diversity equity and inclusion DEI

Students present research on therapeutic alliances, neurodivergent voices, and immigrant parental support groups

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 17:38:48 +0000

Students present research on therapeutic alliances, neurodivergent voices, and immigrant parental support groups Lauren Reuscher Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:38

��AV student researchers were among those that gathered on the Fairfax Campus last week for the Access to Research and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) National Conference. In addition to speakers and breakout sessions on various topics, the two-day conference opened with a poster session with 49 groups presenting their research. These were three of the poster sessions presented.

A total of 49 poster sessions were presented at the Access to Research and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) National Conference on the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

“Addressing Power Imbalance in the Therapeutic Alliance” centers youth client, caregiver, and clinician voices to understand what contributes to a culturally responsive therapeutic alliance and tackles the implications for an imbalance of power in achieving desired outcomes. Clinicians, youth clients, and caregivers were recruited from a specialty anxiety community youth clinic. Researchers are in the process of identifying additional themes represented in participant transcripts and writing up their findings into a manuscript for publication.

Researchers include Sasha Flowers, doctoral student in clinical psychology; Amanda Sanchez, assistant professor of clinical psychology and primary investigator, ACCESS Lab; and MacKenzie Feeken, program coordinator, Center for Evidence-Based Behavioral Health, all from Mason’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences; and Michal Weiss, clinical research coordinator, and Emily M. Becker-Haimes, clinical director, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.

“It feels very meaningful to present my research to audiences that recognize the importance of inclusive excellence and action through research. In my work, action through research means that the effects of my study should extend beyond the walls of the research lab to address mental health inequities.” –Sasha Flowers

Mason President Gregory Washington (center) attends poster presentations at the ARIE National Conference. Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

“Including Neurodivergent Voices through Probing Interviews: A Methodological Approach to Enhance Hiring Practices” focuses on the unique skills and perspectives of neurodivergent individuals, who face disproportionately high unemployment rates. Traditional hiring practices often exacerbate this issue, overlooking the diverse information-gathering and processing needs of neurodivergent individuals. In this study, researchers used the probing interview as an innovative methodological approach to actively engage participants through structured, hands-on activities. The researchers plan to test the validity and effectiveness of probing interviews and recommend further studies applying these methods.

Researchers include Niloofar Kalantari, doctoral student in information technology, School of Computing, College of Engineering and Computing; JeongJin Kim, doctoral student in industrial-organizational psychology, College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Sarah Marie Wittman, assistant professor of management, Costello College of Business; Vivian Genaro Motti, associate professor, information sciences and technology, School of Computing, College of Engineering and Computing.

“At the ARIE conference, we networked with industry representatives who are interested in advancing the lives of neurodivergent individuals at work, and this opportunity opened up doors to future research collaboration with them.” —Niloofar Kalantari and JeongJin Kim

“Building a Support Group for Immigrant Parents with Immigrant Parents: A Community Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) Project” focuses on parent support groups, which often fail to be culturally responsive, strengths-focused, and socio-politically relevant because educators and social service providers do not address the real parenting challenges and contexts of the target population. This project involved 15 meetings with the partner organization, Amigas de la Comunidad, in Alexandria, Virginia, to collaboratively develop a support group through identifying needs/topics for parenting support, culturally relevant strengths and considerations, resources for immigrant families, and supports for parents’ and children’s mental health. The research team will pilot the parent support group this fall, collect data to explore the effectiveness of the intervention, and develop a proposal for future funding.

Researchers include Maribel Tohara Nakamatsu, doctoral student in education, and Rachael Goodman, associate professor, College of Education and Human Development.

“Presenting at the ARIE conference allowed me to showcase the hard work we have been doing in partnership with Amigas de la Comunidad. Additionally, it provided a good opportunity to meet people who share similar interests with us." —Maribel Tohara Nakamatsu

The conference, held on Mason’s Fairfax Campus, included scholars, researchers, and practitioners from higher education, K-12, community organizations, nonprofits, government, foundations, and businesses.

One of the keynotes, educator and priest associate Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu, the daughter of Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu, shared her ideas about seeking common ground in times of conflict and the value of engaging everyone, including those with different perspectives and different cultural and economic backgrounds.

Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu (center) was one of the keynote speakers at the ARIE National Conference. Photo by Ron Aira/��AV

Other speakers included Nolan L. Cabrera, professor of educational policy studies and practice at the University of Arizona, and a panel discussion with industry leaders with experience at organizations including LMI, ManTech, Peraton, Everyone Matters, Inc., and more.

Mason President Gregory Washington emphasized the limited diversity in positions of leadership in the United States, including key roles in business, government, education, media, and entertainment. Washington said, Mason’s inclusive approach to education and learning as the largest public university in the commonwealth can address gaps in access to opportunity and prepare graduates to lead successful careers.

Mason was recently awarded the Institutional Excellence Award from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE).

Learn more about the ARIE National Conference

Read about the keynote speakers

Topics

ARIE

Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Research

diversity equity and inclusion DEI

Harmony in Diversity – Mason's Jazz Vocal Ensemble Hits the Global Stage

Lakin Raybuck — Tue, 26 Mar 2024 17:13:48 +0000

Harmony in Diversity – Mason's Jazz Vocal Ensemble Hits the Global Stage Lakin Raybuck Tue, 03/26/2024 - 13:13

In This Story

Dr. Darden Purcell

At ��AV Dewberry School of Music, the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, directed by Dr. Darden Purcell, has notably marked the past year with accolades that spotlight not just their musical aptitude but the inclusive spirit that defines the university.

