Distinguished Alumni Awards

The College of Education and Human Development Distinguished Alumni award recognizes an alumnus, or alumna, for his or her professional achievements and contributions in the education or recreation, health and tourism related fields.

Each year’s distinguished alumni represents the college’s core values of collaboration, ethical leadership, innovation, research-based practice, and social justice.

Previous Winners

2024: Nia Harrington

BS Health, Fitness, and Recreation Resources ’14

Nia Harrington

Nia Harrington is the chief development officer at Speaking With Impact and specializes in brand communication and sports management. She has extensive experience in the sports industry, including at Under Armour, the Washington Commanders, University of Maryland Athletics, and the Washington Wizards. Harrington manages Speaking With Impact’s presentation skills, media training, professional development, and women’s leadership initiatives. She coaches individuals at all career stages, using her expertise to enhance their communication skills and strategic presence to align with their professional goals. She is also a seasoned keynote speaker, sports talk show host, the host of the Gameday Girl podcast, and an instructor for personal branding and professional development classes in the George Mason School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management’s sport management graduate concentration.

2023: Gabe Segal

MEd Educational Leadership ‘22

Gabe Segal

Gabe Segal has been an advocate for having free, universal schools meals for all students in Fairfax County Public Schools. In 2019, he paid off the school meal debt at this former school, Sleepy Hollow Elementary. This past school year, he created a fundraiser to pay off the debt at Herndon Middle School raising more than $50,000. Segal has been meeting with local and state leaders to share his perspective in the hopes of change.

2022: Mark McCracken

BS Health, Recreation, Tourism ‘12

Mark McCracken

Mark McCracken is the current Assistant Head Athletic Trainer for the Washington Commanders. McCracken credits the root of his success to the mentorship and guidance he received while at Mason. He believes his early desire to work as an athletic trainer in professional sports was nourished and encouraged by his professors. McCracken has deep appreciation and gratitude toward everyone involved in his education while in the Mason ATEP.

2021: Tiffany Reaves

BS Health, Recreation, Tourism ‘09

Tiffany Reaves

Tiffany Reaves is the current Senior Director of Social Impact and Fan Engagement for the New York Knicks. In this role she sets the strategy and runs operations for the department responsible for all community activation, youth basketball programming, and fan engagement platforms for the brand.

2020: Anthony “Tony” J. DeGregorio

BS Physical Education ’84, MS Physical Education ‘89

Anthony “Tony” J. DeGregorio

The late Anthony “Tony” J. DeGregorio taught elementary physical education for Fairfax County Public Schools for 26 years, with three years as the school district’s administrator for physical education and driver education. For more than 30 years, DeGregorio served as a Mason instructor to the next generation of physical education teachers. In addition to being a College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) faculty member, he served for many years on the Alumni Association Board as the CEHD representative. DeGregorio passed away in 2019.

2019: Thomas J. Snee

MEd Education Leadership ‘06

Thomas J. Snee

Thomas J. Snee is the National Executive Director for the Fleet Reserve Association and Co-Chair for The Military Coalition representing over 5.5M active, reserve, veterans and retiree service members.

2017: Dr. Britt J. Davis

BS Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies ’91, MPA ’96

Dr. Britt J. Davis

Dr. Britt Davis is currently the Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Senior Advisor to the President at Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC.

2016: Sharon LePage Plante

MEd Special Education ’96

Sharon LePage Plante

Sharon LePage Plante currently teaches students with learning disabilities and dyslexia at Eagle Hill Southport School in Southwestern Connecticut.