food insecurity

Nutrition Insight: George Mason University’s College of Public Health research on health disparities between ethnic groups cited in story about overall health trends.

tthoma8 — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:53:40 +0000

Nutrition Insight: George Mason University’s College of Public Health research on health disparities between ethnic groups cited in story about overall health trends. tthoma8 Mon, 08/26/2024 - 09:53

In This Story

Michelle S. Williams, PhD, MSPH

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Beyond The Headlines: Balchem bolsters prenatal research, Ingredion reports strong Q2 results.

Topics

Social Determinants of Health

public health research

interdisciplinary

cph in the media

In the Media

PBS (video): In segment of The Washington Report, Allison Miner speaks with Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett about agriculture and food security.

tthoma8 — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:02:16 +0000

PBS (video): In segment of The Washington Report, Allison Miner speaks with Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett about agriculture and food security. tthoma8 Fri, 04/26/2024 - 10:02

In This Story

Allison Miner, EdD, MS, RDN

The Washington Report: Che Axum & Dr. Allison Miner. Miner starts at the 5:46 mark

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Virginia’s health and well-being starts with strong food and nutrition policy, says Mason Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

tthoma8 — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 15:53:58 +0000

Virginia’s health and well-being starts with strong food and nutrition policy, says Mason Department of Nutrition and Food Studies tthoma8 Thu, 02/15/2024 - 10:53

In This Story

Allison Miner, EdD, MS, RDN

Lilian de Jonge, PhD

"Participating in Legislative Day deepened my appreciation for the role of policy and reinforced my commitment to driving positive change through informed advocacy and collaborative efforts with policymakers and stakeholders.”

Katherine Surette
MS, Nutrition '25

Nutrition and Food Studies students and faculty head to Richmond for Legislative Day.
For names of those pictured, see below.

On January 31, students and faculty in the College of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition and Food Studies took part in the Virginia Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics (VAND) Legislative Day. At the Virginia General Assembly 2024 session, faculty, staff, and sixteen students in the Master of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics concentration program met with state legislators to share their expertise and expand lawmakers’ knowledge about food, nutrition, and health.

“Faculty and staff in our nutrition and dietetics programs passionately care about legislation that affects our communities. We want legislators to know that here at Mason, we are professionally invested in the health and well-being of Virginia and that nutrition is at the very foundation of public health. Our work is to improve the health of US citizens; everything we do is to prevent disease, eliminate hunger, and assist with chronic disease management,” said Allison Miner, EdD, MS, RDN, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies.

The Nutrition and Food Studies department recognizes the need for policy to advance access to healthy foods. Miner highlights how Legislative Day exemplifies the role nutrition plays in public health.

“Nutrition-related issues such as making school lunch free for Virginia students, increasing SNAP benefits for older adults, or advocating for grant money to feed low-income Virginia college students are directly related to the health and wellness of the United States," said Lilian de Jonge, PhD, interim department chair.

On the Front Lines of Advocacy and Policy Change

VAND’s mission is to support pending legislation important to progressing both the dietetic profession and food-related health in Virginia and across the nation. Priorities for this year were maternal health data and quality measures, school meals becoming available at no cost to students, and combating hunger on college campuses.

Alongside dietitians, dietetic students and interns, and citizens across Virginia, department representatives pushed for these policies to be prioritized.

By participating in VAND’s Legislative Day, students learned about public policy at the state and federal level, which will have a direct impact on the health and wellbeing of the patients, clients, and citizens they will serve as credentialed dietitians.

“We are educating future dietitians who will go on to careers in private practice, hospitals, government, non-profit organizations, and public policy. Showing students that they have direct access to the legislators who are passing bills that affect everyone has demonstrated the power they have as professionals,” said Miner.

Experiencing Change in Action

Katie Surette, MS, Nutrition ‘25

Katherine Surette (MS, Nutrition ‘25) valued the behind the scenes view of the legislative process. "Participating in Legislative Day provided a firsthand understanding of the intricate relationship between nutrition and policy. This experience deepened my appreciation for the role of policy and reinforced my commitment to driving positive change through informed advocacy and collaborative efforts with policymakers and stakeholders,” said Surette, who is in the registered dietitian concentration.

This was the first year the Department participated in VAND’s Legislative Day, and department leaders are planning for this to become an annual event Mason will attend.

Students, faculty, and staff met with state legislators who represent George Mason University as well as those who represent them where they reside. The legislative priorities for VAND included HB 169 Maternal Health Data and Quality Measures, Task Force (to reestablish), HB 686 School meals; availability at no cost to students, and HB 207 Hung-free Campus Grant Program.

