Suri Raut

SURI RAUT

Faculty Advisor

Suri Raut has been teaching for the special education department at Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia for eight years, specializing in Biology and Earth Science. He is the school advisor for the Best Buddies and Special Olympics programs. Prior to working at Yorktown, Suri was the Academic Coordinator for the Mason LIFE Program, which provides college aged students with intellectual and developmental disabilities a comprehensive university experience here at GMU. He helped develop curriculum and supervised the instructors in becoming special education teachers. Suri obtained his Master’s in Special Education at Mason and has been a proud member of Patriot Nation ever since. Though he loves all sports, Suri is an avid fan of the Caps! Suri also loves catching live shows, relaxing on the beach, camping, hiking and exploring new countries.

Dr. Charles Scaife

DR. CHARLES SCAIFE

PhD, Hydropower & Climate Science, US Department of Energy

Charles Scaife is a scientist at the US Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office. He found his way to Washington, DC through NOAA’s Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship – a year-long program meant to expose early career scientists to policymaking. Charles has a love for the outdoors that he turned into a research career focused on ecology and hydrology. Prior to DOE, he conducted extensive climate change research across Appalachia in partnership with the US Forest Service and earned his PhD in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia. Now, he works to understand climate change impacts on water resources and renewable energy across the US. In his free time, you’ll find Charles trail running, cycling around town, or reading in the park.

Dr. Colin Sasthav

DR. COLIN SASTHAV

PhD, Hydropower & Climate Science, US Department of Energy

Colin Sasthav is a hydropower engineer at the Department of Energy’s Water Power
Technologies Office. Since middle school, Colin has been passionate about sustainable energy and the environment. He first studied biological engineering before going to graduate school to earn his PhD in Energy Science and Engineering from the University of Tennessee where he learned about the interdisciplinary challenges of hydropower. Outside of work, Colin plays almost any sport with a ball (tennis being his main sport) and he enjoys playing video games and reading sci-fi/fantasy novels.

Erica Lynn Porta

ERICA LYNN PORTA

Policy Analyst, Concurrent Technologies Corporation

E. Lynn Porta is a water resources policy analyst working at the intersections of communities and governments. She received a Master of Science in Water Resources Policy and Management and a Certificate in Water Conflict Management and Transformation from Oregon State University, and published her MS research on international water politics and changing values of water. During the day, Lynn is currently an Energy & Climate Analyst at Concurrent Technologies Corporation supporting the Department of the Air Force to have water-resilient, mission-supportive systems amid rapidly changing climate and energy policies. In her second “evening” career, Lynn is one of the Co-Founders and current USA Co-President of the North American Youth Parliament for Water, which she helped establish when at Oregon State University. NAYPW works to support the visibility and inclusion of youth and young professionals (ages 18-35) in water resource decision-making spaces across North America/Turtle Island in support of the continent’s progress to achieving SDG 6. Her work with NAYPW led to her speaking at the recent United Nations Water Conference as an expert stakeholder on water and youth. community values, particularly from youth and young professionals, in water management spaces across North America and in the Middle East. If she is not working on one such project, she is reading a book about dragons and elves at the top of a nearby mountain overlook or a tucked-away waterfall.

Dr. Katheryn Patterson

KATHERYN PATTERSON

Professor, Virginia Tech

Dr. Katheryn Patterson is Professor of Practice at Virginia Tech’s Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability and teaches for their Masters of Natural Resources Program. Katheryn has 20 years of experience working in ocean science, policy, conservation, education, and outreach. She has worked on a wide range of topics such as international fisheries policy, coral disease mitigation, marine protected areas, sustainable tourism, and science communication and brings these experiences into the courses she teaches. Katheryn is also a Legislative Affairs Specialist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration where she works to advance regulatory and legislative policies. Katheryn is a past WYSE Faculty Advisor and earned her PhD in Environmental Science and Public Policy from George Mason University.

Chrissy Wiedemann

CHRISSY WIEDEMANN

Counselor

As a teacher for 19 years, Chrissy enjoys working with students in English and Journalism at Yorktown High School in Arlington, VA. Chrissy received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from George Mason University. A proud Patriot, she connected to an international community there and developed her love of writing. As part of Patriot Nation, she traveled to Indianapolis in 2006 to watch the Cinderella basketball team head to the Final Four. (Florida continues to be her least favorite team.) No English teacher has loads of free time during the school year, but when she can, Chrissy loves to see live music in DC. Summers on the beach and traveling to other countries are also favorites of hers. Chrissy is excited to return to WYSE and can’t wait to meet new friends this summer!

Kelly Cardew

KELLY CARDEW

Counselor

Kelly Cardew is the Associate Director of Admissions at George Mason University. Kelly received her B.A. in English from Newberry College in 2017, worked in the admissions office at Newberry upon graduation and began working at Mason in the summer of 2018. During her time at Mason, Kelly has recruited and worked with prospective students in various states, oversees the office’s telecounseling team and serves as the liaision to the Mason Athletics program to support recruited student-athletes applications. Kelly received her M.A. in Higher Education from George Mason this past May.

 

 

 

Tyler Rubin

TYLER RUBIN
Videographer

 Tyler Rubin is the Assistant Director: Broadcast and Video Production for George Mason Athletics. Rubin has spent the last 10 years in the video and sports journalism field in college and the pros. A graduate of Arizona State’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a degree in Sports Journalism, Rubin has worked for ASU’s Sun Devil Athletics, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes and George Mason Athletics.

Courtney Knapp

COURTNEY KNAPP

Advance Team Member

Courtney Knapp is a Senior Event Coordinator in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University.  She started with the Office of Admissions in December 2022. She received her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from North Greenville University in 2012, and her M.A. in History of Decorative Arts from George Mason University in 2016. In her free time, Courtney enjoys working out, traveling, and spending time with her spouse and their dogs.

Allison Alberty

ALLISON ALBERTY

Advance Team Member

Allison is the Assistant Director of Outreach Events and Programs in the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. A proud (almost) double Patriot, she is both a George Mason and Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC) alumna. Allison earned her B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations in Spring 2023 and is currently pursuing her M.A. in Strategic Communication. Outside of work and graduate school, you’ll find her at rock concerts, on a yoga mat, nurturing her plant collection, or finding the best new brunch spots in town.