This ensemble, distinctively open to auditions from across the university's diverse student body, stands as a living testament to George Mason's core ethos of inclusivity and the unique opportunities it fosters, perfectly embodying the "all together different" spirit that pulses through the campus.

The ensemble's journey through the year was nothing short of remarkable, crowned by winning the prestigious DownBeat Student Music Award for "Outstanding Performance—Large Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Undergraduate College" in spring 2023. This accolade, recognized globally, spotlighted the ensemble's exceptional talent and unwavering dedication, setting them apart in a fiercely competitive field with submissions spanning the globe.

Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble. Photo Credit: Joyce Boghosian

The ensemble's journey of achievements gracefully flowed into another standout moment as they carried the banner for ��AV at the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) conference in November 2023. Standing as the university's singular musical voice at this event, they beautifully embodied the spirit and talent of Mason. The crescendo of their narrative hit a thrilling peak during their performance at the Jazz Education Network (JEN) conference in New Orleans, LA, in January 2024. Amidst a global gathering of talent, they stood out as one of only six Vocal Jazz groups chosen to perform, solidifying their place as a beacon of excellence in the international jazz community.

The ensemble's composition—comprising 15 dedicated members, including 11 vocalists alongside a rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass, and drums—mirrors the university's academic diversity. With students from Music Studies to Business and Creative Writing, the group exemplifies the rich tapestry of George Mason's student body, their varied backgrounds adding layers of depth and perspective to their music.

Preparing for such esteemed stages involved an intense rehearsal schedule, pushing the ensemble to explore a repertoire that was as challenging as it was rewarding. This included premieres written expressly for them by Mason Jazz faculty Dr. Shawn Purcell and pieces that demanded a high level of improvisation and professional skill, truly stretching their musical capabilities.

The ensemble's path to these prestigious platforms was paved by the generous support from the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR) and the Dewberry School of Music Jazz Studies program, alongside proceeds from the annual Jazz4Justice concert. This backing is crucial, reflecting the university's investment in nurturing creative and scholarly pursuits.

Entering these highly competitive events required a submission process that mirrored the professional music world's rigor, emphasizing "live" and unedited performances. This stringent selection criterion underscores the ensemble's excellence and aligns with the university's dedication to authenticity and high standards.

For those within the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, the year was transformative, filled with opportunities beyond performances to personal and professional growth. The shared experiences, from rehearsals to stage, fostered a profound sense of unity, highlighting the ensemble's role as not just musicians but ambassadors of ��AV's inclusive culture.

Reflecting on the ensemble's achievements, it’s clear that their story is more than a sequence of musical triumphs. It's a narrative that celebrates the power of opportunity, diversity, and collaboration, reflecting Mason's supportive, dynamic, and diverse environment. Through their musical journey, the ensemble showcased their formidable talents and the rich, empowering backdrop of George Mason, where every student is encouraged to explore, perform, and excel.

Topics

Dewberry School of Music

diversity equity and inclusion DEI

Podcast - Ep 56: A view from the pulpit

Damian Cristodero — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 19:06:45 +0000

Podcast - Ep 56: A view from the pulpit Damian Cristodero Fri, 02/16/2024 - 14:06

A view from the pulpit

Rev. Jeffery Johnson, pastor at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfax, Virginia, and Dr. Vernon Walton, pastor at First Baptist Church in Vienna, Virginia, guide us through some of the history and aspirations of the Black community using the lens of Black and African American History Month. The pastors, both of whom have ��AV students and alumni in their congregations, also examine with Mason President Gregory Washington the unique, but intertwined, roles the university and churches can play to confront issues such as affordable housing, food insecurity and equitable healthcare.

^{I believe wholeheartedly in scripture, where it says to whom much is given much is required. And our responsibility is not just to sit on our stools of do-nothingness and enjoy our own success, because, if that is the case, then we are guilty as well of just relishing in our own privilege. But our responsibility is to reach out to those who are marginalized, to reach out to those who have not had the benefit of the same level of access, for whatever the reasons are. And to help lift the tide.” ~}^{Dr. Vernon Walton,}^{Pastor, First Baptist Church, Vienna, Virginia}

Read the Transcript | A View from the Pulpit

Narrator (00:04):

Trailblazers in research, innovators in technology, and those who simply have a good story. All make up the fabric that is ��AV, where taking on the grand challenges that face our students, graduates, and higher education is our mission and our passion. Hosted by Mason President Gregory Washington, this is the Access to Excellence podcast.

Gregory Washington (00:27):

Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfax, Virginia was established on May 15th, 1870 by former slaves who settled around the area of the Fairfax Courthouse after the Civil War. It is the first and only Black-founded church in the city. It is located less than a half mile from the ��AV campus. The First Baptist Church of Vienna, Virginia was established in 1867 and was also organized by former slaves. It is the first and oldest church of any kind in Vienna. It's located six miles away from the campus. I am honored to have the leaders of those congregations here with me today. They serve our students, our faculty, our staff, and they serve them incredibly well. And so on this early stage of Black History Month, I just felt fantastic that they were able to engage with us and speak with us today. Reverend Jeffery Johnson has led Mount Calvary since 2004. Dr. Vernon Walton has led First Baptist of Vienna since 2014. Both have put their stamps on their communities and have relationships with Mason that go beyond their church's proximity to our campus. Rev. Johnson. Dr. Walton, it is good to see both of you and welcome to the show.

Vernon Walton (02:01):

Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you for having us. (Jeffery Johnson) Yes, indeed.

Gregory Washington (02:05):

Well, Rev. Johnson, I know your son Jeffery has a degree from ��AV in graphic design, so I hope that it served him well. And Dr. Walton, you have had the Mason Chorale sing at your church and have Mason graduates on your staff. So both of you, how does the legacy of your churches, both of which are founded by former slaves, inform your work and the mission of your churches?