First year students Yu Ting (Helen) Huang, Jui-Ching Li, Toqa Elashry, Arleija Williams, Courtney O'Loughlin, Katherine Surette, Khawlah Kheshaifaty, and Mary Christopher ascending steps of the Virginia State Capitol.

Faculty, staff, and students in attendance included Lilian de Jonge (Chair, Nutrition and Food Studies Department), Sapna Batheja (Director, Dietetics MS Program), Allison Miner (Assistant Professor, Dietetics MS Program), and Allison McKay (Department Manager, Nutrition and Food Studies Department). Mason was also represented by members of the George Mason University Board, The President's Council and President Washington himself.

Students in attendance included Asma Benomran, Marcus Brick, Mary Christopher, Chia (Amy) Chun Chang, Toqa Elashry, Yu Ting (Helen) Huang, Eli Kalman-Rome, Khawlah Kheshaifaty, Jui-Ching Li, Courtney O'Loughlin, Mark Rudich, Kiranjyot Sawhney-Duran, Katherine Surette, Monica Vargas, Arleija Williams.

The group photo at the top of the story includes:

Faculty and staff first-row center: Lilian de Jonge (Chair, Nutrition and Food Studies Department), Allison McKay (Department Manager, Nutrition and Food Studies Department), Allison Miner (Assistant Professor, Dietetics MS Program), and Sapna Batheja (Director, Dietetics MS Program)

Students first row left to right: Asma Benomran, Monica Vargas Marcus Brick

Students second row left to right: Kiranjyot Sawhney-Duran, Eli Kalman-Rome, Mark Rudich, Chia (Amy) Chun Chang, Yu Ting (Helen) Huang, Jui-Ching Li, Toqa Elashry, Arleija Williams (top), Courtney O'Loughlin (bottom), Katherine Surette (top), Khawlah Kheshaifaty (bottom), Mary Christopher (top)

Topics

Nutrition Faculty

Nutrition Staff

Nutrition Students

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

food insecurity

Food and Nutrition

Health Policy and Reform

Advocacy

MS Nutrition

Pandemic emergency food benefits end as Nutrition Month starts

John Brandon Cantrell — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 19:10:06 +0000

Pandemic emergency food benefits end as Nutrition Month starts John Brandon C… Tue, 02/28/2023 - 14:10

In This Story

Evelyn Tomaszewski, MSW, ACSW

Kerri LaCharite, PhD

Erin D. Maughan, PhD

Topics

food insecurity

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

Department of Social Work

School of Nursing

SNAP benefits

Food and Nutrition

Poverty and Inequalities

March 1 end of program will impact millions of Americans–predominantly families and people of color

Millions of families rely on food pantries, even after the height of the pandemic. Photo Credit: Emily Bartenfelder, George Mason University BSW '20

On the same day National Nutrition Month kicks off, millions of individuals and families in the U.S. who currently receive benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assessment Program (SNAP) will see a decrease in their federal food benefits. On March 1, pandemic emergency allotments to SNAP are set to end–cutting benefits by $90 per month per person (on average).

Despite SNAP emergency allotments, many Americans still face food insecurity

During the COVID-19 public health emergency, food insecurity rates doubled overall throughout the nation and tripled in households with children. Congress originally enacted emergency allotments (EAs) during the pandemic to provide economic stimulus and address food insecurity. However, data shows that even though EAs kept more than 4 million people “above the poverty line,” according to a study from the Urban Institute, millions of Americans still experienced food insecurity and lived below the poverty line.

Evelyn Tomaszewski, MSW, assistant professor of social work in the College of Public Health at George Mason University, underscores the severity of the issue, saying: “Food insecurity was prevalent during the pandemic and will remain a serious concern in a ’post-pandemic’ world, particularly among households with children–who were most likely to face food insecurity during the pandemic–as well as communities of color (per USDA data).”

“When you are struggling to balance rent and daily living expenses, a loss of $168 or $190 can translate to hardship and extreme food insecurity,” said Tomaszewski. “In 2022, 9% of the population of Virginia, or 1 in 11 persons, accessed SNAP benefits. We are talking about our neighbors, our students, and our colleagues.”

A study by American University found that by the end of 2021, Americans were paying an average of 12 percent of their income on food; for lower-income wage earners, it was closer to 36 percent.

In 2023, an estimated 34 million people (including 9 million children) still remain food insecure, and the cost of food is expected to rise by 3.5 percent - 4.5 percent, according to the USDA.

