The Costello College of Business at George Mason University is pleased to announce the 2024-2025 Graduate Students of the Year. These individuals exemplify the highest standards of academic excellence, leadership, and dedication to their field. Learn why they chose George Mason, the impact of their business education, and the advice they would give to prospective students.
Daniel O’Connor – MS in Business Analytics, Costello College of Business
Daniel O’Connor completed his Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) at George Mason University with a vision to launch his own enterprise focused on business analytics, data engineering, and data science. Drawn to the in-person format and accelerated structure, Daniel appreciated how the program allowed him to maintain a full-time job while gaining advanced technical knowledge in just one year. “George Mason University offered an in-person, high-quality technical degree located in the DMV area that helped me to pursue continuing professional education while I worked full-time,” he shared.
Daniel found the most rewarding part of the program to be the accessibility and expertise of the professors as well as the collaborative spirit among his classmates. His favorite course—SQL—helped him discover a strong interest in data engineering, which he sees as foundational to effective data science. “Visually appealing BI dashboards and complex machine learning techniques are only useful if the data sources are high quality, cleaned, and modelled thoughtfully,” he noted. He encourages future students to engage deeply with the material through real-world projects, emphasizing that the program is just the starting point for a lifelong journey in analytics.
Brad Nicolais – MS in Real Estate Development, Costello College of Business
Brad Nicolais pursued his Master of Science in Real Estate Development (MRED) at George Mason University to enhance his expertise in general contracting and construction management. For Brad, the most rewarding part of the program was gaining the ability to speak the language of developers. “It has been rewarding to understand the metrics and justification for their decisions,” he explained, which has helped him communicate more effectively with clients and stakeholders in his field.
He cited the NAIOP Capital Challenge—a collaborative, competitive project—as the most impactful component of the program. “It gives you a first-hand, realistic experience of the process and challenges that real estate developers are faced with on a daily basis,” Brad said. He advises prospective students to embrace the learning journey instead of focusing solely on graduation: “The goal is not to work hard for a piece of paper but rather the experience and knowledge that working through the program offers.”
Dylan Alexander Hawley – Master’s in Accounting, Costello College of Business
Dylan Alexander Hawley completed his Master’s in Accounting at George Mason University with the primary goal of meeting the 150-credit requirement to pursue CPA licensure. Having earned his undergraduate degree at George Mason as well, Dylan chose to stay because of the strong faculty and academic community he had come to value. His next step is joining EY, one of the “Big Four” accounting firms, where he aims to apply the skills honed during his graduate studies.
Dylan found the most rewarding aspect of the program to be the meaningful connections he built with fellow students and professors. His favorite class, accounting analytics, stood out not only because of the engaging material but also the way it was taught. He encourages future students to explore the different avenues within accounting offered at Costello, noting that “the professors are great, and you learn a lot about different aspects of the field.”
Ethan William Anderson – MBA with Business Analytics Certification, Costello College of Business
Ethan William Anderson earned his MBA from George Mason University, complementing it with a Business Analytics Certificate to expand his expertise in data-driven decision-making. Coming from a non-traditional background, Ethan appreciated George Mason’s Business Fundamentals Pathway Program, which allowed him to demonstrate his capabilities before fully entering the MBA program. Now, he’s preparing to return to the financial services industry with new tools to drive growth, streamline processes, and innovate within organizations.
Throughout the program, Ethan thrived with the opportunity to lead team projects, noting the leadership experience as the most rewarding part of his MBA. “I improved my management skills, practiced conflict resolution, and collaborated well with others to deliver high-caliber end products,” he said. His favorite course, operations management with Dr. Mehmet Altug, offered real-world discussions and practical problem-solving scenarios that solidified his interest in process improvement. To future students, Ethan advises: “Take the chance and give it your all. You may surprise yourself with how many like-minded individuals you find yourself with, all of whom share a similar goal—to gain knowledge and grow professionally.”
Eray Tulun – MS in Finance, Costello College of Business
Eray Tulun pursued a Master of Science in Finance at George Mason University after earning his undergraduate degree in bioengineering. Though he enjoyed engineering, he sought a faster-paced career with more client interaction, leading him to pivot into finance. “I didn’t have any financial experience before this program,” Eray noted. “But I got to apply problem-solving skills from bioengineering to financial challenges, which gave me a fresh and exciting perspective.” After graduation, he plans to begin a career in finance, targeting roles in banking or FP&A for a healthcare company, with the longer-term goal of joining the Cornell Future Leaders MBA program.
Eray chose George Mason’s finance program because of its strong emphasis on quantitative analysis, coding, and its accomplished faculty—all offered within an accelerated one-year format. He especially enjoyed courses in statistical and quantitative methods and venture capital, where he applied coding skills to model financial risk and analyze investment strategies. “Learning Python for finance is invaluable,” he advises future students. Eray recommends that incoming students build a foundation in coding ahead of time to get the most from their coursework starting in week one.
Keyshon Wills – MS in Management, Costello College of Business
Keyshon Wills pursued the MS in Management program at George Mason University to build a stronger foundation in business after graduating from the University of Virginia with limited business coursework. He saw the program as an opportunity to gain practical management skills while exploring the intersection of business and cybersecurity through the Information Security Management certificate. Courses like management of IT, managerial finance, and organizational behavior stood out to him for their real-world relevance and interactive, team-based learning. A key moment in his experience was his final project in economics of information security, where he analyzed cyber risks in the banking industry and connected them to tangible business outcomes—a project that helped prepare him for his future in the security sector.
Now beginning his career at Convergint Technologies as part of their development program in Columbia, Maryland, Keyshon is applying his skills in leadership and strategic thinking to generate new business in the cybersecurity space. He credits the program for sharpening his ability to build strong business cases, take initiative, and lead by example. The support he received from George Mason’s Career Services and his professional network helped ease the transition into his new role. Being named Student of the Year was a defining achievement for him—one that affirmed his growth and the importance of setting no limits on what he can accomplish. “This recognition taught me how important it is to never limit yourself with what you can accomplish, as well as the type of impact you can have on others,” he reflected.