Jeffery Johnson (02:36):

Let me defer to Dr. Walton.

Vernon Walton (02:38):

Well, thank you. Thank you brother, brother Pastor again. Dr. Washington, thank you for having us. I'm honored to be here, talk about our work and our mission and our legacy, and certainly the celebration of Black and African American History Month. We really recognize that as a church, we stand on the shoulders of those who've gone before us. We celebrate really the strength and the capacity of those, those slaves who literally built out churches from the ground. And when I say built our churches from the ground, I'm not just specifically talking about the brick and mortar, but I'm talking about those who really worked and labored hard to build a community, to build a sense of belonging. And we recognize their intent. Years ago, 156 years ago, specifically for First Baptist, their intent in building a congregation was to inform people about their faith as well as to educate our children and community in a academic manner. And so we recognize those shoulders that we stand on and we continue that work and that mission today

Jeffery Johnson (03:42):

Yes. As well, the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, being that it was established May of 1870 by individuals, just like with First Baptist Vienna, we are known as the historical church with the biblical mandate. That biblical mandate comes from Ephesians chapter four, verse 12, that we are about the perfecting of the saints, the work of ministry, and the edifying, which is an old word that means to build up of the body of Christ. We're proud to be in this community with ��AV. Not only has Jeffery Junior graduated with honors from this school, he went on, uh, Dr. Washington to enroll in the Howard University Law School and is now a civil rights attorney, and he's currently working for the Veterans Administration.

Gregory Washington (04:35):

Okay. That's all right. How well do your congregations know each other? Like is there a rivalry? Is there any type of, you know, you're not that far apart and I know how churches go. What is the engagement like between the two congregations?

Vernon Walton (04:52):

Well, I wouldn't call it rivalry President Washington, but I, I would say that if you go into most of the black churches within Fairfax County, there is certainly an interconnectedness between the congregations. There are relatives throughout each of these congregations. The pastors enjoy great relationships and fellowship, and whenever possible, we attempt to collaborate together to work for the betterment of people.

Jeffery Johnson (05:18):

Yes. And many years ago, I was one of the youngest assistant pastors in Northern Virginia at the Peace Baptist Church and Peace Baptist, Mount Calvary and other congregations like Mount Olive for Centerville, had very close relationships. As a 22-year-old Baptist preacher, I used to cruise throughout Northern Virginia in a 1965 Dodge Dart convertible. And I used to worship at the old, uh, sanctuary, not only of Mount Calvary, but of First Baptist Vienna. And we are very proud of the work that Dr. Walton is doing in the city of Vienna. We are trying to do the same type of work in the city of Fairfax.

Vernon Walton (06:07):

I'll just also add President Washington, that one of the founding pastors of First Baptist is also listed as a founding pastor of at least three or four other congregations in Fairfax County. So the river runs deep.

Gregory Washington (06:23):

Outstanding. Outstanding. So, uh, Reverend Johnson, Mount Calvary, when it was founded, was known as the Colored Baptist Church. And prior to its founding, slaves attended churches of their masters. In addition, both of your communities, both Fairfax and Vienna, were segregated at one time. And I believe the last black enclave in Fairfax City on School Street really actually sat right next to Mason. And so what effect did the, the dissolution and the, the breakup of the strictly black communities have on the churches themselves. Did that impact you all significantly?

Jeffery Johnson (07:04):

It definitely affected us at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church, still driving that classic automobile throughout Northern Virginia. I used to come to School Street and I actually saw visually young black children and sometimes with their parents walking to the Mount Calvary Baptist Church. You could actually drive up and down School Street, and there was a series of houses, not all, but there was a series of houses that you could just park in front of the house or in the, the residential yard of that homeowner. And the front door was never locked. You could just walk right in. And there was a very gentle, yet powerful Christian woman by the name of Mabel Colbert, and she had quite a few children and grandchildren, and it was her personal ministry to make sure that they were involved in the various ministries and activities of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church.

Gregory Washington (08:03):

So Dr. Walton, I don't know if you've heard this quote from the actor Morgan Freeman, who recently on, uh, no, not too recently, but not too long ago, on 60 Minutes in which he says Black History Month keeps racism alive. And in that interview he says, you're going to relegate my history to a month. Black history is American history. I definitely agree with the last part of that statement. How do you, how do you react to that?

Vernon Walton (08:28):

Before I react to that, can I just go back to your last question? Just for a minute, because First Baptist, like Mount Calvary has experienced some of the same thing, but I think it's also safe to say that wherever there is a African American church in Fairfax County, you could make the assumption that there was an African American community. Clearly, as you peruse through the county today, things have changed. My question is perhaps why the disruption of these communities and what led to the disruption of these communities? You know, in some places today, we call it gentrification. But very similarly, First Baptist was very much a community church, was very much a rural community church and enjoyed its membership living and occupying space in that community. Whereas at one time, there was 80% Vienna, 20% commuting.

Vernon Walton (09:23):

We are probably just the opposite today. 80% commuting and 20% in the community within miles from the local church. And I think that's significant for us to mention because where the church existed, there was a Black community, there was Black home ownership, and there was Black economics. And so there's been a real disruption in that system. (Gregory Washington) So were there Black businesses in those communities and the like? (Vernon Walton) Absolutely. Absolutely. There were, there were plenty of Black businesses. Many, um, as I said, were farmers, and they sold their goods and their products, and they, the communities itself enjoyed a plethora of African American entrepreneurship. And today we are very hard pressed to experience the same thing. So to your point, you make about Morgan Freeman and his quote, I would agree with the latter part as well. I have not seen the exact interview, but I have heard conversation about Brother Freeman's comments. But I would just add that African American history is American history, and you cannot talk about American history without talking about the contributions that Black people have made to our nation, to our country, to our world. I personally am not sure that Black History Month keeps racism alive as much as those who seek to eliminate the contributions of Blacks and those who attempt to rewrite our history. And of course, I'm sure there's spirited conversation on this campus about those who even attempt to ban books that share our story.

