Career Services

• Virginia Association of Colleges & Employers: Mason had a very strong presence at the Virginia Association of Employers and Colleges (VACE) conference April 30-May 2 held in Williamsburg, VA. Ann Mills, and Charlotte Strauss, UCS Career Counselors and Erin Ogburn, Mason Employer-in- Residence and new  VACE President, presented a workshop entitled The Job Search: Using a Portfolio to "Show and Tell." There were 35 attendees from colleges and employers who asked a variety of questions about Mason's portfolio workshop and how employers use portfolio information in making hiring decisions. James Barricelli, Assistant Director of Employer Relations conducted 2 Roundtable Discussions on "Best Practices for Connecting Colleges with Employers" and "Making the Most of VACE for Employer Members."  James also served as regional coordinator for the Northern Virginia  "Nothing But Net-working" and Mason basketball event with VACE and Business Alliance.
  
  

Counseling  & Psychological Services

• Kellie Scanlon was presented with the Exceptional Support Award at the HR awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 6, 2008. Congratulations to Kellie!
• Adrienne Barna presented at the Center for Global Education office orientation on mental health issues and students studying abroad.  Approximately 39 faculty members  who will accompany students on upcoming study abroad programs participated in the Saturday orientation.

Housing & Residence Life

• The annual spring event, Parkapalooza, was held on Friday, May 2 on the Presidents Park Lawn. The event was planned by the Resident Student Association and the Presidents Park Staff.  Four bands competed in a Battle of the Bands, and House of Echo took first place. Participants enjoyed provided food and other activities like tie-dying.  The event drew hundreds of students. 
• The DUCC/Chesapeake area had approximately 200 people in attendance for the third biannual Study Bucks auction immediately followed by a pancake study break on Tuesday, May 6 from 10pm – 12midnight. Study Bucks is a program designed to encourage students to study in common areas and in study groups. The students are rewarded with a “study buck” that they can use to bid on prizes at a silent auction. Prizes included guitar hero, iPod shuffle, gift certificates for local restaurants, movies, movie tickets, and more.
• The TAP Area also hosted a Study Bucks program with a breakfast on May 7th.

Prince William Campus, University Life

• For the final week of classes, students enjoyed daily beverages and crafts in the Bull Run Hall atrium. Helton Pereira performed a live concert on Tuesday, April 29 in Randall’s Café as part of the Randall’s Rhythms series.
• Thursday, May 1 was De-Stress Day as students prepared for finals. Also on Thursday, the Prince William Campus Community Bake Sale was a huge success raising over $400 to feed hungry children in our country. The final Grad Student Social of the semester wrapped up Thursday evening.
• Friday May 2, students and staff mixed it up in the Prince William Sports Challenge. This day-long event hosted teams that competed in soccer, basketball, volleyball, flag football, and dodge ball. Back Row narrowly defeated team Slacker Hackers for the championship. This inaugural team-building event, developed as a student practicum project, was an unqualified success.

Student Health Services

• Dr. Abdalla gave a presentation on "Planning for Healthy Travel" at a Faculty Retreat sponsored by the Center for Global Education. She discussed immunizations for travel, preparing for medical and non-medical emergencies and putting together a Traveler's Health kit.

Women’s Center

• On Thursday May 1 Women and Gender Studies in collaboration with CHSS and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology hosted the first annual Gender Research Conference.  Students participating in the Gender Research Project lead by Nancy Hanrahan and Amy Best, MAIS Women and Gender Studies graduate students, and Cultural Studies graduate students presented their current research.
• The Feminist Ninjas successfully raised over $200 through a series of bake sales in order to raise funds for school supplies to send to Santa Elena, Costa Rica.  Melissa Krauth, next year’s Feminist Ninja leader, coordinated the successful event.
• On Thursday May 15 at 4:00 Women and Gender Studies will be hosting a reception congratulating this year’s graduating WMST minors, MAIS, and graduate certificate students. The event will be held in the Women and Gender Studies Center JC 240K.
• We are very pleased to announce that WMST graduate student Nicole McCoy has received this year's MAIS Outstanding Thesis Award for her "Voices from the Slums: Brazilian Women on Domestic Service and Poverty".  Nicole did her field research interviewing women who live in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.  She argues that domestic service is more than simply an employment category for these women: it is a "cultural repertoire" that orients all other life options including education, marriage and family.  Her analysis is intersectional and draws on significant theoretical advances in cultural sociology.  Congratulations, Nicole!
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