Office of the President

Update on Student Visas (President Washington and VP Pascarell)

Jeannine Harvey — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:08:43 +0000

Update on Student Visas (President Washington and VP Pascarell) Jeannine Harvey Tue, 04/15/2025 - 12:08

Update: As of April 28, George Mason has been notified that 14 of these students have had their SEVIS status restored and remain enrolled at the university. Another student’s visa was revoked, but that student’s SEVIS record was never terminated.

Dear fellow Patriots:

In recent days, George Mason �鶹�� has learned that the U.S. Government has terminated and/or revoked student visas of 15 international students. To date, these terminations have occurred without involvement of or prior notice to the university.

As we seek to learn why our students were selected for visa revocation and what decision-making process is being applied by the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security, we are writing to the George Mason community to affirm our advocacy for the appropriate treatment of all international students enrolled here. We will do whatever the law permits to assist our students, and we are actively exploring what those options may be. Steps we already have taken to assist affected students include:

First, our Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) is in direct contact with the affected students to provide them with support and additional external resources.
Second, students are being advised to contact their academic dean to see what options they may have to complete their coursework. The Provost’s Office is encouraging faculty to work with students who may be found in these situations, providing as much flexibility as possible.
And third, the university has reached out to appropriate federal authorities to learn what process is being used to identify students for revocations. So far, no answers have been given. We are also seeking appropriate legal clarity from legal support referred to us by the state Attorney General’s Office.

OIPS is continuing to monitor the situation, and more information will be forthcoming as it becomes available.

We also want to answer questions that have arisen over whether the university has contributed to these federal actions.

To be clear, we have played no role in facilitating these visa terminations. We have not shared confidential student visa status or immigration information with federal authorities. As stated in a number of meetings on this matter, to date, we have not been asked for any information by the current administration to aid an immigration enforcement action. GMU Police officers do not engage individuals solely on the basis of immigration or visa status. Additionally, to our knowledge, federal agents have not been to campus to engage or detain international students.

The university’s only indicator that a student’s visa status has changed is by monitoring the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database maintained by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Only when OIPS staff see the change in a student’s SEVIS record, or perhaps first hear word directly from the students themselves, are we able to learn of a visa revocation.

To our 4,000 international students and our 36,000 American students, we care about your well-being, and we are doing everything possible to maintain a stable, positive scholarly environment for you. We will keep you updated as events warrant.

Sincerely,

Gregory Washington
President

Rose Pascarell
Vice President for �鶹�� Life

George Mason �鶹�� announces James Soto Antony as new provost and executive vice president

Jeannine Harvey — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 15:01:37 +0000

George Mason �鶹�� announces James Soto Antony as new provost and executive vice president Jeannine Harvey Mon, 04/29/2024 - 11:01

FAIRFAX, VA (April 29, 2024) – George Mason �鶹�� President Gregory Washington today announced James Soto Antony as the next Provost and Executive Vice President. He is a nationally recognized higher education scholar and leader with substantial experience as a faculty member and administrator at the �鶹�� of Washington, Yale �鶹��, Harvard �鶹��, and �鶹�� of California San Diego. He will begin this new role on July 1, 2024.

James Soto Antony

“We searched the nation for the very best provost for George Mason �鶹��, and James Antony was our number one choice,” Washington said. “He has the perfect mix of academic credentials, knowledge, and temperament to lead our academic enterprise as this university takes its place as one of America’s new leaders in higher education. I look forward to having Jim on the team.”

Antony is currently Dean of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs at UC San Diego, where he also serves as Professor of Education Studies with a secondary appointment in the Rady School of Management. At UC San Diego, he has led a transformation of graduate and professional student financial support, created infrastructure to advance student professional development, prioritized student access and opportunity, and launched grant-funded initiatives to improve mentoring.

As Provost and Executive Vice President, Antony will help cultivate a dynamic and forward-thinking academic environment. In collaboration with senior leaders, faculty, staff, and students, he will be instrumental in advancing academic excellence, research, and scholarly pursuits in alignment with Mason’s core values and strategic direction. He will oversee all colleges, schools, and academic support units.

“George Mason �鶹�� is an inspiring students-first institution that prioritizes inclusive access and opportunity. As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, this resonates deeply with me,” Antony said. “As a young top 50-ranked university with significant research investments, Mason is on a fast track as one of the most compelling institutions in the nation. I look forward to being part of the Mason Nation helping to advance student, faculty, and staff successes and collaborating to continue the university’s rise as a world-class research university.”

