Strategic Direction

Mason Vision Day 2025 noted for record support from the George Mason community

Colleen Rich — Wed, 28 May 2025 18:18:12 +0000

Mason Vision Day 2025 noted for record support from the George Mason community Colleen Rich Wed, 05/28/2025 - 14:18

Each year, Mason Nation unites for 24 hours to support the mission and vision of ��. Mason Vision Day 2025 encouraged donors to support what means the most to them. They came forward in record numbers—with record-breaking results.

More than 1,900 donors participated in this year’s Mason Vision Day, breaking last year’s record and raising $1.38 million.

By the Numbers

1,924 donors

322 new donors

43.5% alumni donors

26.1% community partner donors

17.5% faculty/staff donors

$1.38 million raised

207 funds supported

"It’s a wonderful showing from our community of alumni, faculty, staff, families, and friends, and I could not be more proud of that support,” said Trishana E. Bowden, president of the �� Foundation and George Mason’s vice president for advancement and alumni relations.

Donors made more than 2,300 gifts during the 24-hour period from noon April 3 to noon April 4, supporting 207 distinct funds across the university. These included campus-wide programs like the Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative, the Center for Community Mental Health, and the Patriot Pantry—programs that strongly impact the experience of hundreds of George Mason students as well as members of our local community.

Several of George Mason’s individual units saw exceptional support throughout the day, spurred by challenge gifts and matching opportunities that allowed individual gifts to work to create more meaningful impact. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Public Health, and the Honors College were among the areas that benefited from the enthusiastic generosity of donors.

Zofia Burr, dean of the Honors College, was very pleased with the generosity of donors to the college. “The Honors College walks in step with the important mission of ��: to offer exceptional access to an exceptional education,” she said. “Our students are leaders—in academics and everywhere on campus. We are proud of our program that brings such highly motivated students to the university community, and it means a great deal to know that our alumni recognize the value of the Honors College education and experience.”

The Mason Nation of alumni, now 250,000 strong, was responsible for the bulk of the gifts made on Mason Vision Day. “The generosity of our alumni community is particularly inspirational,” said Bowden. “They give to George Mason in so many ways, through their time, talents, and in this case, their treasure. They are a living tribute to what this university experience means, and what it means to be a Patriot.”

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George Mason receives key investments from state budget for affordability, operations, veterans’ support, business development and employee compensation

Katarina Benson — Wed, 28 May 2025 17:21:24 +0000

George Mason receives key investments from state budget for affordability, operations, veterans’ support, business development and employee compensation Katarina Benson Wed, 05/28/2025 - 13:21

The state budget, signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on May 2, represents the Commonwealth of Virginia’s continued investment in �� as the state’s leading university for access, innovation and upward mobility. The funding goes into effect July 1, 2025.

Support for Students

The university received $7,432,000 to maintain affordability and $1,984,000 in financial aid assistance. On May 1, George Mason’s Board of Visitors (BOV) voted to keep tuition costs flat for in-state students, in recognition of the university’s commitment to being an affordable option for students and families across the commonwealth. At the same meeting, the BOV approved a tuition increase for out-of-state students as well as an increase in mandatory student fees for all students.

The budget also includes an additional $3 million in operating support.

“[Senate] Chairwoman Louise Lucas, [House] Chairman Luke Torian, and the committee membership have many demands on their time and resources, and we work to ensure they see the return on investment coming from George Mason back to the commonwealth,” said Lauren Posey.

Senators Barbara Favola, Dave Marsden, Jeremy McPike, Stella Pekarsky, Todd Pillion, and Bryce Reeves and Delegates David Bulova, Paul Krizek, David Reid, and Briana Sewell were instrumental as George Mason budget patrons this session, said Posey, director of state government relations for the university.

