Schar School

Can AI expand access to legal services? This aspiring lawyer hopes to find the answer.

Sarah Holland — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:23:17 +0000

Can AI expand access to legal services? This aspiring lawyer hopes to find the answer. Sarah Holland Fri, 09/05/2025 - 15:23

With an associate’s degree from Northern Virginia Community College already in hand by the time she graduated high school, Sharanya Maddukuri was determined to make the most of her final two undergraduate years. Because of its top ranking in Virginia for internships, �鶹��Ƶ was the place for her.

Maddukuri, an Honors College student, is majoring in government and international politics with a minor in ethics and artificial intelligence (AI) and wants to attend law school. She’s already hit the ground running, landing two internships at the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in Washington, D.C., during spring and summer semesters in 2025.

How did you find your internship with the LSC?

I’m in the [Schar School of Policy and Government] mentorship program, and I’m paired with Tim O’Shea, BA Government and International Politics ’19. He’s currently a lawyer for the government. I told him about how I was having trouble finding an internship for the spring 2025 semester, and he recommended I look at opportunities with LSC.

You’ve interned in two different sectors of LSC. Your first internship in the spring was with the Pro Bono Innovation Fund (PBIF). What kind of work did you do?

Basically, the PBIF offers grants to legal aid organizations across the nation to help them engage more lawyers and non-legal professionals in pro bono services to help close the justice gap. So, one of my main projects was a five‑month audit of the Pro Bono Innovation Fund, where I analyzed data from 30 legal aid organizations. After presenting my findings, I realized my work had sparked a genuine shift in how the team approached its largest grant, which made this project one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had.

I also helped my supervisor plan a panel on pro bono work for the Equal Justice Conference in San Francisco, and I got to attend the conference to see the panel I had worked on for five months come to life! I had the opportunity to hear about pro bono cases all around the world, like a case of international kidnapping where private attorneys from a big law firm stepped in to provide resources and help the client. Hearing about these cases where pro bono made a difference was really inspiring.

In the summer, you transitioned to the Disaster Grants Program within LSC. How did your responsibilities change?

In the Disaster Grants Program, I mainly worked on the Legal Aid Disaster and Heartland websites, which are both resources for legal aid professionals working in disaster areas and for disaster survivors. One exciting project I did was paving the way for a site-wide content audit to support the development of an AI chatbot, which will greatly assist disaster survivors navigating the plethora of legal issues that arise after a disaster.

Maddukuri in front of the LSC sign in their office. Photo provided.

You mentioned the justice gap: Is this an issue you’re passionate about?

Yes, definitely. The justice gap has been growing since the ‘80s, and LSC reports that low-income Americans did not receive any or enough legal help for 92% of their civil legal problems. Having been exposed to the ways that legal aid organizations and LSC are using AI, I know I want to pursue a career helping legal aid organizations incorporate AI. Using AI responsibly to help reduce the load of their intake processes for applications, developing AI self-help resources for legal advice or completing paperwork, or even chatbots that can provide translation services: Those would really help people who don’t have access to legal services, and therefore would help narrow that gap. I would love to be at the forefront of that.

How have your experiences at George �鶹��Ƶ helped prepare you for the responsibilities of your internships?

The Jurisprudence Learning Community (JPLC) in the Schar School has been really helpful in equipping me with pre-law resources. The director of the JPLC, Assistant Professor Shea Holman Kilian, has been a great resource as well, particularly helping me prepare to apply for the internship. And her class is also very similar to a class you would take your first year of law school, so I feel better prepared for law school when it’s time.

Law and Society with [assistant professor] Kelly Richter was a welcome challenge and incredibly helpful. We analyzed the dynamic relationship where society shapes the law, and in turn, the law shapes society. And since I took that course in the spring, I was learning about procedural justice and all its complications while developing this pro bono panel that talked about procedural justice. I got to use what I was learning to develop my work.

