Campus News

College of Public Health announces Terri Rebmann as inaugural Divisional Dean of the School of Nursing

Taylor Thomas — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:12:28 +0000

College of Public Health announces Terri Rebmann as inaugural Divisional Dean of the School of Nursing Taylor Thomas Wed, 01/29/2025 - 12:12

The ��AV College of Public Health is pleased to announce that Terri Rebmann PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC, has been selected as the inaugural Divisional Dean of the School of Nursing after a national search. The appointment of the first Divisional Dean reflects the critical role of the School of Nursing in achieving the mission of the college and delivering health and well-being for all.

Terri Rebmann PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC

Rebmann is a nationally respected leader and scholar in nursing, infection prevention, and global health security and brings more than 25 years of higher education experience to George Mason. Her research interests include health care and public health professional disaster preparedness, medical countermeasures during infectious disease disasters, and reunifying children and families during disasters.

“Dr. Rebmann is a widely respected trailblazer in the nursing community and will bring energy, compassion, and strategic leadership as the inaugural Divisional Dean. Dr. Rebmann embraces the vital role of nursing in public health, and she is the ideal leader to guide the school in its mission for excellence in practice and nursing education,” said College of Public Health dean Melissa Perry.

Rebmann departs Saint Louis University (SLU) after a 25-year career. While at SLU, she served as the director of the Institute for Biosecurity and Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Saint Louis University (SLU). Prior roles at SLU include associate dean for academic and faculty affairs in the College for Public Health and Social Justice (CPHSJ), special assistant to the president for COVID-19, and program director of the biosecurity and disaster preparedness academic programs within CPHSJ.

At SLU, Rebmann helped start and manage the biosecurity and disaster preparedness academic (BSDP) programs, a critical field for preparing for and responding to bioterrorism, outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases, and pandemics. The BSDP program quickly became the largest concentration within the MPH program at SLU and developed professionals who went on to lead the response to the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, emergence of MERS CoV, the Ebola Crisis of 2014-2016, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

While serving as special assistant to the president at SLU, Rebmann helped lead SLU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including leading multidisciplinary teams to discuss and develop evidence-based COVID-19 safeguards and policies that were in line with university mission and values, developed and managed the SLU contact tracing team, testing clinics, and vaccination clinics.

Rebmann earned her PhD in Nursing from SLU; her Master of Nursing in the Clinical Nurse Specialist Tract from the University of Missouri, Columbia; and a Bachelor of Nursing from Truman State University.

She has authored and co-authored more than 140 peer-reviewed publications. Rebmann is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Association of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Professionals (AHEPP). She currently serves as a member of the APIC Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force and on the Test Writing Committee for the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC).

Active in the St. Louis community, Rebmann has collaborated with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health to improve biological disaster preparedness and response and with several childcare agencies to improve vaccine uptake.

Rebmann will assume her role as Divisional Dean on March 3, 2025.

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Master of Health Administration program wins award for excellence in innovative education from CAHME

Taylor Thomas — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 14:45:12 +0000

Master of Health Administration program wins award for excellence in innovative education from CAHME Taylor Thomas Mon, 01/27/2025 - 09:45

In This Story

Brenda Helen Sheingold, PhD, RN, FNAP

��AV’s Master of Health Administration program has been honored for pioneering innovative education and instruction.

The Master of Health Administration (MHA), Health Systems Management program won the prestigious Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) award for innovative health care education.

Each year, the CAHME/George and Regi Herzlinger Innovation Education Award for the Development of Educational Skills Focusing on Invention, Evaluation, and Adoption of Innovation in Healthcare honors a CAHME-accredited program that has set the standard for inventive academic rigor and preparation of the next generation of health care administration professionals.

Graduate students enrolled in HAP 704 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare visit Capitol Hill. Read more.

“Our Master’s in Health Systems Management (MHA) program empowers students with the real-world skills and insights needed to excel in the competitive health care industry,” said Brenda Helen Sheingold, associate professor and division director of health administration and policy. "By graduation, our students possess hands-on experience that directly aligns with employers' needs and positions them as leaders in the field. This award recognizes how evolving innovative education with faculty colleagues, community partners and alumni contribute to successful and productive graduates. We are committed to a trajectory of success for the next generation by continually originating new education models and techniques."

