BA in Criminology, Law and Society

Anthony Scanzo-Masiero, 2020

How did you choose your degree program?

When I was graduating high school, I was not entirely sure about what I wanted to pursue. I had always heard that the FBI was a major route for many who attended Mason. With this information in mind, I decided to major in criminology with aims of making it to the federal level of law enforcement, however, after some Honors College classes that were based in philosophy, I had fallen in love with legal theory as well as philosophy itself. After taking some classes such as Law and Society, I realized that I had fallen in love with law and the philosophy surrounding it. Thus, I decided to pursue my degree in hopes of attending law school in the future and becoming an attorney.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

Many of the faculty members within the department helped me realize what it was that I was truly good at. When I say this, I mean that professors, advisors, etc. all helped me to understand what it was that I was most interested in and helped to realize that law and philosophy were not only interesting to me, but also vital to my career path. The staff within the department understand students on a level I have never seen before, and they truly know how to help individuals succeed in ways they may have never thought that they could.

What accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud of?

For one, this [Outstanding Graduating Student Nominee] ranks at the top of my list. When I heard that I was nominated, I could not stop thinking about it. I was so excited but I thought about all of the other wonderful students who I know were excellent choices as well. So this achievement ranks at the top of my list, along with my GPA and Dean's List recognitions.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career? Please give an example of this impact if possible.

I have taken classes with a variety of faculty members who have impacted my academic career. Specifically, James Willis. His Law and Society class helped me realize that I was in love with legal theory and law. Rachel Jones and Kurt Brandhorst, whose philosophy classes were what made me realize I was interested in philosophy and helped me acquire a diverse perception of theories of life, human interaction, and law. I would also say my Constitutional Law professors, Gene Rossi and Jim Clark, who helped me realize how important the law truly is. Elli Ambros, who is the most amazing advisor a student could ask for. Eva Bramesco, who helped a 18 year old kid from New Jersey realize George Mason was the place he was meant to be.

What advice would you give to any incoming first years?

Have an open mind, work hard, be diligent, and always try new subjects and methods of learning, because you may find the thing that you were truly meant to do.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

Following graduation in the winter, I plan to take the LSAT and apply to law school. In the long term, I hope to work as an attorney in the field of constitutional law, and become a Supreme Court Justice!