And my courses with the Honors College prepared me with research skills that I’ve been able to use at LSC.

What have you gained from your time with LSC?

After this experience, I’ve decided that once I become a lawyer, I’ll be doing pro bono work, no matter what. I think it instilled that culture of service and caring about the community and really help reinforce that law is where I want to be. I believe in LSC’s mission now more than ever, and having had my eye on this profession since I was 11, this experience has only made me more certain that it’s the right place for me.

Learn more about Schar School of Policy and Government

Learn more about the Honors College

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Jurisprudence Learning Community

Schar School of Policy and Government

Schar School Student Spotlight

Schar School Featured Stories

Graduating Schar student raises the bar with her professional experiences

Shayla Brown — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 14:59:20 +0000

Graduating Schar student raises the bar with her professional experiences Shayla Brown Mon, 12/16/2024 - 09:59

When Daksha Magesh came to �鶹��Ƶ as a freshman in 2021, she already had an impressive resumé.

“My first experience with government came from when I was working on senate campaigns in high school. I knocked on doors, answered phones, worked on advertisements and expenditure tracking. It made me really curious about what it was like to be in government,” said Magesh, a government and international politics major and government analytics minor.

The Honors College student was working for federal prosecutor Manka Dhingra of the 45th District from her hometown of Seattle, Washington. Magesh says that’s where her interest in law comes from.

“I figured that if I’m going to be a lawyer, I might as well know how the government really works, so that's part of the reason why I chose this major for my future,” she said.

Since then, she has also worked for the Washington Senate Democratic Campaign and legal nonprofits, such as the Seattle Clemency Project.

“I was working with people who were sentenced at a young age and have been in jail for a really long time. We were helping them to get clemency and rehabilitation for early releases because they've served 25 plus year sentences,” said Magesh. “They are now 50 to 60 years old and have served their sentences. It’s really time they come out and be productive members of society.”

Magesh has also worked for the South Asian Bar Association, a collective of all the major South Asian lawyers in the country.

“I'm really grateful for all the people that I worked with while I was there. They were all very welcoming and it was the first time that I got to work with people that were of the same identity as me,” said Magesh.

“I love all of these experiences, but walking into a room and having everyone look like me in my field is incredibly rare. It was so cool,” said Magesh.

Magesh also worked with Schar associate professor Jennifer Victor on her Undergraduate Research Assistant Program team doing congressional caucus literature review as research for Victor’s new book.

Magesh worked with Victor again as a teaching assistant for her GOVT 103: Introduction to American Government course. “I taught recitations every Friday and my class was amazing. I tried to make recitations fun with a game or interactive experience, and I got really good feedback at the end of the year. It was a great experience,” said Magesh.

Daksha Magesh. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding.

What’s your best memory at George �鶹��Ƶ?

George �鶹��Ƶ movie nights are my go-to. My friends and I just get a bunch of snacks, cuddle up on the couch, and watch something fun. I also love �鶹��Ƶ Day. My resident advisor and close friend Kennedi took me to my first one. The weather was perfect and I remember thinking ‘oh my God, there’s a Ferris wheel and a roller coaster.’ We had such a great time.

How have you grown at George �鶹��Ƶ?

I really came out of my shell. I'm such an introvert and I was so scared because George �鶹��Ƶ was very intimidating, and it was hard for me to make friends at first. But I've really impressed myself with the way that I was able to connect to new people. I’m also a Schar School Liaison and secretary of the Honors Recruitment Team, so connecting with people is one of the biggest things that you have to learn and that skill is definitely something I learned from my time at George �鶹��Ƶ.

What advice do you have for incoming students?

The biggest thing is time management. Organize your time by keeping a calendar or a planner and writing down your assignments. Also networking and meeting people. Don’t be afraid to go up and introduce yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or cold emailing. I’ve gotten two of my biggest internships through cold emailing. And another, with the [Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia] that I got through networking. Make sure you’re talking to people, whether that's professors or professionals, in your field.

