BA in Criminology, Law and Society

Joshua David Steele, 2026

Degree: BA in Criminology, Law, and Society

Hometown: Springfield, Virginia

Future plans: Joshua’s goal is to attend law school in the fall. In the meantime, he wants to learn piano, study Nepali, read classic literature, and gain work experience. 

Joshua is deeply grateful for the community he found at George Mason, describing it as a place where he was able to grow, where even in moments of stumbling, he could rely on the constant support of the community he built here.

What George Mason means to me: George Mason University represents stability, growth, and community. As a transfer student from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), he chose George Mason because of the clear and supportive pathway offered through the NOVA/George Mason partnership. It allowed him to remain grounded—living at home, maintaining his job, building savings, and being present for his younger brother—while continuing his education. That balance made pursuing a degree both accessible and sustainable.

Most impactful course: Engaging with his table of peers in his international law class deepened his interest in the coursework. Much of the class time was dedicated to discussing progress on the final project, creating a collaborative and interactive environment. The remaining time was spent in open dialogue with Professor Parwez Besmel, whose guidance helped shape those discussions.

The course moved from the theoretical foundations of international law to its practical applications, ending on an optimistic note. However, what stood out most were the peer conversations that brought those concepts to life. Because students could choose their own research topics for the final project, they were naturally more invested, coming to class prepared and eager to engage. This sense of shared curiosity and discussion ultimately defined the experience.

Advice for future Patriots: “Work on your relationships. Some call it networking, but that presumes the goal is success. However, I would argue friendship is good for its own sake. Befriend your professors and your peers; your community is more than a means to your success—it is the measure of your success.”