Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bonnie Sylwester

Bonnie Sylwester

Title: Associate Director of Program Assessment

Dr. Bonnie Sylwester provides support in the areas of assessment, data analysis, and accreditation for international programs at Mason.  She holds a PhD in Second Language Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she focused on language program evaluation and assessment. She also has an AGC in International Education from the University of Massachusetts, and an MA in Instructional Systems Development from UMBC. With over 25 years in the field of international education, Bonnie’s experience includes teaching, teacher education, curriculum development, assessment, and program planning and evaluation. She has lived and worked in the US, Namibia, Korea, Bolivia, and Spain.

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

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.

Sheena Serslev

Sheena Serslev

Title: Director of Institutional Assessment

Dr. Sheena Serslev engages in institutional assessment with an educational development approach. Her research interests blend program assessment with creativity and learning.
 
Prior to joining George Mason University, she was the Associate Director of Engaged Teaching at the UC San Diego Teaching + Learning Commons where she collaborated with departments and faculty to design evidence-based, student-centered, and equitable learning experiences. She has worked as an educator, researcher, and arts administrator.
 
Sheena studied Visual Arts and Communications at UC San Diego and earned her Master’s in Arts Management from the Heinz College of Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. She completed her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UC San Diego.
 

In her spare time, Sheena can usually be found swimming or painting.

Eunkyoung Park

Title: Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness

Dr. Eunkyoung Park leads the strategy and execution of the assessment and planning function for the division of University Life such as strategic planning, accreditation, annual assessment, program review, and data collection and analysis. Prior to joining Mason in 2015, Dr. Park worked at the Korean Educational Development Institute (Seoul, South Korea) and the Institute for Higher Education Policy (Washington DC). She earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana and her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea.
 

Even though Eunkyoung majored in French, she refuses to speak it.