What’s next for you?

I hope to pursue my legal career further. I'll definitely apply to law school in the future and be studying for the LSAT. I want to explore options on the East Coast, as I've really grown to love it. Ideally, I want to be able to work in a firm. It has always been my dream to be a lawyer and I will definitely achieve that.

Start your own academic journey at George �鶹��Ƶ

In This Story

Jennifer N. Victor

Topics

Undergraduate Research Assistant Program

Students

Schar School News for December 2024

Schar School Student Spotlight

American Society for Criminologists awards highlight special bond

Damian Cristodero — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 21:35:35 +0000

American Society for Criminologists awards highlight special bond Damian Cristodero Mon, 11/13/2023 - 16:35

Faye Taxman, a health services criminologist and Distinguished University Professor in �鶹��Ƶ’s Schar School of Policy and Government, has mentored C.J. Appleton, a PhD student in Criminology, Law, and Society, since 2019.

They have worked together at �鶹��Ƶ’s Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE), of which Taxman is the director, building a professional relationship that accelerated Appleton’s evolution as a scholar and provided the center with what Taxman calls “a role model for the field.”

So it is with great pleasure for both that they will be honored at this week’s American Society for Criminologists (ASC) annual meeting in Philadelphia.

Faye Taxman. Photo by Office of University Branding

Taxman, part will receive the August Vollmer Award, given to someone whose scholarship and professional activities have made outstanding contributions to justice and/or the treatment or prevention of criminal or delinquent behavior.

Appleton will receive the Ruth D. Peterson Fellowship for Racial and Ethnic Diversity, which encourages students of color, especially from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the field, to enter the fields of criminology and criminal justice.

“For me, to be on this journey with her and to have learned from her and to see how talented and incredible she is, it’s an honor and pretty special that we both can receive something at the same time,” Appleton said.

“It’s awesome,” Taxman said. “It makes me very happy.”

Their story began in 2018, when Appleton basically cold-called Taxman in an email to ask about �鶹��Ƶ’s PhD programs. Appleton had turned his life around after several years in correctional institutions for an assortment of drug possession and probation violations, and earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology/anthropology at Lewis & Clark College, and a master’s degree in sociology from Portland State University.

They met later at an ASC meeting and quickly learned their visions aligned. In fact, Appleton said, “[Taxman] is the reason I chose �鶹��Ƶ.”

C.J. Appleton

“What I see in C.J. is a person who has endured a lot of struggles in his life and benefited from good, quality rehabilitative treatment services and wants to give back to the next generation,” Taxman said. “He embraces the notion that any of us can serve our community. His way is by mentoring and helping people understand that when people in society don’t do well, there are ways to help them so they can pursue a more productive life and be a productive citizen.”

Appleton said Taxman immediately made him feel part of the ACE team instead of what he called “a worker bee doing tasks for other people.”

“I have been put in charge of various aspects and components for the last five years and because of that I have a lot of confidence, not just in my skills but in my ability to figure it out,” Appleton said. “That’s one of the biggest things I’ve gotten in my experience at �鶹��Ƶ, just confidence that comes through being put in the fire and being supported.”

Appleton said he is most proud of his research with a team that created a free resource available on ACE’s website that explains best practices and guidelines in administering probation conditions. That led to ongoing work with the state of Massachusetts to revamp its condition-setting practices.

Taxman, as Schar School dean Mark J. Rozell said, “is a powerhouse whose work on criminal justice reform reaches well beyond the academe to inform public discourse and policymaking.”

“I’ve been able to develop models about how to implement improvements in how the criminal legal system can actually help people change and reduce their criminal behavior,” Taxman said. “So this award means that I am recognized, but that my work is recognized in terms of highlighting to the next generation of researchers the different ways people can pursue having an impact on public policy and engage public institutions in change.”

A lesson that helped lead Appleton to success.

