Fulbright International Education Administrator program and believes it was valuable to her work at George �鶹��Ƶ. “Opportunities like this—designed specifically for higher education administrators to gain a systematic understanding of international education—are rare, and this experience was truly transformative.”

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Telecia Taylor is August Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 21:22:39 +0000

Telecia Taylor is August Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Wed, 07/30/2025 - 17:22

Telecia Taylor has been an integral part of the �鶹��Ƶ Honors College since 2019. Now the assistant director of student programming and engagement for the college, she has been awarded August Employee of the Month for her dedication to fostering community and providing support for her students.

"Every day I'm grateful to know that Telecia is there for our students,” Honors College Dean Zofia Burr said. “She designs fun and relaxing activities that bring our students together, and she makes them all feel they belong.”

Taylor and Dr. Washington during the award ceremony. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Anthony Hoefer, Honors College associate dean for student engagement, admissions, and administration concurs. “Telecia is responsible for developing and implementing co-curricular programs that both foster a vibrant and inclusive community and broadly support student success in the Honors College,” he said. “Particularly for our residential students, she is the daily face of the Honors College.”

Taylor also gets rave reviews for her programming from the Honors College students. One residential student wrote: “Telecia Taylor plans so many meaningful events that get residents engaged, and her presence is always so cheerful and welcoming. I can truthfully say that the events and trips that I have gone on with Telecia have changed my life.”

Her colleagues also emphasized the impact of the initiatives she has created.

"Telecia has worked tirelessly to enhance the first-year student experience within the Honors College. She has proposed and implemented many initiatives to promote inclusive and meaningful social connections and professional pathways for her students," said Nadeen Makhlouf, term assistant professor in the Honors College.

“Every semester she creates opportunities for our faculty, staff and administrators to engage with Honors College students beyond the classroom,” Assistant Dean John Woolsey said. “The interactive social events she plans really help to create a sense of community and contribute to a larger culture of inclusion on campus.”

“Telecia is the go-to person in our department when creating opportunities to engage with students. She has shaped an environment where our students feel supported and empowered,” said Jasmyne Rogers, associate director for student support and retention.

How did you come to �鶹��Ƶ:

I came to �鶹��Ƶ in 2019 after working in University Housing at Georgia Southern University. The work that I do with residential learning communities has a special place in

my heart, and with [this region] being home, I did not hesitate to apply for my position in the Honors College.

Best day on the job:

Witnessing moments of connection between students. No matter how big or small the interaction is, I like to see our students come together in community, especially while they are enjoying new experiences.

What do you like best about working at �鶹��Ƶ:

I enjoy the collaborative nature of campus life. While working with my colleagues in Honors and offices across campus, we recognize that we are here to support the students and help them grow into the best version of themselves.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

I like to find new dessert spots, especially if ube or matcha is on the menu.

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Innovation Awards recognize George �鶹��Ƶ researchers

Colleen Rich — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 15:00:11 +0000

Innovation Awards recognize George �鶹��Ƶ researchers Colleen Rich Thu, 06/26/2025 - 11:00

In May, �鶹��Ƶ celebrated its research enterprise with Innovation Awards. Hosted by the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact, the event recognized researchers, a start-up, and those who received and/or licensed a patent in the past two years.

From left, George �鶹��Ƶ researchers Lance Sherry, Mikell Paige, and Craig Yu received Innovator Awards. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

“We're deeply committed to fostering a research environment that encourages innovation and supports discovery,” said Provost James Antony in his opening remarks. “We want to ensure that the faculty have the tools, the partnerships, and the resources that they need to take their ideas further.”

Antony also commended the researchers for mentoring George �鶹��Ƶ students. “You set a powerful example for emerging scholars. You show them what it's like to be both a researcher and a changemaker.”

At the event, the university awarded its second �鶹��Ƶ Lifetime Disclosure Award, which recognizes a researcher with the most innovation disclosures. The first recipient was Lance Liotta, codirector and cofounder of the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM). It was Liotta who presented this year’s award to his CAPMM cofounder and codirector Emanuel Petricoin.

