Schar School Student Spotlight

With the launch last year of the nonprofit Rise Above & Be Relentless Foundation, graduating Master of Global Policy and Commerce’s Sumeya Gibril created the support she wishes had been there for her. The inspiration for the charity, she said, “is me.”

Gabriella Grabovska came to the United States in 2022 just after Russia invaded her homeland of Ukraine. The Kyiv native’s first visit to the United States was as a George Mason University student in the Schar School of Policy and Government. Now, four years later, she’s leaving with ambition, experience, and a clear mission.

New Student Body President Jonathan Dubois represents the university’s 30,000 undergraduates. He’s also majoring in international security and law in the Schar School. See what motivates him as a leader.

Graduating senior Mariamme Latif Estafan grew up as virtually the only child of immigrants in her hometown in New Jersey. Once she arrived at George Mason University, she found outlets for her desire to study—and improve—the immigrant experience.

He’s traveled the world; speaks several languages; plays cello, balalaika, and dombra among other instruments; and writes op-eds about international security issues that are published in influential media outlets. And he’s 18. Meet graduating senior Josef Wolpert.

Migrants are vital to the world order yet are often vilified. In an op-ed, a Schar School sophomore suggests movement is resistance and mobility is justice.

For first-year Schar School student Bora Yoon, identity and advocacy are inseparable. As a woman, a person of color, a child of immigrants, and an LGBTQ+ student, she says her story fuels her drive to pursue political study—and to fight for equity for everyone.

What does it mean to the United States when Xi, Putin, and Kim strengthen their ties? What can the U.S. do about it? See the op-ed by Schar School’s Bradley Olson, the first of a series of opinion columns from the university’s branch of the Sycamore Institute.

First-year student Apoorva Navale plans to attend law school with the help of the Schar School and the Honors College. See how she’s making the most of her college experience.

Schar School sophomore Max Castner is president of the university’s newest student organization, the Podcast Club at George Mason University. See how the club can launch your podcast.