This accolade includes a $10,000 grant to further innovation efforts in health systems education. The award will be presented March 23, 2025, at the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Congress in Chicago.

CAHME is the only organization formally recognized as the accrediting body for master's level health care management programs in the United States and Canada. The MHA prepares students to become leaders in evolving health systems and health-related organizations by guiding them to develop strategic, business, analytic, and decision-making skills needed to navigate the rapidly changing health care industry successfully. The program is ranked at #32 by U.S. News and World Report.

Read more about George Mason and College of Public Health program rankings.

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��AV leads Virginia with strong U.S. News online program rankings

Colleen Rich — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 18:53:30 +0000

��AV leads Virginia with strong U.S. News online program rankings Colleen Rich Fri, 01/17/2025 - 13:53

��AV continues to distinguish itself as a top academic institution and a top 50 public university. Today, U.S. News & World Report released their 2025 Best Online Programs rankings, highlighting the university’s exceptional offerings across several disciplines, especially for veterans.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

George Mason advanced its rankings in nearly every online master’s degree program where it was included. The university is one of just five institutions in Virginia ranked in at least nine of the 13 categories where it is included, earning No. 1 rankings in four of those categories, more than any other university in the state for these categories.

“These rankings affirm that George Mason is a leader in Virginia in producing graduates for high-demand industries critical to the growth and prosperity of the commonwealth,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “We achieve these outcomes by partnering with industry leaders to develop academic programs that prepare graduates for a rapidly evolving workforce.”

A Leader for Military-Affiliated Students

With more than 4,700 students identifying as active-duty service members, veterans, or dependents, George Mason remains a vital resource for Virginia’s largest military-connected community. This year, approximately 20% of the university’s incoming freshman, transfer, and graduate cohorts have military connections, reinforcing the university’s reputation as a top destination for military-affiliated students.

George Mason earned the top spot in Virginia and nationally among public universities for its MBA program for veterans, and was first in Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region for its master’s in nursing for veterans.

In September 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked George Mason as one of the state’s best colleges for veterans. The university was also recognized with “Gold” status as a top Military Friendly University, underscoring its commitment to supporting those who have served.

“We are proud to serve a region that is home to a significant number of military members, veterans, and their families,” said Jennifer Connors, George Mason’s director of Office of Military Services. “At George Mason, we are committed to providing resources to support their unique needs. It is our duty to honor their service to our nation by empowering them to excel academically and professionally.”

Strong Performances Across Disciplines

In addition to its programs for veterans, George Mason’s online master’s programs excelled in several other areas: education, nursing, business, and engineering.

Northern Virginia boasts some of the nation’s top public school systems, and George Mason playing a significant role in that success. Approximately half of the region’s K-12 school administrators and an estimated one third of its teachers hold degrees or certificates from George Mason.

In the face of a national shortage of special education teachers, the university’s master’s in special education program stands out, ranking No. 1 in both Virginia and in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and 5th nationally.

“We are thrilled to see our special education program recognized among the top five in the country,” said Ingrid Guerra-López, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “This achievement is a reflection of our faculty’s remarkable expertise, dedication, and innovative approaches to preparing graduates to make a lasting impact in classrooms and communities.”

The School of Nursing within George Mason’s College of Public Health saw significant advancements in its rankings. The master’s in nursing program ranked No. 1 in Virginia, climbing up eight spots to 41st nationally (34th among public universities). Additionally, the Master’s in Nursing for Veterans program rose to 14th nationally (up from 18th), and 9th among public universities (up from 11th).

“Through hands-on clinical training and cutting-edge simulation technologies, our students are equipped with unmatched knowledge and cultural competencies,” said College of Public Health dean Melissa J. Perry. “Our graduates are among the most well-prepared nurses in the country.”

The Costello College of Business earned significant accolades, with its MBA for veterans program climbing to 30th (up from 41st) among public universities and 34th nationally (up from 50th). The MBA program also rose to 41st among public universities (up from 54th), 55th nationally (up from 74th), while its non-MBA program ranked 39th among public universities (up from 44th) and 56th nationally (up from 62nd).

George Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing saw two of its newest programs make strong debuts. The master’s in industrial engineering is best in Virginia and 10th nationally. The master’s in engineering for veterans’ program ranked 29th nationally. The master’s in engineering program climbed 22 spots to 45th nationally, and 38th among public universities (up from 51st).

The new master’s in IT for veterans program also made a strong first impression, ranking 21st nationally and 13th among public universities.

A Commitment to Excellence in Online Education

The strong performance of George Mason’s online programs aligns with the university’s mission to support students where they are. The flexible class offerings are a welcome boon to the university’s large number of post-traditional students, many of whom are professionals who continue to work full-time jobs and family responsibilities while pursuing academic goals to enhance their careers.

Check out the full list of George Mason rankings at gmu.edu/rankings.

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Mason Arts Amplified Releases New Content, including performances by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Cirque Kalabanté, and more!

Laura Mertens — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:57:45 +0000

Mason Arts Amplified Releases New Content, including performances by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Cirque Kalabanté, and more! Laura Mertens Thu, 01/16/2025 - 10:57

Rising star British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason performs Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Center for the Arts on January 28, 2024.

New content will launch throughout January 2025 on Mason Arts Amplified, Mason Arts’s digital venue that features live and on-demand performances, lectures, behind-the-scenes talks, and more from ��AV’s Center for the Arts, the Hylton Performing Arts Center, and College of Visual and Performing Arts.

The limited-release recording of the London-based Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), featuring “phenom” (San Francisco Chronicle) British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason, will is available to watch through February 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Center for the Arts under the direction of Maestro Vasily Petrenko on January 28, 2024, the program featured Kanneh-Mason’s powerful performance of Prokofiev’s popular Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26, “a dazzling kaleidoscope of a piece” (The Times). Repertoire also included Debussy’s Danse (orch. by Ravel) and Rimsky-Korsakov’s beloved Scheherazade, Op. 35, culminating in a standing ovation from the crowd. The concert was described by an attendee as “one of the best concerts we ever experienced at the center.” Another audience member declared, “This performance has to rank among the 25 best I have ever seen.”

“Notable for the beauty of the orchestral sound” (The Guardian), the RPO made its triumphant return to the Center for the Arts—having performed there previously in 2022—with rising star Kanneh-Mason, who served as the RPO’s 2022/2023 Artist-in-Residence and has been hailed by BBC Music Magazine as “a pianist who makes lines sing beautifully and virtuosic passages dance, finding intimacy and eloquence at telling moments.” The eldest of a famous family of seven musically gifted siblings who have been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, Kanneh-Mason performed with Sir Elton John in Los Angeles in 2013, inspiring the pop icon to pay her tuition at the Royal Academy of Music. She has since performed as guest soloist also with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Toronto Symphony, and Stockholm Philharmonic, among others; and recorded four solo albums for the Decca Classics label. She recently performed an NPR Tiny Desk Concer t that aired Jauary 7, 2025.

Read Isata Kanneh-Mason’s advance Q&A with WETA Classical about the Prokofiev and her performance at the Center for the Arts. The performance, which was sponsored by the Tom and Evelyn Kiley Fund, is available on Mason Arts Amplified for $15.

Cirque Kalabanté performs Afrique en Cirque, which was recorded at the Hylton Performing Arts Center in November 2024.

Also available on January 16, 2025 at 1 p.m. ET is the limited release performance by Cirque Kalabanté, recorded in front of a live audience on November 16 and 17, 2024 at the Hylton Performing Arts Center’s Merchant Hall in Manassas, Virginia, on ��AV’s Science and Technology Campus. This performance is also available to watch through February 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Cirque Kalabanté’s multisensory extravaganza, Afrique en Cirque, delivers a unique fusion of African arts and European circus traditions. Daring acrobats and dancers perform gravity-defying feats accompanied by the pulsating rhythms of a live Afro jazz ensemble. Inspired by life in his native Guinea, the founder of Cirque Kalabanté Yamoussa Bangoura created Afrique en Cirque to celebrate the vitality, joy, and beauty of African culture. “Explosive drumming and dance routines, the group delivered mind-blowing acrobatic sequences with extraordinary precision” (Vice Magazine). The performance is available for $15.

