OSCAR Fellows: Ambassadors for Culture Change

SummaryThe Office of Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR) at George Mason University elects a select group from the undergraduate student body to represent the department. These individuals have displayed a sincere interest in promoting the growth of undergraduate scholarship on campus. OSCAR Fellows have had previous experience with research or creative activities and provide outreach to the Mason community about student scholarship. The fellows attend outreach and recruiting events, provide a student’s perspective on committees, and act as a resource for new students. OSCAR fellows have served as change agents at Mason and become valued stakeholders toward fulfilling our mission.

OSCAR Fellows are part of our infrastructure; they help raise the profile of our programs and encourage increased participation.

Myurajan RubaharanNeuroscience of Dendrite

Morphology, Krasnow Institute of Advance Studies.

“Undergraduates should consider research as it gives exposure to tools related to ones field of interest and familiarizes the student to the real world applications of the students field. OSCAR will also help you establish a firm network among undergraduate researchers and their mentors through research presentation events at Mason.”

Rebecca M. Jones* and Bethany M. UsherGeorge Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States, rjones22@gmu.edu

Claire CollinsOver-expression of Thymosim beta-4, Biochemistry

“Research was a great opportunity for me to interact with a professor and have a one-on-one relationship that was more personal. My mentor was down to earth, helpful, and caring towards her students and we were in constant communication with one another throughout the project by text messages, phone calls, and meetings. Working on this project helped shape my career path I know that the bond I share with my mentor won’t end here.”

Basic ResponsibilitiesAttend outreach events, representing OSCAR and educating the attending group on the opportunities and incentives OSCAR provides Mason.Attend OSCAR committee meetings, providing a "student’s perspective" on programs offered by OSCAR.Attend meetings of the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) to present their research work, share perspectives.Attend UNIV 100 and other courses, explaining the process of scholarship, and encourage attending students by elaborating on their own scholarly experiences at Mason.Demonstrate continuous progress on an independent or mentored scholarly project.Act as a resource for other students students, providing them with advice on advancing and developing their scholarly activity.

Krystal ThomasIndonesian Women Challenging Societal Standards of Beauty, School of Conflict and

Resolution

“All research is, is having a question, and wanting to find an answer…. “You do have to work for it … some days you will get frustrated, you’ll feel like you’ve hit a wall, but being able to find a way around those walls … and overcome those obstacles is so gratifying.“

Broader ImpactsPromoting and maintain networking events for URSP students, which promotes a scholarly community at Mason, such as community dinners where URSP students and the OSCAR Fellows can meet potential rising scholars.Discovering and outlining new potential events on campus, where OSCAR’s presence is appropriate, such as a Living Learning CommunityOrganizing and assigning roles for each independent Fellow, such as scheduling which events each Fellow will attend.Inviting discipline specific mentors to speak at various events to address what scholarship looks like in their field. Preparing statements on individual progress: How have you promoted OSCAR since our last session?

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Changing Mason Culture

Increase the visibility of student scholarship at Mason

Provide more opportunities for undergraduates to participate in undergraduate research and creative activities

Develop the infrastructure to reach the first two goals.

Long-term Goals

2011-2012 FellowsMyurajan RubaharanLuis SullivanAaron VanAndelSabrina Speights

2012-2013 FellowsMyurajan RubaharanLuis SullivanRachel TrumpClaire CollinsNiah GrimesDevin PorterMai AbdelgahiKrystal Thomas