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Classes, Community & Extra Curriculars

Coming to William and Mary from Ohio, Lora Fairs was eager to get involved around campus and find a sense of community.  How has she tied her business school experience to her extra curricular activities to make a lasting impact?  

Lora Faris enjoys an event hosted by AMP.
Embracing the Variety of Opportunities

I’m always trying to make the most of my college experience by being involved in a variety of different areas on campus so my Individual Program of Study (IPS) goes far beyond my Marketing major and Management & Organizational Leadership concentration.  With new opportunities always springing up on campus, I am continually finding myself embracing the opportunity to branch out, try new things, and get involved in a variety of different ways. College wouldn’t be the same if I weren’t running from meeting to meeting with 24 ounces of Wawa coffee coursing through my veins. 

Outside of the Business School, next year, I will have the opportunity to serve as the General Board Director of Alma Mater Production (AMP), our on-campus programming organization.  As General Board Director, my primary role is to serve as a resource to all of AMP’s members so we can help create a positive college experience for our peers.  

Additionally, I have the opportunity to create a positive impression of the Tribe in my roles as a Tour Guide and a Tribe Ambassador.  I find that the more I talk about William & Mary to perspectives, the more I value my time here.  I am very excited to take my admissions experience to a new level with my role this summer as a Senior Admissions Interviewer.  Whether it is through AMP, Admissions, Orientation, Greek Life or just sharing my Tribe Pride, I just love getting people excited about being a part of the stack of bricks we call home.   

Lora Faris with fellow business students in New York City.The Meaning of Mason Community

Since my IPS is structured around these ideas of trying new things, taking classes in a variety of fields, and finding what gets me excited, joining the business program helped me further expand my horizons.  Not only has it opened up the opportunity to be involved in the Business School itself, but it has also taught me how to apply business practices to the other organizations I'm involved in. 

Immediately upon starting in the Mason School of Business, I found out that it was easy to become engaged both in the coursework and in the program as a whole.  If I want to have an impact here, all I have to do is speak up because opportunities are constantly presenting themselves.   There is a sense of community that envelops students from the very first orientation session.  The Mason community isn’t just about socializing in the hallways or circling around a fire in the winter months; it is entrenched in the curriculum, the coursework, the respect between students and faculty and the relationships among students.  Mason has already had an impact on my academics, career potential and personal growth, and I’m eager to help foster this community feeling for years to come.    

Since entering the Business School, I have been able to meet with high profile employers, break bread with a multimillionaire, converse with leaders of social responsibility initiatives and make my maiden voyage to New York City.   Traveling to New York for the Sustainability Conference was a major highlight for me, especially because the opportunity to travel has always been something I desire in my career.   

Lora Faris in Prague, where she spent a summer abroad.Taking my IPS Step-by-Step

The next step for my IPS is an international experience in South East Asia! This winter I will be traveling to South East Asia with several other William & Mary students to immerse myself in the culture and learn about international business firsthand.  Although I traveled abroad the summer after my sophomore year here at the College, this will be the first time that I approach international travel with a business objective.  I don’t ultimately know where my IPS will take me in the long term, but the steps that I am taking towards my goals are exciting and continually motivating me to strive for more!  I can’t wait for a final year in the Business School to meet potential employers, explore the option of graduate school and make a final mark on campus.