Support for Veterans

George Mason's Legislative and Alumni Reception in Richmond. Photo provided

The FY26 budget includes reoccurring funding for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program. With more than 4,700 students identifying as active-duty service members, veterans, or dependents, George Mason is a vital resource for Virginia’s largest military-connected community. The university earned the top spot in Virginia and nationally among public universities for its MBA program for veterans from U.S. News & World Report, and was ranked first in Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region for its master’s in nursing for veterans. In September 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked George Mason as one of the state’s best colleges for veterans, and the university is continually recognized as a Military Friendly institution, earning a silver ranking for 2025-26.

Driving Virginia Business Development

The budget also included $700,000 in dedicated investment to sustain Virginia’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs)—a network of 25 centers that has served more than 11,000 clients, providing no-cost counseling and training services to local entrepreneurs across the state. The centers are operated through a cooperative agreement with Mason Enterprise. SBDCs are a key part of the Mason Virginia Promise, which provides a pathway to a four-year degree for any Virginian who wants one, or help starting a business.

Faculty and Staff Compensation

At the A-10 men’s basketball playoff game, President Washington, Del. David Bulova, Del. Briana Sewell, Alumni Del. Bill Wiley, Del. Mark Sickles, Sen. Jeremy McPike, House Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring, and Del. Michael Webert with his son, and Nicole Washington are pictured with Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis and several members of the women’s basketball team. Photo provided

State employees employed on or before February 25 will receive a 1.5% one-time bonus under the new budget, to be paid on June 16. Classified staff hired on or before March 10, 2025, who received a performance rating of “contributor” or higher will receive a 3% across-the-board base salary increase. Instructional/research and administrative faculty will receive a 1.5% increase plus possible additional increases based on market, performance, or other considerations. Raises will be effective June 10 for July 1 paychecks for 12-month faculty and classified staff paid semi-monthly, and in September 16 paychecks for 9-month faculty.

With the budget approved, the state government relations team is preparing for George Mason’s six-year plan with state agencies, coordinating tours and events with state legislators, and looking ahead to this year’s state elections in November.

Government Relations Team at Work

“We appreciate the commonwealth’s continued support. This historic investment into George Mason allows us to deliver a high-quality education while providing an excellent value,” said Posey.

The government relations team, led by Vice President for Government and Community Relations Paul Liberty, works throughout the year to develop relationships with national and state leaders, including Congress and the General Assembly.

Liberty, Posey, and Tyler Javonillo, assistant director of state government relations, collaborate with university administrators to prepare for meetings with state leaders. During the session, George Mason President Gregory Washington briefed the Northern Virginia delegation and met with a variety of legislators to discuss the university’s economic and workforce development impact, leadership in technology and public health, student success outcomes, and other topics.

“We like to showcase every aspect of Mason—our students’ academic achievements, impactful research, community resources, economic impact and many other points of interest—to legislators,” Posey said, so that they get a full understanding of George Mason’s impact and reach.

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New Mason Career Academy gives students and displaced workers immediate access to industry certificates and micro-credentials

Katarina Benson — Tue, 20 May 2025 18:04:35 +0000

New Mason Career Academy gives students and displaced workers immediate access to industry certificates and micro-credentials Katarina Benson Tue, 05/20/2025 - 14:04

�� has launched Mason Career Academy, a new online learning resource that is free for current students, faculty, and staff to develop new skills, and is available to displaced workers, including federal workers and contractors in the region, for a small registration fee. Mason Career Academy offers access to more than 90 online micro-credential courses and industry-recognized certifications in fields, such as data analytics, cybersecurity, project management, and information technology (IT) support.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Designed with flexibility and powered by Coursera, the on-demand self-paced courses allow students to complement their college degrees with additional credentials sought by employers in order to stay ahead of the curve.

“Lifelong learning is a goal we all share at George Mason, not just for our students, but for ourselves and our teams,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “As students enter a dynamic and evolving workforce that values adaptability, digital fluency, and industry-specific expertise, Mason Career Academy is one of many resources we offer to help them remain competitive—not just for their first job after graduation, but throughout their careers. We hope this resource also supports our alumni and those in the region who may need extra support right now.”

According to recent survey conducted by the online learning platform Coursera, 92% of employers say graduates with these credentials bring job-ready skills from day one.

