A legacy of resilience: New scholarship helps students persevere to get their degree Sarah Holland Thu, 11/06/2025 - 15:46 Body “What advice would you give to someone who’s in the process of understanding and knowing their worth?” Amany Bouali asks her mother. “Everyone one of us has a lot to give and a lot to receive. You are so precious, and you are worth this world and more,” Zeineb replies. It’s a bittersweet interlude on Amany Bouali’s album Came from Something: Her mother, Zeineb Mrad Bouali, passed away not long after recording. She was a student in George Mason University’s MA in English program.   Amany (left), Fathi, and Ons hold a photo honoring Zeineb at Ons' graduation from Elon University. Photo provided Inspired by their mother’s determination, Amany and her sister, Ons, and their father, Fathi, created the Zeineb Mrad Bouali Tenacity and Perseverance Award for students who have had to pause their educational goals and are now hoping to return to complete their degrees. Zeineb called herself an “avid life wanderer,” her daughters said. A mother, a daughter, an educator, a poet, a cake decorator, and a business owner, Zeineb wore many hats throughout her life. But she had one dream waiting to be fulfilled: completing a master’s degree. Before immigrating to the United States, Zeineb was an accomplished English teacher  in her home country of Tunisia. But like many immigrants, her credentials didn’t transfer upon her arrival in the U.S. “Part of my mom’s struggle in this country was all the barriers that are in place for immigrants to start a business, go back to school, resume where they were in their country,” explained Ons. “She had to start her college education from scratch.” Throughout her life she tried returning to school to be reaccredited, periodically taking classes at University of Texas at  San Antonio, George Mason, and Northern Virginia Community College. Life just kept getting in the way of a formal degree program. But Zeineb cared deeply about her daughters’ education. “Her whole life's dream was watching us succeed. When we went on college tours and got acceptances, she was so excited,” said Ons. “She was beside herself with happiness when the acceptance letters came in.” “That was her moment,” agreed Amany. “It meant so much more to her than it could have ever meant to me.” Zeineb in from of the Department of English offices. Photo provided And it was her daughters who encouraged Zeineb to try for her master’s degree one more time. “Our mom put her whole life on hold to make sure we could achieve our dreams,” said Ons. “And once we were older, we told her that it was time for her to go after her dreams.” With support from then-graduate admissions coordinator of the Department of English Holly Mason Badra, Zeineb applied and was accepted into the MA in English program in 2021, where she planned to pursue a concentration in literature. She passed unexpectedly from complications due to a rare autoimmune disease in September 2022. This is the inaugural year for the scholarship honoring her legacy. “I hope my mom’s story inspires the recipients to be resilient and to find a way to achieve their dream no matter the obstacles, even if it doesn't look exactly like they planned,” said Ons. “I want them to think, ‘what would Zeineb do?’” “We want the scholarship to give people from diverse backgrounds who have these additional challenges they’re facing a bit of additional support and kind of ease that burden from them, so they can persevere like our mom did,” said Amany. This year’s inaugural awardees honor Zeineb’s legacy through their determination to achieve their dreams despite major setbacks. Hyerin Cha Major: Global affairs Photo provided When Hyerin Cha was a child, she and her family were displaced from their home in South Korea after a major tragedy. Rebuilding from those early hardships shaped her deep commitment to education and community service. “I’m always trying to learn something” she said. “Because of the lack of resources around me, I had to teach myself.” Driven by curiosity and compassion, Cha grew into an active advocate for equitable education. She has served as a STEM and coding mentor for underprivileged children, an NGO strategy coordinator, and a volunteer leader in community development initiatives both in Korea and abroad. “Giving back through education became my way of honoring the help I once needed,” she said. Knowing early on that she wanted to work in policymaking, Cha chose Mason Korea for its global connections and focus on international governance. Balancing her studies with part-time jobs to fund her education, she continued to excel academically and serve her community. As a Mason Korea student, she was required to complete a year at the Fairfax Campus, but her student visa limited her ability to work. The Zeineb Mrad Bouali Tenacity and Perseverance Award provided crucial support, allowing her to continue her studies and complete her degree. “This scholarship didn’t just relieve a financial burden, it reaffirmed my belief that perseverance and purpose matter,” she said. “It reminded me that I’m on the right path, and that I can keep going.” Andrea Delgado Portillo  Major: Criminology, law and society Photo provided Andrea Delgado Portillo and her family immigrated to the United States in 2017. Despite being approved for a green card and completing her high school education in Virginia, Delgado Portillo did not qualify for in-state tuition and was ineligible for federal financial aid. After graduating from high school in 2020, she completed three semesters at Northern Virginia Community College, paying out-of-state tuition. Already facing financial strain, she was forced to pause her education when her mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2022. “My primary focus