Academic Advising

Sweet Insights

gsehgal2 — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:06:10 +0000

Sweet Insights gsehgal2 Wed, 09/20/2023 - 12:06

In This Story

Together with the College of Engineering and Computing, the Honors College hosted Doughnuts and Discussions on Friday, September 15 to explore how we excel in STEM disciplines. CEC Peer Mentors highlighted the value of peer support, emphasizing their role in guiding fellow students through academic challenges and directing them to appropriate resources. The conversation explored the intricacies of effective teaching and the pursuit of academic excellence. Participants exchanged experiences, challenges, and strategies.

Engineering and Computing faculty shared their perspectives on the continuous learning process, calling attention to the moments when student interactions led to deeper understanding and the significance of asking the right questions. The event served as a platform for sharing resources and experiences, equipping attendees with tools and insights to thrive in STEM fields.

Topics

Peer mentors

College of Engineering and Computing

Honors College

Academic Advising

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

TTIP

Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP)

Tech Talent Investment Program

The Honors College Welcomes Ashley Marshall-Lanier as a New Academic Advisor

gsehgal2 — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 19:40:39 +0000

The Honors College Welcomes Ashley Marshall-Lanier as a New Academic Advisor gsehgal2 Fri, 09/15/2023 - 15:40

In This Story

Ashley Marshall-Lanier

The George Mason University Honors College extends a warm welcome to Ashley Marshall-Lanier as a new academic advisor for the College of Science. As a certified success coach and advocate for student achievement, Marshall-Lanier has learned to value “progress, not perfection” in her 15 years of experience working in higher education.

Marshall-Lanier began her career teaching middle and high school language arts and English literature. In this environment, she noticed that there was not much assistance for students and their families during the transition from high school to college. Observing the challenges many students face, Marshall-Lanier realized how important it is for her to advocate for student’s success not only academically but also teaching them self-care skills. Marshall-Lanier takes this perspective and applies it to every student interaction.

From advising student athletes to working with college records, Marshall-Lanier has learned to take a holistic view of the balance between challenges and opportunities. Marshall-Lanier says she values being able to “watch the students grow - as well as recognize when they may be having some pitfalls.” She emphasizes that “both things are equally important.”

Marshall-Lanier extends this mindset to her academic success coaching as well: many students face outside factors that are separate from their education that impact their lives and learning. Marshall-Lanier says that, as an advisor, she keeps in mind those who are “working, helping take care of their younger siblings or parents” and understand that “life is more than just going to school.”

Marshall-Lanier highlights the need to lean on people in times of need. She wants students to know that academic advisors, such as herself, are all a part of their support team and encourages students to “be on an island all by yourself.” Particularly for Honors College students, Marshall-Lanier emphasizes that it is important to remember that “you are still going to accomplish things in your desired time frame, even if your pace is different from others.”

Marshall-Lanier is excited to be back at Mason and to be involved with the forward-thinking initiatives the Honors College has to offer.

Topics

Academic Advising

Ashley Marshall-Lanier

gsehgal2 — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:45:59 +0000

Ashley Marshall-Lanier gsehgal2 Fri, 09/08/2023 - 17:45

Academic Advisor, Honors College
Co-Chair, Communication Committee, Staff Senate

Contact Information

Email: amarsha7@gmu.edu
Phone: 703.993.1110
Mailstop: Honors College, MSN 1F4
Campus: Fairfax
Office: Buchanan Hall 205

Biography

Ashley brings over seventeen years of experience to the field of higher education. She is an academic advisor and certified academic success coach. She is an advocate for student success and firmly believes in the integral part that advising plays in graduating students from institutions with Bachelor’s degrees and beyond.

Education

M.A. Ed Higher Education (Spring 2024), George Mason University
B.A. English, Creative Writing (2001), Virginia Tech

Michael B. Hock

Wasiq Muhammad Muhammad Ali — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 16:45:21 +0000

Michael B. Hock Wasiq Muhammad… Tue, 04/05/2022 - 12:45

Academic Advisor, Honors College

Contact Information

Email: mhock2@gmu.edu
Phone: 703.993.1110
Mailstop: Honors College, MSN 1F4
Campus: Fairfax
Office: Buchanan Hall 205

Biography

Michael is an academic advisor in the Honors College at George Mason University. He enjoys writing comedy, and has been published in Cracked, Points in Case, and Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. He also enjoys reading, particularly Young Adult Literature and exploring the intersection of classic and modern literature. He is currently working on a novel that explores humanity's relationship with social media (but is also funny.)

Selected Publications

Hock, Michael "The Artisan Cheese Incident" Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine November/December Issue 2022.

Education

MFA, Fiction, George Mason University 2021

MEd, Secondary Curriculum and Instruction, George Mason University 2017

MA, Literature, George Mason University 2016

BA, English, George Mason University, 2001

Tahmina Rahman is Mason’s 2021 Academic Advisor of the Year

Mariam Aburdeineh — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 16:58:31 +0000

Tahmina Rahman is Mason’s 2021 Academic Advisor of the Year Mariam Aburdeineh Thu, 04/29/2021 - 12:58

Tahmina Rahman is the 2021 Academic Advisor of the Year.

