Spirit Magazine

A Future We Want

Katarina Benson — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:25:47 +0000

A Future We Want Katarina Benson Tue, 12/02/2025 - 11:25

One Grand Challenge. Six Grand Solutions.

�� has launched its Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI), a comprehensive research framework backed by an initial five-year, $15 million investment. The initiative aligns university resources, faculty expertise, and educational programs around six interconnected solution areas addressing what George Mason President Gregory Washington describes as "humanity's ultimate grand challenge"—securing a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous future.

"Our world is at a crossroads," Washington says. "It is time to either brace for global decline and a future that none of us wants, or seize control of our destiny and work to reverse course. It will take all of us working together on all these solutions at once to alter the trajectory of our future."

Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact, leads the initiative, which was developed through a faculty-driven task force and focuses on six grand solutions:

Advancing 21st-century education for all
Building a climate-resilient society
Driving responsible digital innovation and sustainable infrastructure
Improving human health, well-being, and preparedness
Pioneering space exploration, research, and collaboration
Strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy

"George Mason is driven by discovery," says Marshall. "This means unleashing our bold ideas from their theoretical and laboratory boundaries, thoughtfully cultivating them as they take shape, and fearlessly deploying them as innovations that will transform our lives."

GCI will enhance educational opportunities, increase faculty talent and expertise, align current research projects, seed new proposals, and build essential infrastructure across George Mason's campuses. Working in conjunction with the university's $1 billion Mason Now: Power the Possible campaign, the initiative seeks partnerships with government, industry, and nongovernmental organizations.

Advancing 21st-Century Education for All

At George Mason, we believe talent is equally distributed among people, but opportunity is not. Education helps creates more productive ways to participate in civil society, allows more choice in how to contribute to the economy, and prepares people to make more informed choices for a healthy and prosperous life. As Virginia’s largest and most diverse university, George Mason is transforming excellence and access through flexible and scalable learning experiences, accessibility research, focused PreK-12 skill development, and robust STEM and systems-thinking education alongside critical thinking and cooperation skills.

"Future ready skills aren't just a buzzword—they are a necessity. Skills such as critical thinking, creativity, digital fluency, and environmental stewardship are the currency of tomorrow's workforce."

—Ingrid Guerra Lopez, Dean, College of Education and Human Development

Building a Climate-Resilient Society

George Mason is applying science, policy, and innovation to safeguard communities and ecosystems through sustainable practices and infrastructure, real-time weather-related information, and community planning and preparedness training. From a solar-powered greenhouse that allows resilient food production to advanced predictive modeling that identifies weather-related or other natural disasters, the university is developing the leadership and talent to produce solutions alongside partners on a global scale.

"George Mason, being the largest public university in Virginia, owes it to the residents of the commonwealth to create innovative solutions to increase community resilience."

—James Kinter, Director, Center for Ocean Land Atmosphere Studies

Driving Responsible Digital Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure

From artificial intelligence and robotics to digital twins and quantum computing, new technologies are reshaping every aspect of life and culture at a rate faster than most institutions can keep up with. George Mason is researching and applying technologies that improve human life and a peaceful coexistence in increasingly digital societies by enhancing connectivity, economic opportunity, and reducing disparities through public services while also protecting the planet. Through cross-disciplinary collaboration, workforce education, and public–private partnerships, George Mason is helping shape a digital future that is both ethical and advanced.

"We can no longer separate technology from the public good. Innovation must serve society, and at George Mason, we're doing just that."

—Amarda Shehu, Chief AI Officer

Improving Human Health, Well-Being, and Preparedness

Healthy populations are less vulnerable to disease and crises and better equipped to contribute to peaceful and prosperous communities. George Mason is actively approaching improvements in health systems, mental well-being, and emergency preparedness to build resilience for the future. With a people-first integrated approach that advances science, develops talent, and strengthens communities, George Mason is modeling scenarios that prioritize access to preventative care while investing in emergency prevention and preparedness scenario training.

"We build strength across the health system by building people."

- Melissa Perry, MBA '25, Dean, College of Public Health

Pioneering Space Exploration, Research, and Collaboration

Space exploration ofers essential tools for life on Earth—fueling technological breakthroughs, enhancing environmental forecasting, and expanding our understanding of the universe. From designing an artificial star with NASA to using satellite data for storm prediction, George Mason is driving space-based discovery that meets real-world needs—connecting knowledge to action and impact.

"Space exploration isn't just about discovery - it's about preserving our humanity and values beyond Earth."

—Anamaria Berea, Professor, Computational and Data Sciences

Strengthening Peace, Trust, and Engagement in Democracy

Strengthening peace, trust, and engagement in democracy is vital for creating resilient, inclusive societies where individuals feel empowered to shape their future. George Mason is building civic trust and advancing peace by preparing students to lead, supporting global collaboration, and fostering community resilience. Working with faculty and experts on real-world policy solutions, George Mason equips the next generation to contribute meaningfully to democratic resilience at home and abroad.

"We teach our students to identify the underlying causes of conflict and equip them with the theory and practical skills to put their knowledge into action."

—Alpasalan Ozerdem, Dean, Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Learn more about the Grand Challenge Initiative

Andre Marshall joined President Gregory Washington on the Access to Excellence podcast to discuss GCI

Listen to the episode

Reinventing Virginia’s Health Care Future

Katarina Benson — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:42:06 +0000

Reinventing Virginia’s Health Care Future Katarina Benson Mon, 11/10/2025 - 09:42

As Virginia faces growing shortages in the health care workforce, the Claude Moore Foundation and �� have formed a groundbreaking partnership to seek solutions and build a flexible, inclusive, and data-driven workforce pipeline. The effort is one designed not just to meet current needs but to shape a stronger, more equitable future for health care in the commonwealth.

At the center of this partnership is William Hazel, former Virginia secretary of health and human resources and now CEO of Claude Moore Opportunities, the foundation’s arm for strategic partnerships. Hazel’s longstanding relationship with George Mason—he served as senior advisor for strategic initiatives from 2018 to 2020—helped seed many of the elements that define this collaboration.

That ethos underpins the Claude Moore Foundation’s guiding philosophy to open doors and expand opportunity. By investing in innovative models that expand access and strengthen workforce readiness, the foundation is helping to remove barriers and build ladders.

Through George Mason’s Center for Health Workforce at the College of Public Health, the university plays a leading role as Virginia’s hub for workforce research and strategy. The center’s work has led to the development of statewide data platforms that have shaped policy, informing local pilot programs in more remote areas of Virginia and driving conversations about behavioral health and early childhood care.

The Claude Moore Career Highway is one pathway to draw more health care workers. This new framework treats the health care workforce not as a single pipeline but as a network, offering “on-ramps and off-ramps” to support Virginians seeking this career path at any stage of life, whether they’re high school students, career switchers, or adults returning to school after time away.

The Claude Moore Scholars Program is another key component of efforts to expand the workforce, introducing high school students to health care careers through hands-on experiences and clear pathways from K–12 to college to career. Already active in 17 Virginia districts and expanding, the program reflects both Claude Moore’s and George Mason’s shared commitment to access, equity, and tangible outcomes.

The impact is measurable. Many of the program’s graduates return to serve in their home communities, reflecting a model that’s not just about producing talent—but producing the right talent for Virginia.

As Hazel puts it, “This workforce issue is cresting. The question is how do we attract people, train them, and help them grow?” Thanks to the partnership between Claude Moore and George Mason, Virginia is beginning to answer that question—boldly, equitably, and with lasting impact.

This partnership is part of Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason's historic $1 billion campaign to advance student success, research, innovation, stewardship, and community engagement.

Meet the Mason Nation: Amanda Haymond Still

Katarina Benson — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:31:35 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Amanda Haymond Still Katarina Benson Mon, 11/10/2025 - 09:31

Amanda Haymond Still

Job: Director of Undergraduate Student Research Initiatives and Internships, College of Science

Amanda Haymond Still, BS Chemistry ’13, PhD Biochemistry ’17. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Amanda Haymond Still, BS Chemistry ’13, PhD Biochemistry ’17, came to �� in 2009 as a University Scholar in the Honors College and never left. There are many reasons why she stayed, but she now has a new one: She’s leading the College of Science’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP). “As a postdoc and faculty member, I really enjoyed the mentoring process, so when a position opened up to do that full time, I decided to put my name in the hat.”

Founded in 2007, ASSIP provides opportunities for high school and undergraduate students to work one-on-one with faculty researchers across many disciplines. In summer 2025, nearly 400 students participated in person and remotely in the eight-week program. They came from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and about 17 states, including California, Texas, New York, and Washington State.

Embracing Online Access: Still said ASSIP’s pivoting to online during the pandemic had a plus side—they realized that, for certain types of research projects, remote works great. Now that people can participate from anywhere, applications have exploded—this year they received more than 3,300—and they have had interns from as far away as Hungary, Kazakhstan, and Mason Korea. “It's administratively challenging but also very exciting.”

Opportunity for Further Expansion: The number of participants each year is driven by researchers’ needs and capacity. When students apply to ASSIP, they read through a list of researchers and projects and rank who they would like to work with. Then those researchers go through the applications and make decisions. “Even with remote participants, there are only so many hours in a day,” she said. “The best way to grow the program is to involve more George Mason faculty.” Currently 23 academic departments at George Mason participate.

All in a Day’s Work: During those eight weeks, Still said she is tied her email, solving problems as they arise. There are also safety trainings and paperwork as many interns are working in labs. As director, Still conducts a weekly seminar for the interns where they learn how to be a scientist. Most of the topics she covers are basic research information like how to write an abstract or prepare a scientific poster, which interns do before the summer is over. Each session ends with a poster presentation where they present their findings. “They get very excited,” Still said. “And it's fun to see how much students can get done in eight weeks.”

Try and Try Again: Still also talks to the aspiring scientists about failure, “which they always love to hear,” she jokes. But the reality is, in research, you never know how things are going to go. She said week 5 is a critical point in the program. That’s when the students realize things aren’t working the way that they thought they would, and their resilience kicks in. “If you're working on something at the cutting edge of science, it might not go well, and that's okay,” Still said. “This is part of learning how real discovery and inquiry works.”

Not a Summer Camp: Still emphasizes that “internship” is an important part of the ASSIP title. “These aren't demonstration projects. This is real independent research,” she said. And hard work does pay off. Many participants have had their names included when the work is published in scientific journals and presented at research conferences. Some have even been named on patents.

Joining the Mason Nation: For the past two years, Still has run a pilot program in which students can get college credit for their ASSIP participation. About 10% participate. “Part of the reason we do this program is we hope that some of the students stay with us and come to Mason,” she said. “They're on campus, they’re getting credit, they are George Mason students for a little while.”

Inquiring Minds: Still’s research career started like many of the students she’s mentoring. There was an option in the chemistry major to do undergraduate research for course credit, which Still wanted to do but didn’t know anyone. So she consulted the department directory. “I was literally cold emailing all of the professors with research groups,” she said. When she got to the C’s, she connected to her mentor and dissertation director Robin Couch of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Aiming for ‘Targets’: Still spent her George Mason career pursuing scientific questions in enzymology. “I was looking at enzymes found in bacteria that are not found in us, with the goal of using those as new antibiotic drug targets,” she said. “The field of antimicrobial drug discovery is really exciting. It's very much like you versus ‘the invaders.’” When Still was defending her dissertation, one of the people in the audience was Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine codirector Lance Liotta. “He offered me a postdoc on the spot.”

An Inventor in Her Own Right: Through her work at George Mason, Still has garnered a few patents over the years. Her most recent application is for DNA protein hybrid molecules that Still built with Rémi Veneziano in the College of Engineering and Computing. “We built these really cool hybrid molecules for cancer drugs.”

Best Part of the Job: Still said one of the things she loves about running ASSIP is getting to see “kids get the bug for scientific research.” She also has never doubted her decision to remain at George Mason. “It doesn't grow old, no matter how many years you're here,” she said. “There's always something new happening.”

Learn more about ASSIP

From persistence to pandas: How one George Mason alumna found her dream job

Colleen Rich — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:06:57 +0000

From persistence to pandas: How one George Mason alumna found her dream job Colleen Rich Thu, 10/09/2025 - 12:06

When Trish Jarvis, BS Biology ’10, tells people what she does for a living, their eyes usually light up. As an employee at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., Jarvis has one of the most coveted—and adorable—jobs around: She’s a panda keeper.

Trish Jarvis (right) accompanying the crated pandas to their new home at the National Zoo. Photo by Rosh Patel/Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Jarvis was on the zoo team in November 2023 that helped prepare the zoo’s giant pandas Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Xiao Qi Ji for their return to China. She was also on the flight in October 2024 that brought the panda pair, Qing Bao and Bao Li, to their new home in the United States.

“It’s literally everything career-wise you would want as a keeper—except maybe holding a panda baby,” Jarvis said. And yes, she’s done that too—holding baby Xiao Qi Ji during vet exams in 2020.

“If I hadn't already been totally into pandas that probably would've been the moment for me,” added Jarvis.

Pandas are her thing, but the journey to her dream job wasn’t an easy one. It took a lot of hard work and initiative. After graduating from �� in 2010, Jarvis accepted a job in government contracting and quickly realized it wasn’t for her. That revelation pushed her to volunteer at the National Zoo, where she took on internships working with red pandas and gorillas. “That’s when it all kind of fell into place for me,” she said.

Observing animals up close, designing enrichment activities for them, and managing their environments sparked something in Jarvis. She learned as much as she could about the field, made some connections, and asked professionals for advice.

Trish Jarvis works with a red panda named Asa. Photo by Mariel Lally/Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

“And I got some really good advice,” she said. “I decided that I would volunteer and intern until I could apply for the job and be qualified for it. I wanted people to see that I put in the work, and that I'm good.”

In 2018, her persistence paid off, and she landed a two-year appointment at the National Zoo, where she assisted several units and got some quality time working with the giant pandas. At the end of her appointment, a panda keeper position opened up at Zoo Atlanta, and Jarvis was ready. In that position, she was able to further hone her skills. When the opportunity to return to the National Zoo team presented itself, however, she jumped at the chance. “This is home for me,” she said.

Jarvis lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Christopher Jarvis, BA Economics ’10, who she met at George Mason in a classical music course, and their young daughter—also an animal lover.

Jarvis’s love for pandas is both professional and personal. She said saying goodbye to Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and Xiao Qi Ji was hard and bittersweet. “I knew them. I learned how to be a keeper with them,” she said. “It breaks your heart [to have to say goodbye], but if anyone was going to help make that transition easy for them, I’m glad I got to be part of the team to do it.

In her work, Jarvis also advocates for red pandas. She currently serves on the steering committee for Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE): Red Panda. One of the group’s projects involves testing canopy connectors at zoos to inform conservation efforts in red pandas’ native habitats like Nepal and Bhutan where deforestation is posing a threat. “It’s incredibly meaningful to see how our zoo-based work can help wild populations,” she said.

To students hoping to follow a similar path, Jarvis offers this advice: “Take every opportunity. Volunteer. Intern. Even if it’s not with your ‘dream’ animal, give it your all. If you stay committed, the dream job can come.”

Learn more about the Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation

Fuse at Mason Square powers research and innovation through collaboration

Colleen Rich — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:16:02 +0000

Fuse at Mason Square powers research and innovation through collaboration Colleen Rich Mon, 09/29/2025 - 16:16

�� celebrated Fuse at Mason Square with the same collaborative spirit that will fuel decades of innovation at the state-of-the-art facility in Arlington, Virginia. Hundreds of representatives from industry, academia, government, and the community came together for the grand celebration at Fuse on Thursday, which included Governor Glenn Youngkin speaking at the ribbon cutting for the Energy Exploration (E2) Center.

“Igniting a fuse signifies the moment where possibility transforms into inevitability,” George Mason President Gregory Washington said during the main program celebration that culminated the grand opening event. “It's that razor-thin instant where preparation meets decision and hesitation gives way to action. What we have done today is strike that initial flame. And that initial flame is a declaration that the future will no longer be passive. It will unfold because you dare to set it in motion.”

Fuse, which anchors the Arlington Innovation Corridor that runs from Rosslyn to Ballston, is a “a factory of dreams, factory of ideas,” said Takis Karantonis, chair of the Arlington County Board. Fuse will house research and economic opportunities in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, power/energy, Next G communications, nuclear small reactor control systems, and data center engineering.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Much of that work will support the university’s Grand Challenge Initiative. In addition, Mason Enterprise will support thousands of entrepreneurs in tech and other fields on their path to commercialization and adoption of their ideas and inventions.

Washington singled out several key figures in the completion of the Fuse project, including College of Engineering and Computing dean Ken Ball; Liza Wilson Durant, associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement; and Mason Innovation Partners, a development consortium led by Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate. The event also included acknowledgment of the key role philanthropy plays at George Mason, giving thanks to Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen, whose names grace Virginia’s first School of Computing.

“We are celebrating more than a building,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president of advancement and alumni relations and president of the �� Foundation. “We are celebrating a bold vision come to life, a place where ideas, partnerships, opportunities will shape our future. So consider this an open invitation. Partner with us, invest with us. Help us ensure that the energy we celebrate today continues to inspire generations of thinkers, doers, and leaders.”

Ball said that 44 engineering and computing faculty have moved into their offices at Fuse and are setting up their labs, and 120 PhD students are there as well. Hundreds of students are already enrolled in classes at Fuse, where there are labs for robotics and autonomous systems, virtual reality, power engineering, networking, cybersecurity, and other innovative pursuits. With Fuse fully open, every school and college at Mason now has a presence at Mason Square.

From left, Vice President Trishana E. Bowden, Long Nguyen, Kimmy Duong, President Gregory Washington, and Dean Ken Ball at the Grand Celebration for Fuse at Mason Square. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

“You'll see the best minds in higher education and private industry together tackling some of society's toughest ethical and technical challenges,” George Mason Board of Visitors Rector Charles “Cully” Stimson said. “And most importantly, you'll see our students gaining the kinds of hands-on experience that will carry them into the workforce ready to lead.”

Ball was one of multiple speakers to thank the university’s philanthropists, including Kimmy Duong and Long Nguyen, who gave a $20 million gift to establish the state’s first School of Computing in their name. Duong and Nguyen also provide scholarships to students at George Mason and other colleges and universities in the Washington, D.C., region through the Kimmy Duong Foundation.

One scholarship recipient is Rakibul Alam, an Honors College student in the Costello College of Business. Alam has served in Student Government and as a student ambassador at the business school, launched a startup called Project Hope to improve the availability of menstrual health products in Bangladesh, and studied abroad in Morocco and India. Alam also is president of Mason Consulting Group and interned with the Department of the Navy and KPMG.

“The generosity of our donors, including the Kimmy Duong Foundation, has not only helped me with the financial challenges of tuition, books, and living expenses, but has also help me accomplish my dream of a global education,” Alam said in thanking Duong and Nguyen, telling them, “You are changing lives and creating a generation of students who will be giving back. You are making this world a better place. And I hope that I can be part of that change and to represent you well.”

The Fuse celebration included the dedication and ribbon cutting of the Energy Exploration (E2) Center, the largest small modular reactor (SMR) control room simulator of its kind in the country, and one of 11 in the world.

E2, in partnership with NuScale Power Corporation, will provide students with opportunities to learn on the latest technology to become leaders and innovators in the sustainable energy workforce, a shared vision among higher education, government and industry.

Virginia Clean Energy Innovation Bank funded E2 as part of the Virginia Department of Energy’s investments in the state’s nuclear energy workforce development.

“You all are about to engage in a step function change in your ability to understand the power of nuclear power,” Youngkin said, singling out the students and faculty in attendance at the dedication on the seventh floor of Fuse. “Because you're no longer going to be reading about SMRs. You're no longer going to wish that you could work on one. You are going to be able to walk into that room….and do something incredible, which is prepare yourself for an extraordinary career.

“We have a collective moment to celebrate, a collective moment to say this is a step that we will all remember that the workforce of the future in order to drive the power of the future was right here at ��.”

Glenn Davis, BA Economics ’93, is the state’s energy director. He joined Youngkin, Washington, and NuScale Chief Commercial Officer Clayton Scott at the dedication.

“�� has been an exceptional partner building curriculum, recruiting talent, and opening this space to educators, local leaders, and the public. It’s the right capacity and capability in the right place at the right time,” Davis said.

At a VIP reception that preceded the E2 event, Washington thanked several groups for their involvement in Fuse, including the President’s Innovation Advisory Council, which includes representatives from industry, community, and government.

Washington specifically cited Victor Hoskins, president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, for the extensive role he has played in championing Fuse and lifting technological innovation in Northern Virginia, including attracting Amazon HQ2 to the region.

“His efforts to drive economic growth, jobs, and investment across Northern Virginia has been recognized and championed all throughout the country,” Washington said. “He has been a huge supporter of us, putting George Mason literally at the center of that development, and has been incredibly helpful in helping to move it forward.

“He has provided leadership and vision in shaping Fuse at Mason Square as a model for collaboration among business, government, and academia.”

George Mason faculty and students presented interactive demonstrations involving drones, robots, and other tools of technological advancement.

“When the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Northern Virginia community, and �� work together, there is absolutely no limit to what we can achieve and achieve together,” Washington said.

Learn more about Fuse at Mason Square

Powered by AI

Colleen Rich — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:50:37 +0000

�� researchers are using all areas of artificial intelligence (AI) to create new and better solutions. They are using machine learning to predict social isolation among caregivers, detect bruising across a variety of skin tones, and improve the diagnosis and treatment of vision problems. Researchers are using natural language processing to develop a technology that can automatically translate lesser-known languages. They are working with augmented reality to improve workplace safety. And that’s just a glimpse of the work, powered by AI, being conducted by George Mason faculty and students.

As the largest and most diverse university in Virginia, George Mason is leading the future of inclusive AI and developing responsible models for AI research, education, workforce development, and community engagement within a modern university.

George Mason’s Approach

Led by Amarda Shehu, the university’s inaugural vice president and chief artificial intelligence officer (CAIO), and an AI Visioning Task Force, George Mason is working with partners throughout the region and across the state to build a nexus of collaboration and resources called AI2Nexus.

As a model for universities, AI2Nexus is based on four key principles: integrate AI to transform education, research, and operations; inspire AI to advance higher education and learning for the future work force; innovate AI to lead in responsible AI enabled discovery and advancements across disciplines; and impact AI to drive partnerships and community engagement for societal adoption and change.

“I knew when I started my research in this field over 20 years ago that AI would unleash enormous speed and power in innovation, which is at the heart of what drives George Mason. Power lies in our ability to harness this technology in sustainable and democratic deployment that improves society and the human condition.”

Amarda Shehu, CAIO

INTEGRATE AI

Advancing Operations with PatriotAI

George Mason is reimagining operational excellence, equipping all students, faculty, and staff with access to cutting-edge generative AI models through George Mason’s enterprise AI platform, PatriotAI, which is the first major outcome of our strategic partnership with Microsoft and Cloudforce.

PatriotAI is a suite of six specialized AI tools, called agents, offering secure, university-managed access to large language models (LLMs) that can aid academic work and student life. Co-developed with members of the campus community, these AI tools are designed to enhance learning, instruction, research, and administration across campus.

In addition, the university has established guiding principles for the use of AI. These resources provide framework and guidance for the responsible and ethical use of AI across the academic community to help faculty, staff, and students. These guidelines are expected to evolve as the tools, student expectations, and pedagogical approaches change.

“When we talk about ‘integrate' in the context of AI, we’re not just referring to adopting new tools—we’re talking about rethinking how we work, teach, and serve,” says Charmaine Madison, George Mason’s chief information officer. “AI is no longer optional; it’s a transformative force that’s already reshaping higher education. The challenge before us isn’t whether to use AI, but how to integrate it thoughtfully and effectively into the fabric of our university.”

Patriot Chat — A general-purpose conversational assistant
DocuMate — A large-scale document analysis assistant
PatriotPal — A virtual assistant for students, providing George Mason-specific information about administrative procedures, academic policies, and services
NourishNet — A resource connector for student food insecurity
CourseMate — A student learning assistant that helps students understand lecture content, analyze research articles, inter-pret textbook materials, and prepare for exams
SyllaBright — A course design assistant that helps faculty develop and refine educational materials

“Artificial intelligence is transforming industries, reshaping societal norms, and challenging long-standing ethical frameworks. This course [AI: Ethics, Policy, and Society] provides critical insights into the ethical, societal, and policy implications of AI at a time when these technologies are increasingly deployed in areas like health care, criminal justice, and national defense.”

Jesse Kirkpatrick, co-director of the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center

INSPIRE AI

Designing Curriculum for the Future Workforce

As a leader in preparing career-ready talent for the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region, George Mason is developing courses, curricula, and degree programs to better prepare our students for a rapidly changing world.

AI: Ethics, Policy, and Society, an interdisciplinary graduate course, debuted in spring 2025. Designed to prepare students to tackle the ethical, societal, and governance challenges presented by AI, this course draws expertise from the Schar School of Policy and Government, the College of Engineering and Computing, and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
In fall 2025, a new undergraduate course open to all students, AI4All: Understanding and Building Artificial Intelligence, taught by Shehu, will be offered for the first time.
In addition to a master’s degree in computer science and machine learning, a 14-credit ethics and AI minor for undergraduates of all majors, and a responsible AI graduate certificate, George Mason is Virginia’s first public university to offer a stand-alone master’s degree in AI. The first students in this program begin this fall.
A new PhD in Robotics, recently approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, is the first of its kind in the commonwealth and is already drawing interest from students.

George Mason also partners with tech leaders like Google and Amazon Web Services to offer certifications in data analytics, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, enhancing student expertise.

Using AI in the Classroom

At University Career Services, career counselors are already seeing the impact of AI on graduates’ job searches. Many companies are expecting grads to arrive well versed and prepared to handle AI in the workplace. Faculty members are preparing these students by introducing AI in the classroom.

In the Costello College of Business, students are introduced to AI and LLMs in ACCT 661 Advanced Accounting Analytics I, and in later courses, the students are asked to think creatively about how they can use AI to change the future of accounting and auditing, says Professor Steven Maex.
The capstone project in Maex’s ACCT 771 Audit Analytics class asks students to develop a new tool or use case for AI or analytics that can improve the efficiency or effectiveness of traditional ways of working.
In her MGMT 421 Advanced Human Resource Management course, Cindy Parker, BS Psychology ’92, MA ’94, PhD ’98, has students use generative AI to help them develop a structured interview guide, after they do some initial work on their own. “I teach them some prompt engineering best practices, and they are asked to critique the output generated by AI,” says Parker.
Professor Tyler Cowen, BS Economics ’83, is using his book GOAT: Who Is the Greatest Economist of All Time and Why Does It Matter? as the primary text for his ECON 895 History of Economic Thought course. Published in GPT 4 and Claude 2, the book comes with a chat bot, allowing students to ask questions and receive responses.

INNOVATE AI

Building a Responsible Ecosystem

George Mason researchers are focused on tackling the world’s most urgent challenges with a vision for societal change. The university’s ecosystem of cutting-edge research, incubators and other resources for entrepreneurs, a robust tech transfer program, and industry partners helps foster interdisciplinary collaborations and substantiate a cycle between foundational and user-inspired AI research within ethical frameworks.

The university hosts workshops, conferences, and public forums to shape the discourse on AI ethics and governance while forging deep and meaningful partnerships with industry, government, and community organizations to develop impactful AI technologies for a richly diverse global society.

Schar School of Policy and Government researcher J. P. Singh has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Minerva Research Initiative to study the economic and cultural determinants for global AI infrastructures and their implications for international security.
College of Public Health researchers Farrokh Alemi and Kevin Lybarger have received George Mason’s first Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute award for developing an AI system, using LLMs, that helps patients find the right depression medication.
College of Engineering and Computing researchers Abolfazl Safikhani and Tianshu Feng are using machine learning to develop a tool to improve transparency and assist government decision-makers and urban planners with land use and development.
Costello College of Business researchers Yi Cao and Long Chen are exploring how individual investors can use LLMs, like Gemini, to glean market insights from publicly available data about companies.

IMPACT AI

Driving Community Engagement and Adoption

The university’s AI-in-Government Council is a partnership between academia, public-sector tech providers, and government. It is a trusted resource for advancing AI approaches, governance frameworks, and guardrails to guide the development and deployment of responsible AI in government.

Leading experts and faculty also participate in statewide efforts. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Jamil Jaffer, the founder and executive director of the National Security Institute (NSI) at George Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School, to his AI Task Force, which is working with legislators to regulate rapidly advancing AI technology. Jaffer and NSI Fellow Zach Graves are two of the 10 appointees to the task force.

Shehu and Padhu Seshaiyer, a professor of mathematical sciences in the College of Science, were appointed by Youngkin to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s EO30 task force. EO30 refers to Youngkin’s Executive Order 30, which calls for the “Implementation of Standards for the Safe Use of AI Across the Commonwealth.”

Even the summer camps are getting involved. The Accelerated College and Employability Skills (ACCESS) Academy lab school brought high school students to Fuse at Mason Square for an AI Summer Camp where students explored the basics of machine learning through hands-on projects. Students in the monthlong AI4Defense summer program not only gained technical and communication skills but also engaged in customer discovery—working directly with mission partners to define problems and tailor AI solutions accordingly.

In May, George Mason hosted the AI in Education Summit with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, bringing K-12 educators together with thought leaders from academia and industry. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

2025 Celebration of Distinction honors alumni leaders

Colleen Rich — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 20:01:01 +0000

2025 Celebration of Distinction honors alumni leaders Colleen Rich Mon, 09/15/2025 - 16:01

For more than 30 years, ��’s Alumni Association (GMUAA) has recognized the achievements of George Mason alumni at its annual Celebration of Distinction awards program. Since it was first held in 1975, this program has evolved from a reception honoring four alumni, to become one of the premier Alumni Association functions each year.

The GMUAA selects five nominees for the following awards: Alumnus/a of the Year, Alumni Service Award, Faculty Member of the Year, Senior of the Year, and Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.). Distinguished alumni from colleges/units and alumni chapters were also recognized.

Here are this year’s top five honorees:

Photo provided

Saddam Azlan Salim, BS Public Administration ’12, MPA ’15, is Alumnus of the Year. While growing up in his native Bangladesh, Salim and his family experienced severe drought followed by the flood of 1998, the country's most extreme and long-lasting flood of the century. His family came to the United States when he was 10. After experiencing homelessness shortly after moving to the United States, his family settled in Fairfax County, Virginia, where Salim attended Falls Church High School and then ��. He now works in federal financial management and consulting. In November 2023, he was elected to the Virginia Senate and represent the 37th District.

Photo provided

Janis P. Tupesis, BA Biology ‘95, received the Alumni Service Award. He is a faculty member in the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and vice president of the International Federation for Emergency Medicine. He is recognized for his global work on emergency health care and education and received the 2018 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the Global Emergency Medicine Academy. Among his roles, Tupesis serves as a volunteer technical consultant at the emergency, trauma, and acute care program in the World Health Organization’s Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence, and Injury Prevention. During his time at George Mason, Tupesis was a student athlete—serving as an outside hitter on the men's volleyball team for four years.

Photo provided

Merone Hailemeskel, BA Economics ’15, MPP ’17, received the Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award. She is the digital director and communications associate for former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. Hailemeskel also worked on the first lady’s Reach Higher initiative, where she led research efforts and awarded more than $250,000 in grants to support public school teachers and school counselors, and the Better Make Room campaign, which encourages students to complete their education past high school. She was previously communication and digital director at Common App, supporting their 900 member colleges and universities.

Photo provided

Leeya Mehta, director of George Mason’s Alan Cheuse International Writers Center, is Faculty Member of the Year. She is a prize-winning poet, fiction writer, and essayist whose short fiction and poetry have appeared in publications nationally and internationally. Mehta received the 2024 College of Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty Civic Excellence Award for her work within the classroom and the curation of the Baldwin100 project that celebrated the centennial of James Baldwin's literary contributions. The project collaborated with 16 Washington, D.C., area organizations to produce 28 events and exhibitions featuring dozens of visual artists, musicians, and writers and received two American Graphic Design Awards. Read more about her.

Photo provided

Haley White, BA Art History; BS Business Management ’25, is Senior of the Year. As a student, the Lynchburg, Virginia, native helped lead the Costello College of Business Day of Service event, which included packing 3,000 pounds of donated food. White was the design lead for the Mason Chooses Kindness Guidebook, served as a teaching assistant, and was the creative mind behind many posters and flyers on campus. She co-wrote numerous articles and was featured in the Costello College’s brand launch video. She plans to spend time working in North Carolina and traveling following graduation. Read more about her.

In addition to the five honorees, 18 alumni received Distinguished Alumni Awards from their school, college, or affinity alumni chapter at this year’s September event.

See the full list of awardees

Connect with the Alumni Association

A Brief History of George Mason Robots

Katarina Benson — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:59:40 +0000

A Brief History of George Mason Robots Katarina Benson Fri, 09/12/2025 - 11:59

From the pioneering RB5X that graced our alumni magazine's cover in 1986 to today's cutting-edge rescue robots that can navigate through smoke and fog, our students and faculty have consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible. This journey through George Mason's robotics history showcases more than just technological achievements—it reveals how our community approaches complex challenges with creativity, determination, and purpose.

Click any image to view a larger version.

Cover Photo by Carl Zitzmann

1986

George Mason’s first robot named R B5 X graces the cover of an early alumni magazine.

Photo by Office of University Branding

2010–2014

RoboPatriots take on the world in international competitions. Read more about them.

Photo by Alexis Glenn

2015

Erica Cohen, MEd ’15, uses a VGo robot to attend the College of Education and Human Development’s degree celebration while she is at her child’s graduation 250 miles away.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

2018

Mechanical engineering students build a robot called Thunder Rat to inspect campus storm drains. Read more about Thunder Rat.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

2019

Computer engineering students design and build a robotic fish called Bumblebee for their capstone design project. Here Bumblebee goes for a test swim in Mason Pond. Pictured from left, George Mason students Sergio Cruz and Morteza Eskandari, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering professor Feitian Zhang, and student Blazej Horyza.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

2019

Starship robots begin rolling out for food delivery on Fairfax Campus.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

2023

Patriot Pilots showcase their autonomous lighter-than-air robotic vehicles.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

2023

George Mason student Ze Li (right) built this autonomous surface water robot from scratch using CAD modeling and 3D printed materials. The robot is seen here in the pond at the Potomac Science Center. Learn more about this project.

Photo provided

2024

From left, computer science PhD student Rezoan Ahmed Nazib, computer science professor Parth Pathak, and computer science PhD student Ahmad Kamari with a rescue robot that can "see" through smoke and fog. Learn more about their work.

Code, Compassion, and Competition: George Mason's Robots Are on a Mission

Colleen Rich — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 14:44:22 +0000

Code, Compassion, and Competition: George Mason's Robots Are on a Mission Colleen Rich Fri, 09/12/2025 - 10:44

At ��, we love our robots. You can’t visit the Fairfax Campus without seeing a robot roll by. We even made the national news by being the first U.S. university to use Starship robots for food delivery.

But George Mason’s affinity for robots and robotics goes far beyond having a pizza or a latte delivered to a dorm room. Our students and faculty are building and training autonomous robots for a variety of purposes and studying how humans and machines interact to better understand what it means to use and even depend on these technologies.

Cross-disciplinary research centers, such the Mason Autonomy and Robotics Center, the Center for Advancing Human-Machine Partnerships, and the Applied Psychology and Autonomous Systems (ALPHAS) Lab, are just a few of the units across the university tackling this work and including students in the research.

These stories provide a snapshot of some of the work currently taking place.

Drones and Rovers to the Rescue

As the saying goes, if you love something, set it free. If it maps an area, finds a target, delivers a package, and comes back, the trophy is yours forever. Or something like that.

George Mason's team competed in the Raytheon Autonomous Vehicle Competition for the second year. As the reigning champs, they had a lot to prove.

Read the full story >>

Deception and Human-Robot Interactions

How likely are humans to trust a robot, especially if that robot has the capacity to lie? This is the question �� psychology doctoral candidate Andres Rosero is exploring in his research.

“This study is one of two that examine moral norms in robots and how in breaking these moral norms, humans accept and justify the robot's behaviors,” explains Rosero.

Read the full story >>

Take a photographic journey through the history of robots at �� >>

Carter School alumna is nurturing the next generation of peacemakers

Katarina Benson — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 16:26:45 +0000

Carter School alumna is nurturing the next generation of peacemakers Katarina Benson Thu, 08/21/2025 - 12:26

For nearly two decades, �� alum Nawal Rajeh, MS Conflict Analysis and Resolution ’10, PhD Conflict Analysis and Resolution ’24, has been transforming the way Baltimore’s youth see themselves—shaping them into peacemakers through long-term relationships, hands-on education, and a community-wide commitment to nonviolence. Her work is a testament to the enduring connection between academic training and grassroots action.

When Rajeh first arrived at George Mason in 2008 as a graduate student, she was already deeply rooted in the work of peacebuilding. She had just cofounded a peace camp in East Baltimore while serving as a Jesuit volunteer there. The Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution had long been on her radar as a place to deepen her understanding of conflict resolution and community-based change.

Nawal Rajeh with a peace camp participant. Photo provided

After earning her master’s, Rajeh cofounded the nonprofit By Peaceful Means, which focuses on youth empowerment, peace education, and employment opportunities for young people. This year marked the organization’s 19th Peace Camp, a free program serving children ages 5–13, with opportunities for former campers to return as junior and senior counselors well into their 20s.

"We see the children’s growth in social, emotional, and conflict skills, and they’re building their own identities as peacemakers,” she said. “Some have been with us since the very first year, and now their own children are campers.”

Rajeh says her Carter School experience is inseparable from the evolution of her work. “I had a background as a community organizer before I came to the Carter School. Blending that with what I learned here made me feel that being in a community long-term and doing peace work was the way to go,” she explains.

Courses on peace education and exposure to different grassroots models have shaped everything from the camp’s curriculum to how the team measures impact year after year.

Her efforts extend beyond the camp. Partnering with Carter School faculty on the Baltimore Peacebuilding Project, Rajeh interviewed more than 20 local organizations working on violence intervention and peace education and later convened a Peace Summit, which brought these groups together to share current work, identify gaps, and explore collaborations. Much like cities map crime statistics by neighborhood, summit participants mapped Baltimore’s peacebuilding efforts.

“One participant runs eight Safe Streets sites, and all of them had zero homicides up to that point in the year,” Rajeh said. “It’s incredible—and it’s the kind of work you don’t hear about on the news.”

More than 90% of By Peaceful Means’ funding comes from individual donors, underscoring the deep community trust and investment in their mission. For Rajeh, the most meaningful moments come when former campers share how the program shaped them. One young woman, who faced repeated school suspensions in her early years, told Rajeh as a college senior that Peace Camp gave her the skills, confidence, and support network she needed to chart a different path.

“This whole community has been built around Peace Camp,” Rajeh says. “It’s cocreated by all of us. It’s like its own peace ecosystem now, and people feel like they have family here.”

For current students and aspiring peacebuilders, Rajeh’s advice is simple: “Seek out who’s already doing the work. Be humble and open to learning from the community—not just about its challenges, but about its wisdom and strengths. Build relationships and truly become part of the community.”

Reflecting on her George Mason roots, Rajeh says, “There’s a kind of wonder in being part of this network of changemakers, scholars, and peacebuilders, all connected by the thread of the Carter School. It’s like belonging to an invisible community — I may not know everyone, but the connection makes anything feel possible.”

Connect with the Carter School

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