A national search was conducted from September through March, following the departure of Mark Ginsberg, now president at Towson �鶹��. Interim Provost Ken Walsh will return to his position as chief of staff on July 1, 2024. Megan Healy, interim chief of staff, will also return to her role as special advisor.

"James Antony shares our strong commitment to ensuring access to a world-class education, an engaging campus experience, and a culture of belonging,” added Professor and Faculty Senate President Melissa Broeckelman-Post, who chaired the 20-member search committee. “His nearly three decades of leadership experience make him an ideal provost to help Mason navigate the many opportunities and challenges ahead.”

From 2015 to 2019, Antony served as Faculty Director of the Graduate School of Education’s Higher Education Program at Harvard �鶹��, and Co-Director of the Management Development Program. From 2012 to 2015, he was an Associate Provost at Yale �鶹��, where he worked on issues ranging from faculty development to the promotion of undergraduate student leadership. From 1995 to 2012, he held faculty and leadership roles at the �鶹�� of Washington, including Professor in Educational Leadership and Policy and Adjunct Professor in Sociology; Associate Vice Provost and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Graduate School; and Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Education. While at Washington, he also served as Director of the Graduate Program in Higher Education and was founding Executive Director of the Center for Leadership in Athletics, and its associated degree programs.

As a scholar, Antony’s research and teaching focus on the preparation of forward-thinking leaders in college or university settings, both domestically and globally. He has written about higher education faculty, the socialization and leadership development of future faculty and college leaders, and data-driven decision-making in higher education settings. He has taught courses in such topics as leadership theory, organizational change, assessment and evaluation, data-based decision making, introductory and advanced quantitative research methods, student affairs administration, leadership ethics, college athletics and athletic leadership, sociology of higher education, and the history of higher education.

Antony earned his baccalaureate degree in Psychology, and his master’s degree and PhD in Higher Education and Organizational Change, all from UCLA.

About George Mason �鶹��

George Mason �鶹�� is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls more than 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and stewardship. Learn more at gmu.edu.

Get to know Provost Antony

Did you know...

The Office of the Provost has primary responsibility for George Mason's academic mission, including supporting scholarly excellence among faculty members and fostering academic success for students on all four campuses.

Learn more about the Office of the Provost

This content appears in the Summer 2024 print edition of the Mason Spirit Magazine with the title "George Mason Welcomes New Provost."

Mason Names Marvin Lewis Assistant Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Jeannine Harvey — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 14:55:38 +0000

Mason Names Marvin Lewis Assistant Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jeannine Harvey Wed, 04/19/2023 - 10:55

Fairfax, VA.—George Mason �鶹�� President Gregory Washington has named Marvin Lewis as the Patriots’ Assistant Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. Lewis, who signed a five-year contract, will become Mason’s sixth athletics director when he begins on July 1.

The Germantown, Maryland, native boasts 15 years of athletic administrative leadership with various impressive NCAA Division I institutions. Lewis assumed senior leadership roles at Georgia Tech, �鶹�� of Maryland, Georgia State, and most recently at Brown �鶹�� as the school’s assistant vice president for athletics and recreation/chief operating officer.

“We are pleased to welcome Marvin Lewis to Mason,” Mason President Gregory Washington said. “His strong background in Division I athletics makes him a great choice to take Patriots Athletics to the next level. But, beyond that, what impressed me from the outset in talking with him are the values he holds dear that run similar to our own. We look forward to the great things he will do in setting the standard of excellence for our student-athletes in every way.”

During his tenure at Brown, Lewis led a brand and visual identity refresh, launched new fan engagement initiatives and premium amenities, developed a divisional strategic plan, and implemented a long-term financial model that elevates the baseline student-athlete experience. As a member of the executive leadership team, Lewis led the external relations team focused on revenue generation, fan engagement, strategic communications, and athletics and recreation storytelling. In addition, he oversaw the business and financial operations, facilities and events, human resources and talent development, and equipment operations. He served as sport administrator for several sports, including men’s basketball.

“I am attracted to George Mason because of its distinct blend of world-class academics, nationally competitive athletics, and the location in Northern Virginia. Mason is everything that is right about higher education, creating diverse and inclusive communities that enhance the experience for all students,” said Lewis. “There is tremendous energy and excitement around President Washington's transformational leadership and bold vision for the university and athletics. I am ecstatic to join his leadership team and Mason Nation!”

Lewis has served as an athletic department liaison with the ACC, Big Ten, Ivy League, and the Colonial Athletic Association. Lewis looks forward to partnering with the Atlantic 10 Conference.