Learn more about the Schar School of Policy and Government

In This Story

Faye S. Taxman

Topics

Schar School

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

criminology law and society

diversity

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice Reform

Research

Building Businesses

Priyanka Champaneri — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 17:48:06 +0000

Building Businesses Priyanka Champaneri Wed, 11/08/2023 - 12:48

Entrepreneur Eman Pahlavani, BS Political Science ’09, says he found his time at �鶹��Ƶ transformational and the social networking skills he developed as a student have been instrumental in his success as an entrepreneur.

�鶹��Ƶ alum Eman Pahlavani is interested in creating purpose-driven companies that can make a positive impact.

“Attending �鶹��Ƶ was a crash course in how to think, talk, and connect with other people,” says Pahlavani. “I was a shy person when I arrived, and I really blossomed in that environment.”

Born and raised in Loudoun County, Pahlavani attended Northern Virginia Community College before transferring to �鶹��Ƶ. After graduating, he earned a juris doctor from the University of New Hampshire Law School in 2012.

One of his first entrepreneurial endeavors was founding LiveSafe, a personal safety mobile application that has since become a global enterprise. LiveSafe was acquired by Vector Solutions in 2020.

During development of LiveSafe, Pahlavani noticed the office staff didn’t have a lot of choices for workplace lunches. With that observation, a new venture was born—HUNGRY, a tech-enabled platform for office and event catering, connecting corporate clients to talented local independent chefs.

“I am a business builder at heart,” says Pahlavani, founder and chief operating officer of HUNGRY. “I identify a problem and find a business solution to solve it.”

Launched in 2017, HUNGRY has experienced exponential growth and now serves more than 15 major markets. In response to the pandemic and the changing office landscape, HUNGRY continues to innovate and has added a number of new options, including meal delivery and virtual chef experiences. This type of growth has earned them a spot on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies two years in a row.

For Pahlavani, it’s not just about growth, it’s also about doing good. HUNGRY donates one meal for every two meals sold to help end hunger in the United States and, working with its partner Feeding America, has contributed more than half a million meals to date.

“HUNGRY is a purpose-driven company dedicated to improving the lives of everyone we touch,” he says. “Every business should have a component of good.”

Learn �鶹��Ƶ Political Science at �鶹��Ƶ

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Hispanic and Latinx Patriots share their cultural touchstones for Hispanic Heritage Month

Sarah Holland — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 22:50:26 +0000

Hispanic and Latinx Patriots share their cultural touchstones for Hispanic Heritage Month Sarah Holland Wed, 10/11/2023 - 18:50

National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 through October 15 each year, recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic and Latinx Americans to United States history, culture, and achievements.

�鶹��Ƶ enrolls and graduates the Mid-Atlantic region’s largest population of Hispanic and Latinx students, and we celebrate the varied and diverse contributions of our students every day through our 90% acceptance rate, an above-average graduation rate, and more than 400 student organizations.

Meet some of our students, faculty, and staff who represent the varied experience of Hispanic and Latinx Americans.

View an accessible PDF version

Conoce la Universidad George �鶹��Ƶ

Stories from our Hispanic and Latinx community

Hispanic and Latinx Patriots share their cultural touchstones for Hispanic Heritage Month
October 11, 2023
New �鶹��Ƶ summer program shows high school students the value of a STEM degree
August 15, 2023
Film festival explores ‘the way of life’ in various Spanish-speaking countries
September 7, 2022
�鶹��Ƶ teams with Dominion Energy, HACU for Summer Bridge Program
July 27, 2022
Hispanic Heritage Month: Faculty Spotlight
October 12, 2021

Topics

Hispanic Heritage Month

Students

Campus News

Costello College of Business

College of Humanities and Social Science

Wilkins Lecture offers a critical look at how to solve poverty in America

Shayla Brown — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 18:45:24 +0000

Wilkins Lecture offers a critical look at how to solve poverty in America Shayla Brown Wed, 09/27/2023 - 14:45

�鶹��Ƶ’s annual Roger Wilkins Lecture is a tribute to the late Robinson Professor Emeritus of History and American Culture, and Wilkins’ daughter, Elizabeth, was on hand Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Harris Theater to introduce this year’s guest speaker, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond.

