鶹Ƶ Korea / en 鶹Ƶ Korea students create camp that brings together students from seven nations /news/2025-10/mason-korea-students-create-camp-brings-together-students-seven-nations-0 <span>鶹Ƶ Korea students create camp that brings together students from seven nations </span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-10-15T17:32:01-04:00" title="Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - 17:32">Wed, 10/15/2025 - 17:32</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW164882975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">Eleven 鶹Ƶ Korea students stepped into a mentorship role this summer at the 2025 Incheon–ASEAN Global Youth Camp. Serving as more than mentors, the students became cultural bridges in a historic international initiative described by organizers as a “first step” toward lasting educational cooperation.</span><span class="EOP SCXW164882975 BCX0 intro-text">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW164882975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">The camp was organized by the Incheon Metropolitan City Office of Education and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) education offices and was led by 鶹Ƶ Korea professor </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW164882975 BCX0" href="https://english.gmu.edu/people/hcho23" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Hyunyoung Cho</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> and the student team.  </span><span class="EOP SCXW164882975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-10/1_the_eleven_mason_korea_mentors_with_professor_hyunyoung_cho_and_yoon-oh_noh_research_officer_at_the_incheon_east_asia_global_education_institute_after_the_closing_ceremony.jpg?itok=BQKiUcdy" width="560" height="343" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>鶹Ƶ Korea student mentors at the camp's closing ceremony. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW164882975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">The camp brought together high school students from seven ASEAN nations and seven Incheon high schools for five days of collaborative problem-solving centered on the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Instead of simply visiting landmarks, participants worked in small international teams to learn about specific goals, researched their impact on their home countries, and presented creative, practical solutions.</span><span class="EOP SCXW164882975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW164882975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Supporting them at every stage were the 鶹Ƶ Korea student mentors: Yibin Cho, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Kippeum</span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> Joy Choi, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Jungbin</span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> Eom, Jisu Kim, Minsoo Kim, Hyeyeon Kweon, Chaeyoung Moon, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Jessmine</span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> Huynh Nguyen, Jinuk Seo, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Hojae</span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> Song, and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Jinhyeop</span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> Pyo.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW164882975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW164882975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">The success of the camp </span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">lay</span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> in its balance of structured learning and student-led collaboration. The 鶹Ƶ Korea mentors guided discussions, facilitated group work, and ensured that every participant was heard. They also prepared key materials in advance, including a bilingual workbook that helped bridge cultural and linguistic gaps. The result was a space where students could genuinely learn from one another, rather than simply observe.</span><span class="EOP SCXW164882975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW164882975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Moon also documented the camp in photos and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">video, and</span><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> later contributed to producing </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW164882975 BCX0" href="https://youtu.be/Yppw4b5EXlM?si=T6i2e_v3UAiDSjyo" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">a film</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> that captured both the learning and the friendships formed during the week.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW164882975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW164882975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Officials from both Korea and ASEAN praised the George 鶹Ƶ mentors for their adaptability and empathy. Organizers also noted that the mentors created an environment where every participant felt heard and respected, a factor they said made the camp truly meaningful.</span><span class="EOP SCXW164882975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW164882975 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW164882975 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“This is not just about cultural awareness,” Cho said. “It is about giving young people the confidence and skills to engage with the world, and our 鶹Ƶ Korea students helped make that happen.”&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW164882975 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="fc11c4ae-f30d-4b4b-a1ad-905a26cfa8d3"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">Learn more about 鶹Ƶ Korea <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="ff167811-2cda-491c-a678-f882abff18bb" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-b10f411a81cd95695fdfaf5c8cc277ab5139cb13f23044a53d0d072c6a152ecb"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/mason-korea-students-create-camp-brings-together-students-seven-nations-0" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students create camp that brings together students from seven nations </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 16, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-students-take-lead-new-york-high-school-exchange-program" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students take the lead in New York high school exchange program</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 17, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-kicks-fall-2025-convocation" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea kicks off fall 2025 with convocation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 2, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-hosts-young-innovators-summer-camp-local-youth" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea hosts Young Innovators Summer Camp for local youth</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 29, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-08/mason-korea-students-present-research-top-international-conference" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students present research at top international conference </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 12, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/856" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2831" hreflang="en">Summer Camps</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 15 Oct 2025 21:32:01 +0000 Katarina Benson 343876 at 鶹Ƶ Korea students take the lead in New York high school exchange program /news/2025-09/mason-korea-students-take-lead-new-york-high-school-exchange-program <span>鶹Ƶ Korea students take the lead in New York high school exchange program</span> <span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-09-17T16:18:43-04:00" title="Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - 16:18">Wed, 09/17/2025 - 16:18</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text" lang="EN">鶹Ƶ Korea played a crucial role in connecting students from different cultures across language barriers over a seven-day Incheon–New York High School Exchange Program in July.&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-09/dsc07174.jpg?itok=bxO_GoCp" width="560" height="374" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Students working on silver rings at the Korea Jewelry High School. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p><span lang="EN">Education authorities from Incheon and New York have collaborated on a brand-new exchange in which students from the two cities shared classrooms and experiences while acknowledging the language and cultural barriers in between.