“The A10 is one of the best conferences in the country,” added Lewis. “Its diverse membership and presence in competitive media markets makes it extremely attractive for recruits, student-athletes, and fans of highly competitive athletics. My goal is to position Mason to consistently compete for A10 championships.”

Lewis is regarded as one of the nation’s most respected up-and-comers in athletics administration, having been named to the CollegeAD Next Up list in 2017 and the 2018-19 College Athletic Business Management Association (CABMA) Manager of the Year. He successfully completed the prestigious NCAA Pathway Program for aspiring athletics directors and conference commissioners in 2020.

He began his rise in athletics administration at Georgia State and later assumed leadership roles at both Georgia State and Maryland. He then spent nearly seven years at his alma mater Georgia Tech as the senior associate athletics director for administration and finance before leaving for Brown in July 2021.

Lewis was also instrumental in the �鶹�� of Maryland’s transition to the Big Ten Conference. Lewis chaired the Business and Travel Workgroup within the Big Ten Integration Committee, which analyzed the financial impact of the conference transition. He developed the comprehensive 12-year financial model for the Business and Finance Workgroup of the President’s Commission on Big Ten Integration.

A former two-time captain of the Georgia Tech basketball team, Lewis graduated with honors from Georgia Tech in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in management before becoming a licensed CPA. He later earned a master’s degree in taxation from Georgia State in 2008. The guard led the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 national championship game.

Interim Athletic Director Nena Rogers will remain in that role until June 30 before resuming her previous position as senior associate athletic director for academic services and Mason’s Senior Woman Administrator (SWA). Rogers’ strong leadership and continued advocacy for the department and its student-athletes over the past eight months has been critical during a significant transitional period that included the recent hiring of a new men’s basketball coach.

“We cannot thank Nena Rogers enough for her tireless efforts over the past eight months in making sure that our student-athletes continued to have everything they needed to be successful at the highest levels,” Washington said. “George Mason �鶹�� will forever be grateful.”

What they are saying about Marvin Lewis

“George Mason is getting an outstanding leader who is very innovative and collaborative. I have had the pleasure of working closely with Marvin the past two years as my sports supervisor. He is a thoughtful leader who has a holistic approach in the development of student-athletes, coaches, and staff. Marvin’s experience as a student-athlete and administrator at the highest level has prepared him to lead and thrive at George Mason.” —Mike Martin, Brown �鶹�� men’s head basketball coach

“Marvin is a world-class leader who had an immediate impact on my program, and our athletic department here at Brown. He is a winner, a motivator, he’s thoughtful and forward-thinking. He has played at the highest level of collegiate athletics, so he can relate to the D1 demand for peak performance and support. The athletes, coaches, and staff will greatly benefit from his leadership and guidance.” —Kia McNeill, Brown �鶹��, women’s head soccer coach

“George Mason hit a home run hiring Marvin Lewis to lead their athletic department. Marvin is an incredible leader of people. Marvin's leadership abilities and qualities will ultimately lead George Mason athletics to the highest level of success not only in the A10, but on a national stage. All coaches, administrators, and student-athletes at George Mason should be so excited to have a person like Marvin Lewis leading the George Mason team.” —Josh Pastner, former head basketball coach at Georgia Tech

"George Mason �鶹�� has just landed a bright, dedicated, hardworking, loyal and, most essentially, a morally sound individual to lead the Patriots Athletics Department! Marvin understands commitment from coaches, athletes and students and he understands the significance of developing, then nurturing appropriate lines of communication with the various constituencies he will serve. Marvin’s experiences as a student, as an athlete and as an athletics leader are extraordinary! He possesses a keen sense about the value of outreach to others and how to foster togetherness. His warm and sincere personality, coupled with his enthusiasm and constantly positive outlook, will be a major resource for the entire George Mason �鶹�� community.” —Paul Brazeau, ACC senior associate commissioner/men’s basketball

“I’m really excited for Marvin and his family. This is a great opportunity for him to continue his growth as an outstanding leader. He is a fantastic hire for George Mason. Having worked with Marvin for several years, I found him to be genuine, passionate, and driven to win. He worked tirelessly to provide a great experience for the student-athletes, the resources to compete at the highest levels, and the support necessary for health and well-being.” —Alan Drosky, Georgia Tech head coach, cross country and women's track and field

ABOUT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

George Mason �鶹�� is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls nearly 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. Learn more at gmu.edu.

