Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies

MA in Interdisciplinary Studies (Concentration in Education and Critical Pedagogies; Secondary concentration in Media and Democracy Studies)

In addition to exemplary work in the classroom and innovative capstone work at the intersections of human rights, critical media literacy, and education, Mischa has served on the editorial board of Project Censored, writing articles on issues and events that garnered little to no media attention in mainstream media outlets. She has also been a contributing writer and editor at The Markaz Review, writing about human rights-related topics.

MAIS in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights

Lakshmi's thesis, involving much more significant research than is standard for MAIS students, is a nuanced and thoughtful look at Asian Indian women adoptees and the construction of racial(ized) identity.

Serving Mason student organizations

Engaged college students are more successful college students. Through her work in Mason's office of student involvement, Amber Duffey is helping students connect to the life of the university.

Graduate Admissions Specialist

Nicollette graduated from the MAIS Higher Education Program in December of 2014. Nicollette made the most of the MAIS program by getting involved in the Mason community. She met student affairs professionals and faculty that became her mentors throughout the program. Since graduating, Nicollette has continued with her passion for assisting students and currently works in the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Author

Mr. Brown is a 2013 MAIS Graduate with a Concentration in Higher Education. He co-authored the book, SEM and Institutional Success: Integrating Enrollment, Finance and Student Access (AACRAO Publishing, 2008) and contributed a chapter on financial aid to another AACRAO book: Strategic Enrollment Management: Transforming Higher Education. His advice to prospective and current Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies students is to "be diligent."

Redefining feminist theory using Sufi thought and direct action activism

Sara Haq has over a decade of experience teaching, researching, and writing at the intersection of gender and sexuality studies and Sufism. Following completion of her PhD and Postdoc, she is currently an independent scholar in Lahore, Pakistan.

Empowering girls for future success

Danielle Craddock, MAIS '11 is the owner of Danielle B. Craddock LLC, a consulting company where she uses her experience as founder and director of Girls Inspired & Ready to Lead Inc. (GIRL) to help others start their nonprofits or develop STEM programming. GIRL mentors and empowers teen girls through career exploration, leadership development, and confidence building.

In 2010, Shannyn Snyder received her master of arts in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on anthropology and global health. After a brief introduction to water scarcity in a global issues course, she realized that she wanted to focus on water and global health, but no such specific program existed at Mason. With the help of the MAIS program, she found out she could connect water, health and culture in the individualized concentration. Now, she's returned to Mason for her PhD to continue this work.