Minor in German Studies

Virginia Holm

What is your major and how did you choose your degree program ? 

My major for my graduate program was in Education with a focus on Instructional Design & Technology and an eLearning Certificate. 

I decided to pursue a minor in German to further strengthen my knowledge of the language grammatically and to have the opportunity to read more German literature.     

What has been your most meaningful experience in the Department of Modern & Classical Languages so far? 

My experience in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages impacted me positively in every aspect of my academic experience.  The Professors that I got the chance to connect with provided me with a lot of knowledge in the German language and literature.   

One of the accomplishments I often reflect on, and I am proud to have been a part of was the Modern and Classical Languages polyglot performance.  I am also honored and proud of having received the award in the German minor. Taking courses in German and listening to my native language being spoken had always been a highlight of my day as it connected me to my roots and reminded me of my childhood. I am also proud of having hosted the Kaffeestunde during my time in the program.  It brought me nothing but joy to meet with fellow classmates and speak the language that will always feel the closest to home for me. 

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

Dr. Natalia Dudnik and Dr. Francien Markx made a huge difference. Over the years, they have remained a constant in my academic and professional journey, and I am thankful for their continued guidance and presence in my life.  Dr. Scott Berg made a difference for me in my creative writing journey. For my graduate program, all my gratitude goes to Dr. Ryan Rucker.  He made understanding the field of instructional design easy and enjoyable.   

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

I currently work in the Global Affairs program as the Graduate Program Coordinator and my time in the Modern and Classical Languages department has helped me immensely to connect with our students from different cultures.  Working in higher education has always been a dream of mine and I feel successful in my job when our graduate students are succeeding and enjoying their journey in the program.  My long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. and hopefully in the future teach courses at the college level.