Vulnerable populations already adversely affected by COVID will see the biggest impact

“Our country’s vulnerable populations have been the most affected by COVID and inflation. Those who live significantly below the poverty threshold, including households with children headed by single women and Black and Hispanic households, rely on SNAP benefits to make sure there is food on the table,” said Kerri LaCharite, PhD, associate professor of Nutrition and Food Studies in the College of Public Health.

LaCharite and Tomaszewski are also concerned for populations that will likely dip below the poverty line when EAs end, including college students, seniors living on a fixed income, and individuals with disabilities.

Mason Social Work students volunteer at food pantry during COVID-19 pandemic.

College students who qualified for the emergency allocation will also lose their benefits on March 1, when those defined as “able-bodied adults without dependents” will again be limited to a three-month limit of benefits. According to the College and University Food Bank Alliance, more than 30% of college students were food insecure in 2019, even before the pandemic.

Older adults and persons with disabilities saw a decrease in SNAP benefits when they received “long overdue (and still minimal) increase to social security benefits.” With the end of EAs, benefits will be cut (on average) by $168.00 per month for households with adults aged 60 and older and (on average) $190 per month for persons with disabilities.

The impact of food insecurity is long-lasting for children and adults. “The long-term effects of food insecurity will affect health outcomes. In children, food insecurity is associated with cognitive problems, higher risks of being hospitalized, asthma, behavioral problems, depression, poorer general health, among a longer list. In non-senior adults, food insecurity is associated with diabetes, hypertension, mental health issues, high blood cholesterol levels, and poor sleep,” said LaCharite.

Food banks, schools, and community support - How will individuals, families, and communities meet the need?

Erin Maughan, PhD, associate professor of nursing in the College of Public Health, works with K-12 school districts and school nurses and is particularly concerned about the impact on school-aged children, school systems, and the employees who may already be stretched thin.

“With SNAP emergency funds decreasing, it could increase the number of students or amount of food schools will provide students. Schools already are a safety net for food (breakfast and lunch), and some provide food backpacks for the weekend. Of greater concern is how it will impact mental health and learning. When children are hungry, they can't concentrate; down the road, it could also be an issue of malnutrition,” said Maughan

“Families are going to need to fill the gap somehow,” says LaCharite. “We have seen this in the past. It will likely mean increased reliance on food banks and pantries, skipping meals, and a significant decrease in the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Food insecure families buy less fruits and vegetables and buy more nonperishable staples as their budget for food shrinks.”

People are losing a significant amount of support money available via the SNAP EA, resulting in increased reliance on food banks (which are also consistently reporting both increased need and decreased donations.) While many of our area emergency food providers saw a temporary dip in need in fall 2021, they also experienced a large increase in patrons seeking food in the spring of 2022 as inflation rates started to rise.

What can be done to help?

March 1 is also the start of National Social Work Month, and Tomaszewski sees an important role for social work students and faculty–and beyond. In addition to donating to area food banks, there are ways that members of the community can help those experiencing food insecurity.

“At the macro or systems level, everyone can advocate for the Commonwealth of Virginia to add funds to the program that not only ensures SNAP benefits (at least) similar to the SNAP EA levels but also expands coverage to those that will be losing benefits, such as ‘able-bodied persons’ and college students,” says Tomaszewski.

She also sees an important role for those in the College of Public Health and beyond. “Social work students, and students throughout the College, directly work with those who will be affected by this policy change and/or who are at risk for food insecurity. At the individual level, social work students and allied professionals across the College can learn about food insecurity and available benefits, and ensure that clients know what is available, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and SNAP.”

As the country recognizes National Social Work Month and National Nutrition Month, it is also an opportunity to recognize, support, and advocate for our neighbors, our students, and our colleagues who continue to experience food insecurity across the United States.

CHHS Departments Compete in FACETS Donation Drive in Recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

John Brandon Cantrell — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 15:37:25 +0000

CHHS Departments Compete in FACETS Donation Drive in Recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month John Brandon C… Thu, 12/02/2021 - 10:37

Topics

357 nonperishable food items and cleaning supplies were donated to local families in need

The School of Nursing and the Department of Rehabilitation Science came in first place with 103 items donated.

Members of the Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) honored survivors of domestic violence during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by organizing a donation drive competition. The month-long college-wide donation drive collected approximately 357 items across the College of Health and Human Service’s (CHHS) five departments, a testament to the CHHS community’s commitment to helping those in need.

