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This George Mason alum mapped her future

Katarina Benson — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 21:21:58 +0000

This George Mason alum mapped her future Katarina Benson Thu, 11/20/2025 - 16:21

In 1998, Brennan Collier, nee Snyder, graduated from ��—and used it as a springboard for everything that came next. She walked off campus with two BA degrees: one in geology, a tried-and-true science path, and the other in environmental science, a program she built herself when the existing offerings didn’t quite match her ambitions.

Collier wasn’t chasing diplomas—she was focused on impact. That same year, she locked down a certificate in environmental management, a fast track to the tools and know-how she’d need in the field. Internships and agency employment followed, giving her a front-row seat to the evolving world of environmental protection—exactly where she wanted to be.

Collier. Photo provided

After increasingly successful positions with public agencies, Collier is now senior vice president of strategic sales and part owner of ATCS, a Virgina-based engineering consulting firm that works with regional public and private clients in transportation planning and roadway design, traffic engineering studies, construction management, and other aspects of transportation infrastructure. You have probably traveled on a roadway in Northern Virginia whose route was determined by her research.

The Chantilly, Virginia, native began her journey in higher education at North Carolina State University, transferring closer to home to George Mason as a sophomore to enroll in the geology program.

"I fell in love with earth sciences in ninth grade,” she said. “And I wanted to do something in environmental science, which was emerging at the time.”

With no environmental science bachelor’s program available—it is now—she worked with counselors in the Bachelor of Individualized Study (BIS) program to select courses across the campus to satisfy her goals.

Two of her professors were particularly inspiring: Geology professors Julia Nord and Richard Diecchio, both now retired. “They really helped me fall in love with what I was doing,” she said.

Also inspirational was a 1998 winter break to the Caribbean, where she performed geological field work at the Bahamas Environmental Research Center on Andros Island. The university was then a partner with facility located on a largely undeveloped island.

“The experience has definitely stuck with me,” she said, “and I appreciate how George Mason was giving back to the community there, especially the young children that would follow us around curious as to what we were doing and why.”

In addition, she was “really lucky to be able to find some internships and part-time positions by just being in the Washington, D.C., area while I was in school,” she said, referencing George Mason’s proximity and access to key institutions in the nation’s capital.

She landed a paid position with Reston, Virginia’s U.S. Geological Survey, where she worked on one of the very first Geographic Information Systems. “I actually digitized the state geological map of Virginia [while a student].”

She also worked with the Environmental Protection Agency in environmental compliance and, as she was finishing up her degree programs, she found a part-time position with the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Northern Virginia District. That experience turned into a full-time job after graduation.

Each of these positions equipped Collier with the skills she continues to use today.

“[VDOT] is where I learned to study the environmental impacts of road and bridge projects, from wetland delineations to obtaining permits to looking at endangered species that might be at risk.”

Collier was the consultant deputy project manager for the Environmental Impact Statement required for the widening of Interstate 64 from Richmond to Hampton in Virginia, a popular highway leading to military bases and beach destinations along the Chesapeake Bay. It’s been 14 years since she started the environmental study and the project, currently under construction in segments, is valued at around $1.3 billion.

“I remind myself as an environmentalist that I’m doing good in the industry in trying to shape some of the decision making so that roads are placed where they need to be,” she said. “We’re not going down the middle of farms like we used to in the early 1950s and ‘60s when they built the original interstate.”

In fact, she frequents the I-64 corridor as she travels from her home in Richmond to her beach house in Cape Charles, Virginia.

“I annoy my 14-year-old daughter all the time because I point out things,” she said. “I say, ‘Hey, you see Camp Peary over there? Do you know the historic significance? [It was a CIA spy school.] Do you know why they felled the trees to widen the road and just left them there? That’s because of the time-of-year restrictions for tree clearing to protect threatened and endangered bats.’

“It’s nice to drive through that and know I had a piece of it, even though it was a small piece.”

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Schar School’s David Ramadan Tapped for Virginia Governor-Elect and Lt. Governor-Elect Transition Teams

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:05:13 +0000

Schar School’s David Ramadan Tapped for Virginia Governor-Elect and Lt. Governor-Elect Transition Teams Andrew J Schappert Thu, 11/20/2025 - 12:05

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Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger (D) and Lt. Governor-elect Ghazala Hashmi (D) have named key members of their transition leadership teams, among them David Ramadan, a two-time Republican representative to the House of Delegates and now a professor of practice at the Schar School of Policy and Government at ��.