Accessibility as Inclusion participants from left: Moderator Niyati Dhokai, program director for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative at George Mason, and panelists Amanda Loerch, captioner with c2 and director of patron services at Sixth & I; Betty Siegel, director of the Office of Accessibility and VSA at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Ermyn King, audio describer, consultant, and arts educator; and Rachael Abbott, actor, theater artist, and advocate.

Additional College of Visual and Performing Arts events released in January will include the Accessibility as Inclusion: Panel Conversation, exploring strategies and practices arts spaces can utilize to provide fully accessible arts programming, and how these techniques impact the audience’s sense of inclusion and belonging. Available on January 23, 2025, at 1 p.m. ET for free, this discussion was recorded live on November 13, 2024, at the Center for the Arts, moderated by Niyati Dhokai, program director for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative at George Mason. Panelists included Amanda Loerch, captioner with c2 and director of patron services at Sixth & I; Betty Siegel, director of the Office of Accessibility and VSA at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Ermyn King, audio describer, consultant, and arts educator; and Rachael Abbott, actor, theater artist, and advocate.

Then on January 30, 2025 at 1 p.m. ET, the Legends and Legacies event presented by The LIVE Center (The Center for Live Interactive Virtual Education) and George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. In this first installment of the LIVE Center’s new Legends and Legacies series, which celebrates the leading artists of our time, Tony Award-nominated performers and husband-wife duo Terrence Mann and Charlotte d'Amboise participated in a virtual discussion (streamed in real time from the National Dance Institute in New York and projected onstage at the Harris Theatre on George Mason’s Fairfax Campus, moderated live by George Mason's School of Theater Professor Edward Gero.

The Mason Arts Amplified platform—formerly known as Mason Arts at Home, launched in April 2020 during the pandemic—gives digital audiences the opportunity to experience the work that takes place across our campuses. Digital programs include pre-performance discussions with world renowned artists like choreographer Mark Morris; the “Silkroad and the American Railroad” course, produced in collaboration with the Silkroad Ensemble and the 92nd Street Y; performances by Mason Jazz, Mason Opera, Mason School of Theater, and much more.

Create a free account and explore enriching Mason Arts content from anywhere.

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How Visiting International Scholars Contribute to the Academic Community: Meet Maurizio Geri

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 18:04:36 +0000

How Visiting International Scholars Contribute to the Academic Community: Meet Maurizio Geri Andrew J Schappert Wed, 01/15/2025 - 13:04

Maurizio Geri has wasted no time in exploring opportunities at ��AV’s Schar School of Policy and Government. The voluble Italian is a distinctive presence in the classroom, at panel discussions, and at various social events held throughout the semester at the school.

Visiting international scholar Maurizio Geri: ‘I had great interactions with interested and passionate students.’ Photos provided.

But Geri, it should be noted, is not a student, nor is he a member of the faculty. He is one of about a dozen Schar School visiting international scholars who spend a predetermined amount of time at the university. The scholars, many of them professors elsewhere, come to the Schar School to use George Mason resources in accomplishing their research and contributing to relevant classroom discussions.

In Geri’s case, the senior strategic international security analyst is capitalizing on his more than 20 years of experience with nongovernmental organizations, think tanks, and international institutions to develop “a better strategy for NATO and European Union cooperation to combat hybrid warfare from Russia and China,” he said.

“The work studies the technology and energy sectors in particular,” he said, with hopes to “improve cooperation in dual-use emerging disruptive technologies.”

Geri, an Italian Navy Lieutenant Reservist-POLAD (a political advisor), was awarded the 2023 EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoc Fellowship’s Horizon Europe, a prestigious and competitive flagship program for doctoral and postdoctoral training through a fellowship from Ca’ Foscari University in Venice.

The practice of universities hosting visiting international scholars began in ancient Greece, with cross-border scholarly exchanges, notably Plato’s Academy of Athens and the Library of Alexandria, where scholars from different regions shared knowledge.

In modern times, the practice was institutionalized in the late 19th century, beginning in Germany and spreading across Europe and into the United States. While the scholars benefit from research resources, the schools—including students and faculty—gain new viewpoints and fresh insights.