Topics

Mason Athletics

Mason Sports

Office of the President

Athletics

Press Release

George Mason �鶹�� Selects Tony Skinn to Lead Men’s Basketball Program

Jeannine Harvey — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 14:15:41 +0000

George Mason �鶹�� Selects Tony Skinn to Lead Men’s Basketball Program Jeannine Harvey Thu, 03/30/2023 - 10:15

Media Contact:

Mark LaFrance

508-577-7282

mlafran@gmu.edu

FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason �鶹�� President Gregory Washington and Interim Director of Athletics Nena Rogers have named Tony Skinn as the 12^th head coach in the men’s basketball program’s history.

A key starter on the 2006 George Mason Final Four team and one of the best all-around guards in program history, Skinn returns to his alma mater after nearly a decade of collegiate coaching.

During that decorated coaching career, he’s guided three different programs to the NCAA Tournament, been a part of six 20+ win campaigns, and established himself as a stout recruiter both within the talent-rich DMV and across the country.

“Tony Skinn is the right man for this moment in Mason’s basketball program,” Washington said. “His coaching style will galvanize our student-athletes and his connection to our finest hour on the court is sure to electrify our alumni and fans. Let the Tony Skinn era begin!”

A two-time All-CAA selection with the Patriots from 2003-06, Skinn scored 1,079 career points while starting 68 games in his George Mason career. During the 2006 NCAA Tournament, he averaged 11.3 points and shot 35 percent from 3-point range while leading the Patriots to the national semifinals.

“We are thrilled to welcome Tony and his family back to George Mason,” Rogers said. “I had the pleasure of working with Tony during his time as a student-athlete and I’m so proud of his growth personally and professionally. We all look back with reverence at 2006, and I am confident Tony will bring the same competitive drive and fire in leading our program as he did as our starting point guard. An elite recruiter, he is well-connected and well-respected, and he will play an integral role in identifying and securing talented student-athletes to represent our university. I share in the excitement of Mason Nation as we begin a new era of George Mason Basketball.”

Most recently, Skinn served on Kevin Willard’s staff at the �鶹�� of Maryland, where in 2022-23, he helped lead the Terps to a 22-13 record and an NCAA Tournament victory over West Virginia.

“It is with great excitement that I return home to George Mason,” Skinn said. “I’d like to thank Dr. Washington and Nena Rogers for this tremendous opportunity and for believing in my vision. I am committed to greatness! We will set our standards high, hustle every step of the way and compete amongst the best. It’s an unbelievable feeling to step back on campus. I’ve had some of my greatest memories here and I’m looking forward to making new ones with our fans and our community. �鶹�� best days are ahead! Mason Nation, I missed you and I am honored to represent you.”

Prior to Maryland, Skinn served with Chris Holtmann at Ohio State in 2021-22. During his time with the Buckeyes, he worked closely with Big Ten Freshman of the Year Malaki Branham, who averaged 13.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting over 49 percent from the floor. He was one of just five freshmen nationally and one of only two from a Power 5 school to have multiple 30-point games this season, and both of his came on the road. Skinn was also in charge of scouting personnel in Columbus.

Skinn and the Buckeyes won 20 games and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.

In his three seasons at Seton Hall, Skinn coached the guards and helped Quincy McKnight become one of the best point guards in the Big East. He also played an influential role in the development of 2020 BIG EAST Player of the Year Myles Powell. Skinn was part of the Pirates' program-record fourth-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019. The Pirates also won a BIG EAST regular-season title in 2020 and were on track for another NCAA Tournament bid prior to the COVID-19 cancellation.

Prior to joining Seton Hall, Skinn had a successful three-year run as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech, as the Bulldogs won 63 games during his tenure, including back-to-back 23-win seasons and a pair of top-four finishes in Conference USA. In three seasons with Skinn's aid, Louisiana Tech student-athletes garnered five All-Conference USA selections and three Conference USA All-Freshmen picks. Skinn was instrumental in the development of point guard DaQuan Bracey, who set a Louisiana Tech and Conference USA record for most assists by a rookie (193) in 2016-17 en route to Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors. Bracey also finished the season with the sixth-best assist/turnover ratio in the country at 3.51.

Skinn worked in the Washington, D.C. metro area for four years prior to his collegiate coaching start. He served as the director of athletics at the Paul International High School in Washington, D.C., and was an assistant coach for NIKE Team Takeover, one of the premier AAU programs in the country. While working for NIKE Team Takeover, he helped recruit and develop student-athletes who went on to earn Division I college scholarships.