Petricoin, who joined George �鶹��Ƶ in 2005, is a cofounder of four life science companies: Theranostics Health Inc., Ceres Nanosciences Inc., C-4 Diagnostics Inc., and Perthera Inc. He also is a coinventor on 40+ patents and has published more than 350 peer-reviewed publications.

CAPMM's Kelsey Mitchell with Paula Sorrell, associate vice president of innovation and economic development. Photo by Ayman Rashid/Office of University Branding

This year’s �鶹��Ƶ Start-Up of the Year went to Mingkui Wei, an associate professor in the Department of Cyber Security Engineering, and his company CyberMirage. CyberMirage, which started as a collaborative research project involving researchers in network security with experts from both academia and industry, offers solutions to protect websites against web content theft and copyright infringement.

Three groups of researchers received George �鶹��Ƶ Licensed Technology Awards, which celebrates when a protected intellectual property, such as a patent, is licensed by a company.

Kathryn Laskey of the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) and Paul Houser of the Geography and Geoinformation Science Department in the College of Science had their prototype system licensed by Global MapAid, a nonprofit working in Africa. The technology maps groundwater to help small farmers locate better wells and create soil conservation programs.
Leading biotechnology tools provider Targeted Bioscience licensed a tissue collection method patented by the CAPMM team of Liotta, Alessandra Luchini, Marissa Howard, and biosciences PhD candidate Purva Gade.
Toronto-based Affinity Diagnostics licensed a method for sequestering and/or isolating analytes of interest from an oral fluid, also developed by a CAPMM team. Researchers Ahana Byne, Fatah Kashanchi, and Kelsey Mitchell joined Luchini, Liotta, and Howard on this award.

The Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact also gave out Innovator Awards in the categories of sustainability, biohealth innovation, and digital innovation.

CEC’s Lance Sherry was recognized with the Innovators Award in Sustainability for his work with contrail mitigation. His pioneering research and technologies have not only enhanced flight safety and operational efficiencies but have also addressed aviation's growing efforts to track and mitigate the environmental impacts and to quantify their CO2 equivalency.

The College of Science’s Mikell Paige was recognized with the Innovators Award in Biohealth Innovation for his groundbreaking work in biochemistry at the interface of synthetic organic chemistry, drug discovery, and molecular design. His work focuses on designing small molecules that target computational modeling and biochemical assays to produce drug development in meaningful and practical ways.

Craig Yu of the College of Engineering and Computing received the Innovators Award in Digital Innovation for developing groundbreaking systems that redefine how people interact with virtual and augmented spaces. Through his research, Yu has developed a more human-centered approach to navigation, designing digital pathways that take into account physical effort and make virtual experiences more natural and inclusive.

“At George �鶹��Ƶ, we’re not just advancing research—we’re building a culture of innovation that has real-world impact,” said Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact. “These awards are about honoring the bold ideas and the committed people who move the university’s research forward—and outward—into the world. They represent the spirit of innovation that defines our university: impactful, collaborative, and driven by a desire to make a difference far beyond our campus.”

The awards the researchers took home for patents and licensed technologies have a special design. They are Plexiglas hexagons with magnets so researchers can add to their award over the years as they receive patents/licensing.

The researchers and teams behind 19 George �鶹��Ƶ patents were also recognized.