Along with technical training, the platform also includes professional development tools that help sharpen skills in resume writing, interviewing, and job readiness. Courses are taught by instructors from top companies and institutions, and completed credentials can be added directly to resumes or LinkedIn profiles.

George Mason is also supporting more than 120,000 recently displaced workers, including federal employees and contractors, through a range of resources featured in the Displaced Workers Support page. Among these is Mason Career Academy, offered through Mason's Continuing and Professional Education program. For a one-time $20 registration fee, users gain affordable access to flexible courses designed to help them reskill, continue their education, or explore new career paths. In addition, the university is waiving application fees for select degree programs and offering complimentary tickets to arts performances and athletics events.

Learn more about Mason Career Academy

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Strategic Direction

George Mason BOV keeps tuition flat for in-state students, learns about Grand Challenge Initiative, celebrates Jack Wood awardees and EIP graduates

Colleen Rich — Thu, 08 May 2025 21:20:15 +0000

George Mason BOV keeps tuition flat for in-state students, learns about Grand Challenge Initiative, celebrates Jack Wood awardees and EIP graduates Colleen Rich Thu, 05/08/2025 - 17:20

At its May 1 meeting, the �� Board of Visitors (BOV) voted 10-4 to keep in-state tuition flat for the 2025-26 academic year, citing the university’s standing as an affordable option for students and families across the commonwealth, and approved a tuition increase for out-of-state students as well as an increase in mandatory student fees for all students.

EIP graduate Meeha Bhuiyan is graduating this May with a BS in biology. She shared her George Mason experience with the BOV at its May 1 meeting. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The out-of-state tuition increases are $528 for undergraduates, $720 for graduate students, and $1,022 for law students. The student fee increase will be $96 for all in-state and out-of-state undergraduate and graduate students and $72 for law students. Those fees support student infrastructure and services. Tuition and fees for in-state students next year will be $14,316 for undergraduates, $18,060 for graduate students, and $27,834 for law students. Tuition and fees for out-of-state students next year will be $39,313 for undergraduates, $41,124 for graduate students, and $44,970 for law students.

During the May 1 meeting, George Mason officials and BOV members discussed an environment of almost unprecedented financial uncertainty, including research cost recovery limitations, reduced or withdrawn federal appropriations, the drop in federal funding for external partners, declining international enrollment, and other factors.

The state budget includes additional one-time and recurring funding for George Mason, which helps support this year’s 3% salary increase for employees and funding for the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program as well as long-term planning and campus investments.

BOV members who voted against raising in-state tuition encouraged the university to identify cost savings in curriculum programs and other student supports, as well as continuing to attract increased philanthropic support. President Gregory Washington noted that five of the university’s six most successful fundraising efforts have occurred in the last five years.

The board also approved a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy for compensating student-athletes. Marvin Lewis, assistant vice president and director of intercollegiate athletics, said the policy aligns George Mason with the Commonwealth of Virginia's legal framework, the NCAA's pending legislation, and peer institutions.

“At its core, the policy is designed to provide George Mason with the flexibility to offer enhanced benefits to our student-athletes while positioning the university to proactively navigate the structured settlement provisions” stemming from NCAA litigation, Lewis said.

President Washington and Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation and economic impact, shared details on the launch of the Grand Challenge Initiative, focusing research on six long-term strategies aligned to the university’s strengths.

“It puts us in a really strong strategic, intentional position and engages the entire university and our partners,” Marshall said. “This is something to rally around as a community.”

As of May 1, White House executive orders have led 38 federally funded research projects at George Mason to be formally terminated, totaling more than $50 million. That is about 9% of the university’s nearly $600 million research portfolio. The university has submitted eight appeals on those 38 terminations, which include a combined 25 from the U.S. Department of State, the National Science Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The other 13 terminated projects are from eight other federal agencies.

Marshall said that the university will host a “Research Resilience Workshop” for faculty, students, administrators and deans to discuss the effects of the executive orders on George Mason’s research enterprise and a vision for the future. The workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20; RSVP by Thursday, May 15.