shifted to providing for her both financially and emotionally, and after my money ran out, going back to school was out of the question,” she said. But Delgado Portillo, a first-generation high school graduate, had dreams of studying criminology and law and being the first in her family to get a college degree. “My community doesn't have a lot of representation in law enforcement,” she said. “When my mom went through a domestic violence incident, she didn’t have anyone to translate for her. I want to be able to help people like that in my community.” While supporting her mother through treatments, she saved money whenever she could in the hopes of returning to college. After a two-year gap, she applied to George Mason to finish her degree. “[George Mason’s] financial aid office helped me be accepted for in-state tuition and showed me where to apply for scholarships,” she said. The Zeineb Mrad Bouali Tenacity and Perseverance Award was one of her awarded scholarships. “With the scholarship I was able to pay for books, parking, and part of my tuition,” she said. “I hope one day I can pay their generosity back, maybe through supporting another immigrant student who, like me, had a dream they were struggling to achieve.” Delgado Portillo plans to graduate in Spring 2026. “When I came here [to the United States], I knew nothing, not even how to say, ‘how are you?’” she said. “Now, I’m going to graduate from college. Hopefully, my mom is going to see me walk across the stage.”  Zeineb Mrad Bouali: A remembrance, a celebration, a legacy Related news A legacy of resilience: New scholarship helps students persevere to get their degree November 6, 2025 Exploring fear and fascination with a Popular Horror class October 30, 2025 George Mason’s Debate Team receives generous gift from alumnus Burton C. Gray Jr. October 27, 2025 Center for Community Mental Health partnership provides behavioral health training October 15, 2025 Career Influencers Network guides career-ready students toward success October 9, 2025Topics Topics Campus News Students College of Humanities and Social Sciences English Department graduate students Mason Korea

Fuse at Mason Square recognized for environmental impact and sustainable design Colleen Rich Wed, 11/05/2025 - 14:53 Body George Mason University’s Fuse at Mason Square was among the projects cited when Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate received national recognition for industry leadership and sustainable development. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding The 345,000-square-foot digital innovation hub, where a celebration was held in late September to introduce the community to the building, earned the Environmental Impact Award at the Annual P3 (Public Private Partnership) Awards in New York City. “We are proud and deeply honored that Fuse at Mason Square has been recognized with this award,” said Liza Wilson Durant, the associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement at George Mason and director of the Northern Virginia Node of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI). “This prestigious recognition reaffirms our bold commitment to sustainability, innovation, and responsible stewardship in campus development. In partnership with Edgemoor and other collaborators, we have reinforced George Mason’s vision of our campuses as living laboratories where infrastructure itself can teach, inspire, and scale sustainable practices.” According to the competition judges, Fuse is “a highly commendable higher-education project that delivers exemplary environmental performance.” It was specifically praised for its cutting-edge approach to sustainability in design, construction, and operations. The building is expected to achieve LEED Platinum certification and is net-zero ready, setting a new standard for environmentally conscious campus facilities. “Receiving this high-level recognition is a tremendous source of pride and a clear testament to the groundbreaking work of the Fuse team and all of our partners,” said Edgemoor Managing Director Brian Naumick. “While the quality of the project is its own reward, formal acknowledgment from our industry peers and partners proves Fuse is truly leading the market for sustainability and resiliency.” Adding to its sustainability achievements, Fuse earned a Fitwel 2 Star Rating, marking a first for George Mason. Fitwel recognizes facilities that enhance quality of life through design and operational strategies that promote physical, mental, and social health. Conveniently located at the center of the Rosslyn–Ballston corridor, Fuse serves as a state-of-the-art tech hub digital innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The building, which welcomed students this semester, features specialized labs for robotics and virtual reality and data visualization, as well as office spaces, retail, and co-working areas to foster collaboration and innovation across sectors. The $254 million project was funded through a collaboration that included $90 million each from George Mason and the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program, along with $78 million from Edgemoor Infrastructure and Real Estate. Fuse was among several Edgemoor projects and personnel recognized across multiple categories.Related Stories Movers and Shakers Mixer connects George Mason students with industry leaders November 6, 2025 Fuse at Mason Square recognized for environmental impact and sustainable design November 5, 2025 Commonwealth Cyber Initiative helps launch new start-ups November 4, 2025 Resilient robots in rough terrain October 14, 2025 Fuse at Mason Square powers research and innovation through collaboration September 29, 2025Learn more about Sustainability at George Mason Topics Topics Campus News Fuse at Mason Square Sustainability