Compositions and methods for laser capture microdissection—Virginia Espina, Lance Liotta, and Alessandra Luchini
Collapsible fluid collection system for point-of-care diagnostics—Marissa Howard, Liotta, Luchini, and Kelsey Mitchell
Honey proteomics for honeybee disease and environmental biomonitoring—Liotta and Luchini
Antimicrobial peptides and related methods—Shravani Bobde
Molecularly imprinted particles—Barney Bishop, Mrinalini Ramanan, and Yaling Zhu
Systems and methods for coordinating travel through traffic lights—Melvin Friedman and Brian Mark
Impactor platform allowing freefall upon impact—David Cerri
Recombinant host cell with heterologous nucleic acids encoding SHREK proteins—Deemah Dabbagh and Yuntao Wu
Methods for breast cancer treatment—Emanuel Petricoin and Julia Wulfkuhle
Anti-fibrotic agent—Mikell Paige and Gregory Petruncio
Using Wi-Fi infrastructure to predict locations and contacts—Janusz Wojtusiak
Methods and systems for system call reduction—Kun Sun
Systems and methods for improved aircraft safety—Lance Sherry
Exertion-aware path generation—Lap-Fai (Craig) Yu
Complex user authentication factor integrating a sequence of fingerprints and a personal identification number—Massimiliano Albanese
Small molecule inhibitors of SLC25A1—Mikell Paige
Mining all atom simulations for diagnosing and treating disease—Mohsin Jafri
Antimicrobial peptides and related methods—Monique van Hoek
Look-up table containing processor-in-memory cluster for data-intensive applications—Sai Manoj and Sathwika Bavikadi

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Jenny Chism is the July Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:04:55 +0000

Jenny Chism is the July Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Wed, 06/25/2025 - 16:04

Jennifer (Jenny) Chism, assistant dean of Admissions, has been an integral part of �鶹��Ƶ’s Office of Admissions since 2021. She recently led the charge for the Office of Admissions to adopt new and better technology, which has greatly improved both George �鶹��Ƶ’s application process and the office’s efficiency. For her leadership, she is being recognized as the July Employee of the Month.

July Employee of the Month Jenny Chism with President Gregory Washington. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

In their nomination letters, her colleagues emphasized her hard work, dedication, and positive attitude, despite her heavy workload.

“From the moment Jenny arrived, her commitment to enhancing and improving the applicant experience through the application process has been evident,” said Crystal Buckley, director of graduate admissions. “We would not be where we are today without her vision and dedication.”

Stephanie Lowe, associate director of transfer operations, said, “Jenny is not only a forward-thinking innovator but also a compassionate leader. She consistently demonstrates empathy and understanding.”

“Jenny consistently displays strong leadership, tirelessly works to advance the processing efforts of our large team in Admissions, and selflessly gives of her time and her talent well beyond what is expected of her role,” said Melissa A. Bevacqua, director of admissions for transfer recruitment.

Byron Whitehead, document center manager in Admissions, said, “She leads with mutual respect, trusts and cares for her team, and speaks up the moment she has a concern or can see an area for improvement. To put it simply, she is the best boss I’ve ever had, and I cannot imagine what things would be like without her.”

How did you come to �鶹��Ƶ:

I joined George �鶹��Ƶ from St. Louis, Missouri, where I served as the associate vice president of enrollment management at a private liberal arts institution. My journey in higher education began at the University of Missouri – Columbia, and I’ve been passionate about expanding access and driving student success ever since.

Best day on the job:

It’s hard to pick one favorite day on the job. Every day feels like a win when you see your team thriving. Watching them grow in confidence, both personally and professionally, is incredibly rewarding. And when the team is clicking, and the energy is high—when the vibes are right, as the young people say—it’s pretty tough to beat.

What do you like best about working at �鶹��Ƶ:

I love being part of the education community because I know that each day, my work makes a meaningful impact in the lives of individual students and on a broader scale. I remain deeply committed, grounded in the belief in the transformative power of education and its ability to create lasting, positive change in the world.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me doing something that fills my cup; I love traveling to spend time with our friends and family. At home in Arlington, my husband and I dote on our elderly golden doodle, Bear, FaceTime with our nieces and nephews, and daydream about (or plan!) our next adventure, whether it's domestic or abroad. I also love to cook, bake cookies, dive into topics in counseling psychology and personal well-being, do yoga, and take long walks to unwind. Some of my favorite moments are the simple ones: sitting on our apartment rooftop with a charcuterie board or watching the sunset from the pool after most people have headed home for the day.