Sharnnia Artis, vice president for access, compliance, and community, shared the steps George Mason has taken to comply with federal orders regarding elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion measures.

This calendar year, the university has dissolved or eliminated the following: Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; the promotion of third-party opportunities that use race-conscious criteria; the institutional partnership with The PhD Project; use of affirmative action plans for women and minorities; use of diversity statements in hiring and promotion; and the director of supplier diversity role. There also has been a series of staff positions reviews and realignments that began prior to the issue of the executive orders.

“We anticipate having to continuously be reviewing programs to ensure that we have an environment that is free from unfair and illegal preferences and is open to all. Our goal is to be in compliance with state and federal laws, executive orders, and mandates and for our students to also have the tools that they need to be successful at George Mason and when they graduate.”

Board members encouraged Artis to enlist a third party to review the university’s changes to ensure compliance with the executive orders and to not risk a loss of federal funding.

Also at the meeting:

Fourteen Early Identification Program (EIP) graduates were recognized. More than 2,300 students have graduated from the program for 8th through 12th graders who would be the first in their families to attend college.
Carolyn Peterson was presented with an honorary doctorate of humane letters in recognition of her support of the arts at George Mason.
Jack Wood Award for Town-Gown Relations recipients were recognized, learn more about them.
With the seating of BOV member Caren Merrick, the board is now back to 16 members.

The recordings of the committee meetings and full board meetings are available here.

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Campus News

Board of Visitors

Strategic Direction

George Mason civil engineering students are helping local communities improve their flood resilience

Katarina Benson — Wed, 07 May 2025 18:04:10 +0000

George Mason civil engineering students are helping local communities improve their flood resilience Katarina Benson Wed, 05/07/2025 - 14:04

In September 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane and quickly became the deadliest hurricane in the United States since Hurricane Katrina. It brought catastrophic flooding, storm surge, landslides, and tornadoes, resulting in more than 250 deaths and $78.7 billion in damages, which some estimate may rise to $110 billion. Areas of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee were devastated by the rainfall it brought, and Southwest Virginia experienced significant flooding.

“Flooding is a growing issue across local communities,” said Celso Ferreira, who leads ��’s Flood Hazards Research Lab. “It is one part of engineering that’s not well-solved. Communities want to understand and adapt to flood risk, but it’s expensive. If it were easy and cheap, it would already be solved. That’s where this idea came in—we thought, why not involve students? Not just teach them engineering but help them create useful products for these communities. Can we make a difference without a multimillion-dollar firm? Can we bridge the gap?”

George Mason PhD student Diana Veronez runs a modeling demonstration for the Flood Hazard Engineering and Adaptation course. Photo provided

Ferreira recently redesigned the CEIE 445/645 Flood Hazard Engineering and Adaptation course to work with community partners to deliver real projects as part of the Institute for a Sustainable Earth’s (ISE’s) NSF Accelerating Research Translation (ART) Seed Translational Research Project (STRP) Program. He taught it for the first time in its new format in fall 2024 and plans to offer it again this fall.

In CEIE 445/645, a course for civil engineering students, undergraduate and graduate students work together on teams to develop flood risk maps and conduct analyses to help real clients in local communities improve their flood resilience. For some communities, especially smaller counties or tribes with fewer resources or no engineers on staff, this can provide critical data to help them address areas at higher risk of flooding.

The student teams used the recently developed Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) models, which provided ground elevation surface (topography), hydraulic friction values, and surface water infiltration values. This served as a common framework each project could be built upon.

The class used Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation models to run scenarios. This figure shows areas of potential flooding in the Town of Quantico. Photo provided

During the first part of the semester, the students learned how to create models like those provided by Virginia DCR. Then, they worked with their clients to address individual case studies on flood mitigation.

“I think it’s transformational for the students,” Ferreira said. “I’m glad we’re able to do that. At the beginning, they wonder what they’ve gotten themselves into, but by then end, they’re proud of the projects they built. [This challenge] really captures their attention, and they get enthusiastic about it.”

