Spanish Concentration

Ninamarie Avedissian, 2022

Ninamarie Avedissian

How did you choose your degree program?

At George Mason University’s orientation, I sat with some amazing GMU staff members who helped me decide what to major in. I was very passionate about learning the Spanish language, but had doubts about what opportunities I would have with a Spanish degree. The orientation advisors told me that my eyes lit up when I spoke about the Spanish language and my experiences self-studying the language and that I should major in what I am passionate about.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

I learned more about how various aspects in our society, such as language, play a role in social structures and individual experiences and self-perceptions. This knowledge will help me better serve my community. I also learned how to conduct research and synthesize my findings which will help in any field.

What accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud of?

I am proud of being part of the editorial team for Hispanic Culture Review, GMU’s bilingual, literary journal, and helping in the publication of 2 of its editions.


I am proud to be a part of the Dean’s list every Fall and Spring semester at Mason.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?

I am so grateful for Professor Carla Burns and Jason Hartsel’s support. They both supported me endlessly as my team worked on the Hispanic Culture Review publications, meeting me with me for hours if it was necessary and always remaining positive.

I feel more confident in my ability to read Spanish literature due to Professor Berroa’s dedication to teaching and love for literature. As a future educator, I hope to be as supportive and optimistic in the classroom as he was.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

After graduation, I plan to finish a Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (ESOL).


Long-term, I plan to apply for the Fulbright fellowship to teach English in Spain and teach ESOL in VA public schools or abroad. Additionally, I would like to improve as a pianist and songwriter and release my own music.