Tahmina Rahman in George Mason University’s Honors College has been named the V. Ann Lewis Academic Advisor of the Year, in recognition of outstanding care and commitment to supporting undergraduates’ academic achievement.

Nearly 800 students nominated 130 advisors from across the university for the award.

“Winning this award is a reminder of the generosity and kindness of my students,” Rahman said. “I have always been blessed to work with wonderful students, and the Honors College students at Mason have been among the most kind, respectful, and amazing students I have worked with thus far in my career.”

Rahman, who is originally from Bangladesh and immigrated to the United States at age 6, said working with students and helping them persevere and achieve in their academic journey is her favorite part of the job.

When Hannah Milikich, a junior double-majoring in biology and chemistry, went to her first academic advising appointment, she said she was very nervous and did not know what to expect. But Rahman’s kind and welcoming nature immediately put her at ease.

“Ms. Rahman helped me figure out everything I needed to know about my schedule and how to prepare for classes moving forward,” Milikich said.

“I love how proactive she is, which she always shows by asking questions about my future plans and how I want to prepare,” Milikich said, adding that if Rahman wasn’t an expert in a specific area, she would do the research and refer her to people and resources who could help. “You really can’t find a better, more helpful advisor.”

In Rahman’s nominations, students also wrote about how she has also been a source of support, motivating them to strive for their personal best.

“This award wouldn’t have been possible without the support, unconditional love, and welcoming spirit of my Honors College colleagues, my supervisor Vanessa Correa, and the advising community at Mason,” Rahman said. “I wouldn’t be able to effectively advise my students if I couldn’t lean on and learn from my colleagues.”

The top 10 Mason advisors who received the most student nominations were also recognized by the university:

Robert Yi, College of Visual and Performing Arts
Michael Hurley, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Claudia Borke, College of Engineering and Computing
Krystal Dains, College of Engineering and Computing
Jaclyn Beasley, School of Business
Maria Perez, College of Health and Human Services
Valerie Olmo, College of Science
Thomas Winston, College of Engineering and Computing
Sara Simanski, College of Visual and Performing Arts
Lori Yi, College of Visual and Performing Arts

Topics

Academic Advising

Awards

Honors College

Faculty and Staff News

Honors College's Tahmina Rahman Recognized with V. Ann Lewis Academic Advisor of the Year Award

rstaffo2 — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 17:25:00 +0000

Honors College's Tahmina Rahman Recognized with V. Ann Lewis Academic Advisor of the Year Award rstaffo2 Fri, 04/16/2021 - 13:25

Congratulations to Tahmina Rahman, Honors College Advisor, for being the recipient of this year’s V. Ann Lewis Academic Advisor of the Year Award!

In its 17th year, this award is designed to recognize excellence in undergraduate academic advising.

Honors College advisor Tahmina Rahman was recognized after receiving a remarkable 50 unique student nominations, reflecting the appreciation that her service and commitment to students has generated. Tahmina Rahman advises most Honors College students who are majoring in the College of Science and is well known for going above-and-beyond to support all of the students with whom she works.

The V. Ann Lewis Academic Advisor of the Year Award includes a stipend, gift package, and the title of Academic Advisor of the Year.

Ms. Rahman received this award for:

Demonstrating a caring, helpful attitude toward students;
Providing accurate information regarding university academic requirements;
Being available to students;
Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all students;
Making appropriate referrals;
Having a firm knowledge of Mason regulations, policies, and procedures; and
Supporting student development.

Ms. Rahman has always been extremely helpful and knowledgeable when helping me figure out what classes to take, but she also is a valuable resource for finding extra opportunities such as research or further education applications, which she has provided me with every single time we've met. I'm also a student-athlete, which she understands and takes into account when I talk about wanting to design my schedule around practice times as well as having heavier loads in the spring. She was also not fazed when I told her over halfway through my sophomore year that I wanted to add a whole new major, and she's helped me make sure I can graduate on time with both degrees. She is also just a very kind and understanding person, and I really wish she was a professor so I could take her class. The thing that stands out about her to me is how attentive she is: she remembers everything I tell her about what classes I want/need to take, what I'm interested in pursuing, and anything else that happens to come up. She's never steered me wrong, and I think I am definitely lucky to have had her as my advisor.

Hannah Milikich

Tahmina Rahman is an excellent advisor. She cares deeply for the well-being and success of all of the students she advises. In my personal opinion, she has an exceptionally difficult challenge in managing all of the panicky pre-health, Honors College, science majors, such as myself. And it is a challenge that she rises to and conquers with grace.

Anonymous student

Ms. Tahmina Rahman has honestly been such a source of comfort in these uncomfortable times. Throughout my time at Mason, I have met with several advisors, some of which have been more helpful than others. Ms. Rahman has undoubtedly stood out as the most knowledgeable, helpful, and genuinely caring for her students. Sometimes, I'd feel that the effort needed for my advisors to see my concerns and help me come up with a viable solution was more nerve-wrecking than it was helpful. In stark contrast, Ms. Rahman has been able to identify problems that I wouldn't have initially accounted for and has helped me through them meticulously. When faced with a complicated issue, lengthy request, or complex question, Ms. Tahmina has been my go-to. She is always ready to go above and beyond, and she has the expertise to back it up. I recommend Ms. Tahmina Rahman for the Academic Advisor of the Year Award without reservation.

