News aggregator

Courtesy of Maria Carabelli

BY KARLOS CORIA, STAFF WRITER

“It’s just me being honest. I don’t know any other way to do it.” That’s how celebrated New York Times best-selling author Jason Reynolds described his approach to writing about difficult topics during a candid conversation with students at Mason on Tuesday, April 1. Hosted by Professor Brenna Maloney’s COMM 369 class, Reynolds spoke candidly to students crowded into a small conference room, sharing insights on reading, writing, and his creative process.

Reynolds, known for his young adult novels such as “Long Way Down,” “Stamped” and “Miles Morales: Spider-Man,” emphasized authenticity as the cornerstone of his craft. “We like to deify our own work,” he said, pushing back against self-important tendencies that can creep into storytelling. He roots his narratives firmly in lived experiences: “I’m super emotional. I grew up a sensitive kid in a tough household.”

Throughout the discussion, Reynolds underscored the importance of both practice and creative discipline for aspiring writers. “Practice and creativity— that’s what writing is about,” he said plainly. He was equally adamant about the necessity of reading as a means to master the craft: “You need the rules so that you understand—so that when you break the rules, you know how.”

When asked how fiction storytelling techniques could inform journalism, Reynolds praised stylistic elements often overlooked in traditional reporting. “I love repetition, I love refrain. I rarely see it in journalistic work—but I’d like to.” Still, he cautioned students to value clarity above all else: “Don’t be fooled, everybody. Nothing beats a short, lucid sentence.”

Reynolds also spoke openly about periods of creative stagnation, recalling how, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, he found inspiration in an unlikely place. “I read the ‘Captain Underpants’ books over and over again,” he said, grinning. “Those books are genius.” This unlikely source of inspiration sparked a breakthrough. When he finally began writing his acclaimed book “Long Way Down,” Reynolds said, “I was done in 20 minutes.”

The conversation took a deeper turn when Reynolds addressed the portrayal of real-world issues through fiction. He described fiction as “less rigid,” explaining that facts inform stories, but the narrative freedom fiction offers makes difficult topics more approachable and impactful.

A highlight of the conversation was Reynolds’ response to a student asking about Miles Morales, Marvel’s Spider-Man, whom Reynolds helped shape into the beloved hero audiences know today. 

While the late Stan Lee famously expressed the idea that, “Anyone can wear the mask,” Reynolds pointed out the significance of Morales’ Black and Puerto Rican identity: “We live in the real world. Anyone can wear the mask; some people can wear it a little easier.” He added, smiling knowingly, “Spidey sense ain’t nothing but an instinct yo’ [sic] mama gave you.”

Reynolds explained that his goal when developing Morales was straightforward. “I wanted to make Miles feel a little more grounded, more rooted in his youth,” he said. The approach resonated strongly with students, who listened closely as Reynolds demystified his process and encouraged them to trust their own instincts. “The hardest part about the work that we’re doing—the work that you’re doing—is trusting yourself,” he reminded them.

Before concluding, Reynolds underscored the responsibility and power writers carry, reminding students that today, audiences might only remember the newspaper’s name, but it’s essential to recognize that “The writer is the engine.”

Reynolds’ visit left students with practical advice and a renewed appreciation for the craft of writing. Perhaps his most resonant message was also the simplest: honesty is always the best policy, in writing as in life. As Reynolds himself repeated, “It’s just me being honest. I don’t know any other way to do it.”

Nylah Mitchell/Fourth Estate

BY NYLAH MITCHELL, COPY EDITOR

When you think of thrift stores in Northern Virginia, you’re potentially thinking about Unique in Falls Church near Mosaic. While Unique is great, there are many more underrated local stores around the DMV. Whether you’re looking to up your thrifting game, or already consider yourself a connoisseur, this guide is for you. 

2nd Avenue 
Location: Alexandria, VA (8750 Richmond Hwy) 

Down on Richmond Highway, 2nd Avenue is a thrift superstore offering a wide selection of tops, bottoms, footwear and household items. The store provides daily discounts on color tags for extra savings. I scored a vintage cream, 100% Irish wool sweater here, which I pull out every winter to pair with baggy jeans and Uggs.  

B-Thrifty
Location: Annandale, VA (4223 John Marr Dr)

Located next to a Goodwill—perfect for a quick two-in-one stop—B-Thrifty is the place to find racks of button-downs and shoulder purses. The gigantic and spacious layout means you’ll likely leave with your arms full of vintage Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein finds.  

Georgetown Flea Market
Location: Washington, D.C. (1819 35th St NW)

*Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

While the flea market is in D.C., this spot is great to meander through with a friend and browse trinket-filled tables. You’ll find vendors selling streetwear, and you’ll often see college-aged shoppers roaming about and peering through racks. Alongside the resellers, other vendors sell handmade items such as quilted jackets and jewelry. I purchased a small gold-filled snake chain that hasn’t tarnished, and I’ve worn it every day since then. 