Jeffery Johnson (10:57):

And Dr. Washington as well look at the fact that when you speak of, like, I, I believe one preacher spoke of 11 o'clock on Sunday morning as being the most segregated hour in America. That is one sided. We, and I'm sure Dr. Walton would agree with this, we have never rejected Whites from our membership, nor have we rejected White people from attending our services. It's only been on the other side of that scenario. Even right now, I'm part of a group called the Racial Unity Group, and we have a wonderful time fellowshipping together. And this thing based upon Morgan Freeman, uh, let me bring to your attention, he was one of the key actors in the movie called Glory. (Gregory Washington) Sure was. (Jeffery Johnson) He portrayed a character that they referred to as Sergeant John Rawlins. If you do a Google search on Sergeant John Rawlins, it will speak of the fact that the main character of the movie was real. But this was a character that was invented for that movie. The truth of the matter is, if you do another Google and you put in the name of Lewis Henry Douglass, who was the oldest son of Frederick Douglass, that sergeant from the 54th Regiment of Boston was actually Louis Henry Douglass. If you read his bio on the computer, it runs parallel with the screenplay of who they called John Rawlins. Why would they leave out such a significant fact?

Gregory Washington (12:33):

Yeah, that's interesting.

Jeffery Johnson (12:34):

But I see as Black History Month as a time that brings much pride and inspiration to the African American community. You may also remember that there was a congressional representative, I cannot think of his first name right now, but it was Congressman King from Iowa, and he actually stated that all of the major contributions to the world from Western civilization came from the White race. And that other people groups were merely observers of their contributions. And he was actually, uh, punished for making that statement. But because of our lack of knowledge of the contributions, not only of African Americans, but Asians and Hispanics and other people groups, we are really very ignorant of the contributions made by other people other than those of European descent.

Gregory Washington (13:30):

I understand that. Well, I can tell you, Black Baptists in particular played an undeniable role in the Civil Rights movement. We don't have to talk about Martin Luther King and, but the church was the rallying point for the community. And in a large sense, still very much is, uh, it provided social communication networks. It provided facilities, leadership and money, all of that. So do these roots still shape the current mission of the Baptist Church, in your opinion?

Vernon Walton (14:03):

Absolutely. We are still very much continuing in that same tradition. We are still very much continuing in the tradition of Dr. King and Vernon Johns and a host of others, even before some of the more famed individuals, we continue to work toward the liberation of not just African American people, but especially African American people, but all people, we are on the front, at the forefront of issues of justice. Churches were a big part of the movement for George Floyd right here in Fairfax County. The church galvanized around the injustice against Timothy Johnson. One of the other issues here in Fairfax County, as we talk about the shifts that have taken place within our communities, Fairfax County has a policy that is entitled One Fairfax, which is an equity policy. An equity plan. The church is at the forefront of making sure that people of color, Black people in particular, are included in this One Fairfax plan, and that it becomes a reality. So the church, from its roots has been very engaged, and the church is still engaged today.

Jeffery Johnson (15:13):

Mount Calvary actually worked with Dr. Walton with the Timothy Johnson case, and we were very proud of his leadership there. We have been very involved with City Hall here in the city of Fairfax with the previous mayor, Mayor Meyer. And we are currently working with Mayor Reed, but Mount Calvary used to have a group that would meet once a month at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church called the Fairfax County Colored Citizens Association. And very briefly, they were trying to bring forth more equity and education, home ownership, voter rights, as well as with economic opportunities.

Gregory Washington (15:57):

Oh, that's fantastic. So if I were to shift gears and say, okay, at that point in time, back in the, the 1960s, right? In the height of the Civil Rights movement, the real emphasis there was getting rid of segregation, getting rid of separate but unequal and getting our folk on a level playing field, right? And Mason was a part of that. There is a lot of that history that, from what I've read, is an integral part of this campus. What would you both say are the issues today? What are the things that are the galvanizing rallying points right now? Where are our efforts best focused?

Vernon Walton (16:36):

Can I just lift as a recent example of the work that the Black church specifically did on behalf of Black people and people of color? COVID-19 people were dying. People of color were dying at disproportionate numbers, and we literally felt as clergy persons that we needed to address this issue. And because we did not have access to shots, we did not have access to vaccines at the same rate as others. And so we really petitioned and worked hard to get equity clinics within the churches. Uh, and there were some who initially told us that this would not happen. That this was not a possibility, but we looked at the numbers, we looked at the data. We saw what a small population that we represented in this particular community, but that we were dying at a much larger and faster rate. And so we did not rest until these clinics were up and running in African American churches.

Vernon Walton (17:36):

And that's important because, and not only did it speak to the needs of African American people, but those in our Hispanic and Latina community took advantage of this because they were not trusting of some of the government sites that were up and running. And they took great delight and great comfort in coming to the churches to get the shot. So that's just one example of how we've used our voice recently and, and what some of the issues. Obviously in Fairfax County, affordable housing is a real issue. Many of our congregants, they have children who they put through college and school, and they do well, they get jobs, but they still cannot afford to purchase homes and raise their families here in Fairfax County. And so they are looking at other opportunities, and that's something that is a very pressing issue today, because we believe in the importance of education and that education should pay off, but they can't afford to live. And in some instances, they are remaining in their parents' home or they're moving away. And that impacts our churches directly when people move because of housing.

