George Mason students earn prestigious fellowships across disciplines

George Mason students earn prestigious fellowships across disciplines Susan Martonik Thu, 07/02/2026 - 11:04 Body This past spring, nearly a dozen George Mason University students received nationally competitive fellowships and scholarships, supporting work across a wide range of fields. Addressing topics from artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom to air pollution to the history of musical instruments, these honors highlight the breadth of student achievement and underscore that funding awards are within reach for students in any field. “This year alone, George Mason students have benefited from more than $168,000 in funding to further their education, study abroad, engage in meaningful research, and more,” said Megan Bruening, director in the Office of Fellowships . “These prestigious grants and awards open the door to unique opportunities that foster personal growth and build valuable academic and professional skills.” Several of this year's award recipients were recognized at the May Board of Visitors meeting. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding Recent fellowship recipients include: Ashleigh Williams, Fulbright Award and Berlin Program Dissertation Fellowship In September 2026, Williams, a historian of race, visual culture, and socialist internationalism, will travel to Germany to conduct research for her dissertation on the racial politics of the German Democratic Republic between 1961 and 1996. Williams is pursuing a doctorate in history in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences . Cora Sula, Fulbright Award Sula, a third-year PhD student in the Department of Information Sciences and Technology in the College of Engineering and Computing , will study the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms in Estonia . As one of the few countries with a national rollout of AI-assisted classrooms, Sula will investigate how this initiative is shaping Estonian teachers’ professional practices and classroom pedagogy. Lina Bondesson, Critical Language Scholarship Selected from a competitive pool of more than 4,500 applicants nationwide, Bondesson, a conflict analysis and resolution major in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution , will study Korean language and culture. The opportunity is part of a U.S. State Department program that provides immersive experiences in languages critical to the United States’ national security and economic prosperity. Xavier Isaac, Boren Fellowship An international security major in the Schar School of Policy and Government , Isaac’s fellowship will allow him to travel to Japan. The Boren award provides funding for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study critical languages abroad while committing to future public service to enhance U.S. capabilities, deterrence, and readiness. Sofie Strompf, Goldwater Scholarship Strompf, an Honors College student and neuroscience major in the College of Science , has received funding to continue her education at George Mason. Created to support future leaders in the STEM field, the scholarship was awarded for Strompf’s curiosity, discipline, and vision to become a research leader . Xiaorong (Sherry) Shan, COVES Policy Fellowship Shan, a Commonwealth of Virginia Engineering and Science (COVES) Policy Fellowship recipient, will spend her summer serving as an advisor at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality . In this role, she will work on environmental justice-related initiatives, including updates to the environmental justice guidance in the permitting process and supporting community engagement efforts. Shan is a civil and infrastructure engineering major the College of Engineering and Computing . Yingjie Zhang, COVES Policy Fellowship A PhD candidate in bioinformatics and computational biology in the College of Science , Zhang will complete his COVES fellowship with Virginia Bio, a statewide nonprofit trade association representing the life sciences industry in the commonwealth. He will bring his research experience in AI-driven drug discovery and development to the fellowship while expanding his understanding of the intersection between science, artificial intelligence, and state-level policy. Jayme Kurland, Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Kurland, a PhD candidate in history in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences , will conduct research at the Smithsonian Museum of American History as part of her predoctoral fellowship. Her dissertation research investigates the roles women have played in the early history of the Fender Electric Instruments Company. Alexandra Miller, Urban Communication Foundation Research Assistance Grant Miller received a grant to support her project, “You Can’t Do That Here: Misuse of Space in New York at the Turn of the Twentieth Century.” A doctoral student in history in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences , Miller researches green spaces, most recently urban parks and playgrounds in the American Progressive Era. Ali Kothawala, COMTO DC Scholarship Kothawala, an earth systems and geoinformation sciences major in the College of Science , received an inaugural Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) DC scholarship in recognition of his academic achievement, leadership potential, and commitment to advancing excellence in transportation and infrastructure. The Office of Fellowships supports current George Mason students and alumni in preparing strong applications for nationally competitive grants and scholarships. In the 2025-26 academic year, the office assisted more than 135 students. “The fellowship application process is worthwhile, even if students or alumni don’t receive an award,” said Bruening. “Applicants strengthen their communication skills, enhance their goal-setting abilities, and expand their professional network, all while gaining clearer direction for their academic and professional path.” Learn more about Honors College Related Stories George Mason students earn prestigious fellowships across disciplines July 2, 2026 Honoring achievement, generosity, and impact at the 2026 Scholarship Celebration June 12, 2026 Graduate student credits campus community for helping her find her course June 11, 2026 University Scholar combines art and conflict resolution to build bridges June 1, 2026 From George Mason to Capitol Hill: How environmental policy training shaped one graduate’s path May 29, 2026 Topics Topics Fellowships Fulbright Boren Fellowship Critical Language Scholarship Goldwater Scholarship Smithsonian doctoral students Honors College Students