A native of Takoma Park, Maryland, Skinn stayed close to home to star for the Patriots from 2003-06. He averaged 14.4 points as a junior before putting together an outstanding senior campaign in 2005-06. During that magical season, he ranked fifth in the CAA in steals/game (1.6) while notching 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists/contest. His nine steals against Northeastern on Jan. 19, 2006, set a George Mason and CAA conference record that still stands today.

During the historic run to the Final Four, Skinn notched 10+ points in three of the four contests he played, including a 14-point, 4-assist performance against Wichita State in the Sweet 16 and a 13-point effort against Florida in the national semifinal. The first modern Cinderella in NCAA Tournament lore, Skinn and his teammates advanced to Indianapolis as a No. 11 seed while generating an estimated $677 million in free advertising for the university during the three-week run.

After making history with the Patriots, Skinn went on to play professionally in Europe for many years, including three in France. In 2012, he was a member of the Nigerian national team that qualified for the Olympics in London by finishing third at the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Caracas, Venezuela. He averaged 10 points a game during the tournament as Nigeria upset Greece in the quarterfinals, lost to Russia in the semifinals but then topped the Dominican Republic to earn the final Olympic qualifying berth. In London, Skinn and Nigeria won their first Olympic preliminary round game, defeating Tunisia, 60-56, before finishing 10th in the tournament.

Tony and his wife, Weyni, have three children, Isaiah, Liam, and Noelle.

Details of a press conference will be announced soon.

What They’re Saying About Tony Skinn:

“I love Tony Skinn. He was a great college player who led our George Mason team to the Final Four. He then became a terrific assistant coach helping Louisiana Tech, Seton Hall, Ohio State and Maryland recruit some outstanding student-athletes. He is now the perfect choice to become the next head coach at George Mason and lead his alma mater to the top of the Atlantic 10 and beyond. I wish him all the success in the world. Onward and upward for Tony and Mason.” – Jim Larrañaga – Head Coach, �鶹�� of Miami

“Tony is ready to run and lead Mason’s men’s basketball program. He has great energy, is a ferocious competitor and will demand excellence from his players. I have enjoyed having Tony on my staff at both Maryland and Seton Hall and I am confident he will work tirelessly to build a great program at George Mason.” – Kevin Willard – Head Coach, �鶹�� of Maryland

“Tony is a very bright basketball mind who connects well with players. He has tremendous recruiting connections along the East Coast and I believe he is ready for this next step in his coaching career. The George Mason community knows Tony Skinn well as a player and I’m excited that he and his family now get to return in this role. Congratulations on an excellent hire.” – Chris Holtmann – Head Coach, The Ohio State �鶹��

“Tony Skinn is one of the most driven and determined people I have ever been around. His ability to compete, improve, and make others better is at the highest level. He is passionate about George Mason �鶹�� and will be relentless in his pursuit of excellence as a recruiter, skill developer, and leader. His players are going to love playing for him.” – Eric Konkol – Head Coach, �鶹�� of Tulsa

About George Mason �鶹��

George Mason �鶹�� is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls nearly 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. Learn more at www.gmu.edu.

Topics

Mason men's basketball

Office of the President

Kenneth Walsh, PhD

Tama Moni — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 19:20:21 +0000

Kenneth Walsh, PhD Tama Moni Mon, 03/13/2023 - 15:20

Kenneth Walsh, PhD

Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff, Office of the President

Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering

Contact Information

Campus: Fairfax
Office: 5200 Merten Hall
Mail Stop: 3A2

Phone: (703) 993-5399
Email: kenwalsh@gmu.edu

Visit the Office of the Provost

In the News

Anne Osterman named Dean of the �鶹�� Libraries
December 6, 2023
Goodbye 'Mason Shuffle': Transforming the student journey at Mason
November 8, 2023
New resources on mental health and student accommodations now available
October 31, 2023
Chief of staff and civil engineer Ken Walsh brings diverse background to his job
December 15, 2020

Biography

Dr. Kenneth Walsh joined Mason in 2020 as vice president for strategic initiatives and chief of staff in the Office of the President. He also serves as a professor in the Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering at Mason.

"I'm impressed with the strength and resilience of the Mason community. It has a supremely balanced perspective," says Walsh. "Teaching, learning, and personal growth are all done here more thoughtfully."

Walsh has authored over 40 articles in archival journals, book chapters, and dozens of papers at conferences. He has served as scientific chair and conference chair for the International Group for Lean Construction and the Construction Research Congress. Walsh’s research interests include lean construction and construction process improvement, residential construction, and the design-construction interface for geotechnical infrastructure. As PI or co-PI, he has been engaged in over $40M in sponsored activities over his career in academics.

