In a short period of time, Veronica Mata has accomplished much as a George Mason University student. This semester she begins one of her crowning achievements, serving as vice president the student government.
Mata, a senior who is double-majoring in Government and International Politics at the Schar School and Integrative Studies at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, came to Mason specifically to study in the Washington, D.C. area. Immersing herself in the school enhanced her experience and inspired her to become more involved.
“Throughout my time here I really fell in love with the campus and the organizations I was a part of,” she said. “Because of that excitement I had for the campus, I decided to join student government.”
She teamed up with fellow Schar School student Natalia Kanos in her successful campaign to be student body president.
“I have always taken my leadership opportunities as a way to advocate for others, and being vice president is the perfect way to do that for me,” said Mata.
Mata’s record of student involvement demonstrates her passion for leadership and academic service. At Mason, she has served as secretary, panhellenic delegate, and new member educator of the international women’s fraternity, Alpha Omicron Pi. She also served as for two years as clerk and government and community relations chair and co-chair of the ad-hoc Committee on Recruitment, Reorganization, and Representation.
Mata has worked as a research assistant at Mason and has conducted research for projects including Black Lives Next Door, which investigates the racial inequities that shaped community life on the outskirts of the Fairfax campus during the formative years of Mason.
When asked what her biggest takeaways from her experiences at Mason will be, Mata, who hopes to pursue law school after graduation, said, “Apart from the knowledge I have gained from my government classes, I think the greater lessons they have given me, combined with the leadership qualities I have been able to develop through student government, will give me the confidence I need to be successful in the future.”