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span lang="EN">The George 鶹Ƶ lead on the project—Hyunyoung Cho, a professor of English in 鶹Ƶ Korea—noted how ambitious the project was. “Last year, when the two cities’ authorities first met, we had no specific plan on how to implement this grand project,” she said. “However, with the effort of so many officials and schools, this became a reality and a truly historic starting point for more exchanges to follow.”</span></p> <p><span lang="EN">The students from New York were given the chance to mix into the daily learning environment of Incheon students. Incheon Popular Arts High School welcomed the delegation with workshops in practical music, performing arts, and media production. Students collaborated on music, dancing, and acting performances, learning how artistic expression can transcend language barriers.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN">Incheon International High School also provided a platform for globally focused, project-based learning, where the students engaged in discussions on cultural perspectives and future careers in an increasingly interconnected world.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-09/seukeulinsyas_2025-09-06_093656.png?itok=kfXLCa9N" width="560" height="255" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p><span lang="EN">Korea Jewelry High School offered hands-on craft training and the New York students learned silver ring-making techniques and reflected on the craftsmanship behind vocational artistry.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN">These experiences allowed both Korean and American students to compare educational methods, share aspirations, and explore different approaches to education.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN">Five 鶹Ƶ Korea students—Chaeyoung Moon, Cheho Moon, Jisu Kim, Jungbin Eom, and Minsoo Kim—assisted Cho in planning and running the program. The 鶹Ƶ Korea students served as mentors and helped introduce the group to the new environments including classrooms, historic sites, and popular streets while drawing on what they learned in ENGH 300 Literature for the Public and Cross-cultural Communication.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN">Yoon-oh Noh, research officer at the Incheon East Asia Global Education Institute, said the mentors made this program especially distinctive. The student mentors functioned as primary cultural guides and instructional supports—making implicit rules explicit, framing activities so that both sides could contribute, and linking daily experiences back to the program’s goals.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span lang="EN">Beyond their in-program facilitation, the mentors’ work spanned the entire lifecycle of the exchange from pre-program planning and advance site visits to creating a workbook and post-program deliverables, including a report and&nbsp;</span><a href="https://youtu.be/q5U0ukGlsjc?si=J003E_D06LljgpZS"><span lang="EN">a film documenting the week.</span></a><span lang="EN"></span></p> <p><span lang="EN">Throughout the seven days, the students from New York recorded and shared their insights in the program workbook and through presentations and videos. They said &nbsp;that they were able to overcome language barriers with the active support of mentors and buddy students, and they experienced more than textbooks could convey. They also discussed how this event changed their mindsets.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span lang="EN">Many of the New York students remarked that becoming friends with Korean students was their best experience in Korea. “He is my </span><em><span lang="EN">Chingu</span></em><span lang="EN">, he is my best </span><em><span lang="EN">Chingu</span></em><span lang="EN">,” one of the students said, after learning the word “friend” in Korean from a mentor.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN">For many New York students, the mentors were their most consistent Korean counterparts.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN">With plans to continue and expand the partnership, the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education and the New York City Department of Education reaffirmed their commitment to equipping students with both academic learning and intercultural competence to thrive as global citizens.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span lang="EN"></span></p> <p><span lang="EN"></span></p> <p><span lang="EN"></span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="81932b6d-70f8-45f5-b9ff-435039c59940"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">Learn more about 鶹Ƶ Korea <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="85b7879a-d2d7-482c-9cfd-0a591b3acda9" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="c231f98a-2eba-4320-b709-601da9edfa17" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related Stories</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-c0f49b144306cce93c443675a80edd37a11e8b4ce26ab45ac6438bdef101f557"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/mason-korea-students-create-camp-brings-together-students-seven-nations-0" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students create camp that brings together students from seven nations </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 16, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-students-take-lead-new-york-high-school-exchange-program" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students take the lead in New York high school exchange program</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 17, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-kicks-fall-2025-convocation" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea kicks off fall 2025 with convocation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 2, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-hosts-young-innovators-summer-camp-local-youth" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea hosts Young Innovators Summer Camp for local youth</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 29, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-08/mason-korea-students-present-research-top-international-conference" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students present research at top international conference </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 12, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/856" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 17 Sep 2025 20:18:43 +0000 Colleen Rich 343361 at 鶹Ƶ Korea hosts Young Innovators Summer Camp for local youth /news/2025-09/mason-korea-hosts-young-innovators-summer-camp-local-youth <span>鶹Ƶ Korea hosts Young Innovators Summer Camp for local youth</span> <span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-09-02T13:00:54-04:00" title="Tuesday, September 2, 2025 - 13:00">Tue, 09/02/2025 - 13:00</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">Eighty elementary, middle, and high school students from Incheon, South Korea, spent four days exploring the technologies shaping the future at 鶹Ƶ Korea’s 2025 Young Innovators Summer Camp. Held on the Songdo campus from August 18–21, the program is part of Incheon’s Youth Talent Development initiative.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-09/prr54611.jpg?itok=Q6IdED1F" width="350" height="347" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Young Innovators Summer Camp at 鶹Ƶ Korea. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p><span>Each day began with “AI, Robotics, and Me,” a lecture by&nbsp;</span><a href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/people/elee45"><span>Eunmee Lee</span></a><span>, 鶹Ƶ Korea’s associate professor of English for academic purposes, who introduced students to the latest in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics while encouraging conversations about their ethical use. The program also featured a computer game design workshop led by&nbsp;</span><a href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/people/jbroder"><span>James Broderick</span></a><span>, assistant professor of computer game design, giving students a chance to develop and test their own game ideas.</span></p> <p><span>“We designed this camp to give students space to explore, play, and discover new ideas,” said Lee, who led the program. “Our goal was to make learning dynamic and creative, something that sparks curiosity.”</span></p> <p><span>Students also built and flew drones, conducted some climate experiments, and explored computer coding. They also took a campus tour led by 鶹Ƶ Korea student ambassadors and visited the National Gwacheon Science Museum.