Examples of student projects include:

Pamunkey Reservation Flood Resiliency Plan - Located on a peninsula east of Richmond, the reservation is just slightly above sea level, increasing its risk of tidal and pluvial (surface water) flooding. The student team—Jacob Ryan Tomechko, Amanda Mullen, Paul Pacheco, Angela Haines-Perez, and Heriberto Perez—helped identify potential problem spots for roadway flooding including scenarios to address sea-level rise and significant storm events such as hurricanes.
Forwarding Roadway Resiliency Efforts in Mathews County – Matthews County is located on Virginia’s middle peninsula and is at risk of coastal and pluvial flooding due to its low-lying roadways. The student team—Matthew Cantos, Daniel Cardona, Mike DeCarlo, Eglal Salih, and Allyson Skahen—assessed which areas were at a higher risk of flooding due to poorly designed drainage ditches or other characteristics.
Flood Adaptive Roadways in Quantico, Virginia – Located in Prince William County, the Town of Quantico is near the Potomac River and Quantico Creek. The student team—Sebastian Galarza, Marcos Sanchez, Roberto Mejia, and Gabby Wade—helped the town assess roadway flooding scenarios to inform future evacuation efforts.

As part of their work, the student teams created ArcGIS storymaps for each project, available through the course website.

After the course, several students were hired as undergraduate research assistants to continue working on the projects so that they could take them beyond one semester’s work and provide the clients with more advanced projects. They are reviewing and enhancing all the projects to improve alignment with the clients’ requests and developing a standardized product that each client will receive.

One client was interested in using the student maps and analysis to assist with their proposal for funding to address these flooding issues. This is one way Ferreira sees clients being able to use the student projects. He explained that when communities apply for a grant to hire an engineering company for a project, they need to do preliminary analysis as part of this proposal. Many communities don’t have this capacity—they don’t have engineers to do preliminary analysis.

Ferreira worked with a graduate research assistant, two post-docs, and a PhD student over the summer of 2024 to redesign the course. “The funding from the ART program made it possible. It provided the resources to adapt the course in this way. It was key to have those resources, because it was a huge undertaking that couldn’t be done by one faculty member alone.”

The goal of the NSF ART program is to translate science from the university to real solutions for local communities that can help them better prepare for climate-related disasters. The ISE and Virginia Climate Center (VCC) are collaborating with the University of Kentucky and the Center for Climate Strategies on the NSF ART initiative to close this gap and help communities in Virginia improve their resilience.

CEIE 445/645 will be offered in the fall 2025 semester, and applications are still open for local communities to participate as clients.

View the course website

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College of Engineering and Computing

Strategic Direction

GCI-Grand Challenge Initiative

CEIE Success Stories

George Mason’s ADVANCE Program highlighted as a national transfer model

Katarina Benson — Mon, 05 May 2025 17:49:21 +0000

George Mason’s ADVANCE Program highlighted as a national transfer model Katarina Benson Mon, 05/05/2025 - 13:49

The ADVANCE Program, a highly successful transfer partnership between Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and ��, is showcased in the newly released Transfer Playbook 2.0, a joint publication of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and the Community College Research Center.

The Transfer Playbook highlights the ADVANCE Program as a national model for addressing the historically complex transfer process between community colleges and four-year institutions, citing nine examples that illustrate ADVANCE’s exceptional success. More than 90% of ADVANCE students complete their bachelor’s degree within two years of transferring to George Mason.

Student with Advance shirt. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The Transfer Playbook presents key strategies that community colleges and four-year institutions can adopt to eliminate obstacles faced by students, such as credit loss and low bachelor’s degree completion rates. Among the 80% of community college students aiming for a bachelor's degree nationally, only 16% achieve that goal within six years. The Transfer Playbook emphasizes the success of ADVANCE, which provides a framework of collaborative governance and a robust coaching program.

ADVANCE has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a national model for addressing transfer challenges.