Malek Salhab

My advisor should win the academic advisor award for many reasons! She has continuously been a supporting system for me as she always motivates me and pushes me to do my best. She always reaches out to me and makes sure that I am doing well, in addition to sending me information and numerous opportunities that I may be interested in. Most importantly, she truly listens to what I am saying. She remembers the little details and anecdotes I tell her about many months later. She encourages me to be my best self both in the classroom and out. I am honored to be nominating my personal favorite advisor - Mrs. Rahman.

Anonymous student

Mrs. Rahman is my Honors College Academic advisor, but outside of the honors college she has been so helpful with classes, interests outside of the university, and overall just helping me to adjust to my first year of college. When I have had conversations via email with her she is always doing more than what is required of her and the resources she provides for students are very useful! Even with issues in my major she has been a big help and is someone I know that I can rely on when it comes to my college experience!

Reagan Marrale

I believe Tahmina Rahman is an exemplary Academic Advisor and has supported me ever since she started serving as an advisor for the Honors College at Mason. She is very professional and knowledgeable as well as being personable and genuinely caring for the success of her students. I was going through a difficult time my Sophomore year, but Tahmina offered her support and helped me through it. I know she has done the same for the hundreds of students who have met with her. It is with great pleasure that I nominate Tahmina Rahman as the Academic Advisor of the Year and I hope the committee will be able to recognize her amazing work at Mason.

Sahar Rizwan

I first met Tahmina in my Spring Semester of 2019 as a Freshman. I believe it was also her first semester then as well in her role as an Academic Advisor for Science Majors within the Honors College. Tahmina has always sought to offer the best she can to her students, working diligently to ensure our needs are met. She has been there to support me through my journey here at Mason, and has simply been a vital role to my success as a student. She offers support and encouragement in many ways, and I have never left an appointment with her feeling confused, worried, or concerned about my semesters ahead. Rather, I leave feeling secure, supported, and encouraged. I'm blessed that in my third year as a Mason student, we have both learned and grown.

Sean Diment

Tahmina has been an immense help for me since my freshman year at Mason. She's been an invaluable resource in getting me on track with my classes. She has answered all of my questions thoroughly and, most importantly, accurately. She's genuine and also looks out for what opportunities there are for me, and I honestly don't know where I'd be without her.

Anonymous student

Tahmina has helped me so much this year, especially as a freshman in time of chaos. Summer of last year I was very confused as to what classes I needed to take in order to be in the right direction for my major. We emailed back and forth and set up a time in which she was very helpful in helping me create a schedule for fall. Throughout the semester we continued to be in contact and recently, she informed me about a summer program regarding medical school and networking. As a freshman, I feel like she has helped me so much in such little time and every time we talk, she makes me feel more secure in the steps and classes I'm taking towards my major. She is a kind and understanding person and I honestly would have been even more lost and confused this first year of college without her.

Lesley Garay Reyes

Ms. Rahman is truly a gem and I am honored to have been acquainted with her since my Freshman year. She was there with me, every step of the way through my pre-med journey, and as I was selected for an early selection medical school program. She helped me get in touch with fellow Honors College students who share the same interests as me, and who helped serve as a guide as I navigated difficult upper level science coursework. Not only does she respond to each and every communication, she also remembers her students, follows up with them, and checks in on them every semester. She is truly an asset to the Honors College and Mason!

Anonymous student

I was extremely nervous and intimidated entering Mason as a freshman, and Ms. Rahman eased a lot of the tension away by sitting with me through multiple meetings and patiently explaining potential academic routes available to me as well as any opportunities available that are unique to my major. She is very knowledgeable about the College of Science and if there was a question I posed that she was unsure of, she made sure to connect me to appropriate faculty and followed up to ensure that my concerns were addressed. Additionally, she always sends follow-up emails during the semester to check in with students and is a great help in regards to planning out my schedule for future semesters to balance all of my major requirements and any additional classes I want to take. Ms. Rahman is my first point of contact about any academic or personal needs, and I think she is extremely deserving for the Academic Advisor of the Year Award due to her diligence in reaching out to students and connecting with them despite the mostly virtual format.

Shams Al Jassar

Coming into college, I was clueless on how things worked and how to access resources. Ms. Rahman has been more than helpful. Not only has she helped me to get my classes situated, she has provided me with endless amounts of opportunities in the honors college and she has made sure things are going well with me. Last semester I had to drop out of my classes for very personal reasons and she made sure to continuously check up on me and she has been more than helpful in my transition back into school this semester. Considering how many students she has to interact with, it is really nice to have someone who cares and can connect with me on a personal level to help lead me to success.

Raven Griffin

Topics

Academic Advising

Honors College