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Category: Leadership

Sue Muraida

Evoto

SUE MURAIDA

Coordinator

Sue is a best-selling author, speaker, and pursuer of abundant life. Over the past 30 years, she has worked as a medical photographer, photojournalist, leadership trainer, writer, and teacher. Sue has published three books, Change For a Penny, The Silent Sound of Darkness, and her memoir Going Back For Me, as well as co-authored the anthology Deserts To Mountaintops: Our Collective Journey To (Re)Claiming Our Voice. She is currently the program director for Humanities North Dakota.

Melissa Moore, MBA

MELISSA MOORE

Director of Logistics

Melissa is the Associate Director of Events for the Office of Admissions at George Mason University and the Director of Logistics for the Washington Scholars Program. Melissa attended WSP’s Washington Journalism and Media Conference as a high school student and worked as a staff member for the programs throughout her undergraduate tenure. She received a B.A. in Communication and MBA from Mason. She has worked in events for the Washington Capitals (and has a ring to prove it!) and a tech startup before returning to her alma mater. Melissa is dedicated to fostering meaningful experiences through impactful events!

Dawn Aponte

DAWN APONTE

Administrative Assistant, Washington Scholars Program

Dawn is an Administrative Assistant for the Washington Scholars Program (WSP) and K-12 Partnerships Program Office, within the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. Dawn joined the team in 2012, following a career with the U.S. Department of Justice. She loves supporting the WSP summer programs, the students and their families, and her teammates. In her opinion, George Mason is an inspirational and progressive place to learn and serve. Dawn spends her free time outdoors as much as possible and loves to read and be with her young-adult children.

Ali Dodson, MS, MPP

ALI DODSON

Associate Director, Washington Scholars Program

Ali is the Associate Director of the Washington Scholars Program. She has a B.S. in Conservation Biology from George Mason University, and an M.S. in Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology and M.P.P in Environmental Policy from University of Maryland. Her master’s research focused on student perception of environmental issues. Before coming to Mason, Ali worked with the EPA, where she was an ORISE fellow researching coastal wetlands. In her free time, she attempts to grow her own vegetables, hangs out in her big back yard with her family, and sings karaoke as often as possible.

Elena Johnson, MEd

ELENA JOHNSON

Director, Washington Scholars Program

Elena is the Director of the Washington Scholars Program (WSP) which includes the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) and the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment (WYSE). As the director, she works to create fulfilling Summit experiences by developing curriculum for the programs, as well as recruiting professional faculty and nationally recognized speakers in the fields of journalism and the media and environmental science. Under her leadership the programs have tripled in size and furthered their reach through key partnerships. Elena also manages college access initatives, events, and recruitment partnerships for the Office of Admissions. Prior to working at George Mason, Elena worked as a College and Career Specialist helping high school students explore their educational and career goals and choices. Elena earned a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and her Masters in Education from George Mason University.

Richard Friesner, PhD

RICHARD FRIESNER, PH.D.

Program Director, Washington Youth Summit on the Environment

Richard is the Director of the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment. He develops the Summit’s curriculum, recruits exceptional faculty and speakers in a variety of environmental disciplines, and coordinates with staff to make the Summit an unparalleled experience for student delegates. Richard earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies/Chemistry, a M.S. in Environmental Engineering & Science at the University of Kansas, and a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy from George Mason University. Prior to working with WYSE, Richard was affiliated with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and as an environmental consultant for a nationwide engineering consulting firm. Richard also has extensive experience with student leadership experiences both at the University of Kansas and with Scouting America. Richard currently works for NEIWPCC, a regional commission that helps the states in the Northeast preserve and advance water quality.