Jeffery Johnson (18:46):

Yes. We've had countless numbers of members that upon retirement, they have moved further south, either to North Carolina, Georgia, or Florida, to have much more affordable living. And we can understand that. The problem is, is that those, as Dr. Walton has spoken of, those who have matriculated through school and are making a pretty good salaries are still priced out and taxed out and placed out of the availability of housing. I myself was born in the city of Alexandria. I cannot afford to live in the city of Alexandria, which is the city of my birth. I also cannot afford to live in the city of Fairfax, which is the city where I work. And so I actually have to drive just about 20 or more miles to Mount Calvary. And even when I was at the Antioch Baptist Church, there was no housing of available near the Antioch Baptist Church, which is in Fairfax Station. So there definitely needs to be something. I'm not intimidated and I'm not jealous or envious of estate homes. And in our community, they have what they call luxury town homes. That's wonderful. That's great.

Gregory Washington (19:59):

Yeah, I saw those. They just built, they just built a new set of them right there.

Jeffery Johnson (20:03):

Yes. Yes.

Gregory Washington (20:04):

They went right on 123.

Jeffery Johnson (20:05):

We're talking about they start at around 600,000, and shot up to 900,000.

Vernon Walton (20:11):

They, they must use the same builders in Vienna .

Jeffery Johnson (20:14):

But the problem is, there should be somewhere nearby where there's a housing community, which is for the middle class or lower middle class. And, uh, I do see other housing projects that are connected with George Mason, and we look forward to servicing the spiritual needs of those who will be moving into those communities. But it would be nice, we may not be the heart of the city or downtown Fairfax, but there should be somewhere nearby that could accommodate our young professionals.

Gregory Washington (20:45):

Look, I hear you. You all are hit the nail right on the head with the housing piece.

Vernon Walton (20:49):

You know, President Washington, it broke my heart at least a year and a half ago, to learn that there are people just a few miles away from our churches here in Fairfax County, not in Washington DC but in Fairfax County that are living tent communities. And when I share that story with individuals, they automatically make the assumption that these individuals are living in tents by choice. But I've had the privilege to walk the tent community to share with many of these individuals. And if you go to, to these tent communities during the day, they're empty. And not because people are just hanging out on the street, but these individuals are at work, they're working individuals, many of them, but for a number of consequences and decisions and unfortunate realities, they just cannot afford to have a roof over their head without some specific assistance with affordable housing here in Fairfax County.

Jeffery Johnson (21:50):

And to add onto that, the first Tuesday of each month, I actually speak at the chapel service at the Central Union Mission in Washington DC, and there are people who work in Virginia who have to bed down at night at the Central Union Mission. They have transportation, they have a job, but there is nowhere for them currently to live.

Gregory Washington (22:15):

You know, the cost of housing is a significant issue, one which we are trying to address here ourselves. You know, the reality is, is that if you look at where George Mason sits, many of the people we hire, and we pay decent salaries, right? For our faculty and our staff, many of the people we hire can't afford to buy a home in this community. They have to go 15, 20, 30, 45 miles out in order to find something. And that issue is a real issue.

Vernon Walton (22:44):

And that same reality is true for brand new elementary school teachers in the Fairfax County public school systems. You know, if you're just graduating, trying to get into the system, and we've been particularly trying to recruit African American students from our local colleges and HBCUs. But again, the cost of living is cost prohibitive as well as in some instances for those going into our police departments. The first year or two is difficult on the starting salaries.

Gregory Washington (23:13):

Man, I didn't know I was gonna get this today. This is fantastic. Reverend Johnson, I know that you can recite Martin Luther King Jr's speech, I have a dream, by heart. Is that right?

Jeffery Johnson (23:25):

Yes, sir, uh.

Gregory Washington (23:26):

And I heard you do part of that. He outlined some basic tenets in that speech. But how far would both of you say we've come since that speech?

Jeffery Johnson (23:36):

I actually believe we've come a long way. The only thing is, there are some people who see the realities of some of the things that we've spoken about this afternoon, and they would actually be, uh, somewhat pessimistic. And when I run across those people, whether it's in the street or the barbershop or so forth, I say, wow, I gotta tell you the truth. I was born in 1962, and I would prefer that to 1862. There's a lot to be done, but we have also accomplished so much more than is being spoken about today. And there again, it goes back to one of our earlier topics, because there is not an adequate inclusion of African American contributions in our history, uh, in our public schools and even some of our private schools, that that's the reason why there is such a hopelessness today. But when you look at the King speech, I have to admit Dr. Washington, there are relevant issues that as much as I love that speech, I wish that it was irrelevant today.

Gregory Washington (24:43):

Oh, that's deep.

Vernon Walton (24:45):

Yeah, that's a great way to put it, rev, great way to put it. I would agree, President Washington, that we've made some tremendous strides. And let me just stop and say we should not overlook, and we should celebrate the fact that we are sitting here at George Mason with you, a trailblazer. And I think you are an example of some of the strides that we've made as a people, the fact that you are leading this institution as an African American male. We celebrate the ascension of President Barack Obama into the White House, and more recently, the ascension of our Vice President Kamala Harris, and we celebrate the ascension of our first African American female justice. I think those are signs, those are signals that we are heading and moving in the right direction. But we should continue to keep moving. And sometimes we pause to celebrate. And in our pausing to celebrate, we forget that there's still more ground to cover. And so, yes, there are some strides, but unfortunately there are some realities from that speech and likewise from Dr. King's letter, from the Birmingham jail, uh, that are still unrealized parts of his dream, particularly when we talk about the economics of African American people, as we just alluded to talking about the housing crisis. And I believe that it was Dr. King's real focus on economics that ultimately led to his assassination.