</span></p> <p><span>Organized under 鶹Ƶ Cares, 鶹Ƶ Korea's social impact project, and supported by the Incheon Institute for Talent and Lifelong Education and Incheon Global Campus, the camp brought together 鶹Ƶ Korea faculty, student mentors, experts, and volunteers to support and empower local youth.</span></p> <p><span>“The camp provided a meaningful opportunity to strengthen the digital and AI skills of Incheon’s youth while advancing George 鶹Ƶ’s mission of building a more just, free and prosperous world," said Campus Dean&nbsp;</span><a href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/people/jkpark"><span>Joshua Park</span></a><span>.&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="786435b5-cf1d-4861-bab5-b7e3df099532"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">More from 鶹Ƶ Korea <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="5c586102-ed85-4295-90a5-1dd21e14bb9a" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-3a62dd05fcbc66da938272bc20bf12e16630b59e8eec477ed033c9c7c0a2216c"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/george-mason-and-kings-college-london-win-google-award-fight-ai-driven-romance-scams" hreflang="en">George 鶹Ƶ and King’s College London win Google Award to fight AI-driven romance scams targeting older adults </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 26, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/mason-korea-students-create-camp-brings-together-students-seven-nations-0" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students create camp that brings together students from seven nations </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 16, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/3-million-national-institute-aging-grant-will-provide-much-needed-support-underserved" hreflang="en">$3 million National Institute on Aging grant will provide much-needed support to underserved dementia caregivers</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 15, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/resilient-robots-rough-terrain" hreflang="en">Resilient robots in rough terrain </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 14, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/ist-professors-unveil-human-ai-collaboration-tool-automate-cartoon-colorization" hreflang="en">IST professors unveil human-AI collaboration tool to automate cartoon colorization</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 10, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/856" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2831" hreflang="en">Summer Camps</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4656" hreflang="en">Artificial Intelligence</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/15126" hreflang="en">workforce</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 02 Sep 2025 17:00:54 +0000 Colleen Rich 343031 at 鶹Ƶ Korea kicks off fall 2025 with convocation /news/2025-09/mason-korea-kicks-fall-2025-convocation <span>鶹Ƶ Korea kicks off fall 2025 with convocation</span> <span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-09-02T12:37:11-04:00" title="Tuesday, September 2, 2025 - 12:37">Tue, 09/02/2025 - 12:37</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">鶹Ƶ Korea welcomed its newest class at the Fall 2025 Convocation in the Incheon Global Campus Grand Auditorium, where more than 200 new students, family members, faculty, staff, and current students came together to celebrate the beginning of a new academic year.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-09/lim00934.jpg?itok=ISKN3Za_" width="350" height="257" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Students attending 鶹Ƶ Korea's Convocation. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p><span>Enrollment rose about 18% this fall, driven by strong interest in such programs as&nbsp;</span><a href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/431"><span>computational and data sciences</span></a><span>, </span><a href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/bu-bs-bus"><span>business</span></a><span>, </span><a href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/la-ba-econ-kor"><span>economics</span></a><span>, and the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/flex-llm/overview"><span>Master of Laws (LLM)</span></a>.</p> <p><span>“You represent a truly global cohort, joining classmates from more than 25 nationalities,” Campus Dean&nbsp;</span><a href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/people/jkpark"><span>Joshua Park</span></a><span> told those assembled. “Here, you will experience the best of American higher education through our U.S. campus near Washington, D.C., while also benefiting from the unique advantages of being in Songdo—one of Korea’s most dynamic international cities.”</span></p> <p><a href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/people/akang21"><span>Angela Kang</span></a><span>, associate dean of University Life, emphasized the campus' commitment to student success. “鶹Ƶ Korea provides an exceptional environment where students can grow both academically and personally in a global setting that also values Korean traditions,” she said. “Through our&nbsp;</span><a href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/housing-residential-life/fsemasonkorea"><span>First Semester Experience (FSE)</span></a><span> program, we help students begin their college journey with confidence and focus.”</span></p> <figure role="group"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2025-09/lim00894.jpg?itok=xlhWXQOM" width="1000" height="292" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>鶹Ƶ Korea welcomed 200 new students this fall. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p><span>Student Body President Jimin Choi also shared words of encouragement with the new Patriots: “University is not a place where you simply find all the answers—it’s where you learn to ask the right questions and take on meaningful challenges.”</span></p> <p><span>The 鶹Ƶ Korea Spirit Awards also were presented to students who showed outstanding leadership and service during Welcome Week—a week of orientation and cultural activities designed to help new students settle into campus life.&nbsp;</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="98fbdcb2-fcbe-4f6b-84e3-49bae538c1ac"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">More from 鶹Ƶ Korea <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="dc99e5e8-e43b-41c5-b8bf-aa1ac285c1f1" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><hr> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="38534e2f-af99-4355-bf92-0b685b7b3c1d" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-34a18e11d745daadaa43b361c93435d945ffed98a3b6b06062b5f64c6ea8a054"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/mason-korea-students-create-camp-brings-together-students-seven-nations-0" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students create camp that brings together students from seven nations </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 16, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-students-take-lead-new-york-high-school-exchange-program" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students take the lead in New York high school exchange program</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 17, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-kicks-fall-2025-convocation" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea kicks off fall 2025 with convocation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 2, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-hosts-young-innovators-summer-camp-local-youth" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea hosts Young Innovators Summer Camp for local youth</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 29, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-08/mason-korea-students-present-research-top-international-conference" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students present research at top international conference </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 12, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/856" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4826" hreflang="en">enrollment growth</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 02 Sep 2025 16:37:11 +0000 Colleen Rich 343026 at 鶹Ƶ Korea students present research at top international conference /news/2025-08/mason-korea-students-present-research-top-international-conference <span>鶹Ƶ Korea students present research at top international conference </span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-08-12T15:19:57-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - 15:19">Tue, 08/12/2025 - 15:19</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW125158641 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">For 鶹Ƶ Korea students Dayeon Shin and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed intro-text" lang="EN-US">Taeyeong</span><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US"> Kim, what started as a moment of curiosity in class turned into something much bigger—a chance to present their research on a global stage.