“Since its 2018 launch, ADVANCE has improved enrollment, retention, and graduation rates for participating students while at NOVA, and their success continues after transferring to George Mason, leading to accelerated degree completion,” said NOVA President Anne M. Kress. “ADVANCE makes bachelor’s degrees more affordable and attainable, supporting NOVA’s mission to transform students’ lives and expand opportunity.”

George Mason President Gregory Washington spoke about the program’s success on PBS NewsHour: “It requires people to sit together in a room, it requires people on both ends to modify classes, to make them work together. So, all of those hurdles are real ones, but if we provide the proper pathway, they actually can achieve and they will be successful.”

The ADVANCE Program is a key component of the Mason Virginia Promise (MVP), George Mason’s statewide initiative to expand access to higher education and economic opportunity. MVP builds on the success of ADVANCE by streamlining transfer to George Mason for students who participate at NOVA. MVP also offers training and financial support to Virginians who aspire to start a business—reinforcing the university’s commitment to the commonwealth’s economic success.

More than 6,000 students are enrolled in ADVANCE.
The program eliminates transfer credit guesswork by offering 87 academic pathways that map to NOVA and George Mason curricula.
60% of ADVANCE students are first generation, showing strong participation from those who stand to benefit most.
Coaches at both NOVA and George Mason take a holistic approach to supporting student success.

Proof of Success: ADVANCE’s Graduation and Retention Rates

As of fall 2024, students at George Mason completed an average of seven fewer credits, taking 1.5 fewer semesters to graduate compared to non-ADVANCE transfer students.
Among the 2021 cohort, the fall-to-fall retention rate for students at NOVA was 87%, well above the national community college average of 61%.
At George Mason, the 2021 cohort’s retention rate was 96%, far exceeding the national average for four-year universities.

Learn more about the ADVANCE Program.

Learn more about ADVANCE

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Mason Korea and U.S. Embassy Seoul host Young Trilateral Leaders workshop

Katarina Benson — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 13:55:23 +0000

Mason Korea and U.S. Embassy Seoul host Young Trilateral Leaders workshop Katarina Benson Tue, 04/29/2025 - 09:55

�� 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 University in Japan.

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.

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.

Students participate in the in-person workshop. Photo provided

“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.”

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.”

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.

On Sunday, April 13, after completing a trilateral conflict simulation and case studies, students visited the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) for a field learning experience.

“This workshop offered young leaders from Korea, the U.S., and Japan an opportunity to strengthen their conflict analysis and resolution skills by using ��’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.”

“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.”

See more from Mason Korea

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George Mason highlighted as one of Carnegie’s Opportunity Colleges and Universities

Katarina Benson — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:52:10 +0000

George Mason highlighted as one of Carnegie’s Opportunity Colleges and Universities Katarina Benson Wed, 04/23/2025 - 12:52

The Student Access and Earnings Classification recognizes institutions that foster opportunities for student success.

The Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education (ACE) announced Thursday that �� was named to the highest tier of its list of Opportunity Colleges and Universities: Higher Access, Higher Earnings, in recognition of the university’s commitment to accessibility, return on investment, and upward mobility.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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%.

In the 2025 classifications, 479 institutions have been identified as Opportunity Colleges and Universities, which is about 16% of all classified institutions.

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.

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.

George Mason is one of 107 schools nationwide to earn this designation, representing 3% of U.S. colleges and universities in this institutional classification.

The Carnegie Classifications are updated every three years, with the next scheduled for spring 2028. More information is available here.

Check out George Mason in the Rankings

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George Mason entrepreneurs win big at the 2025 Patriot Pitch Competition

Greg Johnson — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:34:46 +0000

George Mason entrepreneurs win big at the 2025 Patriot Pitch Competition Greg Johnson Wed, 04/23/2025 - 11:34

“Let me be clear, innovation has always been, and will always be, the solution to the world’s challenges,” said Patriot Pitch emcee Patrick Soleymani, associate dean for outreach and strategic engagement at ��'s Costello College of Business. “Innovation transforms potential into power and drives us forward as an institution, community, and ultimately a civilization.”