Pulitzer Prize winner Matthew Desmond, guest speaker for the 2023 Roger Wilkins Lecture in Harris Theater. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding.

“After reading both of [Desmond’s] books, I have come away with a sense of a person whose passion for justice and whose hatred for injustice paralleled that of my dad,” she said. “Both men have relentlessly centered people—real people, disempowered people, poor people—in their work. Neither of them will let us look away.”

The lecture, attended by about 325 people, featured Desmond’s latest book “Poverty, by America.” Desmond spoke about his personal experiences with poverty throughout his life, his encounters with others affected by social-economic injustices such as eviction, and implementable government policies that could greatly decrease the number of families and individuals living in poverty.

The lecture is sponsored by the Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) Program, a collaborative effort between the Schar School of Policy and Government and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The final portion of the evening consisted of a Q&A run by Wendi Manuel-Scott, professor of integrative studies and history, and a book signing by Desmond.

One audience member asked whether mission-focused nonprofits and co-ops that are not focused on maximizing profits could help solve the housing problem.

Desmond said that it’s possible but challenging, and it would require federal guidance for wide implementation. He gave the example of a tenant union in Minneapolis that was trying to turn their buildings into a co-op and asked the landlord to sell them the buildings. He set the asking price at $7 million. They countered with a fair market price.

“But [the landlord] got fed up because the tenants were also advocating, so he gave everyone an eviction notice. Everything came to a head—they were either going to be homeowners or homeless,” Desmond said. The tenants ultimately won and bought the buildings, and they are still a co-op today, he added.

Another audience member asked why the top 1% don’t pay their fair share of taxes, which would go toward $175 billion estimated need to end poverty?

“One is the worry that if you tax affluent Americans too much, they will leave the country, so instead of having a little tax from them, we’d have none,” Desmond said. He also pointed to fears of empowering the Internal Revenue Service, an already troubled institution. “Some propose a whole new federal agency, that would essentially be a ‘making sure rich people pay their taxes’ bureau, and if you make under a certain amount, the bottom 95%, they will have absolutely nothing to do with you.”

Desmond was also asked about the challenge of national rhetoric interfering with practical local problem-solving movements.

“I think that polarization is both very frustrating and encouraging,” Desmond said. “Surveys show that most Americans think that minimum wage is too low, the rich aren’t paying their fair share of taxes, and most Democrats and Republicans believe that poverty is the result of structural failing, not a moral failing. That’s encouraging.”

“The call for a robust antipoverty movement means we might disagree on gun rights or abortion, but we both want higher wages and fairer taxes,” he added. “That kind of movement is harder to make in America.”

“Poverty isn’t simply the condition of not having enough money. It’s the condition of not having enough choice and being taken advantage of because of that.”

—Matthew Desmond

Topics

Wilkins Lecture

College of Humanities and Social Science

Schar School

Poverty and Inequalities

Campus News

Learn more about Roger Wilkins

Around �鶹��Ƶ: Favorite Photos of the Year

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:27:50 +0000

Around �鶹��Ƶ: Favorite Photos of the Year Lauren Reuscher Thu, 07/27/2023 - 10:27

In This Story

Vicki Kirsch, PhD, MSW, MA

All year long, photographers in �鶹��Ƶ’s Office of University Branding capture the moments that make �鶹��Ƶ All Together Different. We asked our photographers to share their favorite photos from the 2022-23 school year.

As we prepare for a new academic year, let’s look back at these recent memories—skillfully frozen in time for the �鶹��Ƶ vault.