</span><span class="EOP SCXW125158641 BCX0 intro-text">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW125158641 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">It began with a classroom discussion on urban flooding, which inspired a research project on “sponge cities,” or urban areas designed to absorb and reuse rainwater, and their potential in Seoul’s Gangnam district.</span><span class="EOP SCXW125158641 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW125158641 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Shin, a junior majoring in </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW125158641 BCX0" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/la-ba-gloa-kor" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">global affairs</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, applied for and received funding through 鶹Ƶ’s </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW125158641 BCX0" href="https://oscar.gmu.edu/funding/undergraduate-research-scholars-program" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Undergraduate Research Scholars Program</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, part of the Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR). She teamed up with Kim, a sophomore, and together, under the mentorship of 鶹Ƶ Korea professor </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW125158641 BCX0" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/people/dmccar6" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Dakota McCarty</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, they brought the project to life.</span><span class="EOP SCXW125158641 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-08/03_kakaotalk_photo_2025-07-16-12-26-45_001.jpg?itok=KoiPyFxK" width="350" height="280" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Shin and Kim present their research. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW125158641 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Their research was accepted for presentation at the </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW125158641 BCX0" href="https://aesop-planning.eu/activities/events/annual-congress/congress-istanbul-2025" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">2025 Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP) annual congress</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> in Istanbul, one of the largest and most competitive conferences in the field. Out of the thousands of participants and more than 1,000 presentations, they were one of the very few, if only, undergraduate participants and likely the only undergraduate presenters.</span><span class="EOP SCXW125158641 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW125158641 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Their presentation, “</span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW125158641 BCX0" href="https://congress.aesop-planning.eu/event/1/contributions/55/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Exploring the Feasibility of Sponge City Solutions for Flood Resilience in Gangnam, Seoul</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">,” was well received by a room full of academics and planning professionals from around the world.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW125158641 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW125158641 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“Presenting my research and engaging in discussions with professionals from various countries was an incredible experience,” said Shin. “Attending different sessions allowed me to think about my specific interests and motivated me to keep going—it felt like the first real step in my academic journey.”&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW125158641 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW125158641 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">But the experience wasn’t just about showcasing a project—it was about stepping confidently into the world of research and seeing themselves not just as students, but as emerging scholars.</span><span class="EOP SCXW125158641 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW125158641 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“I’ve always wanted to make a difference through academic research, and this experience helped me find my ‘why,’” said Kim. “I learned so much about urban planning and really valued the chance to connect with researchers from all over the world.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW125158641 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW125158641 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">For McCarty, the journey was just as rewarding to witness. “It all started with a great question after class,” he said. “That moment of curiosity turned into a research journey that brought Dayeon and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Taeyeong</span><span class="TextRun SCXW125158641 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> to one of the top planning conferences in the world.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW125158641 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="7fb3ada2-d6be-46e7-8e97-819a9e34e12e" class="block block-layout-builder 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href="/taxonomy/term/1546" hreflang="en">Office of Student Scholarship Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR)</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/391" hreflang="en">College of Humanities and Social Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 12 Aug 2025 19:19:57 +0000 Katarina Benson 311561 at Graduate student’s research examines how identity impacts world affairs /news/2025-08/graduate-students-research-examines-how-identity-impacts-world-affairs <span>Graduate student’s research examines how identity impacts world affairs </span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-08-05T14:33:14-04:00" title="Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - 14:33">Tue, 08/05/2025 - 14:33</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">Ilya Kim brought a unique perspective to his studies at 鶹Ƶ. He grew up as ethnic minority in Russia, living in the country until his family moved to South Korea in 2008 when he was 8.</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0 intro-text">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">That experience has informed his studies, first as a global affairs major who spent three years at 鶹Ƶ Korea, where he also served as 鶹Ƶ Korea’s student council president and worked as a resident advisor and University Life office intern.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">When he arrived at George 鶹Ƶ’s </span><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Fairfax Campus</span><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> he already knew he wanted to pursue a master’s degree in sociology. He reached out to Shannon Davis, who spent three years as 鶹Ƶ Korea’s associate dean for faculty and academic affairs in addition to 15 years with George 鶹Ƶ’s Sociology Department.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-08/ilyakim.jpeg?itok=fPosdAfe" width="350" height="278" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Kim in his graduation regalia. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">She in turn was able to point Kim to John Dale, associate professor of sociology and director of </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW182435621 BCX0" href="https://cssr.gmu.edu/research-hubs/movementengaged" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Movement Engaged</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, the social movement research hub of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ (CHSS) Center for Social Science Research (CSSR).&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“[Dale] was really the guy who got me to where I am in my graduate studies,” Kim said.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Indeed, it didn’t take long for Dale to be equally impressed by Kim, who he first met in his CONF 399 Sociology of Human Rights course in fall 2022.