Maurizio Geri: ‘Maurizio is eager to work with students and colleagues. He is a wonderful addition to the school.’—Professor of Public Policy Desmond Dinan

“Visiting international scholars such as Dr. Geri enrich the academic climate of the Schar School,” said Schar School dean Mark J. Rozell. “They bring diverse perspectives on public policy issues and help build research and academic program collaborations for our faculty and students.”

Desmond Dinan, the Schar School professor of public policy who supervised Geri’s visit, has seen the effects of a visiting professor first-hand.

“International scholars bring different perspectives, experience, and insights to the classroom and, more broadly, to the intellectual life of the school. Maurizio Geri is a great example,” he said, citing Geri’s credentials and activities on campus.

“He also happens to be a reservist in the Italian navy, which made his participation in my European Security class in the fall of 2024 even more interesting. On top of all that, Maurizio is eager to work with students and colleagues. He is a wonderful addition to the school.”

Among the visiting international scholars at the Schar School is Tetiana Khutor, founder of the Institute of Legislative Ideas, a Ukraine-based think tank that devises legislative strategies and policies to combat corruption, assist asset recovery, and encourage good governance. She also teaches anticorruption policy as a professor at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.

Khutor came to George Mason as an academic participating in the New School’s New University in Exile Consortium, made up of a global group of colleges dedicated to supporting scholars facing threats at home that force them to leave or prevent them from performing meaningful work. George Mason is one of 12 in the United States participating in the program.

Khutor and Geri participated together in a panel discussion on hybrid warfare with Russia’s economic sector hosted by the Schar School Center for Security Policy Studies (CSPS) and they coauthored an op-ed in the influential political publication, The Hill.

In addition to guest lecturing and auditing several classes, Geri published his initial studies on Russian hybrid warfare against Europe’s energy sector and on NATO-EU cooperation in technologies last year in the Journal of Strategic Security and the Security and Defense Journal published by the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense.

At the moment, Geri is continuing his work via the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium. He returns to the Schar School in the fall before finishing his fellowship in Venice in 2026.

“I had great interactions with interested and passionate students” at the Schar School, Geri said. “The faculty is always kind and very prepared. I look forward to being back in the fall.”

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Mark J. Rozell

Desmond Dinan

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The Carter School named a United Nations Academic Impact Sustainable Development Goal Hub Chair

Katarina Benson — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 17:51:09 +0000

The Carter School named a United Nations Academic Impact Sustainable Development Goal Hub Chair Katarina Benson Wed, 01/15/2025 - 12:51

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution was named a United Nations Academic Impact Sustainable Development Goal Hub Chair for (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

There are 17 SDGs, including “No Poverty,” “Clean Water and Sanitation,” and “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.” Currently, George Mason is one of only two universities in the United States to chair a Sustainable Development Goal Hub.

Out of more than 330 applications, George Mason was selected to chair SDG 16 Hub, a position it will hold for the next three years. In a letter from the United Nations, it says George Mason “was selected based on its pioneering research and programs focused on promoting peace and conflict resolution” as well as the university’s educational policies.

As Hub Chair, the Carter School will be responsible for education and training, research, community engagement, developing partnerships, and working with other SDG hubs to strengthen and further the United Nations’ mission of peace and justice.

“This prestigious recognition highlights our school’s longstanding commitment and impactful contributions to the field of peace and conflict resolution,” said Carter School dean Alpaslan Özerdem. “As chair for SDG16, we will have the privilege and responsibility of generating, coordinating, and amplifying SDG16-related programs and activities on a global scale. This role represents not only a significant milestone for the Carter School but also an exciting new chapter in our journey toward advancing global peace, justice, and institutional resilience. It positions us to foster meaningful partnerships, drive innovative initiatives, and contribute thought leadership on critical global issues.”

Andre Marshall, George Mason’s vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact, highlighted that this new role aligns perfectly with Mason’s global challenges agenda, offering opportunities to amplify the university’s contributions to global peace and justice. “The Carter School’s successful bid to lead the United Nations Academic Impact SDG16 Hub not only elevates George Mason’s profile in the international community for sustainable development, it is also a well-deserved recognition of the Carter School and George Mason’s leadership in and commitment to producing research, scholarship, and impact that moves the needle on the world’s grand challenges,” Marshall said.