Schar School’s David Ramadan has been named to two Virginia statewide transition teams. Photo provided

Ramadan is also host of the Schar School’s flagship podcast, Policy and Governance Perspectives.

Ramadan will contribute to Governor-elect Spanberger’s “United for Virginia’s Future” initiative while serving as chair for Lt. Governor-elect Hashmi’s Housing Committee. He will work to assure that both offices are ready to immediately govern effectively upon taking office on Inauguration Day, January 17, 2026.

A two-time George Mason graduate, Ramadan earned his BA in government and politics in 1993 and his Master of International Transactions in 1995. He later served on the George Mason Board of Visitors from 2010 to 2012, appointed by the Governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, now a Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice at the Schar School.

From 2012 to 2016, Ramadan represented Loudoun and Prince William counties as a delegate, during which he built a strong record in bipartisan lawmaking, education reform, and civic leadership. Today, he brings that same commitment to the classroom, mentoring students at the Schar School and elevating public dialogue through the policy podcast.

The Schar School is a nationally recognized center for public policy and government studies, preparing leaders who shape policy at the local, state, and national levels. Ramadan’s appointment underscores that legacy of service, expertise, and real-world impact.

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National ‘15 Minutes with POTUS’ Contest Crowns Rice Junior as 2025 Policy Briefing Champion

Andrew J Schappert — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:06:04 +0000

National ‘15 Minutes with POTUS’ Contest Crowns Rice Junior as 2025 Policy Briefing Champion Andrew J Schappert Tue, 11/18/2025 - 15:06

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Rice University junior Shreeya Madhavanur, winner of the 2025 “15 Minutes with POTUS” Policy Briefing Competition, receives the $1,500 first-place prize. Photos by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government.

Imagine you have just 15 minutes to brief the President of the United States on a complex global security issue. That is the test at the heart of the “15 Minutes with POTUS” competition, an annual policy challenge hosted by the Schar School of Policy and Government at ��. This year’s event drew 50 of the nation’s top undergraduates from 22 universities, each tasked with presenting a multilateral strategic solution to a modern national security threat.

Shreeya Madhavanur is debriefed by “POTUS."

Rising above the intense competition was Rice University junior Shreeya Madhavanur, who claimed the title of 2025 Policy Briefing Champion for her compelling proposal to establish a Biosecurity Civil Communications Initiative within NATO. Judges commended her precision and poise under questioning, qualities that earned her the top prize and highlighted the competition’s growing reputation as a training ground for the nation’s future policy leaders.

This year’s competition ended Friday, November 7, with the finalists’ presentations in front of a panel of distinguished judges. Finalists were chosen after first-round written brief submissions, judged by Schar School PhD students.

Madhavanur, a business management major with minors in politics, law and social thought, and medical humanities, took home the $1,500 first-place prize. University of Richmond’s Nicholas Ramon Javier, a junior studying history with a Chinese minor, placed second, winning $750, and William and Mary senior Kara (last name withheld by request), a public policy and global studies double major, came in third, winning $500.

The three-member judging panel included Ambassador Rich Verma, former U.S. ambassador to India andformer deputy secretary of state for management and resources, who currently serves as chief administrative officer at Mastercard; Schar School Adjunct James P. Danoy, former national security briefer to President Obama; and Schar School Associate Professor Jeremy Mayer, director of the Master of Political Science program and a noted scholar of American politics who has trained rising diplomats at the State Department. Verma served as “President,” with Danoy and Mayer serving as “Cabinet members” giving contestants a realistic high-pressure briefing environment.

A panel of distinguished judges listens intently as finalists deliver their high-pressure briefings during the concluding round of the competition.

“The briefers gave us excellent insight into the most pressing issues of the day that we need to act on, and act on decisively,” said Verma following the briefings. “I’m so inspired and impressed by how well they did, not only with the subject matter, but on how well they presented.”

The presentations, despite the 15-minute time limit, were dense with data and delivered with passion.

Madhavanur said the idea for her briefing, which called for POTUS to champion a multinational effort to combat misinformation in the world’s health infrastructure, rose from classroom discussions in a course on responsible AI and public health.

“It had so many policy ramifications; it got me thinking about this,” she said.

Javier said his brief, which asked for support in the Philippines and addressed Chinese “below warfare” efforts to disrupt the island nation, said, “as a Filipino American, I’ve spent time thinking about this part of the world on a personal level. I have friends who are interested in cybersecurity, so I began to explore how those two worlds connect.”