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A record number of George �鶹��Ƶ students chosen as prestigious Gilman Scholars

Katarina Benson — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:13:07 +0000

A record number of George �鶹��Ƶ students chosen as prestigious Gilman Scholars Katarina Benson Tue, 06/24/2025 - 12:13

Fourteen �鶹��Ƶ students, from a variety of majors, were chosen as recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for study abroad.

The U.S. Department of State’s competitive, merit-based Gilman Scholarship Program supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity.

The most represented majors among the scholarship recipients included computer science with three awardees and business with two recipients.

Six students will be undertaking Global Internship Programs.

Matthew Nguyen, computer science major currently interning in Japan.

The students are studying in the following countries: Australia, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, Spain, and France. The top destination is South Korea.

For many students, this award allows them to fulfill long-held dreams.

“As a first-generation college student, receiving the Gilman Scholarship has been instrumental in supporting both my educational and career goals,” said Bridgette Denley, a kinesiology major studying in New Zealand. “The financial assistance allowed me to fully dedicate myself to my academics, skill development, and professional growth without the added burden of financial stress. I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity.”

“The Gilman award helped me fund my childhood dream to travel and explore abroad,” said computer science major Matthew Nguyen, who is currently interning in Japan.

“Gilman has given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I’m deeply grateful to be blessed with an experience I’ll carry with me forever,” said Hulaymatou Chongan, who is spending the summer studying in Granada, Spain.

Hulaymatou Chongon, criminology major participating in the Spanish Language and Culture in Granada: �鶹��Ƶ-Led, Summer program.

“The Gilman Scholarship provided an amazing opportunity for a student like me to be able to afford the privilege to study and immerse myself in a different culture, that farther enriches my global understanding and appreciation," Hoang Nguyen, a civil engineering major studying in Australia.

For Camila Arrazola, a business major who will be attending �鶹��Ƶ Korea in the fall, the Gilman Scholarship means more possibilities. “I was rejected the first time I applied and started to believe studying abroad wasn’t meant for me. Being selected now proves that my story matters and that I belong in global spaces.”

The Gilman Program received a record high of 17,000 applications across the 2024-25 academic year and awarded scholarships to 3,500 undergraduate students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia in spring 2025 to study abroad in more than 170 countries.

Megan Bruening, director of the Office of Fellowships, also reports George �鶹��Ƶ students sent in a record number of applications this year and the university’s success rate went from around 25% to 42%.

“The record number of awardees demonstrates that George �鶹��Ƶ is dedicated to promoting international education as a key part of the college experience and making international education accessible for all,” said Bruening.

“Both the increase in applications and success rate could be attributed to the Global Education Office and the Fellowship Office doing more to promote the opportunity and provide avenues for students to discuss their applications and seek advice,” said Marie alice Arnold, associate director of strategic initiatives and experiential learning. “The students, even those who were not awarded, had wonderful applications and are doing some very interesting things.”

Gilman Scholarship Recipients:

Hasan Al-Aayedi, Czechia, Computer Science

Camila Arrazola, South Korea, Business

Jocelyn Atya, Honors College, Italy, Neuroscience

Hulaymatou Chongan, Spain, Criminology, Law, and Society

Sophia Colby, Honors College, Finland, Environmental and Sustainability Studies

Bridgette Denley, New Zealand, Kinesiology

Riya Ghotra, Honors College, South Korea, Computer Science

Saida Ladhari, Ireland, Government and International Politics

Maria Lopez-Lopez, Spain, Psychology

Hoang Nguyen, Australia, Civil and Infrastructure Engineering

Matthew Nguyen, Japan, Computer Science

Brynne Severns, Honors College, Netherlands, Forensic Science

Emily So, France, Business

Susannah Stevenson, Honors College, South Korea, Global Affairs

Additional reporting by Marie alice Arnold.