In the coming months, Özerdem will engage with academic and research units across George Mason to identify collaboration opportunities, ensuring a transformative Mason stamp on all aspects of the SDG16 agenda over the next three years.

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Volunteers at Mason Korea share their time and talents in community beautification project

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 14:11:51 +0000

Volunteers at Mason Korea share their time and talents in community beautification project Lauren Reuscher Thu, 01/09/2025 - 09:11

Mason Korea recently joined forces with General Motors (GM) Korea to revitalize a youth home in Incheon's Bupyeong area through a collaborative beautification project. The activity was organized by Mason Cares, which focuses on community engagement around ��AV’s Incheon campus, and Mason Korea’s Office of Development and Strategic Partnership.

Volunteers from Mason Korea painted a mural designed by students and staff. Photo by Mason Korea.

Student, faculty, and staff volunteers, including Mason Korea Campus Dean Joshua Park, worked diligently to bring a mural concept to life. The mural was designed by Mason Korea students and staff, and the volunteer artists received on-site support from the GM Korea team.

Photo by Mason Korea

“I was excited to participate in this project, because I have experience working in mural design from a similar volunteer project at the Smithsonian,” said Victoria Gehring, a sophomore business major.

This marks the second consecutive year of partnership between Mason Korea and GM Korea's mural painting project, underscoring a shared commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.

Photo by Mason Korea

Among the volunteers were four international students and eight participants from the MK Way program, Mason Korea’s conditional admission program offering intensive English instruction for students.

Photo by Mason Korea

Hyewon Lee, a freshman global affairs major, was grateful for the service opportunity. “I try to volunteer often, but it is sometimes difficult to find opportunities,” said Lee. “I was really happy to see this unique painting project organized by our school.”

Photo by Mason Korea

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2024: A Transformative Year for Schar School’s Public-Private Partnerships Center

Kristin Heydt — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 19:18:09 +0000

2024: A Transformative Year for Schar School’s Public-Private Partnerships Center Kristin Heydt Wed, 01/08/2025 - 14:18

The Center for Infrastructure Public-Private Partnership Policy at ��AV’s Schar School of Policy and Government closed out 2024 with groundbreaking achievements that reflect its expanded mission to shape the future of infrastructure through research, education, and collaboration.

The center is led by founding Director Jonathan Gifford, a professor of policy and transportation in the Schar School.

Founding Director Jonathan Gifford

The center, which supports objective evaluations of public-private partnerships (P3s) for infrastructure development, broadened its scope this year, reaching new heights in addressing challenges across sectors.

A New Name, A Broader Horizon

This year marked a pivotal shift for the center as it redefined its mission to encompass infrastructure beyond transportation.

“With a broader focus, the center now considers critical areas such as higher education, K-12 schools, energy, and communications,” said Gifford. “The change underscores a commitment to addressing infrastructure challenges that are increasingly interwoven into every facet of modern life.”

A Forum for the Ages

September saw the 11th annual P3 Forum take place, called Inflection Point: New Capital, New Markets, and New Challenges. The event brought together leading voices from the public and private sectors to explore how P3s are adapting to evolving infrastructure needs.

The keynote address, delivered by Beau Memory, North America president for global infrastructure giant Transurban, showcased major projects in Northern Virginia and across the United States. Panels examined new sources of capital, innovative technologies, and the expanding role of P3s in areas such as electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Leading Research, Building Talent

The center’s academic initiatives flourished in 2024. Masters and PhD students produced pioneering research on P3 opportunities and challenges, contributing to a growing body of knowledge. Their work also addressed the urgent need to develop a robust talent pipeline to support the future of infrastructure development in both the public and private sectors.

Bridging Communities

The center’s faculty and students forged connections with stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and local communities. These partnerships aim to tackle the pressing challenges of creating infrastructure that can adapt to society’s changing demands.

As 2024 draws to a close, the center stands at the forefront of shaping the next generation of infrastructure solutions. Its continued growth signals exciting possibilities for 2025 and beyond.