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“It quickly became apparent to me and his classmates that he was the brightest kid in the class,” Dale said. “I gave him an A-plus, and I never give an A-plus.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">As a master’s student, Kim has built on his undergraduate work with Movement Engaged, learning under Dale and working alongside PhD students.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“That exposure to high-level learning and people who are about to defend their thesis made me work harder because I wanted to be at their level to contribute to the discussion,” Kim said.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">He continued his community involvement at the Fairfax Campus, serving as a community assistant for the university’s Office of Housing and Residential Life. In 2022, Kim received the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Virginia Association of College and University Housing Officers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Kim is on track to finish his master’s degree from George 鶹Ƶ in the fall of 2026 and continues to expand on his research for his capstone project: “Sakhalin Island: Nexus of Transnational Movements.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Dale has called Kim’s research a fascinating case study of globalization and transnational politics that could turn into a PhD dissertation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">The project examines the small Russian island of Sakhalin, which is more than 4,000 miles east of Moscow and sits in the Pacific Ocean just north of Japan. The island is inhabited by half a million people, including Russians, Indigenous peoples, Koreans, and even Americans. Kim has a close connection to the island, as his grandparents used to live there and distant relatives still reside there.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">&nbsp;“It is very hard to find someone with the background Ilya has in Russia who can write well, do that translation and research in Russia,” Dale said. “Especially [someone] who also would be seeing it from the perspective of an ethnic minority position inside </span><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Russia, and</span><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> so have more of a critical history of the formation of their constitution, which is what brought new insight to the possibilities for reform.”&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“It is almost a little wildlife reserve of many of these identities there, and somehow they are all co-existing,” Kim said of Sakhalin. “But there are also tensions. I argue that people on that specific island are </span><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">interesting</span><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">to study</span><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> because of how unique their identity and perspective is. If we can understand what Russia is and what type of identity it projects, then it kind of gives us a blueprint of how we can work with those groups—not just on paper, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed" lang="EN-US">but in reality</span><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Kim’s work received the 2025 College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean’s Challenge Scholarship, which recognizes exceptional students who have demonstrated academic excellence, a commitment to education as a powerful tool for change, and commitment to leadership and community engagement. It is among the most competitive and prestigious scholarships that the college offers and is open to all CHSS students.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW182435621 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW182435621 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“Ilya is a shining example of how George 鶹Ƶ students can make a global impact,” CHSS Dean Ann Ardis said. “In addition to his research and collaborations with Movement Engaged, he has shown his commitment to improving the student experience on campus for 鶹Ƶ Korea and international students making the transition to Fairfax.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW182435621 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3126" hreflang="en">College of Humanities and Social Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/856" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4056" hreflang="en">Scholarships</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 05 Aug 2025 18:33:14 +0000 Katarina Benson 272776 at Student group ‘Accessible’ connects global tech with local advocacy /news/2025-07/student-group-accessible-connects-global-tech-local-advocacy <span>Student group ‘Accessible’ connects global tech with local advocacy </span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-07-15T15:10:40-04:00" title="Tuesday, July 15, 2025 - 15:10">Tue, 07/15/2025 - 15:10</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="TextRun SCXW19320450 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">This spring, Accessible, a registered student organization (RSO) at 鶹Ƶ Korea, expanded its mission of promoting inclusive environments across continents.</span><span class="EOP SCXW19320450 BCX0 intro-text">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-07/1._navilensvisit_1.jpg?itok=SAVLwEHy" width="350" height="350" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Yim visits NaviLens in Spain.</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW13942792 BCX0"><a class="Hyperlink SCXW13942792 BCX0" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/articles/21234" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Founded in fall 2024 by Eunchong Yim</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, a junior </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW13942792 BCX0" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/la-ba-gloa-kor" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">global affairs major</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> who now serves as its president, Accessible began as a group of six students raising awareness about accessibility and disability advocacy in South Korea. It has since grown into a platform for real-world impact.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW13942792 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW13942792 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">In April, Yim traveled to Murcia, Spain, to visit </span><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">NaviLens</span><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">—a global leader in assistive technology—and to produce the first Korean-language introduction to the company’s work. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">NaviLens</span><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">’ QR code system enables blind and partially sighted individuals to access location-based information, such as potential physical obstacles or physical descriptions of the environment, with their smartphones. Accessible hopes to help introduce this technology into South Korea’s public spaces.</span><span class="EOP SCXW13942792 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW13942792 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Accessible is uniquely positioned to link global innovation with local needs. This semester, the group began discussions with the Songdo-based National Museum of World Writing Systems—South Korea’s second most visited museum—about a potential collaborative exhibition to enhance accessibility. The connection emerged from course field trips, such as </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW13942792 BCX0" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/courses/ints245/course_sections/89422" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">INTS 245 Visual Culture and Society</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, and was made possible by the enthusiasm of museum staff.</span><span class="EOP SCXW13942792 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-07/7._navilensexperienceevent_2.jpg?itok=TP46c115" width="349" height="350" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>&nbsp;A simulation of using NaviLens.