Gregory Washington (26:11):

I heard a couple of lines from that final speech that he was putting together. That was an economic empowerment speech If you, if you've ever heard one.

Jeffery Johnson (26:21):

Yes, sir.

Gregory Washington (26:22):

So how do we balance what has happened in the past and our hopes for the future? So, Dr. Walton, you gave a talk in which you spoke of a sermon you heard from Reverend William Augustus Jones of the Brooklyn Bethany Baptist Church, who said, and, and I'm paraphrasing here, our past isn't allowed to become the past because we keep it alive in our minds instead of letting it be bygone. We become stuck in that moment. You can't have the present because you have no clear vision for the future. Is that a personal statement or can you make a connection to what we're basically talking about in some of the struggles for equality and equity that are happening today?

Vernon Walton (27:08):

I think Dr. William Augustus Jones, who has gone on to be with the Lord now, was one of our premier voices in the pulpit, particularly the Black pulpit. But he was a world-renowned preacher and a voice and force to be reckoned with. Those words. Dr. Washington come from a sermon he preached, called The Problem of the Present Past. And in that sermon, he quoted the psalmist David, and he's, I believe it was Psalm 51. And he said, my sin is forever before me. And the point that he makes in this particular sermon is simply that there's some things that have occurred in our lives that we cannot go back and change. That sermon spoke volumes to me when I first heard it in person, when I've read it in print. And, uh, it's one that I will remember to share with you. One of the reasons why it speaks to me, because it's still relevant today in terms of my personal life, in terms of our collective witness.

Vernon Walton (28:03):

And certainly for us as people of color. What do we do? I think it's important for us to confront our past. I think it's important for us to move on from our past. But before moving on, we have to learn. Because if we don't learn anything, then we are bound to repeat the past, right? And we have to make amends for our past. We have to recognize, yes, there's some things that we cannot change. There's some things that we can apologize for, come to grips with, make restitution for, offer apologies for. So what do we do? How does it speak to us today? I think it speaks to us personally. It speaks to us as a county, as we talk about why all of these communities have shifted around these Black churches. And it also speaks to us as a country, how are we going to confront our past and make amends for our past, and then ultimately move on from our past? At the end of the day, we cannot hide. And whatever we don't confront, we are bound to repeat. And unfortunately, there are many people in our nation that don't want to have the real conversation about America and the real conversation about how African Americans were treated in America. And that, of course, goes back to this whole rewriting of history and the banning of books. But we will never be the real people that we can be until we confront some of those issues.

Jeffery Johnson (29:30):

Oh, yes. And Dr. William Augustus Jones, along with preachers like Dr. E.K. Bailey, A. Loui Patterson, and, uh, even, uh, Dr. Smith, I cannot think of his first name for some reason, it just left my mind, but he was from New York City. B.W. Smith. They used to speak in Washington DC where I pastored for 10 years. And Dr. Jones would empower his listeners with taking biblical facts and shaping them around African American experiences. He had one sermon entitled, he, he did a, he flipped the script somewhat, and he said the lion’s in Daniel’s den. So in other words,

Gregory Washington (30:15):

Instead of Daniel in the lion’s den.

Jeffery Johnson (30:17):

Right, right. And he was showing us, we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed. We are perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted but not forsaken. Cast down, but not destroyed. And when you hear of the horrific things that have happened to our communities, it is a miracle that we are still alive and thriving with a $1.3 trillion budget in the African American community. I think this is another reason why our history is often overlooked, because there is a strong spiritual presence in our journey. And it's not politically correct to share things with spirituality when it comes to something like history. But it is the only reason I think we are still doing well and thriving. You look at Moses and the children of Israel, they had an exodus. We had an emancipation. The exodus means that they left, they came out of, we are still living in the footprint of the Civil War. We are still living near plantations. We are still living near trees where folks were lynched. We are still in Egypt even though we've been emancipated.

Gregory Washington (31:38):

Can we stay there for a second? I wanna unpack that a little bit and ask you all some questions about it. You know, the reality is that the way I see it, the shackles that hold us down today are mental, as much as they are economic, social, and physical. We have a large percentage of our community who are striving and doing extraordinary things, and they are setting the bar. Everybody knew that we would do great things in entertainment and athletics. We've done that throughout our history. But now you're seeing it in business. You're seeing it in science and engineering, you're seeing it in areas in which historically we just haven't had a modern, strong legacy, but we still have a cohort of our people who haven't gotten that memo, so to speak, and thereby are not reaching their potential. How do you speak to that?

Vernon Walton (32:42):

Dr. Washington, I think that's where the hard work is. That is the work of our church. And quite frankly, honestly, that is also the work of institutions like George Mason.

Gregory Washington (32:53):

Oh, I agree with that a hundred percent.

Vernon Walton (32:54):

If we are honest, there are many in Fairfax County that enjoy a great deal of privilege. And those who live here, those who work here, as it has already been suggested, you have to have reached and or, or obtained a certain level of success, and I place success in quotations that you can afford to do this. But to your point, there are others who have not received that memo. And I believe wholeheartedly in scripture where it says, to whom much is given, much is required. And our responsibility is not just to sit on our stools of do nothingness and enjoy our own success. Because if that is the case, then we are guilty as well of just relishing in our own privilege. But our responsibility is to reach out to those who are marginalized, to reach out to those who have not had the benefit of the same level of access for whatever the reasons are, and to help lift the tide. And that's the work of our church that remains, and that's the work of our institution that remains.