AI and Cybersecurity: In 2025, the center will explore how artificial intelligence can both improve infrastructure development and introduce new vulnerabilities, such as cybersecurity risks, requiring careful analysis.
Expanding Student Engagement: The research program will continue to support master’s and PhD students, as well as reintroducing undergraduate engagement through the Schar School’s Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP).
2025 P3 Forum: The next forum will take place in Van Metre Hall at Mason Square in Arlington, on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. Information will be announced soon.

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George Mason’s recreation program is helping bring parks to the people

Sarah Holland — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 18:12:27 +0000

George Mason’s recreation program is helping bring parks to the people Sarah Holland Wed, 01/08/2025 - 13:12

One of the special things about Northern Virginia is its blend of thriving city life with vast green spaces. Visitors and residents can enjoy more than 12,000 acres of parks and recreation areas across three counties and three cities thanks to the work of NOVA Parks. This fall, a brand-new park opened in Ashburn, Virginia, with a few familiar faces from ��AV at its helm.

Photo provided.

Reservoir Park is a 600-acre park around Beaverdam Reservoir. Built and operated as a partnership between NOVA Parks and Loudoun Water, the park has conservation and education at the forefront of its design. From plants that filter water runoff into the reservoir, to butterfly roofs that drain water down a singular center path onto rocks to avoid excessive soil erosion, to sustainable build materials, the park preserves the landscape while educating visitors on the lifecycle of a drop of water. Educational installations along the trail also give visitors tactile lessons: a hand pump that demonstrates the amount of force required to bring water from the reservoir to a faucet, for example.

“Most parks are built up over time, with facilities developing as community needs change,” said Paul Gilbert, executive director of NOVA Parks and the executive-in-residence of the recreation management program at George Mason. “I've never seen a park like this one, where everything is designed intentionally with a clear purpose and story in mind. It’s both beautiful and thoughtful.”

The benefits of parks are immense: increased property values, opportunities for physical activity, and mental health improvements, to name a few. “Numerous studies show that the benefits of exercise in nature far exceed exercise indoors,” Gilbert said. “It enriches lives, and it will continue to enrich lives, not just for this season but for generations to come.”

For George Mason students, the benefits of NOVA Parks extend to their education and, for some, even their careers.

Paul Gilbert (left) and Bella Trimner. Photo provided.

“There’s a strong connection between NOVA Parks and George Mason,” Gilbert said. “Through NOVA parks, students have access to internships, practicums, and careers. We help make their education not just academic but very actionable. And in return, we get high-quality employees excited to work in the parks they’ve grown up around.”

One shining example is Bella Trimner, a winter 2024 graduate with a degree in recreation management.

Trimner has a long history with NOVA Parks. She started working at Fountainhead Regional Park as a junior park ranger at 17, quickly rising through the ranks to site supervisor. “I absolutely loved it and realized that this was something I could see myself making a career out of,” she said.

Her supervisor at Fountainhead Regional Park David Deem, a current George Mason student, recommended George Mason for her education because of its nationally recognized recreation management program.

When Trimner made the decision to get her degree and make a career out of parks management, she told the park operations superintendents that she hoped to become a parks specialist in the future.

“My plan was to take that role in five years. Instead, when I had that conversation, they said, ‘Well, we’re actually building a new park that will be similar to Fountainhead. It might be exactly what you’re looking for.’”

It was. Within a year, Trimner became the first parks specialist for the new Reservoir Park. Her days are varied—from running chainsaws for trail clearing, to being an ambassador for the park, to planning park programming—but she believes her education has directly impacted how quickly she has acclimated to this new managerial role.

“I have used assignments from my classes as starting points for programming plans and shared templates with my staff. When we formalized the 8-mile trail around the reservoir, I directly referenced what I'd learned about trail planning and grading from my classes on land acquisition, resource management, and accessibility. We’re implementing an interpretational signage plan that is directly influenced by the course taught by Dr. Ellen Rodgers. There’s so much from my courses that I’m using every day in every aspect of my job,” she said.

Trimner, Gilbert said, is a rock star. “When you step into a manager position at an existing park, you’re improving upon existing procedures, programming, and facilities. But as part of the management team of a brand-new park, Bella is creating all those things. We gave her a blank slate to work with. And she’s done an amazing job.”