Kendall Hunter, president of MSWSA, was motivated to organize the donation drive because many survivors of domestic violence experience financial and housing instability, which also impacts children who live in households with domestic violence and may need to relocate with a parent who is seeking safety.

Hunter said, "Through our studies, social work students have learned about the intersection between domestic violence, homelessness/housing instability, and financial instability. The MSWSA also recognizes the impact domestic violence has on children's emotional well-being, social functioning, and academic functioning."

Each CHHS department participated in the competition to collect the most nonperishable food items and cleaning supplies for FACETS, a Fairfax nonprofit organization that provides services to families, such as food, emergency shelter, medical care, and safe housing. MSWSA set up labeled donation bins in the lobby of Peterson Hall so participants could conveniently donate items for their department as they walk to class.

Thank you to MSWSA for organizing the donation drive and to the students, faculty, and staff who have participated in the competition to support survivors of domestic violence.

“I am moved by our students launching a competition in support of providing food and supplies for those most in need in our communities,” said Dean Germaine Louis.

Results of the Donation Drive Competition

School of Nursing & Department of Rehabilitation Science - 103 items donated, in addition to a $25 Amazon gift card
Department of Social Work - 83 items donated
Department of Nutrition & Food Studies - 64 items donated
Department of Global & Community Health - 57 items donated
Department of Health Administration & Policy - 50 items donated

Mason Nutrition Students Gain Valuable Experience Helping Nonprofit Advance Core Nutrition Programs

John Brandon Cantrell — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 13:12:21 +0000

Mason Nutrition Students Gain Valuable Experience Helping Nonprofit Advance Core Nutrition Programs John Brandon C… Thu, 09/23/2021 - 09:12

Topics

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

food insecurity

Food and Nutrition

CHHS News

In This Story

Lilian de Jonge, PhD

Mason Nutrition Students Prepare for Future Careers Through an Internship Opportunity with a Nutrition Advocacy Nonprofit.

Students pursuing an internship through Real Food for Kids have an opportunity to plan and participate in food advocacy events, such as Food Day.

Students pursuing a degree in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies (NFS) are trained to address public health issues involving nutrition and food access in various settings, from hospitals and long-term care facilities to school districts and governmental agencies.

To ensure students gain valuable experience in these diverse settings, most students complete a practicum, which is an important and required component of NFS degree programs. The practicum provides experiential learning opportunities, so students can choose internships that align with their professional goals and interests and help develop the needed skills for future careers.

As a practicum advisor, Lilian de Jonge’s, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, goal is to match students with internships that best align with their career interests and serve as a foundation to their future careers.

“Although internships in well-known organizations and companies show well on a CV, the majority of our students may learn more and have a more hands-on experience in smaller organizations, where they usually have a chance to touch on a wider range of activities and can work on projects that they have the sole responsibility for,” said de Jonge.

Real-world experience in food nutrition advocacy

Mary Porter, director of programs for Real Food for Kids, provides opportunities to gain non-clinical nutrition experience to Mason students.

Among these organizations is Real Food for Kids, a nonprofit located in McLean, Virginia that advocates for children’s wellness and academic success by instilling healthy food policies for school districts across the DC region.

“As a nonprofit working in nutrition insecurity, we cultivate interest in the non-clinical side of advocacy and education,” said Mary Porter, director of programs for Real Food for Kids. “Nonprofit work, especially with an organization as small as ours–we are a team of two people–means our interns have an opportunity to not only work on specific projects but manage administrative and operational duties as well.”

Internships at organizations such as Real Foods for Kids give Mason students opportunities to improve the nutritional quality of school lunches by building strong relationships with members in the field as well as being creative and adaptive when responding to new policy updates or research discoveries relating to nutrition.

In the past, Mason students have been integral to advancing the organization’s core nutrition programs, such as Fresh Food Explorers, which focuses on enhancing food literacy and nutrition education for preschoolers; Food Day, an elementary-level nutrition education program; and Culinary Challenge, a USDA school food culinary competition for middle and high schools.

Porter explained that Mason students’ eagerness to learn is what sets them apart from other schools that have interned with the organization. For Alyssa Wilson, who earned her Master of Science in Nutrition at Mason, her enthusiasm for learning new skills is one of the aspects that made the internship an enjoyable and memorable experience.