</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW13942792 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">In a timely coincidence, George 鶹Ƶ also </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW13942792 BCX0" href="https://accessibility.gmu.edu/report-a-barrier/#navilens" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">began testing NaviLens codes</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> on the Fairfax Campus, 鶹Ƶ Square in Arlington, and the Science and Technology Campus in Manassas. As a result, Yim </span><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed" lang="EN-US">was connected with</span><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> a member of the Office of Access, Compliance, and Community. By sharing updates on events related not only to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">NaviLens</span><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> but also to virtual reality games and accessible environments more broadly, 鶹Ƶ Korea and the Virginia-based campuses are exploring opportunities for future collaboration.</span><span class="EOP SCXW13942792 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW13942792 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Yim will complete a remote internship with the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">NaviLens</span><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> team this summer, continuing to bridge student advocacy with practical accessibility solutions.</span><span class="EOP SCXW13942792 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW13942792 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW13942792 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“I’m excited to learn about the team’s ongoing projects with blind and partially sighted students in America and to gain communication and project management skills,” she said. “Every moment at 鶹Ƶ Korea has become one of my greatest strengths—helping me adapt to new environments and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW13942792 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="766c518c-fdb9-4312-b780-3b21848396cb"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">Take a look at what's happening at 鶹Ƶ Korea <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="8352d5dd-8db5-4747-9729-178d26787ccf" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-3b93a73c60f91938890c76efb487388f721ac38164c12d18e7a1897d03e3e7fd"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/mason-korea-students-create-camp-brings-together-students-seven-nations-0" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students create camp that brings together students from seven nations </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 16, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-students-take-lead-new-york-high-school-exchange-program" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students take the lead in New York high school exchange program</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 17, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-kicks-fall-2025-convocation" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea kicks off fall 2025 with convocation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 2, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-hosts-young-innovators-summer-camp-local-youth" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea hosts Young Innovators Summer Camp for local youth</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 29, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-08/mason-korea-students-present-research-top-international-conference" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students present research at top international conference </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 12, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/856" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6836" hreflang="en">student organizations</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="ed6a03e2-8f62-4e29-88bd-3cd11c563d95" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:10:40 +0000 Katarina Benson 118221 at 鶹Ƶ Korea graduates Class of 2025 /news/2025-06/mason-korea-graduates-class-2025 <span>鶹Ƶ Korea graduates Class of 2025 </span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-06-24T14:10:15-04:00" title="Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - 14:10">Tue, 06/24/2025 - 14:10</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">People Mentioned in This Story</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/jantony" hreflang="en">James Antony, PhD</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/profiles/jmuir" hreflang="en">Janette Muir, PhD</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="TextRun SCXW5394779 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">Graduating students, proud families, faculty, and special guests gathered at the IGC Grand Auditorium on June 21 to celebrate 鶹Ƶ Korea’s Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony.</span><span class="EOP SCXW5394779 BCX0 intro-text">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW229765077 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">The event honored students across a range of majors—including </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW229765077 BCX0" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/bu-bs-bus" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">business</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW229765077 BCX0" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/AR-BFA-GAME-KOR" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">computer game design</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW229765077 BCX0" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/431" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">computational and data sciences</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW229765077 BCX0" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/ca-ba-conf-kor" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">conflict analysis and resolution</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW229765077 BCX0" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/la-ba-econ-kor" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">economics</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, and </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW229765077 BCX0" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/programs/la-ba-gloa-kor" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">global affairs</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">—who now join 鶹Ƶ’s global alumni community.</span><span class="EOP SCXW229765077 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-06/mk_grad_lim01969.jpg?itok=Ziqq3bz8" width="560" height="369" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>James Antony's speech. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW229765077 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Special guests included James Antony, provost and executive vice president, and Janette Muir, associate provost for academic affairs, both of whom traveled from George 鶹Ƶ’s Fairfax Campus for the occasion. 鶹Ƶ Korea leadership were also present to celebrate the graduating class, along with Thanh Kim, acting minister counselor for public affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, and George 鶹Ƶ alum </span><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Minsung</span><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> Yun, BS Computer Science ’03, founder and CEO of Currency United.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW229765077 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW229765077 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">In her opening remarks, Shannon Davis, associate dean for faculty and academic affairs at 鶹Ƶ Korea, reflected on the graduates’ growth and the role they will take on as members of the George 鶹Ƶ alumni community.</span><span class="EOP SCXW229765077 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW229765077 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“You have embraced the model of education where you become a knowledge creator,” Davis said. “As 鶹Ƶ alumni, you will continue to be leaders, advocates, and agents of change—creating a more just and equitable world.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW229765077 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW229765077 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Speaking to the graduates during his first visit to the Songdo campus, Antony reflected on the unique value of the 鶹Ƶ Korea experience.</span><span class="EOP SCXW229765077 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW229765077 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“At 鶹Ƶ Korea, you’ve pursued your degrees at the intersection of two cultures—blending the innovative spirit of an American research university with the global vision of Korea," he said. "That global perspective is now a part of who you are, and it will shape every step of your future.”