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Joy Sobieralski is June Employee of the Month

Katarina Benson — Thu, 29 May 2025 17:08:42 +0000

Joy Sobieralski is June Employee of the Month Katarina Benson Thu, 05/29/2025 - 13:08

Since 2007, Joy Sobieralski has been an essential part of �鶹��Ƶ as the financial reporting manager. Before her transition to Fiscal Services, she worked as a senior internal auditor in the Internal Audit Office. For her expertise and dedication, she is recognized as the June Employee of the Month.

Joy Sobieralski's Employee of the Month ceremony took place virtually. Photo provided

Nusrat Sultana, director of financial reporting in Fiscal Services, emphasized the importance of Sobieralski’s work, saying, “she has played a pivotal role in launching several critical initiatives in the department and has consistently contributed innovative solutions. She ensures that we are careful stewards of university resources."

Amid significant changes in accounting regulations and the accounting department over the past few years, Teresa Klock-Taube, associate vice president and controller in Fiscal Services, and Claire Wurmfeld, associate controller, have found Sobieralski 's expertise and consistent dedication to be a testament to her resilience and unwavering commitment to George �鶹��Ƶ's success.

“Joy's expertise in navigating increasingly complex accounting standards and implementing new regulations with precision has firmly established her as a trusted leader,” Klock-Taube said.

“Joy is an asset to the unit and the university,” said Wurmfeld.

Colleagues also said they value Sobieralski 's willingness to go above and beyond to meet deadlines and to ensure that the university's accounting records and financial statements are accurate and complete.”

“Joy’s deep understanding of the university's and [�鶹��Ƶ] Foundation's complex financial data and rating agency ratios has been invaluable in ensuring successful communication of its financial situation to the rating agencies,” said Monica Michaud, now-retired director of Finance and Debt Management. “Her technical proficiency makes her an indispensable member of the team, and her work continues to have a significant, positive impact on the university’s and foundation's ratings.”

How did you come to �鶹��Ƶ:

I grew up in Reston and always knew about George �鶹��Ƶ, but it was after my husband started at the university and spoke so positively about the environment that I decided to explore opportunities here.

Best day on the job:

I look forward to the financial statement submission date each year because it is a culmination of a huge team effort and meeting the deadline provides a great sense of accomplishment.

What do you like best about working at �鶹��Ƶ:

Definitely the people. Being surrounded by supportive, driven, and talented colleagues makes every day enjoyable and rewarding. Their collaboration, encouragement, and shared sense of purpose creates an environment where I feel valued and motivated to contribute my best work.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:

My son plays baseball, so my husband and I spend a lot of time at the baseball field. He graduates from high school this year and will play in college, so we are looking forward to visiting new places and watching him compete. I also enjoy reading and spending time with our French bulldog, Cooper. If you’ve been on a call with me, you’ve probably heard him snoring in the background.

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Senior of the Year champions kindness

Katarina Benson — Tue, 13 May 2025 18:36:17 +0000

Senior of the Year champions kindness Katarina Benson Tue, 05/13/2025 - 14:36

Senior of the Year Haley White said double majoring in business and art history was one of the best decisions she made during her time at �鶹��Ƶ. Her second best decision was joining the �鶹��Ƶ Chooses Kindness initiative.

White, who is from Lynchburg, Virginia, has been a driving force behind �鶹��Ƶ Chooses Kindness since 2023. “The idea behind the initiative really spoke to me,” she said. “I was raised to be polite, give back, and be kind, and I feel like we can always benefit from more kindness to ourselves and others. It’s not always about giving a compliment or holding a door—though those things are great, sometimes it’s about doing hard things, and �鶹��Ƶ Chooses Kindness really seemed to understand this.”

Haley White. Photo provided.

For her dedication to kindness in both her personal and professional life, White was named Senior of the Year by the �鶹��Ƶ Alumni Association. She will be recognized at the association’s annual Celebration of Distinction this fall.