Ron Aira, senior photographer, Creative Services

Weather can disrupt even the best laid plans. But according to Ron Aira, it can also create unexpected opportunities. In Aira’s favorite photos, forces of nature created powerful results. “Without the challenges of the wind and the rain, these shots would never have happened,” Aira said.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Gabriella Grabovska, a first-year student in the Schar School, came to �鶹��Ƶ from war-torn Ukraine. Aira captured her portraits in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“It was very windy—her hair and the flag were flying all over the place,” Aira said. “I decided to go with the wind. I told her to face the wind, think about her country, and let the flag fly, thinking about what it represents to her.” Read more about Grabovska.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

�鶹��Ƶ Day is a day of celebration and fun, but �鶹��Ƶ Day 2023 was also a day of torrential rain. Aira and his equipment were getting soaked. But he watched as �鶹��Ƶ students still enjoyed the day, not letting the rain ruin their experience.

“In the downpour, I saw a moment of peace between this couple under the umbrella,” Aira said. “It was a beautiful moment of quiet serenity, in the middle of the concert and the rain coming in sideways.”

Evan Cantwell, senior photographer, Creative Services

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Sometimes as a photographer, I get to witness students’ ‘aha’ moments, and it was amazing to see how social work students connected with each other and horses from Project Horse Empowerment Center,” Cantwell said.

Each semester, Associate Professor Vicki Kirsch brings students from her advanced Trauma and Recovery course to the center to learn about the emerging field of equine assisted psychotherapy. Read more about their experiences.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“We were finishing up our lifestyle photo session with students and the Office of International Programs and Services, and this robot beeped by,” Cantwell said. “This photo is also a great representation of how students from so many different countries all went to classes at �鶹��Ƶ’s Fairfax Campus.”

Pumpkinbot, part of the Starship Robot fleet, appears on campus around Halloween. Because he’s somewhat elusive, those who spot him consider themselves lucky. “I’ve heard that if you take a selfie with Pumpkinbot, all your dining wishes come true,” Cantwell said.

Cristian Torres, videographer, Strategic Communications

Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

In September 2022, students from the Smithsonian-�鶹��Ƶ School of Conservation‘s Wildlife Ecology and Conservation program tagged monarch butterflies on their journey south to help researchers better understand their grand migration.

“This was a fun day,” Torres said. “We documented one of the different opportunities that students have in the field, capturing monarch butterflies to identify and tag them.” Watch the video.

Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

Torres took photos at the Homecoming Tip Off Party in February 2023. “This was my first Homecoming at �鶹��Ƶ,” Torres said. “I found the energy of the students celebrating together exciting. The event was full of happy faces, with everyone rooting for each other in the Lip Sync Battle.” See more photos from Homecoming events.

Topics

Around �鶹��Ƶ (E-Files)

Faculty and Staff News

Campus News

�鶹��Ƶ Day

Homecoming

Smithsonian-�鶹��Ƶ School of Conservation

Starship Robots

Schar School

Social Work

College of Public Health

Peraton awards scholarships to Honors College students with interests in national security

Sarah Holland — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 15:04:42 +0000

Peraton awards scholarships to Honors College students with interests in national security Sarah Holland Fri, 06/16/2023 - 11:04

Peraton, a Virginia-based national security company, awarded 10 �鶹��Ƶ Honors College students the Stu Shea Peraton Scholarship in National Security at the Honors College’s 15th Annual Research Exhibition and Awards Ceremony.

Peraton is one of the largest employers in the Washington, D.C., region, according to the Washington Business Journal. Funded by a generous donation from the Peraton Corporation, the Stu Shea Peraton Scholarship in National Security awards each recipient up to $10,000 to provide financial support for their studies and academic enrichment.

