The Cultural Studies PhD Program wishes to congratulate PhD Candidate Ayondela McDole on her recognition with the Dr. Julie Owen Award for Graduate Students for Seeds of Change, given by the Social Action and Integrative Learning Office (SAIL). The award recognizes "the outstanding contributions of graduate students engaged in their community."
Ayondela is a recipient of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Mason Scholarship Award. She is the founding president of the Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) at Mason. The BGSA encourages community building amongst black graduate students and black faculty and is engaged in organizing programs and events to advance this cause. She also currently sits as a member of the President’s Anti-Racism and Inclusion Task Force, working to ensure that the student voice is centered.
In addition, Ayondela has been invited to to serve on the President-Student Advisory Group here at Mason, where she will have regular meetings throughout the school year with George Mason University President Gregory Washington as an advocate for the Mason student community.
September 14, 2021