Prime Thrift Georgia Ave
Location: Washington, D.C. (6101 Georgia Ave NW)

If you’re planning a “thrift day” in the District, make your way over to Prime Thrift on Georgia Ave. You’ll find popular and trendy brands like Reformation, Princess Polly and Urban Outfitters as well as an impressive selection of vintage labels at affordable prices. Some shoppers even argue that it’s cheaper than Goodwill. 

Value Village 
Location: Silver Spring, MD (10121 New Hampshire Ave)

While it’s a bit of a hike from campus, Value Village in Silver Spring—connected to Unique Thrift Store—is argued as one of the best thrift shops in the Maryland-Washington area. Because it’s twice the size of the aforementioned recommendations, you’re almost guaranteed to find something. One TikTok creator found a vintage dark brown Hermès cashmere coat and an ivory Burberry trench coat for $8 each. 

Estate Sales 
Location: Across D.C., Maryland and Virginia 

While this  isn’t a specific store, estate sales in the metropolitan area are severely underrated. Frequent neighborhoods that host sales are Chevy Chase (D.C.), Georgetown (D.C.), Alexandria (VA) and McLean (VA). These sales feature everything from political memorabilia (campaign pins, posters, bobbleheads and vintage newspapers) to closets full of business-formal clothing for internships and events. Even if nothing catches your eye, the homes alone—often complete with unique Washington-esque architecture and interior design—are worth the walkthrough. Visit Estatesales.org, Estatesales.net, or Maddy | Estate Sales on TikTok for estate sales happening in the area. 

Tips for Thrifting: 

As you thrift more, you’ll find that there are some ways to maximize your time while finding cool pre-loved items. First, before you plan a day at the thrift store, I suggest creating a list or a Pinterest board to lay out top-priority items to avoid wasting time mindlessly searching. Second, bring reusable bags like totes to avoid paying extra for store-issued ones. The best time to go thrifting is during the week, but if the weekend is best, try to visit early to beat the afternoon rush. Lastly, reserve a couple of hours to spend time browsing through racks to find some hidden gems. 

(Photo provided by Christopher M. Ackerman Sr.)

BY  IOANNIS VLAHOS, STAFF WRITER

On Feb. 3, Christopher M. Ackerman Sr. was named as Mason’s Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer. To Ackerman, this appointment is a homecoming. “[It] is both a professional honor and a deeply personal milestone.”

Ackerman, now filling the role, will oversee the department to a campus of over 8,100 employees. It sounds daunting, but according to Ken Walsh, Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Mason, he’s the “right man” for the job. 

“Chris brings to George Mason extensive executive leadership in all aspects of human resources management and a proven track record of collaboration and achieving excellence in HR practices in environments that demand precision and innovation,” Walsh said.

Ackerman was  enthusiastic about his new role within the Mason community, stating, “I am proud to be part of Mason Nation and excited to collaborate with the George Mason community to create a people-first culture that empowers our diverse workforce and fosters an environment where talent thrives and innovation flourishes.”

Before joining the Mason faculty, Ackerman served in human resources roles at several universities, including the University of California, Berkeley, Howard University and most recently, Stanford University. 

At Stanford, Ackerman was head of client human resources services for SLAC National Laboratory, a U.S Department of Energy facility run by the university. There, he implemented an enterprise-level HR strategy as well as facilitated communication and cooperation with the executive leadership, over  a workforce of approximately 2,000 employees. 

An adept leader while at Stanford, Ackerman was responsible for duties such as, enhancing performance management systems and integrating strategic workplace planning to meet organizational directives at SLAC. 

He also served as chief human resources officer at HCA Healthcare, located in Northern Virginia, for five years. There, he played a big part in enhancing the attraction and retention of employees, establishing strategic partnerships, and implementing initiatives that improved organizational efficiency.

Emma Schaible/Fourth Estate

BY BARRETT BALZER, NEWS EDITOR AND IAN VLAHOS, STAFF WRITER

On Feb. 13, Mason students and faculty received an email from Information Technology Services detailing an executive order by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin banning the use of DeepSeek AI on university-owned devices and networks. A rising AI platform, Deepseek AI, is said to be a better version of ChatGPT but has raised concerns about data protection and privacy. 

Executive Order 46, signed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and attested by Secretary of the Commonwealth Kelly Gee on Feb. 11, details the ban, stating it “raises significant security and privacy concerns that call for similar restrictions on Commonwealth of Virginia devices.”

In accordance with the executive order, Mason has forbidden the use of DeepSeek AI, preventing any person on campus wifi, with a campus-issued device from accessing the AI platform. The exceptions included off-campus use with personal devices, or for certain employees for law enforcement-related purposes, as said in the email. 