Jeffery Johnson (34:03):

I wholeheartedly agree. Sometimes Dr. Washington, other people groups look at the African-American community, and this happened during the time of Dr. King and they’re still doing it today. They're saying, why don't you just get over it? And the thing is, we would've been over it if it wasn't for the malfeasance of government that ended reconstruction, we would've been over it. If it wasn't for Plessy v. Ferguson or the Dred Scott decision, we would have been over it. If it wasn't for Jim Crow and the physical, or the, I guess you could say the character assassinations of Marcus Garvey and Medgar Evers and Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. We could have been over it if it wasn't for the fact of what happened in not only Tulsa, Oklahoma, but Colfax, Louisiana. And I even read recently about a insurrection that was successful in, uh, Wilmington, North Carolina back in 1898.

Jeffery Johnson (35:05):

We would've been over it if we didn't have people like Congressman King trying to tell the American society that Blacks have not contributed anything of note worthiness to the world or to the country. Because the thing about it, when you look at the reality, a civilization began in Kemet, in Egypt, in Africa. And then the Greeks came and borrowed, very politely, borrowed from what they had gained from Egypt. And then naturally, the Romans borrowed from the Greeks. We don't want to be seen as a Afrocentric superiority. We want to cooperate. There were Black explorers leaving the African continent, which actually at one time, the entire continent was called Ethiopia. And the Atlantic Ocean was referred to as the Ethiopian Sea. And you had African explorers actually coming down to the Americas. And you can see their contributions in architecture and technology.

Jeffery Johnson (36:09):

and even the exchange of the culture and so forth. So we don't want to dominate, we want to participate. And that is something that is missing today. That is something that we still would like to do. There were two elderly white ladies who looked like charming characters on the Andy Griffith Show. And when Barack Obama's second term was coming to an end, they were embarrassed because they were against his election in the first place because they thought that if there was a Black president, he would come and reap retribution against the White community. That has not been the case. Over the many years that we have been in this country, the centuries of our suffering, there are very few opportunities that our race took to have any type of retribution. And I like to tell people during Black History Month and the Martin Luther King services that I speak on, is that the African American community has had an August the 28th, but not a January the 6th.

Gregory Washington (37:19):

Hmm. Yeah. That's deep. That is really, really deep. Man, I don't even know what to say about that. You got me at a loss for words.

Vernon Walton (37:29):

Yeah. You're walking heavy.

Gregory Washington (37:32):

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Dr. Walton, on the wall in the lobby outside of your office, you have a photo with a quote from Booker T. Washington who was born into slavery, but became the most influential African American speaker of his time and the principal developer of what is now known as Tuskegee University. And that quote says, success waits patiently for anyone who has the determination to seize it. Why that quote?

Vernon Walton (38:01):

Well, Dr. Washington, that particular quote speaks to me, but I think it's also important to note that Booker T. Washington, yes, hangs outside in the lobby of my office, but he doesn't hang there by himself. He hangs there along with a picture of Dr. King from the Birmingham Jail. He hangs there with a picture of the Little Rock Nine. He hangs there with some individuals who are participants of the 1969 March of Selma to Montgomery, and he hangs there with a picture of Rosa Parks. And so, while I love and appreciate the work of Booker T. Washington and support that quote wholeheartedly, and it speaks to me, the real intent of that quote and the others that hang in that lobby is to demonstrate to those who walk in our office and those who leave our office, is to demonstrate that we are not monolithic as a people, and that all voices matter. All voices are impactful, and that we can learn from everyone's experiences.

Gregory Washington (39:12):

Oh, that's fantastic.

Jeffery Johnson (39:13):

And Dr. Walton lives that every week. I was saddened that I was in Tampa, Florida, and could not attend his MLK service where he actually had Dr. Robert E. Lee as one of the speakers for that service. And, uh, we don't have time to talk about all of the great things that this descendant of General Lee has done to speak of a united America rather than a separated America. As well as the fact I was able to meet at First Baptist Vienna, I was able to meet the actual secretary of Dr. King, who actually composed the notes that King wrote in the Birmingham jail. So these are some very rich experiences, and we have an opportunity, as Dr. King would say, that we can either learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools. We are the greatest demonstration of the equity of democracy for a nation throughout the world, and some of the petty differences that are currently in our Congress, which I will not go into, but, uh

Vernon Walton (40:28):

Do we have enough time for that?

Jeffery Johnson (40:30):

Dr. Walton, they say, if you keep electing clowns, you are bound to have a circus. And that is what has been happening. These men are not realizing that not only are they giving a black eye to democracy, they're giving a black eye to Christianity throughout the world, because Jesus told us to love our enemies. Bless them that curse you. Pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you. These citizens that this particular party is fighting, they're taxpayers, and whether you agree with their lifestyle or not, they work hard. They contribute to their communities and they pay their taxes. Allow the churches and the synagogues and the mosques to deal with the other issues. But you cannot relegate in legality how people should live. They have to make that decision because even God himself gave everyone a free will. And if we do our job and they do their job, we could have something close to a utopia.

Gregory Washington (41:31):

That's fantastic. So let me back up one second and let's break down where we go from here. You know, one of Mason's pillars is that education is a great equalizer. You know, and that's why we partnered with community college to create smoother pathways to four-year degree. We put in place the Mason Virginia Promise to help you either get a degree or start your own business. All of the small business development centers throughout all of Virginia are led by George Mason, so we can help folks start a business. So we put these foundational bricks in place. But what I want to ask you is, what else can we do? How can we help you deal with some of the problems that are still afflicting our communities?