And as for Kara, her brief on strengthening alliances to safeguard the development and distribution of the world’s precious minerals, which saw a national security issue, stemmed from a recent paper she wrote about microchips.

“I feel like there’s a secret story going on in U.S. policy,” she said after her brief. “The [actual president] has expressed a lot of interest in rare earth minerals; it’s a critical part of our military and our economy.”

The judges brought their real-world experience into the judging room at George Mason’s Van Metre Hall at Mason Square in Arlington, Virginia—just across the Potomac River from the White House—underscoring the contest’s commitment to realism and proximity to the nation’s policymaking centers.

The momentum was high, but so was the pressure. “POTUS” and the two cabinet members frequently cut in with sharp, unexpected questions that pushed contestants to adjust their arguments in real time. They met the challenge head-on, staying composed and focused as they navigated each curveball with confidence.

Finalists gather and celebrate following their presentations.

“Does that answer your question, Mr. President?” Madhavanur asked POTUS after a reply. “It does? Perfect.”

The students making their debut briefings had already accomplished one of the main skills of briefing, Danoy said.

“It's all about preparation, preparation, preparation, and knowing your subject matter extremely well,” he said, recalling his own briefing sessions with Obama. “You have to know your subject so well that you’re prepared to answer any of the tough questions that might come up during the presentation.”

To that end, Mayer said he was “impressed with the presentation, but I was more impressed with their ability to think on their feet and answer questions that they couldn't have prepared for.They were sharp and bode well for the future of the country.”

Beyond the formal competition, students also benefited from extensive professional development opportunities woven throughout the event. Finalists received one-on-one time with the judging panel and received constructive feedback on both their policy proposals and presentation styles. Participants also had the chance to meet individually with Schar School Career Services for tailored résumé reviews and career guidance. These individualized sessions ensured that every student left the competition not only with a deeper understanding of national security policymaking, but with strengthened professional skills they can carry into internships, graduate programs, and future public service careers.

“Fifteen Minutes with POTUS” offers students a rare, hands-on introduction to the realities of policymaking under pressure. The competition sharpens analytical and communication skills while building the confidence needed for future roles in diplomacy, intelligence, and national security. As the event continues to grow in prominence, it is fast becoming a benchmark experience for students aspiring to careers in public service and global leadership. Stay tuned for the launch of next year’s contest.

Additional reporting by Jessica Bates.

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Reimagining Democracy: Schar School Students Help Write a ‘New Declaration’ at UVA Summit

Andrew J Schappert — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:35:41 +0000

Reimagining Democracy: Schar School Students Help Write a ‘New Declaration’ at UVA Summit Andrew J Schappert Tue, 11/18/2025 - 11:35

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From left, Neelam Gurung, Nia Christy, and Jayden Banks helped write a Constitution for a younger generation at Declaration Next. Photos by University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy.

What would happen if 40 students from a dozen colleges across the commonwealth were brought together for a two-day summit to draft a new declaration for the future of American democracy?

It happened. Three government and international politics (GVIP) students in the Schar School of Policy and Government at �� attended Declaration Next, a multifaceted program presented in October by the University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy as part of its signature Democracy360 initiative.

Nia Christy focuses on the conversation at Declaration Next.

The students—Neelam Gurung, Nia Christy, and Jayden Banks—joined students from colleges and universities around Virginia on UVA’s grounds to engage with scholars and to practice core democratic skills—with the intention of shaping the future of civic engagement.

The program immersed students in the history of the country’s founding of the country followed by guided debates until reaching a “declaration for the modern generation.” Fittingly, the event commemorated next year’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

It was not a passive experience, the Schar School students said. For a day-and-a-half, after enjoying a traditional communal meal know as a Jeffersonian “Feast of Reason,” the participants engaged in working sessions with scholars and practitioners with the intention of creating a unanimous document.

The event, said Gurung, “was an enriching experience. We had many good discussions and debates, which provided a great way to connect and exchange ideas.”

The junior GVIP major said a highlight was being selected for the seven-member committee tasked with synthesizing the resolutions drafted by various subcommittees in the creation of the new declaration.

“Each subcommittee had students from different schools, so it was interesting to see all the different perspectives and ideas,” she said. “Being part of this process helped me learn how to collaborate and bring everyone’s ideas together.”

Banks, a senior in the GVIP program from Alexandria, Virginia, said Declaration Next was his first visit to the historic campus known as “Grounds,” which served as the backdrop of another first for Banks: an organized protest.

During the lunchbreak he and others stepped outside the campus Rotunda to witness an organized community and student protest against the Trump administration’s controversial “compact” with the university to call off federal investigations.

Observing the protest made an impact: “It was certainly timely as our discussions on democracy were being played out right outside the Rotunda” where they were meeting, he said.

Throughout the day, students discussed “how our democracy was in danger and established priorities to inform the next 250 years of our country’s governance,” Banks said. “One of the greatest takeaways I got from this event is the statement: ‘The highest office in the land isn’t the president of the United States, it’s the citizen of the United States.’”

The concept resonated with him.

“I really love this statement because it emphasizes the value of the people as the core of our democracy,” he said. “As a future leader, I hope to live by this statement—serving the people first and ensuring their voices are heard.

“I already knew our democracy was in jeopardy. But participating in this event opened my eyes to the serious challenges our country faces, including the lack of transparency and self-interest in politics. I hope to make a change and protect our democracy.”

Gurung, originally from Pocatello, Idaho, encouraged students to participate in off-campus events such as Declaration Next “because they provide a platform to develop critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills while also fostering meaningful connections with both faculty and fellow students.

“Programs like the ones from the Karsh Institute of Democracy are a great way to get involved and understand more about democracy and civic engagement,” she said.

Students at Declaration Next created a list of priorities for a new Constitution in the University of Virginia’s Rotunda.

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Michael V. Hayden Inducted as Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 17:39:55 +0000

Michael V. Hayden Inducted as Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration Andrew J Schappert Mon, 11/17/2025 - 12:39

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��’s Schar School of Policy and Government proudly congratulates General (Ret.) Michael V. Hayden on his induction as a 2025 Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA). This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of public service, and Hayden’s selection underscores his lifelong commitment to leadership, integrity, and national security.

Michael V. Hayden: ‘I’m grateful for the privilege of being named a Fellow. I look forward to contributing to the Academy’s important work.‘ Photo Creative Services/��

A Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Schar School, Hayden is the founder and namesake of the Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security where he continues to shape the next generation of public servants through his teaching, mentorship, and informative live events.

Hayden joins other Schar School faculty members as NAPA Academy Fellows, including University Professors Emeritus Kingsley Haynes, Timothy J. Conlan, and James Pfiffner; Professor Alan Abramson and Associate Professor Alan R. Shark; and Visiting Professor of Public Policy David Brunori.

“I’ve spent my professional life in organizations where mission, service, and integrity matter deeply—the U.S. Intelligence Community and the United States Air Force,” Hayden said. “The National Academy of Public Administration embodies those same values, and I’m grateful for the privilege of being named a Fellow. I look forward to contributing to the Academy’s important work.”

Hayden brings to George Mason an extraordinary record of leadership and public service spanning more than four decades at the highest levels of government. A retired four-star Air Force general, he is the only person ever to have led both the CIA and the National Security Agency, overseeing some of the most complex intelligence and national security operations in U.S. history.

His career has been defined by a steadfast commitment to protecting the nation while advancing transparency, accountability, and professionalism within the intelligence community. At the Schar School, he continues to share that experience and perspective with students, faculty, and policymakers, enriching the university’s role as a leader in public policy and national security education.

“Congratulations to our founder General Michael V. Hayden on his induction as a NAPA fellow,” said Hayden Center Executive Director Larry Pfeiffer. “NAPA has recognized something we here have known for years—that General Hayden is one of our nation’s most respected leaders and insightful minds, and a voice for pragmatic, practical solutions to our most vexing challenges. Our country will benefit from his participation in this program.”

Election to NAPA is one of the highest professional honors in the field of public administration, recognizing leaders who have made significant and sustained contributions to the effectiveness of government. Hayden joins a distinguished class of new Fellows whose expertise and service exemplify the academy’s mission to build a more effective, accountable, and transparent government.

Founded in 1967 and chartered by Congress, the National Academy of Public Administration is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability of government. NAPA brings together top public administration professionals—scholars, practitioners, and leaders—to tackle the nation’s most pressing management and policy challenges and to strengthen the institutions of American governance.

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Fairfax County Officials Inspire Schar School MPA Students to Pursue Local Government Careers

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:08:52 +0000

Fairfax County Officials Inspire Schar School MPA Students to Pursue Local Government Careers Andrew J Schappert Wed, 11/05/2025 - 14:08

MPA students listen to Fairfax County leaders discuss careers in local government. Photo provided

Nearly 60 current master of public administration (MPA) students and several faculty members in the Schar School of Policy and Government at �� attended the degree program’s annual Local Government Night on November 3 at the Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax, Virginia.

Jim Burroughs, left, and Assistant Chief of Police Eli Cory, MPA ’19. Photo by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

The event was organized by more than 10 MPA alumni employed by the Fairfax County government, including several who served as panelists. Dianne Hon, MPA ’19, a victim specialist with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, led the organizing effort.

The idea, said Associate Professor Jim Burroughs, is to bring MPA students face to face with graduates of the same program who now hold senior positions in local government. It was the 28th time the Local Government Night took place, Burroughs said. It was also his last as he is slated to retire at the end of the fall semester.

The benefits of the meeting flowed both ways as Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill, who admitted to earning his MPA from a school other than George Mason, used his time at the podium to highlight the career possibilities available in local government—particularly within Fairfax County. As he went around the room asking students about their postgraduation goals, he offered examples of how their interests and expertise could translate into careers in county offices in fields including finance, economics, law, and psychology.

Those opportunities were further illustrated by in-depth presentations from several county officials, including Deputy Director of the Department of Management and Budget Katie Horstman, who provided insight as to how she and her staff manage a $11.10 billion budget.

County Executive Bryan Hill addresses the MPA students. Photo by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

Also presenting were members of the county’s first responder agencies, among them Assistant Chief of Police Eli Cory, MPA ’19; Deputy Director of Victim Services Sarai Rivera, MPA ’24; and Assistant Fire Chief John Walser, who emphasized his department’s need for graduates skilled in data collection and analysis to help firefighters and EMTs continuously refine best practices for saving lives and property.

A second panel introduced Schar School MPA graduates active in the county’s emergency preparedness and response departments. Each shared how current federal challenges—such as furloughs, shutdowns, and budget cuts—affect their ability to deliver services to residents.

The speakers included Assistant Director of Domestic Relations in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Marwa Hajahmed, MPA ’24; Senior Social Services Supervisor with Neighborhood and Community Services Keith Grupposo, MPA ’20; and Management Analyst IV with the Department of Family Services Maha Martin, BA Sociology ’04, MPA ’16.

The evening concluded with a session titled “Reflections: The Impact of the MPA Program on My Career” featuring Dianne Hon, and Enterprise Applications Manager for the Fairfax County Park Authority Yeoanny Venetsanos, BA Biology ’00, who is a current MPA student slated to graduate in December.

Deputy Director of the Department of Management and Budget Katie Horstman manages an $11.10 billion budget. Photo by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

“I want to be a more effective public administrator for Fairfax County,” Venetsanos said. “I want to take my management, leadership, and organizational skills and apply them where I can bring value to the organization.”

The MPA program, he added, “is a mile wide and a foot deep—you can see the forest for the trees. It helps because you’re looking at every single service that a government provides.”

For the current MPA students in the audience, the evening was both enlightening and encouraging.

“It was great hearing from so many different county leaders and understanding the various aspects of local government, from budgeting to program implementation,” said Esha Doshi, who works in the county’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. “And it was inspiring to have Bryan Hill connect our interests with real career possibilities.”

Dianne Hon, MPA ‘19, left, and Enterprise Applications Manager for the Fairfax County Park Authority Yeoanny Venetsanos, BA Biology ’00. Photo by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

For Jack Potter, BA Public Administration ’25, a fellow in the school’s Center for Energy Science Policy, the evening was about relationships.

“I think every single speaker talked about making connections—getting to know people and forging real relationships outside of work,” he said. “I also learned that Fairfax is a unique county, not just in Virginia but in the U.S., and there are going to be opportunities everywhere—some great opportunities.”

The speakers each reinforced the personal nature of local public administration, a point that was not missed by faculty members.

“It was truly inspiring to hear from local government leaders about what it’s like to work in a setting where your efforts directly benefit your own community and neighbors,” said Associate Professor and MPA Program Director Mirae Kim. “It’s an experience that feels much more immediate and tangible than the broader, often more distant impact of federal service.”

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When a Military Innovates, Is It Always an Improvement? Meet the Schar School Professor Asking the Question

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:15:58 +0000

When a Military Innovates, Is It Always an Improvement? Meet the Schar School Professor Asking the Question Andrew J Schappert Wed, 10/29/2025 - 09:15

Military innovation has long been hailed as the engine of strategic advantage—but what if it also sows the seeds of defeat? Around the world, generals and defense ministers are racing to understand how drones, artificial intelligence, and cyber weapons are reshaping the battlefield—and whether the very innovations meant to make militaries stronger could, paradoxically, make them weaker.

Kendrick Kuo: ‘I value the school’s commitment to students: helping them apply what they learn to real-world challenges.’ Photo provided

That paradox is at the heart of the research of �� Professor Kendrick Kuo, who joined the school this fall. His research, which he brings to his international relations master’s degree classrooms, explores when radical change in the way armies fight can actually erode their effectiveness.

“My primary focus right now is completing my book manuscript on military innovation, which considers when and how radical changes to the way military organizations fight can actually undermine their performance,” he said. “The topic is particularly important at this moment when militaries around the world are grappling with the implications of emerging technologies and how to adapt to the changing character of war.”

These topics, he said, “are complex and fundamentally about navigating uncertainty and managing risk. Can we know if a military organization is well-prepared for conflict? How much defense spending is enough and what are the proper weapons to buy and the optimal force structure?”

There are few definitive answers, but some answers are better than others, he said.

“The intriguing challenge then is to figure out how to get to those better answers, and we cannot outsource those answers to the military—we can only arrive at them with healthy dialog between civilian and military counterparts.”

Kuo said he was attracted to George Mason and the Schar School of Policy and Government because “it’s a great place to connect strong academic research with policy impact. Being so close to Washington, D.C., means there are opportunities to engage with policymakers and bring those insights back into the classroom.

“I’m also excited about the Schar School’s growing international security program. But most of all, I value the school’s commitment to students: helping them apply what they learn to real-world challenges.”

As for those students, he has found his classrooms at the Schar School feature students “who are engaged and take their learning seriously, even while juggling jobs and other commitments. It’s great to see them show up ready to participate and tackle the material, which makes teaching rewarding.”

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Taiwan Security Monitor: Research Project Turns into a Vital Communication Platform for a Threatened Part of the World

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 15:44:27 +0000

Taiwan Security Monitor: Research Project Turns into a Vital Communication Platform for a Threatened Part of the World Andrew J Schappert Mon, 10/27/2025 - 11:44

A recent map created by Schar School students for the Taiwan Security Monitor: The research platform ‘has evolved exponentially in ways I could not have possibly envisioned when I set off down this path,’ said Michael Hunzeker.

Taiwan lacks its own cable repair vessels, meaning damage to underwater cables crucial to the island nation’s international communications and internet connectivity can take six to eight weeks or more to repair. The lack of repair capabilities is a serious resilience risk and a dire national security concern for a county that is in the crosshairs of China.

That unsettling discovery was made by student researchers at the Taiwan Security Monitor (TSM), a student-driven online research initiative housed at the Schar School of Policy and Government at ��.

Directed by founder Michael Hunzeker, a Schar School associate professor and associate director of the Center for Security Policy Studies, TSM functions with a staff of 18 undergraduate and graduate students who learn to use sophisticated mapping and analytic tools to produce research highlighting Taiwan’s vulnerabilities and strengths.

Hunzeker said the web platform began in 2021 as “an informal research project to create an open-source intelligence map of the Indo-Pacific.” The first iteration was created with the help of then-Master of International Security student Sophia Lutz and several volunteer undergraduates.

The project “has evolved exponentially in ways I could not have possibly envisioned when I set off down this path," Hunzeker said.

Last year, with the help of the newly recruited researchers—including PhD, masters, and undergraduate students working collaboratively—TSM relaunched with a higher profile and a social media presence boasting some 10,000 followers on X alone.

“We have had at least two tweets with over a million views,” Hunzeker said, an indication that the platform is being recognized—and taken seriously.

“Over the last few years, we’ve grown from a small team with limited scope to something that compares to think tanks in terms of insight and contributions to discourse on Taiwan,” said Schar School senior Noah Reed, a government and international politics major.

Reed, who is TSM’s research director, has been with the project since coming to George Mason as a freshman. He was intrigued not only by the research but by the tools that the TSM employs.

TSM uses open-source intelligence (OSINT) to generate data, visualizations, maps, thematic case studies, and other resources for scholars and policy communities. Its updates on arms sales and deliveries, military movements, and maritime and air activity provide accessible information that supports public discourse and informs decision-makers charged with protecting the country from adversaries.

“We also provide tailored data and imagery analysis for private sector companies,” Hunzeker added. “Our work and our researchers have been cited by the Wall Street Journal, Taiwan Plus, CNA/Focus Taiwan, Le Monde, Newsweek, and Taiwan News.”

“We’ve attracted some attention,” said TSM research team lead Joe O’Connor. As a freshman, the international security and law senior discovered the opportunity to work with Hunzeker on the then-incipient TSM project through the Schar School’s Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP). URAP places students interested in learning research methods with faculty mentors who share the same interests.

Monitoring destroyers as they move through the Taiwan Strait and tracking arms sales backlogs for four to six hours a week has inspired O’Connor to pursue intelligence as a post-graduate career, perhaps, “in the public service, in the Pentagon, auditing, something in the policy-making field,” he said.

Reed said TSM teaches its researchers a very unique set of skills not found elsewhere at George Mason.

“Not only do we learn and teach how to bridge the language barrier while doing research,” he said, “but also we get hands-on experience with things like satellite imagery, geolocation, data visualization, and more.

“That helps in pretty much all your research outside of the project but also gives you experience to do anything, from open-source human rights and arms control verification to supply chain risk management.”

Most of the TSM team is made up of volunteers, he said, while other receive a course credit as they acquire research skills.

“We do it because we enjoy the work and think we’re positively contributing to the research environment on Taiwan’s security,” he added.

If any of this sounds interesting, said Reed, “and you have prior experience researching OSINT or Taiwan, you should consider applying to the project for the spring semester.”

Noah Reed: ‘Not only do we learn and teach how to bridge the language barrier while doing research, but also we get hands-on experience with things like satellite imagery, geolocation, data visualization, and more.’

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From the Situation Room to Netflix: Schar School’s Larry Pfeiffer Goes Hollywood

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 14:21:06 +0000

From the Situation Room to Netflix: Schar School’s Larry Pfeiffer Goes Hollywood Andrew J Schappert Mon, 10/20/2025 - 10:21

If the acting and dialogue in the White House Situation Room during the new Netflix movie A House of Dynamite seem authentic, you can thank the Schar School of Policy and Government. Specifically, Larry Pfeiffer, executive director of the Schar School’s Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security at ��.

Jason Clarke, left, and Rebecca Ferguson were counseled by Larry Pfeiffer on how the White House Situation Room operates during a crisis.

In another life, for two years, Pfeiffer actually was the senior director of President Obama’s “SitRoom.”

Pfeiffer, the former chief of staff of the CIA and who also worked at the NSA, knows how to keep a secret. He told no one at George Mason about his role in director Kathyrn Bigelow’s (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty) latest thriller for more than a year until Rebecca Ferguson, the Swedish actor from the Mission: Impossible and Dune franchises, began singing Pfeiffer’s praises in global media.

“They hooked me up with Larry Pfeiffer,” she told the Times of London—and Vanity Fair, and IndieWire, and Tudum, the Netflix magazine—as well as in several promotional panel discussions. “He was the man. He’s basically the guy who Jason Clarke plays [in the film]. He’d been that guy, and he was on set every day.”

Rebecca Ferguson in a scene from A House of Dynamite: Larry Pfeiffer ‘was the man. … He had been that guy, and he was on set every day.’ Photos courtesy Netflix.

Ferguson plays Captain Olivia Walker, Situation Room senior duty officer. Clarke is Admiral Mark Miller, the senior director of the “SitRoom,” reporting to the president, played by Idris Elba. The real-time drama arises when a nuke of “indeterminate origin” makes its way through the skies toward Chicago, giving those in charge of saving the world a mere 19 minutes to respond.

After the producers reached out to Pfeiffer on the recommendation of another consultant, “we did a Zoom call during which I asked if they’d ever visited the real Situation Room,” Pfeiffer said. “When they said they hadn’t, I suggested I could ask the then-incumbent senior director if a tour could be arranged. After a couple weeks of deliberation, they invited us in.”

This entre into a remarkably secure national security facility heightened the film’s realism when it came time to build the set. “The production crew did an amazing job recreating the Situation Room, but also the hallways leading to it, the Oval Office, the press briefing room—even the Navy Mess where we would line up to get our meals,” Pfeiffer said.

In fact, “the ‘SitRoom’ felt so real that one time during production, I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket and for a moment I felt pangs of guilt as if I had brought my phone into a secure facility”—a major violation of security protocol.

As for Ferguson and the other actors, director Bigelow “gave me wide latitude to help them shape their characters and their actions,” he said. “I also offered suggestions to the script. Her remit to me was to help her make it as real as possible.”

Larry Pfeiffer
Photo by Office of University Branding

Feguson’s main takeaway seems to be a comment she’s repeated several times: Pfeiffer told her, “You never lose your [euphemism for cool] in the Situation Room,” she has said. That led to at least one scene being added when Ferguson, as Walker, feels compelled to do just that—walk out of the scene. Bigelow understood the motivation and did the scene again, this time with a camera following Walker out as she loses her cool and works to regain her composure.

“Rebecca Ferguson was a delight to work with,” Pfeiffer said. “She was down to earth and very friendly, eager to learn as quickly as possible what the role of a senior duty officer was, how they would walk and talk, what actions would they be doing at their desk, on their computer, with their phone and headset, how they related to other members of the ‘SitRoom’ team and to the high-level officials she would be dealing with, like the president.”

She also probed him on “what would be their motivation, what made them want to do a job like this? During breaks between filming, she didn’t shuttle off to a trailer or dressing room, she wanted to sit over a meal or a snack and pick my brain,” he said.

Pfeiffer has seen a rough cut of the film in July and attended a private screening earlier this month—the movie is in theaters now; it premieres on Netflix October 24—and said “it’s very good, the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat—and I had read the script and participated in the filming.

“I was especially happy at how Kathryn [Bigelow] captured the dedication, professionalism, and patriotism of the men and women of the Situation Room and the military, even under the worst of circumstances.”

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Vice President Mike Pence joins ��’s Schar School as Distinguished Professor of Practice

Colleen Rich — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 13:41:01 +0000

Vice President Mike Pence joins ��’s Schar School as Distinguished Professor of Practice Colleen Rich Tue, 09/16/2025 - 09:41

Vice President Mike Pence has been named a Distinguished Professor of Practice at ��’s Schar School of Policy and Government. Pence’s arrival this fall marks a significant addition to the institution’s academic community. He will engage with students and faculty, bringing decades of public service, executive leadership, and policy experience into the classroom.

Vice President Mike Pence. Photo provided

Pence served as the 48th Vice President of the United States from 2017 to 2021, following a term as the 50th governor of Indiana and six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. His political career spans the legislative and executive branches, giving him a unique, firsthand understanding of how government operates at multiple levels. His presence on campus adds a high-profile practitioner’s perspective to the study of public policy, governance, and constitutional principles.

“It’s a privilege to join the Schar School as Professor of Practice,” Pence said in a statement. “Throughout my years of public service, I have seen firsthand the importance of principled leadership and fidelity to the Constitution in shaping the future of our nation. I look forward to sharing these lessons with the next generation of American leaders and learning from the remarkable students and faculty of ��.”

“Higher education plays a vital role in preparing Americans not only for career success, but also for lives of service and integrity. Now more than ever we should be investing our time and resources into civil discourse on campus, and I’m honored to contribute to that mission. I look forward to helping students apply enduring American principles to the pressing policy and leadership challenges of our time, ensuring that the values which have guided our nation for generations continue to strengthen the character and promise of our Republic.”

As a professor of practice, Pence will contribute to undergraduate courses beginning in spring 2026 and in public-facing seminars that explore the intersection of politics, leadership, and national governance. His insights into legislative negotiation, executive decision-making, and crisis management—shaped during a time of global pandemic, domestic unrest, and international uncertainty—will offer students an uncommon vantage point into recent history and contemporary challenges.

Vice President Mike Pence greets students at an event at the Schar School after speaking about conservativism, tradition, populism and America's future. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

He is also expected to share lessons drawn from his experience on the campaign trail, in the West Wing, and as president of the U.S. Senate.

Pence’s tenure as vice president and long career in public office will offer students both historical context and practical understanding of leadership at the highest levels of American government.

“The Schar School is proud to welcome Vice President Pence to our faculty,” said Mark J. Rozell, dean of the Schar School. “His disciplined approach to communication and his deeply rooted conservative philosophy provide a principled framework to discussions of federalism, the separation of powers, and the role of values in public life.”

Students pursuing studies in political science, law, public administration, and related fields will have opportunities to engage with Pence through lectures, moderated discussions, and mentorship programs. His appointment underscores the university’s commitment to integrating professional experience with academic inquiry, enriching the learning environment with real-world relevance.

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