Matt McQueen, chief communications and engagement officer at Peraton, shakes hands at the awards ceremony. Photo by Honors College

“As national security challenges continue to evolve, we need to tap into the full breadth and depth of our academic partnerships to meet the call,” said Stu Shea, chairman, president and CEO of Peraton. Shea spoke at �鶹��Ƶ’s 2022 Spring Commencement and is a former member of the College of Science Advisory Board. “Students from nontraditional backgrounds bring new perspectives, fresh ideas, and unique solutions to the workforce enabling our nation to remain competitive and proactively address increasingly more complex customer mission needs.”

�鶹��Ƶ students overall are exceptionally well-positioned to succeed in the national security work envisioned by Peraton: the university is ranked No. 9 in the world in cybersecurity and is the largest producer of tech talent among four-year higher education institutions in Virginia, as well as being the No. 1 most ethnically diverse public institution in Virginia.

Laila Salguero, Peraton’s chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, noted that, “�鶹��Ƶ has distinguished itself as one of the most diverse and inclusive incubators for next-generation talent in the nation.”

The selected Honors College students represent a breadth of majors within the College of Engineering and Computing, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Schar School for Policy and Government. All recipients credit the Honors College’s multidisciplinary approach to learning, research, and civic engagement and the diversity of their cohorts as critical to their growth as scholars and their future success in the workplace.

Layan Wahdan, one of the scholarship winners, holds her award plaque. Photo by Honors College

“The interdisciplinary Honors College courses have shaped the way I think about approaching problems in bioengineering,” said Layan Wahdan, junior bioengineering major and one of this year’s scholarship recipients. For Wahdan, the scholarship will support her in preparation for applying to medical school upon graduation. “I am confident that my studies will uniquely prepare me to help support national security.”

Aarush Sivaram Jambunathan, a junior majoring in international security and law, hopes to meaningfully contribute to national security in ways that “would not only reflect my experiences as an immigrant, but would ensure that people like me have a voice in the future of the United States.”

“With this generous support, Peraton enables the Honors College to support the development of the next generation of leaders,” said Zofia Burr, dean of the Honors College. “These scholarships show Peraton’s commitment to helping us cultivate a diverse and inclusive community of future professionals who are ready to respond to tomorrow’s multidimensional national security challenges.”

Stu Shea Peraton Scholarship in National Security Recipients

Fariha Ali, senior, information technology

Moneem Bhuiyan, junior, information technology

Harshita Vivek Chaudhari, junior, cybersecurity engineering

Dulguun Gantumur, senior, global affairs

Rida Hasan, junior, cybersecurity engineering

Aarush Sivaram Jambunathan, junior, international security and law

Berk Kasimcan, junior, bioengineering

Sebastian Rodionov, senior, government and international politics

Layan Wahdan, senior, bioengineering

Learn more about the scholarship recipients here.

Topics

Honors College

Honors College Award Ceremony

Scholarships

College of Humanities and Social Science

Schar School

College of Engineering and Computing

Students

Internships helped this �鶹��Ƶ grad hone in on her career goals

Colleen Rich — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 17:25:23 +0000

Internships helped this �鶹��Ƶ grad hone in on her career goals Colleen Rich Thu, 12/08/2022 - 12:25

Aloana Hall knew she wanted to study and practice law. She also knew she did not want to work in juvenile defense because, as she thought, “It’s going to be so emotionally taxing.”

University Scholar Aloana Hall. Photo by Creative Services

But after her experience as a legal intern at the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project, the government and international politics major at �鶹��Ƶ changed her mind. Yes, working with juveniles was emotional, as she feared. “But it also is so rewarding,” she said, “and so I feel like I’m doing something good.”

Hall, a member of the Honors College and a University Scholar, added to her résumé with an internship at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. Her Honors College research project, examining the drought and climate change in the West, was an eye-opener as well.

“I know a bit about climate change and rising sea levels because I’m from Virginia Beach, and it’s a problem,” Hall said. “It’s so strange the idea of not enough water in the West, and I’m worrying about too much water.”

What is your best memory of �鶹��Ƶ?