As a fellow George Mason graduate, Gilbert firmly believes in the great contributions George Mason offers the community. “NOVA Parks relies heavily on the recreation program at George Mason, and it’s great to have such a strong program with great talent right in our backyard,” Gilbert said.

Trimner agreed. “Seeing George Mason on a resume is a green flag for us."

From left: Recreation management faculty Laurence Chalip, Ellen Rodgers, Brenda Wiggins, Hung-Ling Liu, and Sammie Powers pose with Bella Trimner (far right) and Paul Gilbert (back center). Photo provided.

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Remembering Former President Jimmy Carter: Statesman, Humanitarian, and Peacemaker

Paul Snodgrass — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 22:30:48 +0000

Remembering Former President Jimmy Carter: Statesman, Humanitarian, and Peacemaker Paul Snodgrass Sun, 12/29/2024 - 17:30

��AV’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution Remembers Former President Jimmy Carter: Statesman, Humanitarian, and Peacemaker

Former President Jimmy Carter holding the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Photo credit: the Carter Center.

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at ��AV remembers James “Jimmy” Earl Carter, Jr. 39th President of the United States, as an agent of peace. We send our deepest condolences to his family.

“President Carter’s unwavering dedication to peace has been, and will continue to be, our beacon and guide. Our school’s name is a tribute to President Carter’s commitment to the worldwide peaceful resolution of conflict, which is imperative in today's world, as we face many entrenched and emerging human security threats,” said Carter School Dean Alpaslan Özerdem. “We will further his legacy in conflict resolution through our research and practice. His insight, passion, and love for peace will remain our inspiration in educating future peacemakers.”

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, celebrating President Carter's Nobel Peace Prize, awarded in December 2002. Photo credit: The Carter Center.

“President Carter showed us that the American presidency can be even more than the pinnacle of political power. It can also be a prelude to far greater humanitarian works,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “Tirelessly, humbly, and often unheralded, he led the eradication of Guinea worm in Africa, assured free and fair elections, and devoted thousands of hours of manual labor to help build homes for those in need. In his life, he saved countless lives, brought dignity to countless more, and spread peace throughout our world.”

President, father, husband, author, teacher, Nobel Peace Prize recipient, humanitarian, and peacebuilder, Jimmy Carter led by example. Prior to his election to the presidency in 1976, he served as both Georgia Governor and Georgia State Senator. During his term as president, the Department of Education and the Department of Energy were created.

Carter expanded the national park system and environmental protection legislation. He negotiated the Torrijos-Carter Treaties (1978) and signed the SALT II Treaty with the Soviet Union (1979). He was, perhaps, best known for his mediation efforts in realizing the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel in 1978. Titled the “Framework for Peace in the Middle East,” these dialogues paved the way for peace between these countries, even when such an outcome seemed remote.

Post-presidency, Jimmy Carter conducted peace negotiations and worked to eradicate disease in developing nations. He founded the Carter Center in 1982, and through the center, helped mediate conflicts in Ethiopia and Eritrea, North Korea, Liberia, Haiti, Bosnia, Sudan, Venezuela, and many more war-torn countries. For decades, Jimmy and his wife, Rosalynn, were prominent and active figures in Habitat for Humanity across the globe.

In 2002, Jimmy Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his “decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” He is one of only four U.S. Presidents to receive this honor.

On October 1st, to celebrate his 100th birthday, ��AV awarded President Carter an honorary doctor of humane letters to honor his legacy of selfless dedication to peace and a more just and peaceful world.

Jimmy Carter’s dedication to peace and justice was an example to peacebuilders and mediators and his efforts inspired the renaming of George Mason’s School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution in his honor in 2020. He will be remembered by the staff, faculty, and students at the Carter School and the entire peacebuilding community for his tireless and selfless contributions to peace.

About the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution

��AV’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution is a community of faculty, students, staff, alumni, and partners with a fundamental commitment to building peace. Through the development of cutting-edge theory, research, education, and practical work, we seek to identify and address the underlying causes of conflict and provide tools for ethical and just peacebuilding on the local, national, and global stages.

About ��AV

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