&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW229765077 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW229765077 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Campus Dean Joshua Park also addressed the graduates, emphasizing the personal growth they experienced throughout their time at 鶹Ƶ Korea.</span><span class="EOP SCXW229765077 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW229765077 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“Beyond your academic achievements, you’ve grown into individuals with adaptability, global awareness, and a strong sense of community—qualities essential in today’s rapidly changing world,” he said. “The diversity and connections you’ve built at 鶹Ƶ Korea will continue to empower you on the journey ahead.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW229765077 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-06/mk_grad_lim01866.jpg?itok=bgT8Zk8j" width="350" height="284" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>鶹Ƶ Korea students line up to graduate. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW229765077 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Two faculty members were recognized during the ceremony for university-wide honors. Roland Wilson, professor and faculty advisor for the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George 鶹Ƶ’s campus in South Korea, received the </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW229765077 BCX0" href="https://stearnscenter.gmu.edu/awards/teaching-excellence-award-winners/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">2025 鶹Ƶ Teaching Excellence Award</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, presented by the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning for his outstanding commitment to student learning. Deborah Kwak, assistant professor of sociology, was named a recipient of the </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW229765077 BCX0" href="https://english.gmu.edu/articles/22001" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">2025 Sojourner Truth Faculty Award</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">, recognizing her efforts to engage students in dialogue around race, gender, and social equity—an honor jointly awarded by George 鶹Ƶ’s Women and Gender Studies and African and African American Studies Programs.</span><span class="EOP SCXW229765077 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW229765077 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Global Affairs graduate </span><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Yoonji</span><span class="TextRun SCXW229765077 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> Seo delivered the graduation student address. Reflecting on her time at 鶹Ƶ Korea, she shared, “鶹Ƶ Korea gave me more than just an education—it gave me a space to grow, connect, and become the kind of global citizen I dreamed of. The friendships, challenges, and experiences here have shaped who I am today.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW229765077 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/856" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/481" hreflang="en">Graduation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 24 Jun 2025 18:10:15 +0000 Katarina Benson 117891 at 鶹Ƶ Korea partners with Incheon City to advance K-content development /news/2025-06/mason-korea-partners-incheon-city-advance-k-content-development <span>鶹Ƶ Korea partners with Incheon City to advance K-content development</span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-06-06T20:42:48-04:00" title="Friday, June 6, 2025 - 20:42">Fri, 06/06/2025 - 20:42</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">鶹Ƶ Korea recently hosted the inaugural iDesign Seminar: K-Content in collaboration with Incheon City. The event brought together academic, government, and industry leaders to explore strategies for strengthening Korea’s cultural content sector. It was supported by Incheon Metropolitan City, Incheon Tourism Organization, Hanwha Corporation, and SM C&amp;C.</span></p> <p>During the seminar, 鶹Ƶ Korea announced plans to establish a K-Content Research Center, which will provide academic and policy support for “K-con-land,” a new Korean-content hub initiative led by the Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority (IFEZ).</p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-06/001_ks-4695.jpg?itok=8NQnE0WN" width="560" height="322" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>K-Content Seminar panelists. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p>The event opened with a congratulatory address from Joshua Park, campus dean of 鶹Ƶ Korea. The first session, under the theme “Decode,” featured K-pop expert Gyu Tag Lee, an associate professor of global affairs at 鶹Ƶ Korea who presented on the growth of K-content from a discourse analysis perspective.</p> <p>This was followed by the “Deploy” session, which included case presentations by four industry practitioners—Bomin Seo (Incheon City), Song Jae Lee (SM C&amp;C), Taehyun Kim (Incheon Tourism Organization), and Beom-seok Moon (Hanwha)—who shared real-world insights on policy, branding, tourism, and content innovation.</p> <p>The experts shared their thoughts on the global potential of K-content, best practice case studies, and concrete policy ideas to help position Incheon as a global content hub.</p> <p>In the final session, Lee moderated a panel discussion on how Incheon can drive K-content creation. 鶹Ƶ Korea students also contributed thoughtful questions during the Q&amp;A session, sparking further dialogue.</p> <p>“The Korean Wave, or Hallyu—which refers to the globalization of K-culture and K-content—has already spanned nearly 30 years,” said Lee. “It began with the popularity of Korean dramas in Chinese-speaking regions and has since expanded to K-pop and the broader realm of Korean media and culture. Now is the time to envision the future of K-culture and K-content. This requires not only strong central government support but also regional efforts to develop K-content.”</p> <p>“鶹Ƶ Korea has long engaged in research and education on Hallyu, the K-pop music industry, K-games, and public diplomacy, involving experts from various fields,” said Park. “The K-Content Research Center, to be launched this year, will work closely with Incheon City to develop local content discourse, advance academic research, promote programs, and nurture future talent.”</p> <p>He added, “This seminar serves as a model of university-industry-government cooperation and a meaningful starting point for shaping the future of K-content. 鶹Ƶ Korea will continue to expand research and education collaborations with domestic institutions, businesses, and universities to play a trusted role as a global gateway contributing to the development of Korea’s K-content industry.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="36e2596a-c496-4bf1-81b7-955160c0a8d2" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="4676f04f-7c90-4523-ba8f-1bc160286448" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related Stories</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-68e7a9f10ac0229fd095b57f09633a58d9ea0093d170c6e602229ed26b4b85e9"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/mason-korea-students-create-camp-brings-together-students-seven-nations-0" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students create camp that brings together students from seven nations </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 16, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-students-take-lead-new-york-high-school-exchange-program" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students take the lead in New York high school exchange program</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 17, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-kicks-fall-2025-convocation" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea kicks off fall 2025 with convocation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 2, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-hosts-young-innovators-summer-camp-local-youth" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea hosts Young Innovators Summer Camp for local youth</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 29, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-08/mason-korea-students-present-research-top-international-conference" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students present research at top international conference </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 12, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/856" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/19541" hreflang="en">partnerships</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Sat, 07 Jun 2025 00:42:48 +0000 Katarina Benson 117686 at 鶹Ƶ Korea hosts record-breaking digital art competition /news/2025-06/mason-korea-hosts-record-breaking-digital-art-competition <span>鶹Ƶ Korea hosts record-breaking digital art competition </span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-06-05T12:20:04-04:00" title="Thursday, June 5, 2025 - 12:20">Thu, 06/05/2025 - 12:20</time> </span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW7506404 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US">The fifth annual </span><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed intro-text" lang="EN-US">Progress@Play</span><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US"> Social Impact Digital Art Competition has successfully concluded with an award ceremony at 鶹Ƶ’s Korea campus. This year’s competition was supported by the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education and the Game Culture Foundation.