As the Dean of Admissions Amy is responsible for the overall management and execution of George Mason University’s recruitment strategy. Amy also serves as the Executive Director of the Washington Scholars Program, home to the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment and the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. She has an affinity for working with students and families in higher education. Before her involvement in the Washington Scholars Program, she was the Guidance Specialist for Loudoun County Public Schools and served as the Director for a county wide college access program. Previously, she has worked in the Office of Admissions as the Director of Undergraduate Recruitment. She has worked with countless students and families on the application and college search process and is very active in regional and national college counseling associations. A native New Englander, Ms. Takayama-Perez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Masters of Education from George Mason University, and serves on the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Richard is the Director of the Washington Scholars Program and Special Partnerships, home to the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment and the Washington Journalism and Media Conference. In addition to managing these two programs for Richard also oversees several partnership programs that provide college credit from George Mason University to high achieving secondary school students. Richard is also the Program Director for the Washington Youth Summit on the Environment. In this role, Richard develops the summit's curriculum, identifies and recruits exceptional faculty and nationally recognized speakers in a variety of environmental disciplines and specialties, and coordinates with a fabulous group of staff in the Office of Admissions to make the summit an unparalleled experience for the student delegates attending. Richard earned a BS in Environmental Studies/Chemistry, a MS in Environmental Engineering & Science at the University of Kansas, and is pursuing a PhD in Environmental Science and Public Policy at George Mason University. Prior to working with WYSE Richard worked at the US 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 the Boy Scouts of America.

Elena is the Program Director for the Washington Journalism and Media Conference (WJMC). As the director, she works to create a fulfilling conference experience by developing the curriculum for the conference, as well as recruiting professional faculty and nationally recognized speakers in the fields of journalism and the media. She coordinates with the staff in the Office of Admissions to develop an enriching and well-executed conference for all the correspondents. Prior to working with WJMC, Elena worked as a College and Career Specialist helping high school students explore their educational and career goals and choices. She also managed the National Young Leaders Conference and the Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C. and New York City. Elena earned her BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. She is excited to welcome future journalists to the nation’s capital!

mboyce3@gmu.edu

Matthew serves as the Associate Director of K-12 Partnerships for George Mason University’s Admissions Office. Here he works with local schools and non-profits to build stronger relationships between Mason and students. Prior to joining the George Mason team, Matt worked in the college-access and non-profit sectors, helping thousands of high school students realize their college dreams as Director of New England Programming at Let’s Get Ready. His passion for working with underserved students began while serving as a teacher and mentor at a school for at-risk youth in Boston as an AmeriCorps volunteer. Matthew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Philosophy from Villanova University, and a Masters of Education in School Counseling from Boston University.

Amanda serves as Program Coordinator for the Washington Scholars Program (WSP). As the coordinator, she works along with the other members of the K-12 Partnership Team to create an unforgettable and fulfilling experience for the up and coming Conference attendees. Prior to working with WSP, Amanda served as an Administrative Support Specialist at Old Dominion University’s Center for Major Exploration (CME), where she educated students on various on campus resources as well as provided educational and career goal assistance. She genuinely enjoys assisting others through volunteering in the community and has served as mentor for K-12 aged students for the many years. Amanda is new to Mason and is very excited about working with the K-12 team. She holds a BS in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University and is looking forward to obtaining a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis in Higher Education, from Mason. She is happy to be on board, but is most excited to welcome our rising leaders!

Torrye serves as an Assistant Director of Admissions. In this role, she oversees the management of the admissions and enrollment process for The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) partnership. Prior to working at Mason, Torrye worked as a Program Coordinator for Upward Bound Math-Science and Program Manager for Prospect Math/Science at Wesleyan University. She started her career as a Teach For America corps member and has taught social studies and language arts to middle school students at both public and independent schools. She also worked in admissions at an all-girls boarding school in New England. Torrye first became passionate about education and helping students prepare for college after working at a school for underprivileged children in Cape Town, South Africa during a study abroad semester in college. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Connecticut. Torrye is new to Mason and excited to be working with TFAS and the K-12 Partnerships team!

Andrias serves as the Event Manager for the George Mason Office of Admissions and the Advanced Team Leader for the Washington Scholars Program. As Event Manager, she plans and facilitates recruitment events that attract prospective students from all over the country and showcase the prestige and innovation that is George Mason University. In her role as Advanced Team Leader, she is responsible for all on-campus logistics for the Washington Scholars Program Conferences and works hard to provide a seamless D.C. experience for all of the scholars. Prior to her permanent role in the Office of Admissions, Andrias served George Mason as Event Coordinator Assistant in the Office of Admissions. As a student, she received several university awards and was a member of many student organizations, university committees, and academic honor societies. However, she is most proud of her term as Student Representative on the GMU Board of Visitors. Andrias earned her Bachelors of Science in Tourism and Events Management from the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism at George Mason University and is proud to be a Mason Patriot!

As the Events Assistant, Quayla serves as the secondary event planner and point of contact within the Office of Admissions at George Mason University. In addition to serving on the planning team for the Washington Scholars Program, she helps to plan and implement several on-campus recruitment and yield events each year. Prior to working at George Mason, she served as the Program Coordinator of the First-Year Experience at the University of Pittsburgh, where she worked to create programs and implement services to help retain first-year, transfer, and off-campus students. She has a passion for creating unique and engaging experiences for students both on and off campus. Quayla is new to Mason and the Washington metro area. She holds a BA in Professional Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations, from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA.