Campus News / en Mason Korea and U.S. Embassy Seoul host Young Trilateral Leaders workshop /news/2025-04/mason-korea-and-us-embassy-seoul-host-young-trilateral-leaders-workshop <span>Mason Korea and U.S. Embassy Seoul host Young Trilateral Leaders workshop </span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span>Tue, 04/29/2025 - 09:55</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú Korea and the U.S. Embassy Seoul recently hosted the 2025 U.S.–Republic of Korea (ROK)–Japan Young Trilateral Leaders (YTL) Regional Workshop Series on the Mason Korea campus. The workshop featured sessions on peace technology led by experts from the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason and the Faculty of Letters at Soka Âé¶ąąú˛ú in Japan.</span></p> <p>The 2025 YTL Workshop Series consists of four phases. Phase one consisted of four weeks of online pre-learning from March 10 to April 4. Then the Incheon Songdo workshop, held from April 11–14 at Mason Korea, marked the second phase and took place over four days. The third phase will be co-hosted with U.S. Consulate General Osaka in Hiroshima, Japan, from May 9–12. The final phase, an online evaluation, is scheduled for August 21 and 28.</p> <p>During the in-person workshop, 26 members of the State Department’s YTL program from Korea, the United States, and Japan built on their pre-session knowledge, engaging in lectures and group activities with Korean and international experts. Topics included conflict analysis and resolution, peace studies, the application of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) games, and international relations based on historical and cultural perspectives.</p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-04/prr50866.jpg?itok=gzXaKJRD" width="350" height="179" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Students participate in the in-person workshop. Photo provided</figcaption></figure><p>“Mason Korea is cultivating global conflict management experts through the Korea Serious Game Institute and the Peace and Conflict Studies Center Asia,” said Mason Korea Campus Dean Joshua Park. “Grounded in innovation, expertise, and an entrepreneurial spirit, we aim to strengthen U.S.-Korea collaboration in education and research for the Fourth Industrial Revolution—serving as a trusted bridge for students, industries, and government agencies to thrive on the global stage.”</p> <p>On Saturday, April 12, the YTL workshop opened with a keynote address by Mason Korea Dean Joshua Park and U.S. Embassy Seoul public diplomacy officer Joshua Lustig, followed by a lecture from Soyoung Kwon, associate dean of external affairs and professor of global affairs, on “Korea’s Regional Diplomacy and the Trilateral Alliance.”</p> <p>Program leader Roland Wilson, director of the Peace and Conflict Studies Center Asia (PACSC Asia) and professor of conflict analysis and resolution, delivered a session on Youth Leadership, which led into a joint talk with James Broderick (Computer Game Design Program) titled “Peace and Conflict: How to Use Tech and AI.” Participants then collaborated in small groups to analyze conflict scenarios and propose solutions using AI-based serious games.</p> <p>On Sunday, April 13, after completing a trilateral conflict simulation and case studies, students visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) for a field learning experience.</p> <p>“This workshop offered young leaders from Korea, the U.S., and Japan an opportunity to strengthen their conflict analysis and resolution skills by using George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú’s advanced AI serious games," said Roland Wilson, who is a George Mason alumnus with a PhD in conflict analysis and resolution. "It also helped them develop global leadership and teamwork, while exploring innovative solutions to regional and international conflict challenges. I hope this workshop has provided future youth leaders with a valuable opportunity to view regional and global relations to deepen mutual understanding.”</p> <p>“The trilateral partnership is a crucial component of our shared commitment to the safety, security, and prosperity of both our own countries and the broader Indo-Pacific region,” said U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Diplomacy Officer Joshua Lustig. “For this partnership to truly flourish, we need to leverage the creativity and talents of people from every corner of our respective societies, especially emerging leaders like those participating in this workshop.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="602918ed-96c5-4ac3-b03c-f36bcd2790e8"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://masonkorea.gmu.edu/"> <h4 class="cta__title">See more from Mason Korea <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="b15005fe-7722-4526-a074-d16bcc671214" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-5d89f2c90751723e24c02b192ba4dbdadc60c6610314929873a8f32b86af4f50"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"><li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/mason-korea-and-us-embassy-seoul-host-young-trilateral-leaders-workshop" hreflang="en">Mason Korea and U.S. Embassy Seoul host Young Trilateral Leaders workshop </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 29, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/mason-korea-hosts-us-charge-daffaires-fireside-chat" hreflang="en">Mason Korea hosts U.S. ChargĂ© d’Affaires for fireside chat </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 4, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-03/mason-koreas-global-network-expands-vietnam" hreflang="en">Mason Korea's global network expands in Vietnam</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">March 26, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-03/mason-korea-host-2025-korea-us-japan-esports-tournament" hreflang="en">Mason Korea to Host 2025 Korea-US-Japan eSports Tournament</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">March 25, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-03/dean-joshua-park-shares-vision-mason-korea" hreflang="en">Dean Joshua Park shares vision for Mason Korea</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">March 12, 2025</div></div></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/856" hreflang="en">Mason Korea</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Tue, 29 Apr 2025 13:55:23 +0000 Katarina Benson 117016 at Generous gift will name School of Computing, support scholarships /news/2025-04/generous-gift-will-name-school-computing-support-scholarships <span>Generous gift will name School of Computing, support scholarships</span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span>Mon, 04/28/2025 - 15:31</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú received a gift with an impact of $36 million from the Kimmy Duong Foundation to name the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing within the </span><a href="https://cec.gmu.edu/"><span class="intro-text">College of Engineering and Computing</span></a><span class="intro-text">. The university’s Board of Visitors approved the name change on April 1, and it will become official pending approval from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia this summer.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-04/250425503.jpg?itok=rI3Mw7_K" width="560" height="374" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of Âé¶ąąú˛ú Branding</figcaption></figure><p>“We are so grateful to Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong for their continued support of the College of Engineering and Computing, now culminating in this generous gift,” said Dean Ken Ball. “We are proud to steward this gift in support of our students and the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program. George Mason is honored to be part of their legacy in Northern Virginia.”</p> <p>This is not the first significant gift to George Mason from Duong and her husband, who gave $5 million in 2009 for the state-of-the-art Nguyen Engineering Building, a facility providing cutting-edge research and education spaces for a new generation of engineering, computing, and information technology professionals.</p> <p>"Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen have been good friends to George Mason, recognizing the opportunity our university provides for students to succeed,” said George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú Gregory Washington. “Kimmy came to this country with very little and climbed her way to success, not unlike how many of our students who—whether they are first generation or come from difficult socioeconomic circumstances—overcome their own challenges. George Mason has been a leader in computing for many years, and this transformational gift will help ensure that remains the case for many more years to come.”</p> <p>The naming of the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong School of Computing represents a significant milestone for Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason’s historic $1 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. Designed to enhance the university’s capacity and broaden its impact, Mason Now focuses on expanding access to education, driving innovation, and deepening the university’s influence across the region and beyond.</p> <p>“This transformational gift from the Kimmy Duong Foundation marks a pivotal moment in the Mason Now campaign,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president for advancement and alumni relations and president of the George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú Foundation. “The naming of the School of Computing stands as a powerful testament to their belief in George Mason’s mission and their commitment to expanding access—particularly in fields that shape innovation and prepare students for the future.”</p> <p>Duong was born in Nha Trang, Vietnam, in 1945 and earned a bachelor of science in economics and law from the Âé¶ąąú˛ú of Saigon in 1966. She joined IBM in 1968, where she worked until she left the country in 1975, when she fled Vietnam and arrive in the United States with only $30.</p> <p>From a refugee camp, she traveled back to the United States, moving to Northern Virginia and continued her work with IBM. In 1994, she joined Pragmatics, where she served as vice chairwoman and CFO. For 30 years, she has overseen their finance, legal, facilities management, and human resources departments, playing a key role in the company’s continued growth.</p> <p>In 2015, she established the Kimmy Duong Foundation, which supports a range of health, education, and welfare initiatives in the United States and Vietnam. It has given more than $4 million toward scholarship programs with endowments to Washington, D.C.-area universities. According to the foundation website, “Influenced by her Buddhist background, Kimmy Duong has always been concerned about the poor and sick. Being raised in a poor family and coming to the U.S. as a refugee, Mrs. Duong knows the many challenges that poverty brings.”</p> <p>She has been awarded the Mason Medal, George Mason’s highest honorary award for service to the community, state or nation, and the Glen Martin Medal from the Âé¶ąąú˛ú of Maryland.</p> <p>“Education is the cornerstone of life,” Duong told a gathering of George Mason students, noting that many in her generation worked multiple jobs to send their children to college. “Now, we are giving back.”</p> <p>The gift will establish three endowments: two within CEC to provide lasting support for scholarships and student success initiatives—both of which support the commonwealth’s Tech Talent Investment Program—and one for Âé¶ąąú˛ú Life to provide scholarships through the Long Nguyen and Kimmy Duong Scholarship Endowment especially with a preference for students majoring in nursing, education, or journalism</p> <p>With some of the funds dedicated to computing-specific majors, a portion of the gift would be eligible for matching funds from the Tech Talent Investment Program, thereby amplifying the impact of the gift. The Tech Talent Investment Program of the commonwealth aims to increase the number of graduates with computing degrees and strengthen the workforce by providing financial incentives to colleges and universities that enroll and graduate more students with these skills.</p> <p>George Mason’s School of Computing is known for its strengths in computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), and software engineering. It plays a key role in Northern Virginia’s thriving tech ecosystem, particularly due to its proximity to Washington, D.C., and partnerships with major government and industry partners. Among the strengths of the school:</p> <ul><li>AI and machine learning, with strong research and academic programs in AI, robotics, and human-computer interaction.</li> <li>Designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.</li> <li>Its analytics faculty and students engage in cutting-edge big data research, particularly in health care.</li> <li>One of the most robust software engineering programs in the region.</li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:feature_image" data-inline-block-uuid="113738f5-5e08-494c-9679-2ef5c9c540c4" class="block block-feature-image block-layout-builder block-inline-blockfeature-image caption-below"> <div class="feature-image"> <div class="narrow-overlaid-image"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/feature_image_medium/public/2023-06/resize%202.jpg?itok=SLw0sYVu" srcset="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/feature_image_small/public/2023-06/resize%202.jpg?itok=5-C-WHn- 768w, /sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/feature_image_medium/public/2023-06/resize%202.jpg?itok=SLw0sYVu 1024w, /sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/feature_image_large/public/2023-06/resize%202.jpg?itok=vdomrnI5 1280w, " sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 80vw,100vw" alt="The World Needs Mason Now. It's time to power the possible." /></div> <div class="headline-text"> <div class="feature-image-link"> <div class="field field--name-field-feature-image-link field--type-link field--label-hidden field__item"><a href="/masonnow">Power the Possible</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="c41675d1-5ded-4475-a9bb-03b8ca949389" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-d580021401707c59aafb47037398cf8a1c0770ce14a55f61f3430e895d5248c2"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"><li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/generous-gift-will-name-school-computing-support-scholarships" hreflang="en">Generous gift will name School of Computing, support scholarships</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 28, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/computer-science-major-uses-multiple-internships-prep-dream-career-tech" hreflang="en">Computer science major uses multiple internships to prep for dream career in tech </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 10, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-02/george-masons-new-visualization-and-virtual-reality-lab-changing-how-research" hreflang="en">George Mason’s new visualization and virtual reality lab is changing how research is conducted</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">February 5, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-01/cybersecurity-students-prepare-inaugural-districtcon-hacker-conference" hreflang="en">Cybersecurity students prepare for inaugural DistrictCon Hacker Conference </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">January 27, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-01/advancing-sensor-tech-foggy-situations" hreflang="en">Advancing sensor tech for foggy situations </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">January 13, 2025</div></div></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17931" hreflang="en">Mason Now campaign</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3071" hreflang="en">College of Engineering and Computing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4066" hreflang="en">Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP)</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 28 Apr 2025 19:31:52 +0000 Katarina Benson 117006 at Spring 2025 Degree Celebration speakers /news/2025-04/spring-2025-degree-celebration-speakers <span>Spring 2025 Degree Celebration speakers </span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span>Mon, 04/28/2025 - 09:21</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">In addition to </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="/graduation/commencement-ceremony" target="_blank" title="Spring 2025 Commencement"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Spring 2025 Commencement</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> on Thursday, May 15, graduates may also choose to attend their college’s </span><a href="/graduation/degree-celebrations" title="Degree Celebrations"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">degree celebration</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">. Here’s a look at the keynote speakers for each event.</span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0 intro-text"> </span></p> <h2><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Wednesday, May 14</span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></h2> <h3><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">4:30 p.m. Schar School of Policy and Government</span></h3> <p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Keynote: Fairfax Mayor </strong></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="/news/2025-04/city-fairfax-mayor-83-alum-catherine-s-read-deliver-degree-celebration-keynote" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Catherine Read</strong></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>. </strong>Read was elected as the first woman and the first George Mason graduate to lead the university’s hometown of more than 24,000 residents in 2022. </span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></p> <h2><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Thursday, May 15</span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></h2> <h3><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">2 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing, School of Computing </span></h3> <p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Keynote: </strong></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="https://science.nasa.gov/people/sandra-alba-cauffman/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Sandra Alba Cauffman</strong></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>.</strong> The George Mason alumna currently serves as the deputy director of the Astrophysics Division in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA.</span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></p> <h3><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">3 p.m. College of Visual and Performing Arts</span></h3> <p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Keynote: </strong></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="https://www.arenastage.org/about-us/message-from-molly/" target="_blank"><span class="FieldRange SCXW171788520 BCX0 TextRun Underlined NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Molly Smith</strong></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>, Artistic Director Emeritus Arena Stage</strong></span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"><strong> </strong></span></p> <h3><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">6:30 p.m. College of Engineering and Computing, </span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Volgenau</span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> School of Engineering</span></h3> <p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Keynote: </strong></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="https://brillient.net/who-we-are/leadership/sukumar-iyer/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Sukumar R. Iyer</strong></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">. Iyer is the founder, executive chairman, and CEO of </span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Brillient</span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> Corporation.</span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></p> <h2><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Friday, May 16</span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></h2> <h3><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">9:30 a.m. College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)</span></h3> <p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Keynote: </strong></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="https://chss.gmu.edu/articles/21825" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>The Honorable Joshua C. Fiveson</strong></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>. </strong></span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Fiveson</span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">, BS Administration of Justice ’10, and recipient of the 2022 CHSS Distinguished Alumni–Criminology, Law and Society Award, is a U.S. Navy veteran and an academic who previously served as one of the youngest state judges in Texas. </span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></p> <h3><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">11 a.m. Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution</span></h3> <p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Keynote: </strong></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="https://www.cartercenter.org/peace/conflict_resolution/program_staff.html" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Carol Daniel Kasbari</strong></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>, senior associate director of the Conflict Resolution Program at The Carter Center. </strong>She has more than 20 years of experience designing and leading programs in conflict mitigation, peacebuilding, advocacy, and nonviolent resistance in complex international environments, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. </span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></p> <h3><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">2 p.m. College of Science</span></h3> <p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Keynote: </strong></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="https://smconservation.gmu.edu/people/paul-misener/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Paul Misener</strong></span></a><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>. </strong>Misener</span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> is an engineer, scientist, and attorney, graduating with a JD from George Mason in 2001. A global vice president at Amazon.com for 23 years, Misener is the founder and principal of Misener Innovation LLC, a consultancy dedicated to helping organizations innovate, advocate, and communicate.</span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></p> <h3><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">6:30 p.m. Donald G. Costello College of Business</span></h3> <p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Keynote: </strong></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="https://nabainc.org/president-ceo/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Guylaine Saint Juste</strong></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>, president and CEO of the National Association of Black Accountants Inc.</strong> She is the founder and co-chair of the George Mason Women in Business Initiative.</span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></p> <h2><span class="TextRun MacChromeBold SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Saturday, May 17</span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></h2> <h3><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">9:30 a.m. College of Education and Human Development</span></h3> <p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Keynote: </strong></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="https://speakingwithimpact.com/nia/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Nia Harrington</strong></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>. </strong>The George Mason alumna is the chief development officer at Speaking </span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">With</span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> Impact, where she manages presentation skills, media training, professional development, and women’s leadership initiatives, and specializes in brand communication and sports management. </span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></p> <h3><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">1:30 p.m. Antonin Scalia Law School</span></h3> <p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Keynote: The Honorable </strong></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="https://www.law.gmu.edu/news/2022/wesley_russell_elected_to_the_virginia_supreme_court" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Wesley Russell</strong></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>, JD ’95. </strong>Russell serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia. He previously served as a judge in the Virginia Court of Appeals. </span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></p> <h3><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">2 p.m. College of Public Health</span></h3> <p class="Paragraph SCXW171788520 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Keynote: </strong></span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW171788520 BCX0" href="/news/2025-04/rear-admiral-pamela-miller-highly-decorated-us-navy-medical-officer-announced-college" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Rear Admiral Pamela Miller</strong></span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>. </strong></span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeRest CommentHighlightRest" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Rear Adm.</span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRest" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Miller is a highly decorated medical officer of the United States U.S. Navy, Director of Health Services at U.S. Marine Corps Headquarters and Vice Chief, BUMED, Reserve Policy and Integration for the </span><span class="TextRun SCXW171788520 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">U.S. Department of Navy. </span><span class="EOP SCXW171788520 BCX0"> </span></p> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/481" hreflang="en">Graduation</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:21:03 +0000 Katarina Benson 116976 at This campus greenhouse is powered by the sun—and student innovation /news/2025-04/campus-greenhouse-powered-sun-and-student-innovation <span>This campus greenhouse is powered by the sun—and student innovation</span> <span><span>Lauren Reuscher</span></span> <span>Wed, 04/23/2025 - 13:11</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="intro-text">Gardening season is here, and those with green thumbs are preparing their planting strategy for the season. In any garden, plants need basic essentials to grow: sunlight, soil or nutrients, air, and water. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="intro-text">Through a new solar array at George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú’s Fairfax Campus, the sun will play double duty in the successful growth of plants. Solar energy will power the Presidents Park Greenhouse with the electricity it needs to support the plants growing inside.</span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-04/220727511.jpg?itok=dq4blNH1" width="560" height="373" alt="Doni Nolan, greenhouse manager, lifts the tray holding some plants to see the roots beneath them in the President's Park Greenhouse" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>The Presidents Park Greenhouse uses hydroponics and aquaponics to grow produce on campus. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of Âé¶ąąú˛ú Branding</figcaption></figure><p class="MsoNormal"><span>Designed by student researchers and partially funded by a research grant, the solar array will help offset the energy consumption for the equipment and temperature controls in the greenhouse, which uses hydroponics and aquaponics to grow produce on campus.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>A team of 10 George Mason student researchers applied for support from the </span><a href="https://green.gmu.edu/patriot-green-fund/"><span>Patriot Green Fund</span></a><span>, an annual sustainability fund provided by Facilities and Campus Operations to make George Mason’s campuses more sustainable through infrastructure improvements. The Patriot Green Fund covers $20,000 of the total $185,000 project cost. The remainder of the budget is provided by Facilities and Campus Operations.</span></p> <blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span>“This student-led project is designed to reduce electricity costs, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide educational and volunteer opportunities for the George Mason community,” said Demin Zhu, Patriot Green Fund program manager with Âé¶ąąú˛ú Sustainability.</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>The Presidents Park Greenhouse operates year-round and produces approximately 1,000 pounds of fresh lettuce and salad greens annually, which are served on campus at Ike's dining hall. Other fruits, vegetables, and herbs are donated to the George Mason community through free produce pickups.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-04/group_photo_greenhouse.jpg?itok=DXBFS20E" width="560" height="373" alt="Student research team stands together in front of the President's Park Greenhouse" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>A team of 10 George Mason student researchers applied for support from the <a href="https://green.gmu.edu/patriot-green-fund/">Patriot Green Fund</a>, an annual sustainability fund provided by Facilities and Campus Operations to make George Mason’s campuses more sustainable through infrastructure improvements. Photo provided</figcaption></figure><p class="MsoNormal"><span>Students are a driving force behind greenhouse operations, working inside for service hours, internships, and experiential learning. They have the opportunity to learn about the greenhouse’s </span><a href="https://green.gmu.edu/campus-sustainability/campus-gardens/presidents-park-greenhouse/hydroponic-food-production/"><span>hydroponic and aquaponic food production systems</span></a><span>.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“The electricity from the solar panels will feed into the greenhouse to power our fans, pumps, cooling system, and grow lights,” said Doni Nolan, greenhouse and gardens program manager with Âé¶ąąú˛ú Sustainability. “The electrical equipment helps us grow lettuce, baby greens, tomatoes and more in the greenhouse to provide local sustainable ingredients to our dining halls.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>The ground-mounted solar panels will be installed outside the greenhouse and are expected to offset more than 80% of the electricity it requires. The solar array is estimated to produce more than 22,000 kWh per year. The panels will reduce the building’s annual greenhouse gas impact by 13.8 metric tons of CO<sub>2</sub>, which is about equal to the carbon footprint of 2.2 typical single-family homes.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-04/14968728-3183-4dbf-b17f-0629beaabf55.jpg?itok=c9B8CLs8" width="350" height="263" alt="Contractors work to complete a concrete pad behind a chain link fence in Presidents Park to accommodate the solar array" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>The concrete pad under construction will accommodate the new solar array for the Presidents Park Greenhouse. Photo provided</figcaption></figure><p class="MsoNormal"><span>The students developed the project under the guidance of several George Mason faculty and staff, including Nolan, Christy Hogan, who is senior director of university asset management in Facilities and Campus Operations, and Colin Reagle, an associate professor in the </span><a href="https://mechanical.gmu.edu/"><span>Department of Mechanical Engineering</span></a><span>. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>George Mason currently has one other on-campus solar array, at Mason Square. Vertical solar panels on the face of Fuse demonstrate how a solar array can be integrated into a building’s design in an urban setting. A vertical solar array requires less space and captures sunlight from multiple directions throughout the day. The array produces about 1% of the electricity used by the building and is part of a </span><a href="https://masonsquare.gmu.edu/fuse"><span>range of sustainable features</span></a><span> that help Fuse meet LEED Platinum standards. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>The installation at President’s Park expected to be complete by early June. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Crystal Bowers, BS Mechanical Engineering ’23, was one of the students who led the solar array project during her time at George Mason.</span></p> <blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Working on the Solar Greenhouse Project was one of the most impactful experiences of my time at George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú,” said Bowers. “It not only deepened my understanding of sustainable infrastructure and project management, but also demonstrated the power of collaboration in transforming ideas into tangible, lasting change on campus.” </span></p> </blockquote> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="155a9a79-0169-4c7d-8538-9e412916b2b2"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://green.gmu.edu/campus-sustainability/campus-gardens/"> <h4 class="cta__title">Learn more about the Greenhouse and Gardens <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="284399ca-dc8f-4a7e-8b7e-e3a5c0bc37da" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Read More Like This</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-217a53eff6f59a703856511619301370b6de94c4e2454d8bf62924f7ec7a85aa"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"><li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/campus-greenhouse-powered-sun-and-student-innovation" hreflang="en">This campus greenhouse is powered by the sun—and student innovation</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 25, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-03/george-mason-students-learn-tackle-complex-problems-and-engage-virginia-state-senator" hreflang="en">George Mason students learn to tackle complex problems and engage with Virginia state senator</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">March 14, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-02/student-organization-recovers-more-1600-pounds-food-dining-halls-campus-events" hreflang="en">Student organization recovers more than 1,600 pounds of food from dining halls, campus events</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">February 21, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-02/turning-trash-treasure-diverting-surplus-property-waste-stream" hreflang="en">Turning “trash” into treasure: diverting surplus property from the waste stream</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">February 21, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-01/breaking-down-composting-process" hreflang="en">Breaking down the composting process </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">January 23, 2025</div></div></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17696" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/911" hreflang="en">Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7601" hreflang="en">Patriot Green Fund</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/19091" hreflang="en">Âé¶ąąú˛ú Sustainability</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/4706" hreflang="en">mechanical engineering</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3071" hreflang="en">College of Engineering and Computing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/18291" hreflang="en">Mason as a Living Lab</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div> </div> </div> Wed, 23 Apr 2025 17:11:48 +0000 Lauren Reuscher 116911 at George Mason highlighted as one of Carnegie’s Opportunity Colleges and Universities /news/2025-04/george-mason-highlighted-one-carnegies-opportunity-colleges-and-universities <span>George Mason highlighted as one of Carnegie’s Opportunity Colleges and Universities </span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span>Wed, 04/23/2025 - 12:52</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><em><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The Student Access and Earnings Classification recognizes institutions that foster opportunities for student success.</span></em><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0 intro-text"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education (ACE) announced Thursday that George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú was named to the highest tier of its list of </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW154656391 BCX0" href="https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Opportunity Colleges and Universities</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">: Higher Access, Higher Earnings, in recognition of the university’s commitment to accessibility, return on investment, and upward mobility. </span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0 intro-text"> </span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-04/250407101.jpg?itok=e8xLwI3e" width="350" height="222" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of Âé¶ąąú˛ú Branding</figcaption></figure><p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Carnegie said universities earning this distinction “are higher access, higher earnings institutions that can serve as a model for fostering student success,” according to information from the foundation.</span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">“This ranking from Carnegie and ACE reaffirms George Mason’s commitment to providing access to a high-quality education to all students who are academically prepared for the challenges of an R1 institution,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “It reflects our values, our student success rate, and our commitment to graduating students who are prepared to enter the evolving workforce in the commonwealth and beyond.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The designation is composed of two parts. The access portion refers to Pell Grant recipients and undergraduate students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. In fall 2024, 24% of George Mason undergraduate students were first-generation, and 28% were eligible for federal Pell grants, which is greater than the state average. The fall 2024 incoming class also boasted record enrollment for African American, Hispanic, and international students. </span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">George Mason does not use race-based admissions and admits nearly 90% of applicants. The university’s graduation rate exceeds national graduation rates regardless of race, ethnicity, or wealth status. The university’s ADVANCE partnership with Northern Virginia Community College creates successful transfer pathways for students and reduces or eliminates credit loss in the transfer process, saving students time and money. </span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The earnings portion of the ranking reflects how much graduates earn compared to their peers in the job market. The methodology for this ranking involves Carnegie’s “calculated comparison values,” which are based on the locations served by the institution, using U.S. census data, Carnegie said. A value of 1 indicates that an institution’s data exactly matches the comparison value. Values greater than 1 therefore show that the institution’s data is higher than the comparison value.</span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Institutions like George Mason that meet the Opportunity Colleges and Universities criteria (Higher Access, Higher Earnings) have an access ratio at or above 1 and earnings ratio at or higher than 1.5, for baccalaureate and higher institutions. </span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0">With an access score of 1.2 and an earnings score of 1.64, George Mason is the only public doctoral university in Virginia to achieve the designation. Marymount, a private doctoral university, also received the designation.</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">As an institution that has been named the top university in Virginia for value and upward mobility by The Wall Street Journal and U.S. News and World Report, George Mason is a catalyst for student success. U.S. News also named George Mason the top school in Virginia for internships reflecting its commitment to developing the talent needed for today’s dynamic workforce.</span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">George Mason graduates earn among the highest starting salaries of graduates from Virginia public universities, on average about $8,000 more. According to a survey of 2024 George Mason graduates, 85% reported a positive career outcome within six months of graduation. According to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, 73% of in-state George Mason graduates launch their careers in Virginia, as do 29% of out-of-state George Mason graduates. That out-of-state figure is 45% higher than the state average of 20%. </span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">In the 2025 classifications, 479 institutions have been identified as Opportunity Colleges and Universities, which is about 16% of all classified institutions.</span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">In addition, Carnegie also named George Mason a Mixed Undergraduate/Graduate-Doctorate Large institution, as part of its revamped institutional classifications. This classification includes 107 institutions, or 3% of U.S. colleges and universities in the institutional classification. </span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The “Mixed” portion recognizes the breadth of degrees George Mason offers, with fewer than 50% awarded in any one category. The “Undergraduate/Graduate” portion requires what Carnegie calls “a sufficient focus on the doctorate,” and the “Large” designation is for schools with at least 20,000 students. </span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">George Mason is one of 107 schools nationwide to earn this designation, representing 3% of U.S. colleges and universities in this institutional classification. </span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW154656391 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The Carnegie Classifications are updated every three years, with the next scheduled for spring 2028. More information is available </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW154656391 BCX0" href="https://carnegieclassifications.acenet.edu/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">here</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW154656391 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span><span class="EOP SCXW154656391 BCX0"> </span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="7cfe8343-5628-4867-9b4d-a2ef5034e72f"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://gmu.edu/rankings"> <h4 class="cta__title">Check out George Mason in the Rankings <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="2af149cf-f2e6-4286-82ff-08004d4265cb" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-b27a19b3c2be584b9960030bedd62b382d0b7751a5228c87a9448e223b51dccd"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"><li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/george-mason-highlighted-one-carnegies-opportunity-colleges-and-universities" hreflang="en">George Mason highlighted as one of Carnegie’s Opportunity Colleges and Universities </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 24, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/george-mason-ranks-among-top-50-graduate-programs-nationally-engineering-public-policy" hreflang="en">George Mason ranks among Top 50 graduate programs nationally in engineering, public policy, and other fields </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 8, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/rankings" hreflang="en">George Mason in the Rankings</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 7, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-03/cyber-sweep-george-mason-students-take-top-three-spots-national-transportation" hreflang="en">Cyber sweep: George Mason students take top three spots in national transportation cybersecurity competition </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">March 27, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-02/george-mason-achieves-top-producing-institution-status-fulbright-scholars-program" hreflang="en">George Mason achieves “Top Producing Institution” status from Fulbright Scholars program</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">February 25, 2025</div></div></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1661" hreflang="en">Rankings</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1076" hreflang="en">Student Success</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:52:10 +0000 Katarina Benson 116906 at George Mason English professor named Guggenheim Fellow /news/2025-04/george-mason-english-professor-named-guggenheim-fellow <span>George Mason English professor named Guggenheim Fellow</span> <span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span> <span>Thu, 04/17/2025 - 11:52</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="intro-text">Tania James, associate professor of English at George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú, has been named a 2025 Guggenheim Fellow in the Fiction category.</span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-04/tania_james.jpg?itok=o-vJtuPO" width="254" height="350" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Tania James. Photo by Elliott O’Donovan</figcaption></figure><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://english.gmu.edu/people/tjames11" target="_blank"><span>James</span></a><span>, a professor in the </span><a href="https://creativewriting.gmu.edu/"><span>Creative Writing Program</span></a><span>, was one of 198 individuals in the United States and Canada awarded a fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, which is celebrating its 100th class of </span><a href="https://www.gf.org/" target="_blank"><span>Guggenheim Fellows</span></a><span>. The Guggenheim Foundation has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in fellowships to nearly 20,000 notable individuals, many of whom have gone on to win other prestigious awards, such as the Nobel Prize, the Turing Award, the Fields Medal, and the National Book Award.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“Professor James is receiving this award in recognition of excellence in her career, thus far, and the exceptional promise her work holds for the future,” said George Âé¶ąąú˛ú Provost James Antony. “George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú is incredibly proud of Professor James and looks forward to the continued contributions she will make as a scholar, and as a mentor to our students.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>The Class of 2025 Guggenheim Fellows represents individuals from 53 fields chosen from a pool of nearly 3,500 applicants. James was one of just 10 selected in the Fiction category. She plans to use the fellowship to work on her speculative historical fiction novel set in Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“We are thrilled for Tania to receive this prestigious fellowship from the Guggenheim Foundation,” Ann Ardis, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said. “This recognition speaks to Tania’s impact as an author. The Guggenheim Foundation celebrates those who show â€exceptional promise,’ and we couldn’t be happier for Tania, who continues to inspire her peers and students.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>James is the author of four books, all published by Knopf. Her most recent novel, </span><em><span>Loot</span></em><span>, has received numerous accolades, including nominations for the 2023 National Book Award and the Carol Shields Prize in addition to being included on Book of the Year lists by the </span><em><span>Washington Post</span></em><span>, </span><em><span>Los Angeles Times</span></em><span>, NPR, and </span><em><span>Kirkus Reviews</span></em><span>.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>She has also written </span><em><span>The Tusk That Did the Damage</span></em><span>, which was a finalist for the International Dylan Thomas Prize; </span><em><span>Aerogrammes and Other Stories</span></em><span>, named a Best Book of 2012 by </span><em><span>Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal</span></em><span>, and </span><em><span>The San Francisco Chronicle</span></em><span>; and the novel </span><em><span>Atlas of Unknowns</span></em><span>, which was a </span><em><span>New York Times</span></em><span> Editor’s Choice and a finalist for the DSC Prize for South Asian Literature. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>“I’m deeply grateful to have an institutional home like George Mason, a place where I’m so often inspired by the research and teaching of my colleagues,” James said. “There is so much uncertainty with a life in the arts, but the sense of stability and support means I can take my time with my work and take the sort of creative risks necessary to feeling fulfilled as a writer."</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="ae370d0e-a00c-4e6f-ae1d-4755dcda61dd"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://creativewriting.gmu.edu/"> <h4 class="cta__title">Check out the Creative Writing program at George Mason <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="e0ace2fb-21bb-4d54-b447-13b5da840a76" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-0c7cb74987ad6cc77ef90976e83dc3c6afe569c723069afc173f923d2ba89cde"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"><li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/george-mason-english-professor-named-guggenheim-fellow" hreflang="en">George Mason English professor named Guggenheim Fellow</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 17, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-02/george-mason-phd-living-dream-nyc-met-fellowship" hreflang="en">George Mason PhD is living the dream in NYC with Met fellowship</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">February 19, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-01/master-health-administration-program-wins-award-excellence-innovative-education-cahme" hreflang="en">Master of Health Administration program wins award for excellence in innovative education from CAHME </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">January 28, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-01/schar-school-biodefense-students-selected-distinguished-fellowship" hreflang="en">Schar School Biodefense Students Selected for Distinguished Fellowship</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">January 23, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2024-06/counseling-graduate-student-awarded-fine-arts-fellowship" hreflang="en">Counseling graduate student awarded fine arts fellowship</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">June 11, 2024</div></div></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/391" hreflang="en">College of Humanities and Social Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/7806" hreflang="en">Fellowships</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Thu, 17 Apr 2025 15:52:30 +0000 Colleen Rich 116631 at College of Public Health convenes panel on a growing public health crisis—social isolation /news/2025-04/college-public-health-convenes-panel-growing-public-health-crisis-social-isolation <span>College of Public Health convenes panel on a growing public health crisis—social isolation </span> <span><span>Mary Cunningham</span></span> <span>Wed, 04/16/2025 - 16:10</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">When George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú student Jawad H. first heard talk of reducing hours at the 24/7 campus dining hall, he saw more than </span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">a logistical</span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> issue—he saw a threat to a rare space where students could connect and stave off isolation. “I ran into a friend there at 11 p.m.,” he said during</span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeRestRefresh CommentHighlightRest intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> </span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun CommentHighlightRest intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">a recent College of Public Health panel. </span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRestRefresh intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">“By the time we finished talking, it was 3 a.m.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0 intro-text"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">As a member of the Student Government at the time, Jawad helped mobilize his peers to activate to preserve the dining hall’s hours—and defend its role as a social lifeline.</span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0 intro-text"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The theme and importance of intentional connection ran throughout “Stronger Together: The Impact of Social Ties on Public Health,” an April 9 panel at George Mason's Fairfax Campus hosted by the College of Public Health. This year, the annual National Public Health Week “Conversations and Connections” event explored a growing recognition that loneliness isn’t just a personal issue but a public health threat.</span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/medium/public/2025-04/conversations_and_connections_2025_panelist_medium.jpg?itok=-UVlJ94J" width="560" height="374" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Moderator Dean Melissa Perry and the panelists. Photo by Mary Cunningham/CPH</figcaption></figure><p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">“Perhaps nothing has changed more profoundly in recent years than how we interact as human beings,” said </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW108574474 BCX0" href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/profiles/mperry27" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Melissa Perry</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">, dean of the College of Public Health, who moderated the panel. “We may check our phones hundreds of times a </span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">day, but</span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> go days without a real conversation. That disconnect has real health consequences.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Two recent events helped elevate the issue: the collective isolation the world experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a 2023 advisory from then-U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declaring loneliness “a national epidemic.” Murthy’s report links social isolation to a 29% increased risk of heart disease, a 32% increased risk of stroke, and a 50% increased risk of dementia for older adults. Loneliness, he warned, is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.</span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">“I’m glad that there’s a spotlight, because … loneliness has been sort of relegated to the purview of, this is an individual’s problem, as opposed to a systemic, structural problem,” said </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW108574474 BCX0" href="https://caps.gmu.edu/rachel-wernicke-ph-d/" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Rachel Wernicke</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">, George Mason’s chief mental health officer. “We’re seeing more acceptance that there’s a collective responsibility for addressing this.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </span></p> <figure role="group" class="align-left"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/small_content_image/public/2025-04/conversations_and_connections_2025_sq_thumbnail.jpg?itok=iH0tDj2c" width="350" height="350" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Moderator Dean Melissa Perry and the panelists. Photo by Mary Cunningham/CPH</figcaption></figure><p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Panelists focused on two groups especially vulnerable to isolation: older adults and young people. </span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">George Mason alumna Mary Louise Pomeroy, PhD Health Service Research '22, a postdoctoral researcher at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, noted that 1 in 3 older adults report frequent loneliness, and around 25% are socially isolated. “What’s unique about older adults,” she said, “is the combination of high health needs with declining social support.” </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">For many in this population, technology—like smartphones, video chats, or even “social robots” in nursing homes—can be critical for easing isolation.</span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">For young people, though, technology can sometimes have the opposite effect. “Their mood is just dropping,” said Wernicke, describing the impact of “passively scrolling” through social media. “But they’re not actually interacting—it’s the illusion of interaction.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><a class="Hyperlink SCXW108574474 BCX0" href="https://www.acha.org/documents/ncha/NCHA-III_SPRING_2022_US_REFERENCE_GROUP_EXECUTIVE_SUMMARY.pdf" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">A 2022 national survey</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> found that 60% of U.S. college students reported feeling “very lonely” in the past year. </span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Connections won’t emerge without deliberate intent, said LaToya Thomas, principal and founder of the urban planning consultancy Brick & Story, which focuses on community resilience. “We might need to do a little work, and that work is actually investing in our own inner curiosity about other humans,” she said. “And that curiosity might actually help pull someone out of a state of loneliness and isolation.” </span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun CommentStart CommentHighlightPipeRestRefresh CommentHighlightRest" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Thomas pointed to tailgates</span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun CommentHighlightPipeRestRefresh" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> before football games as </span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">one example of humans creating connections from inert spaces. “There is generally nothing exciting about these parking lots,” she said. But “people </span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun ContextualSpellingAndGrammarErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">come</span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> and they bring chairs, they bring paraphernalia for their teams, they bring barbecue pits, they bring music. They literally create a space where there is no space. It’s really the intentionality of what we as social animals decide to do in terms of making spaces—as complex or simple as they can be—into something that is </span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">really dynamic</span><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Watch the </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW108574474 BCX0" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6zGvAUFmc8" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">full panel here,</span></a><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Past “Conversations and Connections” events have covered topics including </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW108574474 BCX0" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7hWbJTmESk" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">climate change and public health</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> (2024) and </span><a class="Hyperlink SCXW108574474 BCX0" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lFd83L9JJY" target="_blank"><span class="TextRun Underlined SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">violence prevention</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW108574474 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> (2023).</span><span class="EOP SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW108574474 BCX0"> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="975658c0-20ac-4f31-bd65-f841da97ae6b"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/"> <h4 class="cta__title">Learn more about the College of Public Health <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="6058ef80-c1f6-49f0-9800-80b35eb8e559" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-b9523a1cf32badbfed941811ee61709c46d17553fee577d38303a3b7ef282751"> <div class="view-content"> <div class="news-list-wrapper"> <ul class="news-list"><li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/college-public-health-convenes-panel-growing-public-health-crisis-social-isolation" hreflang="en">College of Public Health convenes panel on a growing public health crisis—social isolation </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 16, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/announcing-recipients-2025-presidential-awards-faculty-excellence" hreflang="en">Announcing the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 16, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/george-mason-ranks-among-top-50-graduate-programs-nationally-engineering-public-policy" hreflang="en">George Mason ranks among Top 50 graduate programs nationally in engineering, public policy, and other fields </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 8, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/rear-admiral-pamela-miller-highly-decorated-us-navy-medical-officer-announced-college" hreflang="en">Rear Admiral Pamela Miller, highly decorated U.S. Navy medical officer, announced as College Degree Celebration speaker</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 7, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-03/new-coaching-course-college-public-health-motivates-students-all-majors" hreflang="en">New coaching course in the College of Public Health motivates students of all majors </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">March 3, 2025</div></div></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3206" hreflang="en">Public Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/19531" hreflang="en">CPH</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/20781" hreflang="en">social isolation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17226" hreflang="en">College of Public Health</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 16 Apr 2025 20:10:05 +0000 Mary Cunningham 116856 at Announcing the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence /news/2025-04/announcing-recipients-2025-presidential-awards-faculty-excellence <span>Announcing the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence</span> <span><span>Lauren Reuscher</span></span> <span>Mon, 04/14/2025 - 10:49</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p><span class="intro-text">George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú President Gregory Washington has announced the recipients of the 2025 </span><a href="https://president.gmu.edu/award-faculty-excellence" target="_blank"><span class="intro-text">Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence</span></a><span class="intro-text">, honoring 12 George Mason faculty members for their work on behalf of the university, students, and the broader community.</span></p> <hr /><p><span>The awards honor faculty with up to six years of service, six to 12 years of service, and more than 12 years of service.</span></p> <p><span>This is the ninth year for the Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence. Recipients are selected by a review committee that includes prior award recipients and senior leaders from relevant areas. They will be honored at a reception May 13.</span></p> <blockquote><p><span>“Faculty excellence is an undeniable reason why George Mason is consistently ranked as one the country’s top 50 public universities,” President Gregory Washington said. “We honor these faculty members’ scholarship and dedication to help students achieve their highest potential with the university’s highest faculty recognition.”</span></p> </blockquote> <p><span><strong>The John Toups Presidential Medal for Excellence in Teaching </strong>is presented to a faculty member whose teaching inspires and stimulates students in the finest tradition of higher education.</span></p> <p><span><strong>The Beck Family Presidential Medal for Excellence in Research </strong>recognizes extraordinary contributions by members of the Mason faculty to consequential research of high impact. The award is presented annually to a George Mason faculty member whose research represents groundbreaking advances in their field.</span></p> <p><span><strong>The United Bank Presidential Medal for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion </strong>recognizes extraordinary contributions in teaching, research, scholarship, creative works, or service that directly advances diversity and inclusion inside and outside the George Mason community.</span></p> <p><span><strong>The Earle C. Williams Presidential Medal for Excellence in Social Impact </strong>is presented to a faculty member in any discipline who makes extraordinary efforts to use their scholarship to solve real-world problems.</span></p> <p><span>The complete list of 2025 honorees is below. See </span><a href="https://president.gmu.edu/faculty-awards/recipients/past-recipients" target="_blank"><span>prior recipients</span></a><span> for 2017 to 2024.</span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/bethanycieslowskiwebsite_ho.jpg?itok=GND5FSR8" width="176" height="220" alt="Head shot of Bethany Cieslowski" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Bethany Cieslowski</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award Recipient</span></h5> <h5><span>Bethany Cieslowski</span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Chief Innovation Officer for Immersive Technologies and Instructional Associate Professor, School of Nursing </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Bethany Cieslowski joined the faculty of the School of Nursing as an instructional faculty member in 2021. </span><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">She serves as the chief innovation officer for immersive technologies and the bachelor of science in nursing director in the </span><a href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">College of Public Health</span></a><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">. Since 2017, when she received the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) certification, she has devoted herself to educating the nursing workforce of the future using simulation and technology. </span><span>Cieslowski has been a pioneer at George Mason in the use of virtual reality (VR) simulations that immerse students in clinical nursing scenarios. To aid this effort she established the College of Public Health’s </span><a href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/academics/lab-immersive-technologies-and-simulation"><span>VR SIM lab</span></a><span>, which is the first lab in the country to receive accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare for the use of immersive technologies in medical scenarios. </span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/angela_miller_140325715.jpg?itok=6B05zS5Y" width="176" height="220" alt="Head shot of Angela Miller" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Angela Miller</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">John Toups Presidential Medal for Excellence in Teaching Recipient</span></h5> <h5><span>Angela Miller</span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Associate Professor, College of Education and Human Development </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Angela Miller is an associate professor in the </span><a href="https://cehd.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Education and Human Development</span></a><span>. Her primary teaching focus is on quantitative research methods. She has taught 13 different courses in her time at George Mason, and she took the lead in redesigning the research methods curriculum for PhD students and developed three new courses to that end. While her own teaching has been focused on the graduate level, she took a lead role in developing, teaching, and now mentoring graduate students and other faculty in an undergraduate statistics course that is part of the Mason Core for Quantitative Reasoning. Miller makes deliberate efforts to tailor her instruction to the unique needs of her students and she consistently receives outstanding evaluations. She has made significant contributions to graduate mentoring, having chaired six dissertation committees, served as the methodologist on an additional 18 dissertation committees, and chaired six MA thesis committees, as well as an additional 16 MA capstone projects. She was also a recipient of the 2017 George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú Teaching Excellence Award.</span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/weiwen_jiang_240314553.jpg?itok=o-3kkoIt" width="176" height="220" alt="Head shot of Weiwen Jiang" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Weiwen Jiang</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient</span></h5> <h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Weiwen Jiang</span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Weiwen Jiang, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in the </span><a href="https://cec.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Engineering and Computing</span></a><span>, received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Âé¶ąąú˛ú of Pittsburgh in 2019 and spent two years at the Âé¶ąąú˛ú of Notre Dame as a postdoctoral researcher. Jiang’s research </span><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">is in the relatively new field of quantum computing, which uses quantum mechanics to enable computers to solve more complicated problems. Jiang’s research has important applications. For example, one of his recent papers combines quantum computational techniques with machine learning to solve problems relating to the discovery of new medicines. </span><span>Jiang has an impressive research record of top-tier conference presentations and publications, some of which are in the most selective journals in his field (</span><em><span>Nature Communications</span></em><span>, </span><em><span>Nature Electronics</span></em><span>, </span><em><span>Scientific Reports</span></em><span>). </span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/230322358_xuesu_xiao_crop.jpg?itok=8-ImriuG" width="176" height="220" alt="Xuesu Xiao head shot" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Xuesu Xiao</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient</span></h5> <h5><span>Xuesu Xiao </span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Assistant Professor, Computer Science Department</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Xuesu Xiao received his PhD in Computer Science in 2019 from Texas A&M Âé¶ąąú˛ú, and after three years in industry as a roboticist with Everyday Robots, an Alphabet/Google company, he joined the Computer Science Department in the </span><a href="https://cec.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Engineering and Computing</span></a><span>. </span><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">His research aims to develop intelligent mobile robots that can navigate in challenging terrain with minimal human oversight. His cutting-edge work in the field of social robot navigation seeks to develop robots that can navigate human-occupied public spaces safely while respecting social norms. </span><span>At George Mason, he established the RobotiXX Lab, in which he works with postdocs, graduate students, and high school students to develop deployable robots. An outstanding researcher, he was awarded the New Generation Star recognition at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) International Conference on Robotics and Automation.</span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/aarthi_narayanan_230329105.jpg?itok=YKLnDO5v" width="176" height="220" alt="Head shot of Aarthi Narayanan" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Aarthi Narayanan</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Faculty Excellence in Research Award Recipient</span></h5> <h5><span>Aarthi Narayanan</span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Professor, Biology Department</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Aarthi Narayanan joined the George Mason faculty as a tenure-line faculty in 2013 after spending six years at the National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Disease. She is currently a professor in the Biology Department in the </span><a href="https://science.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Science</span></a><span>. Her research focuses on the impact of viruses–including SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Dengue, and HIV–on disease progression at the tissue and cell level. Her work has led to important discoveries in vaccine development, drug discovery, and biomarker identification for infectious diseases. Narayanan has an exceptional record of publications and external funding for her research. Moreover, she has been an exemplary citizen of the university and her profession. She has been a dedicated mentor to emerging scientists in academic and industry settings; a leader in mentoring junior faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and students; a vital contributor to curriculum development for undergraduate and graduate programs; and dedicated to outreach to the local community, participating in STEM programs for girls.</span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/allison_redlich_210728502.jpg?itok=2jPH83ov" width="176" height="220" alt="Head shot of Allison Redlich" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Allison Redlich</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">The Beck Family Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Research Recipient</span></h5> <h5><span>Allison Redlich </span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Professor, Criminology, Law and Society Department</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Founder and Director, Modeling Decision-Making in the Legal System (MoDiLS) Lab</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Allison Redlich is a professor in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society in the </span><a href="https://chss.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Humanities and Social Sciences</span></a><span> and is the founder and director of George Mason’s Modeling Decision-Making in the Legal System (MoDiLS) Lab. </span><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Her research is deeply interdisciplinary. Trained in psychology, she brings insights from that field to address critical issues facing the legal system. For example, she has published influential research about interrogations and confessions in police and military contexts. This scholarship has been widely cited in amicus briefs to states and the Supreme Court, and Redlich herself has provided expert testimony in important cases involving contested confessions. She has produced similarly influential research on topics such as guilty pleas and mental health courts. Her work is credited with transforming scholarly thinking on these topics, and by all accounts is having a significant impact on current practices within the legal system. A prolific scholar and researcher, she </span><span>has been elected a Fellow to the three most influential organizations in her academic fields: the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science, and the Academy of Experimental Criminology. Redlich has also distinguished herself as a mentor and has received mentoring awards from George Mason and from the American Society of Criminology and the American Psychology-Law Society.</span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/daphne_king_-_faculty_profileho.png?itok=2CmgUlib" width="176" height="220" alt="Head shot of Daphne King" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Daphne King</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award Recipient</span></h5> <h5><span>Daphne King</span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Assistant Professor, Social Work Department</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Daphne King joined the faculty at George Mason’s Department of Social Work in the </span><a href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Public Health</span></a><span> in 2020 as an assistant professor and also serves as the MSW Online Program director. Prior to arriving at George Mason, she had an impactful career as a social worker working with individuals experiencing mental health challenges, with homeless and incarcerated populations, and in school social work settings. King’s scholarship and national contributions focus on the intersection of social work practice, clinician identity, and pedagogical strategies. Within the Social Work Department at George Mason, she has been proactive in providing leadership in course development, course refresh processes, and faculty training, particularly around online teaching to ensure that there is adequate support for diverse learners in digital and hybrid learning environments. </span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/janani_umamaheswar_dsc5648.jpg?itok=qArbIOrh" width="176" height="220" alt="Head shot of Janani Umamaheswar" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Janani Umamaheswar</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award Recipient</span></h5> <h5><span>Janani Umamaheswar</span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Associate Professor, Criminology, Law and Society </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Janani Umamaheswar joined the Department of Criminology, Law and Society in 2021 as an assistant professor in the </span><a href="https://chss.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Humanities and Social Sciences</span></a><span>. She is also an affiliate faculty member in the Women and Gender Studies Program. </span><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">She is an accomplished scholar whose research addresses issues relating to social inequality, punishment and incarceration, and qualitative research methods. </span><span>In her teaching she makes a point to include a broad range of perspectives on whatever subject matter she is teaching, and in her course design she creates assessment methods that give students of diverse backgrounds and viewpoints the opportunity to share their learning in different modalities. She has also created experiential co-curricular activities designed to help students grasp issues relating to inequality. For example, she worked with the Douglass Project, the country’s foremost prison visitation program, to take George Mason graduate students for a guided dialogue session in the Washington, D.C., jail. She has been an active member of the mentoring programs run by multiple divisions of the American Society of Criminology. </span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/jacqueline_mcdowell_240314538.jpg?itok=rrlnPWNb" width="176" height="220" alt="Head shot for Jacqueline McDowell" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Jacqueline McDowell</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">United Bank Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Recipient</span></h5> <h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Jacqueline McDowell</span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Associate Professor, School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Assistant Dean for Faculty Success</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Jacqueline McDowell is assistant dean for faculty success and associate professor in the School of Sport, Recreation, and Tourism Management in the </span><a href="https://cehd.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Education and Human Development</span></a><span>. A well-respected scholar, her work focuses primarily on diversity and inclusion in organized sports and recreation organizations. She has published widely in this field, particularly on the experiences of women and sport, such as athletic administrators and coaches. One of her articles was awarded the 2017 President’s Award for Article of Distinction at the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association. In McDowell’s teaching, issues of inclusion are central. She has also been active in advancing inclusion in her professional service, both here at George Mason and in external professional organizations. For example, she serves on the American Kinesiology Association’s Membership Committee, where she has led efforts to bring more Historically Black Colleges and Universities into the field by developing outreach strategies. Due to the effectiveness of these efforts, she was asked to chair this committee for the American Kinesiology Association.</span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/margarita_tadevosyan_161207550.jpg?itok=JPFc14Km" width="176" height="220" alt="Head shot of Margarita Tadevosyan" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Margarita Tadevosyan</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Faculty Excellence in Social Impact Award Recipient</span></h5> <h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Margarita Tadevosyan</span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Research Assistant Professor and Executive Director, Center for Peacemaking Practice, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Margarita Tadevosyan received her PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú in 2019 and is a research assistant professor and executive director of the Center for Peacemaking Practice at the </span><a href="https://carterschool.gmu.edu/"><span>Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution</span></a><span>. She is a scholar-practitioner of conflict resolution and </span><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">local peacebuilding, with a focus on South Caucasus and other post-Soviet areas. Specifically, she focuses on long-term peacebuilding, local conceptions of peace, local practices to build peace, and ways that international and local peacebuilders can work together respectfully. </span><span>Tadevosyan’s social impact involves fostering dialogue and cooperation between communities that have experienced long-standing conflicts. She has also brought Carter School students into her work as co-planners, co-facilitators, and co-evaluators of conflict resolution and media literacy programs. </span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/susan_bio_photoho.png?itok=GiXuLR-O" width="150" height="188" alt="Head shot of Susan Howard" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Susan Howard</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Faculty Excellence in Social Impact Award Recipient</span></h5> <h5><span>Susan Howard</span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Instructional Associate Professor, School of Integrative Studies </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span>Susan Howard joined George Mason as a full-time faculty member in the School of Integrative Studies in the </span><a href="https://chss.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Humanities and Social Sciences</span></a><span> in 2016. Howard is an educator, behavioral scientist, and entrepreneur-innovator who leverages and humanizes technology for social impact. Her teaching, research, and entrepreneurial focus is broad, ranging from global health to environmental science and design thinking. Her impact beyond the university has come primarily through the free digital gaming platform that her company has produced for an audience of marginalized youth in India and Nepal. The games, which are free to play, are designed to educate youth about the social and public health decisions they face in their own lives. To extend the impact of her work, Howard has formed partnerships with stakeholders in the adolescent health sector, including NGOs, women entrepreneurs, and nonprofits. Howard’s gaming platform, “Games of Choice, Not of Chance,” has received multiple accolades for its work, including the 2024 Innovation Award at the Global Digital Health Summit.</span></p> <hr /><figure role="group" class="align-right"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/media_library/public/2025-04/160914653-x2_rebecca_goldin_2_crop.jpg?itok=QE0uUHDy" width="176" height="220" alt="Rebecca Goldin head shot" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Rebecca Goldin</figcaption></figure><h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Earle C. Williams Presidential Medal for Faculty Excellence in Social Impact</span></h5> <h5><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Rebecca Goldin </span></h5> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">Professor, Mathematical Sciences </span></p> <p><span>Rebecca Goldin is Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the </span><a href="https://science.gmu.edu/"><span>College of Science</span></a><span>. For many years she has served as a driving force behind a global effort aimed at promoting statistical literacy among journalists and connecting the scientific community to the media. </span><span lang="EN" xml:lang="EN" xml:lang="EN">In that capacity she has written more than 100 articles, appeared in dozens of high-profile news shows and podcasts (CNN, NPR, ABC News, and PBS), and given a great number of public talks and interviews to audiences at major conferences and mathematics festivals. </span><span>In addition to her far-reaching communication and outreach efforts, Goldin has done extensive volunteer work locally. Her efforts have been widely recognized by professional organizations in her field. In 2013, she was given the Association for Women in Mathematics Service Award for her contributions to the cause of educating women and girls in mathematics. In 2019, she was named a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, an extraordinary honor that goes to only a few mathematics scholars per year, for both her scholarly contributions to the field of differential geometry and for her efforts to promote mathematical and statistical thinking to a wide audience.</span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="99abe1cd-6b17-45a9-8250-12ab98b7699c"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="https://president.gmu.edu/award-faculty-excellence"> <h4 class="cta__title">About the Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"> <div class="field field--name-field-cta-icon field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Icon</div> <div class="field__item"><div> <div class="field 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hreflang="en">Patricia King is May Employee of the Month </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 30, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/around-mason-week-april-29-2025" hreflang="en">Around Mason: Week of April 29, 2025</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 29, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/george-mason-retirees-october-2024-april-2025" hreflang="en">George Mason Retirees: October 2024 to April 2025</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 25, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/around-mason-week-april-22-2025" hreflang="en">Around Mason: Week of April 22, 2025</a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 22, 2025</div></div></li> <li class="news-item"><div class="views-field views-field-title"><span class="field-content"><a href="/news/2025-04/campus-notice-mason-day-friday-april-25" hreflang="en">Campus Notice: Mason Day is Friday, April 25 </a></span></div><div class="views-field views-field-field-publish-date"><div class="field-content">April 18, 2025</div></div></li> </ul></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_content_topics" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-content-topics"> <h2>Topics</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-content-topics field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Topics</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/206" hreflang="en">Faculty and Staff News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/5636" hreflang="en">presidential awards for faculty excellence</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/17226" hreflang="en">College of Public Health</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/191" hreflang="en">College of Education and Human Development</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/3071" hreflang="en">College of Engineering and Computing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/291" hreflang="en">College of Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/391" hreflang="en">College of Humanities and Social Sciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/1241" hreflang="en">Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/2006" hreflang="en">School of Integrative Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/6746" hreflang="en">School of Nursing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/116" hreflang="en">Campus News</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/19046" hreflang="en">C-TASC</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--30-70"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> </div> <div> </div> </div> Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:49:41 +0000 Lauren Reuscher 116571 at Carter School’s Spring Peace Week examines “Conflict Resolution in a Changing and Uncertain World” /news/2025-04/carter-schools-spring-peace-week-examines-conflict-resolution-changing-and-uncertain <span>Carter School’s Spring Peace Week examines “Conflict Resolution in a Changing and Uncertain World” </span> <span><span>Katarina Benson</span></span> <span>Wed, 04/09/2025 - 12:35</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="Paragraph SCXW186336212 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Since fall 2020, the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú has been hosting </span><a href="https://carterschool.gmu.edu/news-events/carter-school-peace-week/spring-2025-peace-week"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Peace Week</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun intro-text" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">, a semi-annual event that features a series of roundtables, webinars, and workshops. For Spring Peace Week beginning Monday, April 14, the theme is “Conflict Resolution in a Changing and Uncertain World. Âé¶ąąú˛ú include lectures, panel discussions, including an event hosted by world-renowned cellist and conductor Diego Carneiro, and the return of the popular fireside chats on the Fairfax Campus.</span><span class="EOP SCXW186336212 BCX0 intro-text"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW186336212 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">“In the unprecedented times in which we live, it is more important than ever to find sustainable, nonviolent means of resolving our differences, whether they are between individuals, groups, or nations,” said Carter School dean Alpaslan </span><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Ă–zerdem</span><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">. “Since Peace Week started in the fall of 2020, it has grown to become a tradition at the Carter School, where hundreds of faculty members, guests, students, and attendees from around the world gather to showcase their expertise, learn, and share ideas and stories on a wide range of current and engaging topics.”</span><span class="EOP SCXW186336212 BCX0"> </span></p> <p class="Paragraph SCXW186336212 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>A few highlights include:</strong></span><span class="EOP SCXW186336212 BCX0"> </span></p> <ul><li> <p class="Paragraph SCXW186336212 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Monday, April 14, 2-3 p.m.</strong>, Somalia Governance Capacity Gains: Impacts on Peace and Stability in the Horn of Africa. This session at Van </span><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2Themed" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Metre</span><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> Hall at Mason Square is presented by the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation and features Somali Ambassador Dahir Hassan. Explore the interplay between improved governance and regional dynamics, addressing both opportunities and challenges. </span><span class="EOP SCXW186336212 BCX0"> </span></p> </li> <li> <p class="Paragraph SCXW186336212 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Tuesday, April 15, 2:30-5 p.m.</strong>, Science Diplomacy and Peacebuilding: A Negotiation Skills Workshop. This in-person workshop at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C., will focus on the connections between the environment, science, and peacebuilding and include a presentation by Professor Silvia Danielak of the Carter School.</span><span class="EOP SCXW186336212 BCX0"> </span></p> </li> <li> <p class="Paragraph SCXW186336212 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Tuesday, April 15, 4:30-5:50 p.m.</strong>, Book Talk: </span><em><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Chimpanzees, War, and History: Are Men Born to Kill?</span></em><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> This virtual session cosponsored by the  Genocide Prevention Program at the Carter School, and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology features author Brian Ferguson, who in his book </span><em><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">Chimpanzees, War, and History</span></em><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> deconstructs efforts to illuminate human warfare via chimpanzee analogy, and provides an alternative anthropological theory grounded in Pan-human contrasts that is applicable to different types of warfare.</span><span class="EOP SCXW186336212 BCX0"> </span></p> </li> <li> <p class="Paragraph SCXW186336212 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Wednesday, April 16, 10:30-noon</strong>, Countering Violent Extremism. This virtual session, led by Carter School professor Daniel Rothbart and two master’s degree students, examines how the social psychology of self-righteousness, perceived threats, and outgroup acrimony underpins the violence of most extremist groups. </span><span class="EOP SCXW186336212 BCX0"> </span></p> </li> <li> <p class="Paragraph SCXW186336212 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Thursday, April 17, noon-1:20 p.m.</strong> </span><em><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">The World Is My Country</span></em><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"> film, World Passports & Self-Sovereign IDs. This PBS film screening introduces the audience to Garry Davis, a song and dance man from the Golden Age of Broadway and his amazing adventures with Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt, John Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir.</span><span class="EOP SCXW186336212 BCX0"> </span></p> </li> <li> <p class="Paragraph SCXW186336212 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US"><strong>Thursday, April 17, 1:30-3 p.m</strong>. Paths to Peace—A Musical Journey with Diego Carneiro at the Center for the Arts on the Fairfax Campus will be a captivating session with world-renowned cellist, conductor, Rotary Peace Fellow, and founder of Orchestrating Peace, Diego Carneiro, as he takes us on a transformative journey through the universal language of music.</span><span class="EOP SCXW186336212 BCX0"> </span></p> </li> </ul><p class="Paragraph SCXW186336212 BCX0"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">All Peace Week events are free and open to the public, although registration is required. For more information and a full list of events, go to the </span><a href="https://carterschool.gmu.edu/news-events/carter-school-peace-week/spring-2025-peace-week"><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">site</span></a><span class="TextRun SCXW186336212 BCX0 NormalTextRun" lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US" xml:lang="EN-US">. </span></p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:text" data-inline-block-uuid="8be4006d-9f55-4523-b829-8e7be0da2bed" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocktext"> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:field_associated_people" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasefield-associated-people"> <h2>In This Story</h2> <div class="field field--name-field-associated-people field--type-entity-reference field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label 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class="field__item"><a href="/taxonomy/term/15406" hreflang="en">Mason Square</a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:35:58 +0000 Katarina Benson 116516 at George Mason ranks among Top 50 graduate programs nationally in engineering, public policy, and other fields /news/2025-04/george-mason-ranks-among-top-50-graduate-programs-nationally-engineering-public-policy <span>George Mason ranks among Top 50 graduate programs nationally in engineering, public policy, and other fields </span> <span><span>Colleen Rich</span></span> <span>Mon, 04/07/2025 - 15:40</span> <div class="layout layout--gmu layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--70-30"> <div class="layout__region region-first"> <div data-block-plugin-id="field_block:node:news_release:body" class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blocknodenews-releasebody"> <div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-visually_hidden"> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Body</div> <div class="field__item"><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="intro-text">George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú ranked among the top 5 in Virginia across all 25 categories in the engineering, law, nursing, and policy programs in which it was included in the latest </span><a href="https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools"><em><span class="intro-text">U.S. News & World Report</span></em><span class="intro-text"> Best Graduate Program</span></a><span class="intro-text"> rankings. </span></p> <figure role="group"><div> <div class="field field--name-image field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img src="/sites/g/files/yyqcgq291/files/styles/extra_large_content_image/public/2025-04/fairfax_campus.jpg?itok=g9-jTaTn" width="1000" height="667" loading="lazy" /></div> </div> <figcaption>Cherry trees by Mason Pond on the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of Âé¶ąąú˛ú Branding</figcaption></figure><h4><strong>Engineering Ranks Top 3 in Virginia and Top 50 Nationally</strong></h4> <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="https://cec.gmu.edu/">College of Engineering and Computing</a> at George Mason ranks among the top 3 colleges in Virginia across all six engineering categories with civil engineering rising 14 spots to 73rd nationally and 51st among publics, and computer engineering climbing 20 spots among publics to 42nd. Nationally, George Mason’s systems engineering program ranks in the top 50, placing 37th overall and 27th among publics.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">George Mason plays a key role in strengthening Virginia’s position as a national leader in engineering education, with top-ranked programs in multiple disciplines. George Mason was one of only four Virginia universities recognized in bioengineering, civil engineering, and systems engineering, and one of five Virginia universities honored in overall engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and dispute resolution programs.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">"With 13% of the world’s data centers based in Northern Virginia, the university continues to expand its engineering and computing programs, and state-of-the-art facilities to support the region’s workforce requirements for skilled professionals,” said <a href="https://volgenau.gmu.edu/profiles/ball"><span>Ken Ball</span></a><span>, dean of the College of Engineering and Computing. ”George Mason is home to the first school of computing in the commonwealth and just announced Virginia’s only master's degree in artificial intelligence.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Additionally, earlier this year, two of the college’s <a href="/news/2025-01/george-mason-university-leads-virginia-strong-us-news-online-program-rankings">online programs made their debut by earning top national rankings</a> in <em>U.S. News</em>. The master’s in industrial engineering debuted as the No. 1 in Virginia and 10th nationally, and the master’s in IT for veterans ranked 21st nationally and 13th among publics.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">George Mason also recently opened its <a href="/news/2025-03/george-masons-new-life-sciences-and-engineering-building-stocked-potential-energy">Life Sciences and Engineering Building at its Science and Technology Campus</a>. These spaces provide students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge fields such as bioengineering, mechanical engineering, and robotics, equipping them to meet industry demands.</p> <h4><strong>Law School Retains Strong Rankings and Employment Outcomes</strong></h4> <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="https://www.law.gmu.edu/">Antonin Scalia Law School</a> ranked 2nd among Virginia law schools, 31st among all U.S. law schools, and 12th among public schools. The part-time program was ranked 4th nationally among public law schools. The school ranked 11th nationally in the number of graduates employed in federal clerkships.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Scalia Law is ranked 3rd among the 16 schools in the DMV,” said <a href="https://www.law.gmu.edu/directory/profiles/randall_ken">Ken Randall</a>, Allison and Dorothy Rouse Dean and George Mason Âé¶ąąú˛ú Foundation Professor of Law. “Âé¶ąąú˛ú No. 1 employment ranking among metro-DC schools highlights the marketability of our graduates. The faculty, staff, and students deserve thanks and recognition.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal">As the legal profession continues to grow—with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/legal/lawyers.htm#:~:text=Employment%20of%20lawyers%20is%20projected,on%20average%2C%20over%20the%20decade.">5% increase in lawyer employment by 2033</a>, or approximately 36,000 jobs per year over the next eight years, Scalia Law is well-positioned to prepare students to enter an expanding field and meet the rising demand for qualified legal professionals.</p> <h4><strong>Nursing Ranks Number 1 in Virginia </strong></h4> <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="https://nursing.gmu.edu/" target="_blank">School of Nursing</a> within the state’s first <a href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/" target="_blank">College of Public Health</a> set the standard for nursing education in Virginia, ranking first in the state for both its master’s in nursing and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) programs. Nationally, the doctor of nursing practice program placed in the top 6% according to <em>U.S. News & World Report</em>, while both programs ranked among the top 10 at public universities.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“The rankings reflect George Mason’s leadership in public health education and commitment to innovation,” said College of Public Health Dean <a href="https://publichealth.gmu.edu/profiles/mperry27">Melissa Perry</a>. “This dedication is exemplified by the one-of-a-kind interprofessional curriculum offered in the Lab for Immersive Technologies and Simulation, providing hands-on experience that enhances students’ expertise and readiness in the field.”</p> <h4><strong>Schar School’s Public Affairs Ranks Number 1 in Virginia</strong></h4> <p class="MsoNormal">The <a href="https://schar.gmu.edu/">Schar School of Policy and Government</a> at George Mason continues to excel, with all of its ranked programs placing in the top 50 nationally and the top 25 among public universities. Most notably, the school's ranking among public affairs programs rose to No. 1 in Virginia, ranking 36th nationally and 24th among publics. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Students choose the Schar School the strong depth of our faculty expertise and the opportunity to interact with thought leaders in various fields of policy and government studies,” said <a href="https://schar.gmu.edu/profiles/mrozell">Mark Rozell</a>, dean of the Schar School of Policy and Government. “These rankings reflect the rising reputation of the Schar School for high-quality degree programs that prepare students for success.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The school is ranked 4th nationally in homeland security <span>and 48th in political science</span>, making George Mason one of only two Virginia universities recognized in both fields. Additionally, the school is the only Virginia university ranked for nonprofit management and holds its position at 13th nationally and 10th among publics. The school also ranks 33rd nationally and 25th among publics for public management and leadership, as well as 31st nationally and 17th among publics for public policy analysis.</p> <h4><strong>Growing as a Top 50 Âé¶ąąú˛ú</strong></h4> <p class="MsoNormal">Other highly ranked programs at George Mason among the Top 50 among public universities nationwide include computer science (35th), health care management (16th), <span>history (36th), </span>public health (40th), and <span>part-time MBA and </span>economics  (both 48th).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“George Mason’s representation in these rankings underscores its role as a leading institution and top choice for today’s career-focused students, both in Virginia and nationally,” said Provost <a href="https://provost.gmu.edu/about/meet-provost">James Antony</a>. “The university’s strong performance in these programs highlights its ability to produce highly skilled graduates ready to make an impact in their fields, with the majority staying in the commonwealth after graduation.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Check out the full list of George Mason rankings at <a href="/rankings">gmu.edu/rankings</a>.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout__region region-second"> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:call_to_action" data-inline-block-uuid="b7ebdc6e-69b9-465f-bb80-64713a0e009f"> <div class="cta"> <a class="cta__link" href="/rankings"> <h4 class="cta__title">Check out George Mason in the Rankings <i class="fas fa-arrow-circle-right"></i> </h4> <span class="cta__icon"></span> </a> </div> </div> <div data-block-plugin-id="inline_block:news_list" data-inline-block-uuid="226db574-6a94-4ff8-afbe-cdc17f7e3dec" class="block block-layout-builder block-inline-blocknews-list"> <h2>Related News</h2> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="view view-news view-id-news view-display-id-block_1 js-view-dom-id-74a6e006d8ef64a2e0b6f5de2570c794e9a86ba2cd2f177492c4e16148ef68e5"> <div class="view-content"> <div 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