Patriot Pitch emcee Patrick Soleymani addresses packed house in the Johnson Center Bistro. Photo by John Boal Photography

As emcee of the 2025 Patriot Pitch Competition, presented by 22nd Century Technologies Inc., Soleymani addressed the packed house. Eight final teams—two from each track—had been refining their business models with their mentors and practicing their pitches for several weeks in preparation for the afternoon’s competition.

Housed within the Costello College of Business, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) led the programming efforts and organized the final pitch event on Thursday, April 10. Ajay Vinzé, dean of the Costello College of Business, reiterated the importance of entrepreneurship and what it meant to the college’s namesake.

“In 1976, Donald and a partner founded Century Stair Company, which grew to become one of the largest stair manufacturers on the East Coast,” he said. “His passion for entrepreneurship is here with us, in spirit. Today, we are honored to have his trusted former business partners, Joe and Peg Contrucci, with us in the room.”

�� President Gregory Washington was also in attendance, along key stakeholders from the George Mason entrepreneurial ecosystem.

After Ava Uppal, BS Marketing ‘19, interviewed technology founder and executive Sid Banerjee (founded Clarabridge that was acquired by Qualtrics in 2021 for over $1 billion) in an illuminating keynote discussion, the competition commenced—this time with a record amount of prize money.

Mason's Choice Award winners. Photo by John Boal Photography

One by one, finalist teams in the STEM, Social Impact, General Entrepreneurship for Undergraduate Students, and General Entrepreneurship for Graduate Students and Recent Alumni tracks took the stage to make their pitches to four judges—subject matter experts chosen for each track—and to the audience of George Mason community members. Following each 5-minute pitch, the presenting team fielded questions from the judges. Students in between classes quickly filled the back of the Johnson Center Bistro as they cheered on their classmates and friends.

Anticipation filled the air as another Costello alumnus and community leader, Jason Howell, BS Accounting ‘97, took the stage to announce the winners:

STEM

First place: Barty AI (Sahil Jagtap)
Second place: Q Haven (Caden Green)

Social Impact

First place: CarbonSecure (Maddie Gray, Maha Raja, Ryland Plodpluang, Juan Zambrano-Lozano)
Second place: The Allocated at Delia’s House (Marisela Zelaya Delcid, David Osorto)

General Entrepreneurship Undergraduate

First place: Valor (Caleb Fink)
Second place: NOVAFoam (Ethan Ford, Trevor Geissler, Mikhail Ivanov, Stephano Barra)

General Entrepreneurship for Graduate Students and Recent Alumni

First place: Viralbite (Emmanuel Nwokeabia)
Second place: EchoPods (Raghu Manjunatha, Pooja Manjunatha Swamy)

George Mason Emmanuel Nwokeabia presenting Viralbite. Photo by John Boal Photography

Following each track of presentations, audience members scanned a QR code on the screen to vote for the separate Mason’s Choice Awardees. The winners were The Allocated at Delia’s House and Viralbite.

Emmanuel Nwokeabia, a 2024 graduate of the Costello College of Business, received the most prize money—$13,000 between his two awards. “This was more than a win—it was a powerful encouragement to pursue my vision. I encourage anyone with an idea to take that bold step, and see how the world responds,” said Nwokeabia.

The 2025 Patriot Pitch Competition showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of the Costello College of Business and ��. Approximately 250 audience members attended to watch the innovative concepts and products being pitched.

2025 Patriot Pitch participants

In This Story

Ajay Vinzé

Patrick Soleymani

Jason Howell

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Outstanding Achievement Awards honor the dedication of faculty and staff

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 18:52:55 +0000

Outstanding Achievement Awards honor the dedication of faculty and staff Lauren Reuscher Wed, 04/16/2025 - 14:52

��’s Outstanding Achievement Awards celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of faculty and staff in support of the university's values and mission. Awards are sponsored by Human Resources and other university departments.

A ceremony honoring this year’s awardees was hosted on the Fairfax Campus on Tuesday, April 15. View the complete list of award recipients.

John Crocker of Risk, Safety, and Resilience received a Presidential Citation for his service to a fellow employee during a medical emergency. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

This year’s awards included several new categories and garnered a 146% increase in nominations compared to last year, reflecting the university’s culture of engagement and appreciation. Learn more about Reward and Recognition programs at George Mason.

The Sustainability Hero Award acknowledges the contributions of individuals and teams who have gone the extra mile to seek creative solutions that have promoted healthy, sustainable living or reduced George Mason’s environmental impacts.

Makenzie Gold Quiros, Housing and Residence Life, received the Sustainability Hero Award. Photo provided

Sustainability Hero Award

Makenzie Gold Quiros, Assistant Director of Housing Operations and Special Projects, Housing and Residence Life

Makenzie Gold Quiros was recognized for leadership, collaboration, and partnership with Patriot Packout, the annual campus move-out program that helps divert items from the waste stream and reallocates them to those who can use them. Donations include household items, food, clothing, and more.

Gold Quiros played an instrumental role in integrating Patriot Packout into Housing and Residence Life operations. Collaborating with members of the Patriot Packout planning committee to develop marketing and educational materials about the program, Gold Quiros' efforts helped spread the word among residential students.

The result was increased awareness and participation in the program. In 2024, Patriot Packout received more than 13,000 pounds of donations, more than double the amount received in 2023 (5,700 pounds).

“Makenzie’s incredible leadership to grow and integrate Patriot Packout within Housing and Residence Life operations dramatically improved the amount of goods and supplies diverted away from trash incineration, reducing the university’s environmental impacts while putting useful donations into the hands of George Mason Patriots,” said Colleen Regan, zero waste specialist with University Sustainability.

New this year, the Wage Employee Service Award recognizes non-student wage staff who have consistently demonstrated excellence, dedication, and exceptional organizational citizenship, contributing significantly to the university's operations and mission.

Rose Aubery, Office of Admissions, received the Wage Employee Service Award. Photo provided

Wage Employee Service Award

Rose Aubery, Transfer Admissions Assistant, Office of Admissions

Rose Aubery has served as an invaluable resource for prospective transfer students, offering personalized guidance through the complex transfer process. Aubery’s unwavering commitment to supporting students—especially those balancing work, family, and personal challenges—has made a lasting impact.

Putting students first, Aubery ensures that every student she assists receives tailored support and clear, accurate information. She helps them understand the admissions process, explains pathways to a degree, and empowers students in their journey to higher education.

“Rose is a source of positivity and helps many students find their way to a bachelor’s degree at George Mason, students for whom higher education might otherwise not be an option,” said Melissa Bevacqua, director of admissions for transfer recruitment in the Office of Admissions. “Her work is impactful and makes a difference for students, for our team, and our university.”

Wage Employee Service Award

Susan Bannan, Recruitment Specialist, Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations

Susan Bannan, Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations, received the Wage Employee Service Award. Photo provided

Susan Bannan has transformed talent recruitment in her office by streamlining operations, reducing external search costs, and improving the candidate experience. Her proactive, customer-focused approach has supported George Mason’s billion-dollar campaign, Mason Now, and contributed to long-term talent retention.

“One of Susan's most notable contributions is her unwavering commitment to ensuring that candidates have a positive experience with ��,” said Sara Snyder, associate vice president for administration and finance in the Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations.

“She meticulously manages the recruitment process, providing clear communication and support at every stage. Her efforts have resulted in a seamless and enjoyable experience for candidates, which has been instrumental in attracting top talent,” said Snyder.

Learn more about Reward and Recognition at George Mason

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Wage Employee Service Award

Rose Aubery, Transfer Admissions Assistant, Office of Admissions

Wage Employee Service Award

Susan Bannan, Recruitment Specialist, Office of University Advancement and Alumni Relations

Learn more about Reward and Recognition at George Mason

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