During her four years at George �鶹��Ƶ, White has been very active with the Costello College of Business, where she works as a business engagement assistant. She was one of the main contributors and design lead on Costello's 47-page handbook on implementing well-being projects and co-authored an article on Costello’s introduction of kindness into their course curriculum.

“We do not know what we will do without her [when she graduates],” said Gretchen Hendricks, term instructor at Costello. “Haley has been an instrumental part of the ‘goodwill team’ within the Costello College of Business.”

In November 2024, White led 75 students, faculty, staff, and alumni volunteers and helped organize the largest Day of Service event in Costello’s history, resulting in 3,000 lbs. of food packed to support the Patriot Pantry.

“Haley embodies the best of George �鶹��Ƶ students,” said Christine Landoll, BS Accounting ’89, MS Taxation ’92, director of business engagement at Costello and White’s mentor. “She is strong academically, strong civically, strong philanthropically, and a kind and compassionate human.”

White said she fell in love with art history when she enrolled in ARTH 101 Introduction to Visual Arts to meet a �鶹��Ƶ Core requirement. First, she added art history to her coursework as a minor and then realized she needed to just add it as a second major.

Looking forward to where the road after graduation takes her, White said she hopes to travel more and “be happy with what I am doing. I have a lot more to learn, and I hope in 10 years I can look back and be proud of myself for all it took to get me there.”

And of course, kindness will be a part of that future. “I have become more intentional and more aware of what kindness looks like, and it is something that I am going to take into my future work and continue being an ‘ambassador’ for in my personal life,” she said.

Being kind to oneself is a core piece of White’s advice for incoming freshmen.

“It can be easy to beat yourself up when you get a question wrong or feel like you are behind others or not doing ‘enough,’” she said. “You don't have to be perfect every day or even do as much as you did yesterday—focus on being kind to yourself, doing the best you can each day, and even if you are afraid, reach out for help when you need it. Extending yourself kindness every day is a worthwhile practice.”

In This Story

Christine Landoll

Learn about �鶹��Ƶ Chooses Kindness

Anthropology student digs deep at Department of Commerce internship

Katarina Benson — Wed, 07 May 2025 19:40:46 +0000

Anthropology student digs deep at Department of Commerce internship Katarina Benson Wed, 05/07/2025 - 15:40

Zain Alzubaidy, a senior anthropology major at �鶹��Ƶ, recently completed an internship with the United States Department of Commerce. He worked in the Advocacy Center, a government service that provides commercial diplomatic support to American businesses in foreign markets.

The majority of Alzubaidy’s internship focused on potential partners for the Advocacy Center. He was responsible for researching applicants and presenting his findings to his colleagues, who ultimately decided if they would partner with the company.

One of his most memorable projects was crafting a persuasive letter to a foreign head of state on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce at the time, making the case for a business to be awarded a multi-trillion-dollar contract.

Zain Alzubaidy. Photo provided

“It’s one thing to read about these deals in the news, but it’s entirely different to take part in them. Assignments like those made me proud that I was part of something notable,” he said.

His passion for understanding people and cultures is what initially led him to take anthropology at the international baccalaureate level as a senior at Annandale High School. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to major in the subject at George �鶹��Ƶ.

“I can recall being astounded by how people have such different ways of thinking and living,” he said. “My experience in that class stuck with me, and when I got to George �鶹��Ƶ it felt an easy decision to study anthropology.”

He specifically credits his writing classes with teaching him the skills necessary for his role. “I developed strong research and writing skills [in those classes], which I absolutely needed to use in the Advocacy Center. If I didn’t have the writing and research skills that I developed at George �鶹��Ƶ, I would not have been able perform my job to the best of my ability. "

Alzubaidy graduates this May and his future goals include doing further diplomatic work, possibly in the same vein as his Advocacy Center work, and maybe even running for public office down the road.

“I feel like I have not only the competency and capability to do well in those areas, but also the right intentions,” he said. “Helping others will always be a goal of mine, so I will try my best to do that wherever I decide to work.”

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Katarina Benson

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