Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Bringing multiple perspectives together is this freshman's passion

rstaffo2 — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 21:20:42 +0000

Bringing multiple perspectives together is this freshman's passion rstaffo2 Tue, 08/20/2024 - 17:20

Grace McIntyre is an incoming freshman in the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution who is in the Honors College.

Photo provided

Jeffrey Zitomer: Where are you from?

Grace McIntyre: I’m from North Carolina, born in the mountains. When my Dad went to Seminary, we moved to New York for three years. But afterward we moved back to North Carolina. For the last two years, I’ve been living in India at an international boarding school. More than 60 countries were represented. The goal of the school was to unite people from different cultures and backgrounds to work together to pursue peace and a sustainable future.

I travelled around India a lot and played Ultimate Frisbee with the Maharastra Team. We went to the Ultimate Nationals!

Jeffrey: What are you passionate about?

Grace: I love frisbee! That’s a big one.

I also like to dance, all different types of dance, but I’ve never done it in any kind of professional setting.

I’m a percussionist, and I play drums and other instruments. I tried to learn banjo, but I kind of failed at that! I really wanted to be able to play Bluegrass. Bluegrass is cool. One day!

I’m passionate about community engagement. Before I went to India, I created a club at my school to combat human trafficking. My town was a hot spot for human trafficking. We tried to educate students on the signs and how they can take action. For example, we organized a barefoot walk, in collaboration with Joy International, which over the past few years, raised more than $10,000.

Jeffrey: What most excites you about college?

Grace: Meeting new people. I’m also really excited about the Carter School! I would like to join clubs and see the different opportunities at [George] Mason. Every time I turn a corner, I see something new I want to be involved in.

Jeffrey: Why did you choose the Carter School?

Grace: I’ve been in many situations where people disagree with each other, but I noticed that they have underlying similarities in what they want and in their thought processes. I’m interested in gaining the skills to articulate these similarities and help them communicate and gain respect and acceptance for one another.

I wanted to be in DC, because there’s so many opportunities and people trying to make change, and I wanted to study peace. The Carter School really stood out to me.

Jeffrey: Ideally, what would you like to do, post-graduation?

Grace: I would like to be in a position where I feel like I’m of service to people and engaging with some kind of community where I can help people understand each other better – it could be an NGO, interpersonal, local, government, or international.

Learn About Undergraduate Opportunities at the Carter School!

Topics

Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Honors College

first year students

“If you see somebody struggling, help them” says Carter School freshman who brings passions for the arts and social justice

rstaffo2 — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 21:06:29 +0000

“If you see somebody struggling, help them” says Carter School freshman who brings passions for the arts and social justice rstaffo2 Tue, 08/20/2024 - 17:06

Cece Foye is an incoming freshman in the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution and member of the Honors College.

As a University Scholar, Cece is among a small number of incoming Honors College freshmen selected each year through a competitive process to join a four-year cohort of student leaders who also receive a full-tuition scholarship. Cece is also a participant in the Bonner Leadership program, which provides a stipend to select incoming students dedicated to exploring the concepts of citizenship and democracy through course work and through a partnership with a community agency.

Photo provided

Jeffrey Zitomer: Where are you from?

Cece Foye: Born in Greensboro, NC, but I’ve moved around. I’ve lived in Kodiak Alaska and Atlanta GA, but now I’m back in Greensboro. I lived with my mother, grandma and great-grandma, and before I came out as non-binary, we used to call ourselves the “four generations of women!” In fact, my nana just turned 100 a week ago.

Jeffrey: What are you passionate about?

Cece: I’m a singer – I’m starting an acapella group at Mason. It’s going to be called the Mason Madrigals, specializing in renaissance acapella! I’m also a ballroom dancer and a “scare” actor, one of the actors you would encounter in a Halloween haunted house. Last year I acted in “The Purge” area of a haunted house called “Woods of Terror.”

I also love working in the community and helping others. That’s why I chose conflict resolution as my major.

I’m currently involved with a community organization, NCCJ, North Carolina for Community and Justice. I went to their summer camp two years ago and it totally shaped who I am. This year I was a counselor. I also do some volunteering for them.

Jeffrey: What kind of music do you listen to?

Cece: I listen to a bit of everything, but I prefer indie rock and indie pop. I went to two concerts last week, Still Woozy and Glass Animals, and those are my top two bands.

Jeffrey: Do you have a pet at home?

Cece: I have two cats. One is a tortie named Spazzy and Cedar is our six-month-old orange kitten.

Jeffrey: What most excites you about college?

Cece: I’m excited to discover who I am, as a person, outside of my comfort zone. I intentionally applied to out-of-state schools for that reason. I’m so exited to be near DC!

Jeffrey: Why did you choose the Carter School?

Cece: For my whole life, my family saying has been “if you see somebody struggling, help them.” That goes from helping people who may have dropped something to collecting food for people living in food deserts. I also love a good protest.

Jeffrey: Ideally, what would you like to do, post-graduation?

Cece: For the most part, I’m still figuring out the details, but I would like to work in social justice, particularly LGBTQ advocacy. So, either a LGBTQ center or a general organization, fighting for human rights.

Learn About Undergraduate Opportunities at the Carter School!

Topics

LGBTQ+

Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Honors College

Bonner Leadership Program

Civic Engagement

From networking opportunities to getting internship, proximity to DC help attract this Carter School freshman to George Mason

rstaffo2 — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 20:50:20 +0000

From networking opportunities to getting internship, proximity to DC help attract this Carter School freshman to George Mason rstaffo2 Tue, 08/20/2024 - 16:50

Cora Jackson is an incoming freshman in the Carter School for Peace and Conflict and the Honors College.

Photo provided

Jeffrey Zitomer: Where are you from?

Cora Jackson: I’m from Silverthorne, Colorado, which is in the mountains of Colorado. There are several local ski resorts, so that was also a big part of my upbringing. It’s a small community, but it’s been a really nice place to grow up. It’s gorgeous!

Jeffrey: What are you passionate about?

Cora: I do like skiing! I’ve been skiing since the age of two. I also did track and cross country all through high school. I really love running.

I spent my junior year of high school in Valencia, Spain and developed a love of travel and different cultures. I was able to volunteer at the Red Cross in Spain, and I taught English to children every weekend. I also volunteered at the American Space, which is part of the American Embassy, and met people in local government and ambassadors, which is where I developed a passion for international relations and conflict analysis.

I also like outdoor, live concerts.

Jeffrey: Do you have any pets?

Cora: I have a cat, named Patches. I’ve had her since second grade – ten years ago. She’s getting old, but still very playful and energetic!

Jeffrey: What most excites you about college?

Cora: It’s a good opportunity to be in a new place, surrounded by new people who’ve had very different experiences from me. I’m really excited to start my course of study; conflict analysis seems really interesting! It’s such a break from high school; there are so many courses I really want to study. George Mason has such a wide variety of course and professors, I’m excited to explore different the different options!

Jeffrey: Why did you choose the Carter School?

Cora: George Mason was the only school I looked at that offered conflict analysis. Also, the size of the school was attractive to me. It can be so overwhelming because [George] Mason is so big, but Carter is so small with a smaller community, that it’s comforting to me.

The program is so unique and we’re so close to DC, it’s easy to make connections or get internships, which is another reason why I chose the Carter School.

Jeffrey: Ideally, what would you like to do, post-graduation?

Cora: I can see myself working in several different sectors, either the government or the private sector, and I might be interested in living abroad again.

Learn About Undergraduate Opportunities at the Carter School!

Topics

Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Honors College

internships