According to a report by the Associated Press, the users’ data is stored within the People’s Republic of China. Feroot Security, a Canadian security company, first found the potential data leak. The Associated Press stated that Feroot Security did not observe data being transferred over to China. 

Concerns were raised due to information found about user data being sent to China Mobile, a state-owned telecommunications company, according to the Associated Press. China Mobile is barred from operating in the United States. 

Chief AI Officer and Associate Dean for AI Innovation at Mason Amarda Shehu, when asked about her thoughts on the ban, said, “It is difficult to determine what a model is capable of doing. One side of the coin allows researchers to figure out what it does. The other side is not quite sure what the mode is capable of or what you might expose.” 

Alex Tabarrok, an economics professor and chair at Mason’s Mercatus Center, said that the national security concerns are “unproven” and “probably overblown” but stressed the need to be mindful of the role of AI in future conflicts. 

In February, DeepSeek AI had amassed 61.81 million users, according to Backlinko, making it the fourth most popular AI app to date. It was said that DeepSeek AI was the rival to ChatGPT.

Explained by Newsweek, “DeepSeek-R1 claims to rival OpenAI’s model in reasoning and mathematical problem-solving. The platform’s ability to generate Python code more effectively than ChatGPT has been a highlight in discussions among tech enthusiasts.”

Amarda Seshu had other ideas when asked if DeepSeek would become the new ChatGPT. “Whenever there is a new model out, there is the novelty effect, folks want to try it out.” Later stating, “It is not the best performer, a little bit better one on a few tasks, overall, it was acceptable but not necessarily the replacer of ChatGPT.

The Fourth Estate has reached out to Governor Youngkin for comments about the ban but has not received a response.

Declan W Rees/Fourth Estate

BY DECLAN W REES, STAFF WRITER

On April 9, the Student Government Presidential Debate was officially underway when the four tickets took to their podiums. The election offers students the opportunity to cast their ballot in favor of the candidate and platform that best aligns with their interests and values. One position unified students: prioritizing engagement with the larger student body and creating better relationships with Registered Student Organizations (RSO’s).

The candidates running for President and Vice President consisted of Ilia Sheikholeslami – Charlotte Bell, Jae Boyd – Max Applbaum, Evelyn Johnston – Zach Lincoln and Isaiah Grays – Jonathan Dubois.

The Vice Presidential debate started after opening statements, though both Applbaum and Lincoln were absent, their running mates—instead—took the podium. The candidates were asked by a panel, composed of members from the Student Governments Elections and Disputes Commission, on how their role would work in conjunction with the undergraduate student president.

Candidate Charlotte Bell emphasized the importance of working alongside her running mate by “holding weekly meetings [so that we can be] united.”

Presidential candidate Jae Boyd followed up by highlighting that she and Applbaum “have an established relationship when it comes to working together.” Boyd added, “We want to do weekly updates on social media about what we are both doing because this is a combined effort.”

Johnston, on behalf of Lincoln, advocated on his abilities as someone with experience in local government and as someone she has worked with before.

Dubois ended the first round of questions by stating his intent to “act as a devil’s advocate” to the president to ensure that they could offer the best service to the student body.

A focal point of the debate was to address the disconnect between the student body and the Student Government. The vice presidential candidates spoke on their positions to attract commuters to campus activities, as the on-campus population totals around 21% of the undergraduate student body.

The Sheikholeslami-Bell ticket pointed out that in an effort to increase commuter student involvement in campus life, it could be beneficial to create “first year tool kits.” These tool kits would then be handed out at orientation and outline resources and opportunities available on campus.

Both the Johnston-Lincoln and the Grays–Dubois tickets similarly addressed the lack of utility and faultiness that Mason 360 has experienced as a community engagement resource and intended to push initiatives to update the app.

Jae Boyd pushed further with intentions to connect with incoming first years over the summer, acknowledging that “[many]commuters are freshmen.” 

Once the presidential candidates took the stage, they spoke on their top priorities if elected as the next student body president. 

Sheikholeslami proposed the creation of a disabilities resource center on campus, stating that though the Office of Disability Services provides accommodations, there should be a student communal space.  

Johnston spoke on issues regarding campus facilities, such as, slow elevators, inconsistent Wi-Fi connections, and black mold in campus housing.

Grays emphasized that his top priority would be internal student government accountability, as “the reality is it’s disorganized.” Grays added, “We’re going to be on our 46th president and the issues we’re campaigning on are issues that have been here for a while.”

Jae Boyd highlighted her background as the President of the Women in Law Association and stressed her intent to work alongside other RSO’s as president. “Changing the culture,” Boyd said, is her utmost focus. “If the culture of student government is not welcoming, then we can’t [all] work together.” 

Voting begins on Monday, April 14 at midnight and closes Friday, April 18 at 11:59 p.m. To vote, visit Student Government or via the form here.