</span><span class="EOP SCXW7506404 BCX0 intro-text">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW7506404 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">This year’s competition centered on creative ideas and sustainable solutions to emerging social issues and attracted a record 255 teams of middle school, high school, and university students from Korea and abroad. Participants presented their ideas through various digital formats, including animations, webtoons, computer games, videos, and illustrations. Notably, many submissions focused on the psychological and social effects of social media, reflecting concerns shared across generations.</span><span class="EOP SCXW7506404 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-06/lim07972.jpg?itok=bbPa0ywV" width="560" height="374" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>Progress@Play exhibition. Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW7506404 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">The ceremony brought together student finalists and their families, as well as 鶹Ƶ Korea leadership and staff, and </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW7506404 BCX0" href="https://game.gmu.edu/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Computer Game Design Program</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> faculty James Broderick and John McGrew. Special guests included </span><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Cheolsoo</span><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> Son, director of secondary Education at the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education, and </span><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Hyunkyung</span><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> Kim, director of the Game Culture Education Center at the Game Culture Foundation.</span><span class="EOP SCXW7506404 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW7506404 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“This year’s entries offered sharp insights into the social issues driven by social media,” said Broderick, an assistant professor of computer game design who also served as a competition judge. “While previous years often explored traditional themes like the environment, human rights, and aging, this year reflected a shift toward challenges faced by digital natives—including online performative culture and psychological effects of social media. It signals an expanding spectrum of social awareness among youth.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW7506404 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW7506404 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">Entries were evaluated by </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW7506404 BCX0" href="https://game.gmu.edu/why-game/study-mason-korea" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">鶹Ƶ Korea’s Computer Game Design</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> faculty and external experts for social impact, quality, creativity, and artistic merit.&nbsp;</span><span class="EOP SCXW7506404 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW7506404 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">The top prize in the middle/high school division was awarded to </span><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Hyunbi</span><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> Kim of Korea Animation High School for the project "Have You Seen the Southern Land?" while </span><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US">Yoonsik</span><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US"> Kang of Sejong University took first place in the university division with "Omniscient."</span><span class="EOP SCXW7506404 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"> <div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-06/lim08280.jpg?itok=2n1AoyGt" width="560" height="374" loading="lazy"> </div> </div> <figcaption>The Korea Animation High School team won for their project "Have You Seen the Southern Land?" Photo provided</figcaption> </figure> <p class="Paragraph SCXW7506404 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">All winners received cash prizes. Middle and high school awardees also earned a certificate from the superintendent of the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education and a $2,000 scholarship (USD) upon admission to 鶹Ƶ Korea.</span><span class="EOP SCXW7506404 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW7506404 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW7506404 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US">“This competition has created a meaningful platform for students and the public to engage with Korea’s evolving social issues,” said Joshua Park, campus dean of 鶹Ƶ Korea. “Through our Computer Game Design Program and Korea Serious Game Institute, 鶹Ƶ Korea delivers a distinctive practice-based education. We remain committed to strengthening collaborations with academic, industry, and public-sector partners to serve as a trusted global hub for innovation and learning.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW7506404 BCX0">&nbsp;</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="24e2e249-912d-4053-b102-c82d50a7510f"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/"> <p class="cta__title">Connect with 鶹Ƶ Korea <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </p> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="cfe49122-8b69-4e7d-8c2d-6ce37ea37d50" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><hr> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="44c9d281-9594-481f-ae04-e3f420f43823" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-767745a29dab4ff0e30a8a89db78ceec105053440e37c7c6e20ea0e152bda0c6"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-10/mason-korea-students-create-camp-brings-together-students-seven-nations-0" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students create camp that brings together students from seven nations </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">October 16, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-students-take-lead-new-york-high-school-exchange-program" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students take the lead in New York high school exchange program</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 17, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-kicks-fall-2025-convocation" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea kicks off fall 2025 with convocation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">September 2, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-09/mason-korea-hosts-young-innovators-summer-camp-local-youth" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea hosts Young Innovators Summer Camp for local youth</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 29, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-08/mason-korea-students-present-research-top-international-conference" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea students present research at top international conference </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">August 12, 2025</div></div></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/856" hreflang="en">鶹Ƶ Korea</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2321" hreflang="en">Computer Game Design</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/336" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:20:04 +0000 Katarina Benson 117661 at