Prior to joining Mason, Dr. Walsh served as senior assistant dean and chief of staff at the Samueli School of Engineering at the �鶹�� of California, Irvine. He was also a professor and chair of civil engineering at San Diego State �鶹�� (SDSU), where he held the AGC-Paul S. Roel Chair in Construction Engineering and Management. While at SDSU, he was the founding dean of San Diego State �鶹��-Georgia in Tbilisi. Walsh started his academic career at Arizona State �鶹�� after a career as a consulting foundation engineer in the Phoenix, Arizona, municipal area. He holds a BSE, MS, and a PhD in civil engineering from Arizona State �鶹��.

Education

BSE, Civil Engineering, Arizona State �鶹��
MS, Civil Engineering, Arizona State �鶹��
PhD, Civil Engineering, Arizona State �鶹��

Research Interests

Lean Construction
Construction Process Improvement
Residential Construction
Design-construction Interface for Geotechnical Infrastructure

Publications

Google Scholar

President Washington highlights how higher education bolsters Virginia’s pitch for new FBI headquarters

Colleen Rich — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 16:55:24 +0000

President Washington highlights how higher education bolsters Virginia’s pitch for new FBI headquarters Colleen Rich Mon, 03/13/2023 - 12:55

George Mason �鶹�� President Gregory Washington joined a group of Virginia government, education and community leaders at the General Services Administration in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to promote the commonwealth as the best site for the new FBI headquarters.

President Washington (far right) joined a group of Virginia government, education and community leaders at the General Services Administration in Washington, D.C., promote the commonwealth as the best site for the new FBI headquarters. Photo by Preston Williams/Strategic Communications

The group was making a final push to the FBI to choose the proposed Springfield, Virginia, site after officials from Maryland had made their site pitch to the GSA on Wednesday.

Washington said that Mason could help the bureau advance equity and mission, among the five criteria for choosing a new FBI site.

George Mason �鶹�� “can provide the diverse talent the FBI needs for its future,” Washington said at the closed-door meeting, billed as the Virginia Consultation Session on FBI Headquarters Project.

Washington noted that Mason is the largest public research university in Virginia, the seventh-most diverse in the country, and one with no marked disparities in graduation outcomes.

“I can look at any parent of any group in the country and say your kid can come here and be successful,” Washington said.

At a press conference after the consultation session, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner highlighted Mason’s diversity on a national scale and how that would help the GSA meet its equity objectives for the FBI in choosing a site.

“Don’t believe me,” Warner said. “Go to the George Mason campus and walk around and you see the new face of Virginia.”

At the closed-door session, Washington cited several other ways that Mason would benefit the FBI relocating to Northern Virginia. Among them:

Three campuses near the proposed Springfield site and the FBI Academy at Marine Corps Base Quantico
Nationally recognized academic programs that align with FBI interests, including cybersecurity; criminology, law and society; and forensic science
Facilities such as the Forensic Science Research and Training Laboratory on the Science and Technology Campus
Mason faculty and adjuncts with FBI backgrounds
The Clearance Ready Program that helps Mason graduates prepare to obtain security clearances

“We will be well-structured and well-positioned to support the bureau,” Washington said.

Marymount �鶹�� President Irma Becerra also was on hand to share how institutions of higher education in Northern Virginia would help serve the FBI’s mission.

The first half of the nearly three-hour session included comments from Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and U.S. Reps. Gerry Connolly and Don Beyer, as well as county officials from Fairfax and Prince William counties.

Topics

Campus News

Office of the President

workforce

President Washington honored with Diversity in Business Award

Colleen Rich — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 17:33:08 +0000

President Washington honored with Diversity in Business Award Colleen Rich Wed, 02/22/2023 - 12:33

In This Story

Gregory Washington

George Mason �鶹�� President Gregory Washington was recently named by the Washington Business Journal as one of its honorees of the 2023 Diversity in Business Award.

President Washington with Mason alum Mohamed Hussein. Both are being recognized by the Washington Business Journal this spring. Photo by John Hollis/Strategic Communications

This year’s 25 honorees will be honored March 23 at an awards celebration at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C. Profiles and portraits of each of the honorees will run online and in a special section in the Washington Business Journal on March 24.

The WBJ has been recognizing leaders of color from across the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area for more than 15 years and cited Washington’s work in advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives at Mason for his selection.

Previous honorees have included Sheila Johnson of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, WeddingWire Founder Timothy Chi, Osiris Hoil of District Taco, Warren Thompson of Thompson Hospitality, and nearly 400 other leaders who have made a difference in the region through their work in business and the community.