'An opportunity to develop my skills' - A Student Perspective

“Working on the Fresh Foods Explorers program during my internship at Real Food for Kids provided an opportunity to not only develop my skills in writing nutrition education programs specific to the needs of a particular community but also helped me to better develop important community engagement skills,” said Wilson. “Understanding the needs of the community and working directly with the preschoolers at a predominantly low-income school allowed me to create quality programming based on current behaviors. I worked directly with Arlington Healthy Communities Action Team to help educate the whole community about the benefits of eating fresh foods.”

“In fact, this work with children from low-income families, who are at higher risk of obesity and food insecurity, led to my current work with the Mason: Health Starts Here cohort study. We are comparing information from student cohorts across three time periods: those who started at Mason prior to the pandemic, those entering college in the midst of the pandemic, and those starting college shortly thereafter. The goal is to understand what impact it may have had on their health and behaviors during their college years,” said Wilson.

'The internship that suits you the best is the foundation of your whole career.'

According to de Jonge, students who are considering a degree in Nutrition and Food Studies should “take their time and explore all possibilities” before choosing their internship. “Do not see it as just a course to cross off the list,” de Jonge said. “The internship that suits you the best is the foundation of your whole career. You don’t want to rush that.”

For students who are interested in pursuing an internship in nutrition and not seeking a clinical experience, Porter encourages Mason students to consider Real Food for Kids.

“We can offer a unique nonprofit experience that will grow their professional skills in a different way,” Porter said. “We have just embarked on a new program to design a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) pilot that offers incentives for fruit and vegetable purchases. The work requires a high level of community engagement, particularly in communities of color. We are hoping to engage interns in the formative work getting underway in the fall and through next year.”

CHHS Faculty Constance Gewa to Present on Food Sustainability at 17 Rooms-U Summit

John Brandon Cantrell — Wed, 26 May 2021 21:19:54 +0000

CHHS Faculty Constance Gewa to Present on Food Sustainability at 17 Rooms-U Summit John Brandon C… Wed, 05/26/2021 - 17:19

Topics

Food and Nutrition

food insecurity

Constance Gewa Set to Speak on Food Sustainability in Upcoming 17 Rooms-U Summit.

Constance Gewa, associate professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, will be speaking on methods to increase food sustainability in an upcoming event, the 17 Rooms-U Summit, held by Mason’s Institute for a Sustainable Earth. Gewa will co-moderate Room 2, Zero Hunger, with Dann Sklarew, professor from the College of Science, and J. P. Singh, professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government. Mason’s 17 Rooms-U Summit will be held virtually on October 1, 2021.

Developed by The Rockefeller Foundation and the Brooking’s Institute, 17 Rooms is an event designed to help organizations identify partnerships and practical steps to accelerate progress on the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. After the summit, insights and findings from each room will be communicated in a report to advance the steps toward reaching the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information, please visit the Institute for a Sustainable Earth’s 17 Rooms-U Summit webpage.

CHHS Students Committed to Giving Back to the Community

John Brandon Cantrell — Tue, 04 May 2021 13:03:28 +0000

CHHS Students Committed to Giving Back to the Community John Brandon C… Tue, 05/04/2021 - 09:03

Topics

College of Health and Human Services

CHHS News

Graduating CHHS Seniors Reflect on Community Engagement.

Students who pursue public health-related fields are working to make an impact in their respective fields of study as well as their local communities. By applying skills they learned in their coursework, many students in the College of Health and Human Services work and volunteer for local organizations that support health, wellness, and social justice initiatives.

Tristan Corbett, a Bachelor of Social Work student, explains the importance of giving back to the community. “As a CHHS student, you learn across multiple classes [on] how important environmental influences are to both the health and well-being of an individual,” said Corbett. “It is easy to go about life and be a recipient of the benefits from the environment and [community], but I find it important to contribute to them as well; it is a group effort to sustain and improve our community, for our community.”

As a student studying social work, Corbett became involved with a local nonprofit, FACETS, while completing his practicum. “There are many opportunities to contribute to the community [at FACETS], from Hot Meals - a food distribution program for the local homeless population around NoVA - to the Education and Community Development branch, which seeks to enrich the lives of the subsidized housing communities around their offices.”

Many students find community engagement opportunities as a way to gain real-world experience by problem-solving, communicating, and collaborating with others to address issues facing their community.

"Giving back to your community is an opportunity for you to evolve as a person and understand how you fit into the world around you. Engaging with different communities will enhance your life and connect you to people and ideas that will positively influence you in different walks of life." - Pratishna Thapa

For Pratishna Thapa, a Bachelor of Social Work student in the College, giving back to the community is a way for her to help individuals through challenging situations while she earns her degree at Mason.

