Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning

Archives: People

Tom Bischoff

Title: Associate Director of Data Analytics

Tom joined OIEP in September 2025 as the Associate Director of Data Analytics. In this role, Tom is primarily responsible for managing data definitions, compiling census datasets, conducting analysis, and reporting to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

Prior to OIEP, Tom spent five years in Institutional Research and Assessment at Temple University. He holds master’s degrees in Higher Education and Applied Research & Evaluation, both from Temple, and a bachelor’s degree in Statistics and Data Science from Yale University.

Tom is passionate about linking his work to institutional and student success. He has spent time teaching, coaching, volunteering, and conducting research on adolescent development in higher education settings. Tom is well-versed in an array of data tools and software including R, SQL, Excel, Qualtrics, and Tableau.

Tom competed on the varsity rowing team in college. He enjoys hiking, camping, video games, and movies.

  • * The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Rupa Mehta

Title: Business and Data Analyst

Rupa is a Business and Data Analyst with over 18 years of experience at George Mason University, specializing in business intelligence, data analytics, and data governance. She supports data-driven decision-making across academic and administrative units at Mason with expertise in Oracle databases, SQL, and MicroStrategy.

Prior to joining Mason, Rupa worked at the Department of Homeland Security with focus on data quality, integrity and accurate reporting.

Rupa is a proud Mason alumna. She is a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) at the George Mason Toastmasters Club. She enjoys traveling and taking long walks with her energetic goldendoodle, Kobi.

  • * The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Emily Wang

Title: Data Visualization Specialist

Emily is the Data Visualization Specialist for OIEP, where she serves as the technical expert for creating data visualization solutions that support institutional analytics and the development of other data tools for internal and external audiences. Before joining George Mason University, Emily was a Data Science Graduate Assistant for the Department of Information Technology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). She also obtained her Undergraduate and Graduate degrees in Information Systems from UMBC. Emily is passionate about leveraging data to enhance understanding and empower individuals to make informed decisions.

During her free time, Emily enjoys crocheting and exploring new arts and crafts.

  • * The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Iulia Voina

Title: Research Associate

Iulia Voina serves as a Research Associate within the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, conducting data requests and statistical analyses to support university initiatives. She completed her MS in Statistics at Oregon State University, and BS in Statistics from Virginia Tech. Her primary research interests are in experimental design methodology and statistical communication, and she is passionate about using data to tell accurate and meaningful stories. 

  • * The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Srikanth Reddy Bhemre

Title: Research Technical Staff

Srikanth joined OIEP as a Research Technical Staff member in 2024, responsible for gathering, organizing, and analyzing large datasets to support various research projects. He provides technical expertise in data collection, organization, and analysis, enhancing data accessibility and insight generation. Srikanth earned his Master’s degree in Data Analytics from George Mason University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from BML Munjal University. Currently, he is focused on expanding his skills in data analysis.

  • * The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Kristina Podesta

Title: Senior Research Associate

Kristina is a Senior Research Associate in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (OIEP). Prior to joining OIEP, she served as a Legislative Research Analyst for the Tennessee General Assembly, where her research informed a wide range of policy decisions and received awards from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Kristina is currently a doctoral student in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University and recently earned a Graduate Certificate in Data Science from Austin Peay State University. She holds an M.A. from Alice Solomon University in Berlin, Germany and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

  • * The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Diana Bharucha

Title: Senior Assessment Planner

Dr. Diana Bharucha serves as a Senior Assessment Planner within the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (OIEP) to support Co-Curricular and Mason Core Assessment at GMU.

Prior to OIEP, Diana spent 12 years in institutional research and college planning and evaluation at Northern Virginia Community College. She served overseas for 9 years with the US State Department in Stockholm, Sweden; Nairobi, Kenya; and Beijing, China. She holds a Ph.D. in Cellular Oncology from George Washington University and a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Tulane University. She is excited to support student success at GMU!

Diana enjoys cooking, baking, and spending time with her children and cats. Her favorite band is Coldplay.

  • * The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Amy Lebrecht

Title: Assessment Planner

Amy serves as an Assessment Planner within OIEP, supporting institutional assessment efforts across George Mason University.

Prior to OIEP, Amy spent 6 years in federal technology consulting leading complex software development projects for large government clients. She holds an M.S. in Educational Psychology – Assessment, Evaluation, and Testing from George Mason, and dual B.S. degrees in Mathematics and Statistics from James Madison University. Throughout her career, her research interests have focused on higher education evaluation and assessment, and she is thrilled to be applying these skills within George Mason.

  • * The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Bonnie Sylwester

Bonnie Sylwester
Bonnie Sylwester

Title: Associate Director of Program Assessment

Dr. Bonnie Sylwester currently serves as the Associate Director of Program Assessment. She oversees administrative assessment and supports academic and Mason Core assessment. She also works in data analysis and reporting and enjoys helping units and programs integrate data into their planning and review processes.

Bonnie has a PhD in Second Language Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she focused on language program evaluation and assessment, and an MA in Instructional Systems Development from UMBC. Prior to joining OIEP, she was Associate Director for Curriculum and Assessment at INTO Mason.

Bonnie is an avid sailor and enjoys getting out on the Potomac or the Bay whenever possible. 

  • * The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Amira Al-Khulaidy Stine

Amira Al-Khulaidy Stine
Amira Al-Khulaidy Stine

Title: Assistant Director of Research and Analysis

Dr. Amira Stine conducts data-driven research that supports the goals of OIEP, as well as Mason’s mission and strategic plan. Prior to joining OIEP, Amira held various roles in higher education including research, program management, learning technologies, international and sponsored programs, as well as working with undergraduate students, with a focus on retention.

Amira earned her Ph.D. in Computational Social Science from George Mason University. She holds an M.Ed. from the University of Virginia, and a B.A. in English with a Philosophy concentration from Columbia University.

  • * The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.