Joining Washington as a fellow WBJ honoree is Mason alum Mohamed Hussein, BS Computer Science ’14. Hussein is the president and CEO of Piedmont Global Language Solutions (PGLS), a DC area-based leading provider of comprehensive multilingual translation, interpretation and language training solutions in more than 200 languages and dialects.

Topics

Campus News

Alumni

Office of the President

Awards

Washington elected to the National Academy of Engineering

Colleen Rich — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 02:12:13 +0000

Washington elected to the National Academy of Engineering Colleen Rich Wed, 02/08/2023 - 21:12

In This Story

Gregory Washington

George Mason �鶹�� President Gregory Washington has been elected into the National Academy of Engineering, the highest engineering honor in the country, the academy announced Tuesday.

President Gregory Washington. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Washington, who holds three mechanical engineering degrees, including his doctorate, from North Carolina State �鶹��, has held deanships at The Ohio State �鶹�� and the �鶹�� of California Irvine (UCI).

In electing Washington, the Washington, D.C.-based National Academy of Engineering cited his “advancement of technology at the interface of electromagnetics and materials, and dedicated leadership and service in engineering education.”

Washington was one of 106 new U.S. members elected to the academy Tuesday as announced by NAE President John L. Anderson. The newly elected class will be formally inducted at NAE’s annual meeting Oct. 1.

“I am tremendously honored to be elected into the National Academy of Engineering,” Washington said. “I proudly share this honor with the many mentors and colleagues at North Carolina State, Ohio State, UC Irvine and George Mason who have helped me along my journey.”

Among Washington’s main achievements in academia was extending the understanding of electromagnetic systems that incorporate smart materials and other active components in the emerging field of Smart Electromagnetic Structures (SEMS)—electromagnetic devices that are enhanced by the mechanical and electrical performance gains offered by smart materials. Washington is credited with one of the first uses of neural networks (machine learning) applied to electromagnetic systems.

As dean at UCI from 2011 to 2020, the first African American dean of engineering in the vast �鶹�� of California system, Washington launched six research initiatives focused on helping faculty at all levels grow interdisciplinary research. These programs led to substantial growth in research expenditures and awards over a five-year period. Washington also led a multi-school team of faculty and administrators in establishing the Irvine Materials Research Institute, a $28 million research facility focused on materials characterization.

At both UCI and Ohio State, Washington instituted policies and procedures that led to the hiring of diverse faculty cohorts. Eight of 11 new hires at Ohio State and greater than 40% of his 58 new faculty hires at UCI were women or underrepresented minorities. Half of his department chairs at UCI were women and half of the associate deans were women or from underrepresented groups.

Washington developed global strategic relationships with key universities in Asia and U.S. multinational corporations and led in the establishment of a joint 3+2 program that allowed students from more than 14 universities to receive a BS from their institution and an MS from UCI simultaneously.

Washington founded and led the establishment of the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Diversity Recognition Program, resulting in Inclusive Excellence Plans at institutions around the country. In addition, Washington established 17 new outreach and engagement initiatives for thousands of students and K-12 teachers in Southern California.

At both UCI and Ohio State, Washington developed and implemented initiatives to increase funded programs in interdisciplinary research. These included hiring of faculty along programmatic thrusts (not just departmental lines), hiring proposal coordinators, starting external proposal pre-submission review, and novel cost-share policies. He also led statewide economic development and engagement programs centered around advanced energy and manufacturing.

Washington has conducted research for National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, General Motors, Boeing, HRL, Eaton Corp, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the U.S. Army Research Office, among others and has served on many boards, including the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, NSF Engineering Advisory Committee, Institute for Defense Analyses, the Sandia National Laboratory’s Engineering Science Research Foundation, and the National NIH Advisory Council for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.

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Mason BOV adopts strategic direction, plus updates on workforce readiness, class modalities and science education

Colleen Rich — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 21:20:30 +0000

Mason BOV adopts strategic direction, plus updates on workforce readiness, class modalities and science education Colleen Rich Mon, 12/05/2022 - 16:20

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Gregory Washington

As George Mason �鶹�� looks ahead to its next 50 years, the Board of Visitors has adopted a strategic direction that will serve as the blueprint for the onset of the university’s second half-century.

The five-year plan, titled “Mason Is All Together Different,” received BOV approval at the governing body’s Dec. 1 meeting. The plan identifies five broad priorities, with specific strategies and actions for each:

The Student Experience
Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities
Partnerships for Economic and Social Impact
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Faculty and Staff Success

You can read the plan here.