One of my favorite memories from my time at �鶹��Ƶ is the Spring 2022 Homecoming. Despite being in the middle of winter, it was a beautiful, warm day. I usually do not stay outside much during the winter, but I participated in the outdoor tailgate. It was great to see so many people showing school spirit and see some of my older friends who returned as alumni.

How have you grown while at �鶹��Ƶ?

I have grown by challenging myself. I pushed myself to stay engaged and take on leadership positions in various organizations on campus. I also pushed myself to apply for internships, fellowships, and jobs despite feeling inadequate and underqualified. I have grown into someone who is not afraid to go outside their comfort zone and fail at times.

What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?

I encourage incoming students to not let their college years pass them by. Most people are in college for only a few years. So, do not let great memories, relationships, and opportunities get away from you. Reach out to professors who are researching what you are interested in, start a conversation with the person sitting beside you in class, and go to the club-interest meeting even though you do not know anyone. It is easy to keep your head down, but try to push yourself.

What’s next for you?

I am in the process of applying to law school for fall 2023.

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Jill Deering is December Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 16:34:03 +0000

Jill Deering is December Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Tue, 11/29/2022 - 11:34

Jill Deering knows how fragile student success can be.

After nearly 20 years of helping students in �鶹��Ƶ’s Schar School of Policy and Government navigate all manner of personal and professional turmoil, the senior assistant dean of student and academic affairs is well known as someone with the experience, knowledge, and skills to negotiate, mediate, and problem-solve the thorniest of predicaments.

President Washington and Jill Deering. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

For that, as well as her leadership of the Schar School student services staff, Deering is the December Employee of the Month.

Bonnie Stabile, associate dean for student and academic affairs at the Schar School, called Deering a “linchpin among the members of the staff, a trusted mentor and a role model” who is a “polished professional in every circumstance.”

Silva Pecini, assistant dean for master’s student services at the Schar School, and a former �鶹��Ƶ Employee of the Month (July 2020), described Deering as possessing “unflappable grace and warmth.”

Former �鶹��Ƶ interim president Anne Holton said, “It’s a treat to work with someone who starts from a point of ‘yes we can.’ ”

And Schar School Dean Mark J. Rozell said he’s come to depend heavily on Deering’s “reliable, loyal, and hard work” as a leader.

She’s also an alumna.

How she got to �鶹��Ƶ:

I was working in student affairs at a small private college in Pennsylvania and needed to relocate to the Washington, D.C., area when I was alerted to a position at what was then the School of Public Policy at George �鶹��Ƶ. What an ideal opportunity—I could continue my higher education career working with students who were studying public affairs at my alma mater. I earned my BA in government and politics at �鶹��Ƶ in 1995. I was also drawn to being a part of an institution that values inclusion and innovation so highly.

Best day on the job:

Many days stand out, but I recall one in particular in 2015 when one of our graduate students who was from Yemen faced a financial crisis that threatened her ability to remain enrolled. She was entering her second semester when her family’s resources could no longer be accessed because of war in her home country. Not only was her family’s safety threatened, but her plans for a master’s degree were now in question. In about 24 hours, we identified an emergency funding source within the now Schar School and coordinated with our incredible University Life and Office of Financial Aid partners for additional emergency support. The student was able to continue her studies and ultimately graduate. This epitomized the best of �鶹��Ƶ—everyone involved said ‘let’s find a solution.’

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

Without question, my team and my boss. I constantly learn from and find motivation from both. My team is second to none, they are amazing individuals who care deeply about the success of our students and programs. Broadly speaking, �鶹��Ƶ is never dull. I love being a part of a place that is helping to shape future leaders and thinkers, where so much consequential research is happening, and where you get to interact regularly with people who have such interesting stories and experiences.

What do you do when you’re not working:

My husband and I love to explore new places with our three-year-old Labrador retriever, and I try to find as many opportunities as possible to travel, which has been hard the last few years. I also love taking photos and hope to focus more time on developing my photography skills.

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