“I have had the privilege to work with different communities -- from working with children and adults with disabilities, organizing disaster relief programs for people affected by natural disasters, strategizing ways to enhance the well-being of marginalized women in developing countries, advocating for victims and witnesses of domestic violence to assisting formerly incarcerated women to get back into the society,” Thapa said.

Thapa has worked with the Alexandria Victim Assistance Program, a Virginia organization staffed by Crime Victim Advocates who provide support and services to crime victims during the aftermath of a crime and throughout the criminal justice process. While working as an advocate in the organization, Thapa attended court with individuals who have survivors of crimes and organized vigils for those who have died due to domestic violence.

Currently, Thapa serves as a case manager intern for Friends of Guest House, where she provides emotional support and coping strategies for formerly incarcerated women.

“My daily responsibilities entail helping the women identify their stressors, identify coping plans, document case notes for my clients, and lead psychoeducational groups like Interpersonal Skills and Seeking Safety weekly,” Thapa said.

Through her advocacy work, Thapa was inspired to pursue research opportunities relating to women's experiences in the prison system. “I have observed an inconsistency in the demographic of women being rehabilitated versus the actual prison population,” Thapa said. “This has piqued my interest in researching the gaps within the prison system while pursuing my Master's in Social work through the Advanced Standing Program at Mason.”

Kendal Chase, a student in the School of Nursing, also has a mission to help others in her community. Chase’s community engagement began at the macro-level by serving her country in the United States Army.

"Learning at Mason taught me that my education and experience were not about myself but about the needs of the community and where I can help out as an individual." -Kendal Chase

“I proudly served 8 years of Active-Duty service as a Pharmacy Technician,” Chase said. “I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and Fort Belvoir, Virginia, serving in both field exercise and hospital settings.”

While serving in the Army, Chase became the liaison for Fort Belvoir’s Hazardous Waste Program, where she educated healthcare professionals on the importance of medical disposal practices. This experience led to more opportunities to help others when Chase transitioned into a career outside of the Army.

While serving as an Outreach Coordinator for Fairfax County, Chase implemented strategies to help the community safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs. “I focused much of my work on researching and designing a pilot Drug Take-Back program for privately-owned pharmacies,” Chase said. “This program was then presented to the Virginia State Wastewater employees at the WaterJam conference in 2019.”

When she was accepted into the School of Nursing, Chase continued helping others by joining Mason’s Student Nursing Association (SNA) board. “My primary motivation for applying for the SNA board was to provide a better avenue for communication for the students and faculty,” Chase said.

As a board member, Chase helped navigate the group through a challenging year due to COVID-19. However, the pandemic didn’t stop Chase and her fellow board members from helping other nursing students.

“[Working together] during a COVID environment has proven to be difficult, but I’ve learned it’s only made us closer as a group, as we have to be creative, innovative, and dedicated to making it work,” Chase said. “It was because of our continued teamwork that our club was turned into a constituent at the national level. We’ve conducted coat drives, food drives, and promoted a mentorship program for pre-nursing and nursing students, to name a few [projects].”

Due to the global impact of COVID-19, there is a strong need for community engagement initiatives to help with the local implications of the pandemic. Mei Qiu, a Bachelor of Social Work student in the College, continued serving her community and expanding her professional skills by connecting others to helpful resources throughout the pandemic.

"Volunteering my time helps give me a purpose and improve social inequalities that are occurring in the area." -Mei Qiu

“During quarantine, I was able to help volunteer at many facilities to help detect COVID-19 in the Prince William county area with the Virginia Medical Reserve Corps,” Qiu said.

For Qiu, getting involved in community engagement is an important component of her future career. “It’s important to give back because, as a future social worker, I need to familiarize myself with my community and what resources and services are needed,” Qiu said. “Volunteering my time helps give me a purpose and improve social inequalities that are occurring in the area.”

In addition to working as a research assistant, Qiu has also focused on helping others who face food and housing insecurity. “Most recently, I have been volunteering my time with the Hot Meals program at FACETS as a driver and to help give out meals to people who are homeless in the Fairfax county area,” Qiu said.

Community engagement has offered these seniors opportunities to make meaningful contributions that improve the lives of those around them while completing their degrees. Through this type of advocacy work, Mason’s future leaders in public health are well-prepared to serve their communities and continue to better their communities.

Before graduating in May, Corbett, Thapa, Chase, and Qiu were honored as Community Engagement Medallion Awardees by Mason’s Social Action and Integrative Learning (SAIL) organization.