“The future of higher education belongs to those universities that can best adapt,” Mason President Gregory Washington says in the plan’s introduction. “The world we are entering will be fundamentally different than the one we are leaving. To adequately prepare future generations, society needs universities that are poised to be, as we say at Mason, ‘All Together Different.’”

The plan marks the culmination of a comprehensive year-plus process that included extensive outreach to a wide variety of stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and industry leaders through a series of interviews, focus groups, town hall meetings and a survey that drew more than 2,000 responses. As Washington says, “Everyone and anyone should see themselves reflected in this plan.”

Ken Walsh, chief of staff and vice president for strategic initiatives, headed the strategic planning process and formulated a series of ways to measure strides made toward achieving the objectives.

“The roadmap takes lofty goals presented in the strategic plan and brings them down to detailed action steps, performance indicators and progress metrics so we can see direct progress over the next five years,” Walsh said.

Other items from the BOV meeting:

Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact, provided an update on the Tech Talent Investment Program in which the state invested $235 million in Mason to increase the number of bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates in computing over the next 20 years. Marshall reported that Mason is far exceeding the graduation targets for BS recipients and narrowly meeting its MS targets. Because the target numbers become more aggressive over time, meeting the MS targets is a challenge that Mason is addressing.
College of Science Dean Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm presented an overview of his college. One point he emphasized: 62% of undergraduates in the College of Science are female, a percentage two times or more than at some peer universities. In addition, 51% of graduate students in the College of Science are female.
Provost Mark Ginsberg’s report included the percentages of undergraduate face-to-face (70%), online (26%) and hybrid (4%) classes for the spring 2023 semester. For graduate courses, the percentages are 75% face-to-face, 21% online and 4% hybrid. Ginsberg said this is the third consecutive semester with a similar pattern.

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Washington, DC-area universities unite to address gun violence through research-based recommendations for action

John Hollis — Fri, 22 Jul 2022 19:12:46 +0000

Washington, DC-area universities unite to address gun violence through research-based recommendations for action John Hollis Fri, 07/22/2022 - 15:12

Washington, D.C., July 13, 2022 – The presidents of Washington, D.C. area universities and colleges* today announced they will gather experts from their institutions to advance promising, actionable solutions to reduce gun violence in the United States. The effort, entitled The 120 Initiative, named in honor of the more than 120 people who die on average each day from gun violence, will be coordinated by the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area.

America is experiencing an epidemic of gun violence, most recently witnessed in Buffalo, New York; Highland Park, Illinois; and Uvalde, Texas. According to the Gun Violence Archive, the United States has had at least 314 mass shootings since the start of 2022, and gun violence through suicide, domestic abuse, and other assaults has resulted in more than 23,500 deaths so far this year.

In launching this effort, Dr. Darryll Pines, President of �鶹�� of Maryland, stated, “Today, we add university presidents to the call for change. Why? Because guns are now the leading cause of death for young people, and we are charged with shaping young minds to tackle the grand challenges of our time. Because we lead communities that are deeply affected by the mass slaughter of citizens, and some weeks it feels like the flags at our public institutions fly ceaselessly at half-staff. And because universities are often the source of change and progress.”

“We are encouraged by political leaders at all levels and in all parties continuing to collaborate to make meaningful progress on reducing gun violence in America,” said Dr. Gregory Washington, President of George Mason �鶹��. “At the same time, President Pines and I proposed this initiative because we know that there are a host of non-political solutions that are desperately needed if we hope to change the tragic and escalating epidemic of gun violence.”

Consortium members are dedicated to lead on developing nimble, substantive, and actionable solutions to this complex issue. The 120 Initiative will engage subject-matter experts in a wide range of areas, such as gun violence, public and mental health, polarization, business sector engagement, citizen advocacy, education, and technology. After analysis of available research, in approximately six months The 120 Initiative will share a series of evidence-based recommendations that provide all sectors practical, tangible steps they can take, individually and collectively, to drive down gun violence. Time is of the essence.

“Our region arguably has the widest variety of public, private, and government expertise and Consortium universities and colleges are established leaders at the intersection of research, practice and policy, especially on national issues,” said Dr. Andrew Flagel, President and CEO of the Consortium. “The 120 Initiative will collectively leverage our expertise to spur substantive progress on behalf of the nation and the more than 400,000 students in Consortium institutions.”

*Consortium institutions participating in The 120 Initiative:

Affiliate members:

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George Mason �鶹���� announces James Soto Antony as new provost and executive vice president

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