Graduate Success Fellows

Latifah Abubakr is a third-year Ph.D. student in George Mason University's Information Sciences and Technology (IST) program and a member of the Community Informatics Lab (CIL). She holds a master’s degree in MIS from Arkansas State University and is originally from Saudi Arabia. Before joining Mason, she held academic and administrative roles teaching IT and public administration to diverse learners at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Her current research examines how AI-based tools can support information access, focusing on how that information is organized and shared. As a Graduate Success Fellow (GSF), she aims to apply her passion for education to create a welcoming environment where students feel empowered, connected, and confident. 

labubakr@gmu.edu

Erica Kevin Mathias is a second-year master’s student in the Data Analytics Engineering Program at George Mason University. She is passionate about helping graduate students access the support and resources they need to reach their full potential. Her research interests include healthcare data analytics, social media analytics, and retail data analytics. She is particularly focused on applying big data techniques and a variety of graphical visualizations to improve decision-making in healthcare delivery, understand online use behavior, and optimize business operations. With a strong academic background and experience engaging in interdisciplinary projects, Erica aims to contribute to the growing field of data-driven solutions that address complex challenges across industries. Beyond her academic work, Erica enjoys exploring new places, trying out different food and coffee spots, and experimenting with new SFX makeup looks. 

emathias@gmu.edu

Harris Davis is a second-year student in the School Psychology program at George Mason University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Old Dominion University and a master's Degree in Psychology from George Mason University. He has research experience on topics related to ethnic-racial identity in children and ADHD’s impact on students. Harris also brings hands-on experience working with children and adolescents with autism as an ABA Behavior Technician, where he supported clients in building skills such as communication and emotional regulation. 

hdavis31@gmu.edu

Jackson Mandart is a second-year master’s student in Kinesiology at the College of Education and Human Development. His research focuses on resistance training and muscle hypertrophy with applications in clinical and performance settings. He plans to apply to Kinesiology PhD programs this fall, aiming to expand the evidence base on how resistance training benefits diverse populations.

jmandart@gmu.edu 

Jamie Vaughan is a second-year student in the School Psychology MA/Eds program at George Mason University. She holds a master’s degree in psychology with a concentration in school psychology from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from James Madison University. Jamie has professional experience in university counseling centers and clinic-based settings, supporting students and families in accessing mental health and academic resources. She is passionate about promoting mental health, self-care, and balance in graduate education, and she values collaboration, fostering supportive communities, and bringing diverse perspectives to problem-solving. 

jvaugh4@gmu.edu

Pu Meng is a fourth-year PhD student in the Linguistics Program at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Her research interests include language documentation, multilingual analysis, cognition, and acquisition. By combining documentation work with cognitive and acquisition perspectives, Pu aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how languages are used, preserved, and learned across diverse contexts. 

pmeng@gmu.edu

Swati Nagrale is a second-year Ph.D. student in Sociology at George Mason University, researching social stratification, caste, and transnational advocacy for dalits. She holds an M.Phil. in Planning and Development from IIT Bombay, an M.A. in Rural Development from TISS, Mumbai, and a B.E. in Electronics and Telecommunication from Nagpur University. Her academic journey reflects a strong commitment to interdisciplinary research, bridging sociology, development studies, technology, and dalit rights advocacy. Professionally, she has worked on Fulbright-Nehru and TISS projects, CSR impact assessments at Jamia Millia Islamia, and grassroots social work with the Bodhicitta Foundation in India. Her work combines qualitative and quantitative methods to connect community-based insights with development debates in India. Apart from academics, Swati enjoys spending time with dogs and discussing sci-fi scenarios with science nerds. 

snagrale@gmu.edu

May Santiago is a cultural studies scholar and essay filmmaker. She is a sixth-year PhD candidate in the Cultural Studies program at George Mason University. Her work focuses on Puerto Rican cinema, particularly at the intersection of horror, queer, and feminist studies. Her films have screened at Final Girls Berlin Film Festival, Ax Wound Film Festival, Panama Horror Film Festival, Wench Film Festival, and New/Next Film Festival. She was also named one of the rising voices within video essayists in Sight & Sound by the British Film Institute in 2023 and 2024. 

msantia7@gmu.edu

Angelo Gabrielle Santos is a Public Policy PhD candidate at George Mason University’s Schar School. His work sits at the intersection of labor economics, education finance, and program evaluation, with current projects quantifying the labor-market impacts of extreme heat and estimating the cost effectiveness of education interventions.  Angelo has co-authored meta-analyses on education PPPs and socio-emotional skills and brings advanced skills in causal inference, spatial analysis, and text analytics. Originally from the Philippines and now based in Washington, DC, he is committed to evidence that improves policy design in developing countries.

 asanto7@gmu.edu

Kelsey Pence (she/her) is in her third and final year at The Carter School at George Mason University, where she is working toward her MS degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. While Kelsey has been pursuing her degree part-time, she has worked as a research associate for the Center for Peacemaking Practice. From 2017 to 2024, Kelsey worked at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), where she held roles managing team operations and assisting donor stewardship. At TNC, Kelsey also held leadership roles in two groups that promoted and advocated for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In 2024, Kelsey was awarded a Boren Fellowship to study Portuguese language in Florianopolis and Salvador, Brazil. She also holds a BA in International Studies and a BA in Spanish from Virginia Tech. Outside of formal education, Kelsey loves to cook, spend time with her partner, family, friends and plants. 

epence2@gmu.edu

Sara Almadani is a second year PhD student in Climate Dynamics Program. She has a master's degree in Applied Economics from George Washington University. During her ten years at the Saudi Center Bank, Sara acquired significant experience in mentoring, peer support, and cross-cultural collaboration. By combining her background in economics with her studies in climate science, she aims to contribute to interdisciplinary approaches for understanding climate impacts.

salmadan@gmu.edu

Suzanna Castro-Tarabulsi is a third-year Ph.D. student in Mathematics at George Mason University, where her research focuses on applied functional analysis. She is passionate about building a supportive academic environment and is deeply invested in the success and well-being of her fellow graduate students. She is particularly committed to ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, have access to the resources and encouragement they need to thrive in graduate school. When she’s not immersed in academics or supporting her peers, Suzanna enjoys exploring local coffee shops, listening to classical music, and learning German.

starabul@gmu.edu