Johnathan Fang is dedicated to bridging divides.
Drawing on over a decade living in Shenyang China after being born in Los Angeles, he actively engages groups with differing perspectives to promote understanding and collaboration. First attracted to George Mason University's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution through the summer Conflict Resolution Youth Summit, Fang came to George Mason to be able to focus on practical issues that he finds significant, from human rights to cultural diversity. As an Honors College student, Fang was selected as among the most motivated applicants to George Mason to receive enhanced academic and social opportunities to shape him into a leader in his career and community.
Jeffrey Zitomer: Where are you from?
Johnathan Fang: My story is interesting. I was born in Los Angeles, California. After I was born, my family decided to move to, China, so I grew up there. Both my parents are Chinese, and I grew up exposed to the culture. Shenyang is a big city, a lot like Beijing, in the northeast of China. It has a very large Korean population; I think it’s the largest Korea Town in the world. It was also the capital of the Qing Dynasty. After middle school, I returned to the US and finished high school in Fairfax. I cherish my experiences living overseas. It helped me develop a sense of empathy for people of different backgrounds.
Jeffrey: What are you passionate about? What clubs or organizations have you joined at George Mason?
Johnathan: I play a couple of sports. I did basketball, volleyball, and track in high school. At George Mason, I participate in the Intramural Sports Team – specifically volleyball and basketball. The intramurals are a great platform for students to compete, regardless of their skill level or how long they’ve been at George Mason.
I also play acoustic guitar. I play pretty much everything, but I play a lot of worship music. I’m pretty devoted to my faith.
George Mason has a couple of Christian organizations, like CRU, which is a place for students to share their faith and stories. It’s also a place we can hang out and make friends!
Seeing the world from different perspectives has been very eye-opening for me, which is important for conflict resolution and building respect for one another. I want to use these experiences to help make the world more peaceful and united.
Jeffrey: Why did you choose the Carter School?
Johnathan: My first experience with the Carter School was as a junior in high school. I attended the summer Conflict Resolution Youth Summit and we learned about the program and some conflict resolution techniques. The Carter School has a very welcoming environment and the summit gave me a good picture of the program.
Jeffrey: What was your favorite course at the Carter School, so far?
Johnathan: It was a one-credit course: “Conflict: Flight or Fight.” I liked how interactive it was, each student participated in practice mediation sessions. There were also in-class activities that simulated different conflict scenarios, and we learned how people tend to react to different situations.
Jeffrey: How did the honors college prepare you for your success at George Mason?
Johnathan: The Honors College provides additional, in-depth courses for its students; it’s a great community. I didn’t live in the Honors College dorm, unfortunately, but we worked together on different projects and presentations. It’s a nurturing environment where students can thrive and collaborate as they work towards a common goal.
Jeffrey: Ideally, what would you like to do, post-graduation?
Johnathan: I’m passionate about human rights issues, so I’d like to work with organizations that are focused on helping minorities or the disabled. I think I would like to work with the State Department or an NGO that dealt with these issues.
Jeffrey: Do you have a message for anyone considering George Mason?
Johnathan: George Mason isn’t just about academic coursework. We also focus on practical, real-world issues. George Mason has a lot of resources, in part due to its location, that can help you reach your potential. I feel as though the university really embraced me as a student and a person. It provided a lot of community of support as well as life-long friends.