Meet our exec board and staff!
Shizrae Mallick: Co-Chair
Shizrae is a senior majoring in Sociology, and is a trainer for Safe Zone and NCBI. She has an eye for luxury bags, and enjoys Orbit's Fabulous Fruitini gum (it's her favorite!) Though she refuses to partake in anything Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, she enjoys timeless films such as Dreamgirls, Hairspray and The Sound of Music. She's looking forward to being a proud PFLAG mom (though she is not with child), but on the weekends, she enjoys spending time with her three adorable cousins and her younger sister, Sara, who also goes to Mason. She can kick your ass in Rockband, but don't be surprised when you see her with her wrist brace (see Guitarthritis). If you see her on campus, feel free to say "Hi" and introduce yourself!
Alejandro Asin : Co-Chair
Alejandro is a senior studying Sociology and Biology at Mason. He is involved in several different organizations such as Amnesty International, Hispanic Student Association, the co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, and of course, Pride Alliance. His interests range from having deep conversations on social theory to having fun like any other person on the weekends. He loves movies and hanging out with his friends whenever he gets a chance. Always trying to be outgoing, friendly, and positive (though it's so hard sometimes!), Alejandro is a great catch! Or at least a somewhat decent co-chair. :)
Yong-Bee Lim: Co-Chair
What up?! I am currently a senior at George Mason University, and will be graduating with a B.S. in Psychology in May of 2010. As a transfer student to GMU from the Fall of 2008, this is currently my second year at GMU, and I have been immensely thrilled with my experience. While I tend to be busy with lots of activities, both academic and student organization related, Pride Alliance, and its members, are always top priority for me. Some of my other activites include being Undergraduate Representative for Psi Chi, being the president of PSDAC, as well as being an Honors Student in Psychology, so all Psych majors (or potential Psych majors) should feel comfortable contacting me as well! When I don't have an article in my hand, a cup of tea in the other, and headphones listening to various types of music, I enjoy relaxing by watching movies (of which Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of my favorites!), playing video games, pairing a great glass of armagnac with a wonderful chocolate dessert, travelling to various locations (most recently to France), and laying around in the grass and soaking in the sun (as seen from the picture).
Myca Taylor: Secretary
Myca is majoring in History with a minor in Religious Studies. When Myca isn’t sleeping, working, or aggravating her roommates to stop being lazy, she is zooming around campus on her bike (its baby blue with blaze orange and lime green duck tape on the handles. Check for it outside Fenny, SUB 1, and the JC.) She enjoys her week and days of not speaking, singing (badly and loudly), playing her harmonica on the pride bench, drinking dubious amounts of PowerAde, telling her life stories in extreme detail, and making her friends laugh so hard that they fall to the floor in complete joyous agony. Come and ask her any question because life shouldn’t be taboo.
Josh Harrison: Tresurer
Josh is a sophomore who's majoring in Computer Science. While working with Pride Alliance, he wants to help out by planning better and more exciting events, as well as striving to make people feel as welcome as possible. Josh is a nerd and spends half of his life on his computer. If you need any help with Pride (or technical!) issues, feel free to hit him up! During the day, if he's not in class, you'll find him hanging out in the Pride Office. If you see him around, don't be afraid to stop and say hey!
Marie "Re" Hicks: Publicity Chair
Marie is a second-year student who is currently planning on getting a degree through the NCC program. She works in the GMU Office of Student Mediaas well as the GMU Bookstore. She loves to talk and meet new people, so feel free to approach her with questions or conversation. In her free time, she likes to sew, spend time on twitter, relax and laugh with friends, and occasionally venture into DC for fun and food.
you can also find her at http://re.onmason.com
Maryam Sodeifi: Web Chair
Maryam is a senior majoring in Sociology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. As web chair, she's looking forward to bringing a broader range of identities to Pride Alliance (and making sure that the website is informative). She enjoys being a trainer for both Safe Zone and the National Coalition Building Institute, and is involved in many student groups on campus. She is an avid swing dancer and lover of carbohydrates (especially potatoes and bagels - every kind)! The best thing that ever happened to her life is Shortbus, closely followed by Lord of the Rings. Her favorite place in the world is Tryst - which is a great alternative to DC's clubbing scene. Also, she values sleep.
Lara Ek: Historian
bio coming soon!
Tricia Poyer: Activism Chair
bio coming soon!
Ric Chollar: Faculty Advisor
Ric spent his early years in Ohio: growing up in Dayton and earning a BA in Psychology and Sociology from Wittenberg University in Springfield. Ric earned a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan, where he interned with their Human Sexuality Program Office, one of the nation's first university-based resource centers for gay and lesbian students. For the past twenty years Ric has worked in volunteer and professional positions serving the LGBTQ communities in and around the Washington, DC metro area; as support group leader, mental health therapist, prevention specialist, program supervisor, teacher and trainer. Prior to joining the staff of ODPS, Ric worked at the American College Health Association as the Assistant Project Director for a federally-funded HIV prevention program, "College Students in High-Risk Situations," geared toward LGBTQ students at colleges and universities across the U.S. Ric's personal life and loves include movies and theater, meditation practice, his two cats Hadji and Taboo, and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."