By Kelly Pedersen, Kate Shaw
ARCHIVED EDITION: People, events, or services mentioned or referenced in this post may no longer be available or associated with Graduate Student Life or George Mason University.
Greetings, Mason graduate students, and welcome to the inaugural post on the Mason Grad Insider blog! The purpose of this blog, sponsored by Graduate Student Life and University Life Arlington, is to connect with graduate students and communicate useful tips for success as well as resources for graduate students across the Mason campuses.
Posted weekly, the blog will cover a variety of topics, from writing and studying strategies, to balancing school, work, and family life, to current issues facing graduate students as they navigate their path towards earning a graduate degree. We hope you find this blog informative and relatable to your graduate school experiences. If you have any topics suggestions you’d like to submit, send them our way to gradlife@gmu.edu. Check back each week for new posts!
Who We Are
Kelly Pedersen is the Graduate Assistant for University Life Arlington. She heads up the planning and logistical details for University Life events like Pizza and Perspectives and Coffee and Conversation. She also plays a large role in engaging student leaders along with serving as the technology lead for University Life through the use of social media, photography, and videography. She is currently a Masters candidate at the College of Visual and Performing Arts in the Arts Management program. Her areas of interest include international arts policy and public funding of the arts. Kelly is also an alumna of the Americorps’ National Civilian Community Corps and a winner of the congressional medal for volunteer service.
Kate Shaw is a full-time graduate student working towards a masters degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Higher Education. She serves as a Graduate Assistant for Graduate Student Life, where she helps plan and facilitate events and other resources for Mason’s graduate students on the Fairfax campus. Additionally, Kate is an Assistant Program Officer for the Center for Global Education, where she assists in coordinating various programs abroad. Kate loves to travel and is interested in developing international educational experiences for graduate students.
The blog will also occasionally feature posts by guest bloggers from around the Mason community.
Grad Student Welcome Days
As the year kicks into full swing, several Mason offices and departments have come together to provide resources to help graduate students get into the groove of things at Mason. During the first six weeks of the semester, as part of a series called Grad Student Welcome Days, several events will be held across the Mason campuses, ranging from educational and career workshops to a networking event for graduate students of color. Check out the lineup for Grad Student Welcome Days here.