Vernon Walton (42:21):

Well, Dr. Washington, you are creating here at Mason thought leaders. You are developing practitioners. You are creating the new economist and sociologist. And the work that you do here helps to better inform the work that we do in our local churches. The work that you do here helps us to translate the social norms and the customs. It helps us to make sense out of what is actually happening in our society. So I would dare say that these kinds of partnerships, to continue these kinds of conversations that we're having today. Many of our churches are creating feeding programs. We are creating tutoring programs. We have senior programs that are running on a regular consistent basis, but it's the thought leaders and the practitioners that you are developing here at Mason that help us to challenge the structures that create the need for these feeding programs and tutoring programs.

Vernon Walton (43:22):

And so I want to encourage you and faculty and staff here at Mason to keep developing the thought leaders, but to use our spaces and places as platforms so that the leaders that you are building have actual stages to put their work into practice. Whether they are helping us to translate the dynamics of our society, whether they are helping us to tutor the kids that are in our possession, whatever the case may be. I believe, yes, education helps greatly to equalize, but let's not forget the roadblocks that exist and that are challenging the opportunity to education, that we have, the rollbacks as it relates to affirmative actions, set asides, and, and the need for DEI. So continue to create those thought leaders, those practitioners. We are gonna continue to do our work on the ground, but your work informs what we do, and we have space for your practitioners.

Jeffery Johnson (44:22):

Oh, yes. I, I, I greatly agreed. I saw the humble beginnings of George Mason, and there were some people who said, well, I would go to school, but I have to support my family and work here in Northern Virginia. But then they thought of Mason, and those educational dreams and aspirations became real. It is amazing. I would ask anyone to just take a slow casual drive through this campus. It is a small city of intelligentsia. It is a oasis of academics, and you have produced so many people. Not only did my son Jeffery Jr. attend here, we have other members of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church who either took classes or actually graduated from George Mason. And what I like about George Mason is that out of all the things that Reverend Dr., uh Walton has mentioned, you also have maintained a stream of conversation that is relevant to this community. Sometimes colleges become so academically involved that they no longer have connection with the community. Your connection, Dr. Washington, with the community, is making a great impact. And when this is done, not only will you affect the graduates of George Mason, you will also make a great impact on the city of Fairfax, not only its citizens, but its government and its visitors.

Gregory Washington (45:59):

We got a ways to go, and we want to continue to be the institution that the community needs to be here. Not the one that it tolerates, or the one that it wants to be here, but the, that the community needs. And that means that we're gonna have to continue to provide really great outcomes for the students in and around this community, quite frankly, for the companies and the institutions, churches included, around this community. We're actually here for you also, and there's a whole host of things that we can provide you in addition to, in addition to, parishioners.

Vernon Walton (46:41):

Let, let me, let me just give you a, a shout out, Dr. Washington. I know you may not be intimately aware, but your staff was incredible. Just recently for us, a few months ago, we hosted a African American male summit for high school young men. And we had nearly a hundred young men from as far south as Richmond, from DC and all over Fairfax County. I'm a firm believer that experience and exposure goes a long way, and there's no substitute for both. As a part of that particular day, the young men had a presentation about college acceptance and preparation for college from your staff here at Mason. It for many, opened up the eyes of young men, some of which for the first time was having a conversation with someone about their future potential. And so I want to acknowledge that in this moment.

Gregory Washington (47:38):

No, I love that. I love that. And it's great that we could be a part of that. And it's fantastic that our faculty and staff can be helpful. We don't want to just stop there. We want to do more. It's part of my reason for engaging you brothers, because I wanna make sure the institution is pretty much part of the family here in Northern Virginia. So I want to thank you all for giving me, for giving us, that chance to be that, and for being a, a willing partner going forward in our futures together.

Vernon Walton (48:09):

Thank you for the offer, and we are here to receive it. And we're, and we're together. We're together.

Gregory Washington (48:14):

Outstanding, outstanding. I love it. Well, we're gonna have to leave it there, Reverend Jeffery Johnson, pastor at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfax, Virginia, and Dr. Vernon Walton, pastor at First Baptist Church in Vienna. Thank you both for your time and for a really fantastic conversation.

Vernon Walton (48:39):

Thank you, Dr. Washington.

Gregory Washington (48:41):

I'm Mason, president Gregory Washington saying, until next time, stay safe, Mason Nation.

Narrator (48:49):

If you like what you heard on this podcast, go to podcast.gmu.edu for more of Gregory Washington's conversations with the thought leaders, experts, and educators who take on the grand challenges facing our students, graduates, and higher education. That's podcast.gmu.edu.

Listen to this episode

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Podcast - Ep 57: Catherine Read, mayor of Fairfax City, Va., is outspoken, unfiltered
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Podcast - Ep 56: A view from the pulpit
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NAACP Arlington honors Mason’s ARIE Initiative and community partnership

Colleen Rich — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 23:51:43 +0000

NAACP Arlington honors Mason’s ARIE Initiative and community partnership Colleen Rich Wed, 12/07/2022 - 18:51

��AV’s commitment to anti-racism and inclusive excellence is being honored with the 2022 NAACP Arlington Branch President's Award.

President Gregory Washington; Sharnnia Artis, vice president for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and chief diversity officer; the Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Task Force; and Toni Andrews, senior associate director, Office of Community and Local Government Relations, were selected to receive the honor on behalf of the university. The NAACP Arlington Branch will present the awards at its 2022 Freedom Fund Virtual Banquet on Wednesday, December 14.

“We are celebrating our partnership with the faculty, students, and stakeholders that have significantly impacted student success and, most importantly, societal change,” said Julius “JD” Spain Jr., branch president, NAACP Arlington.

Mason is the seventh most diverse public university in the country—and the most diverse public university in Virginia—according to U.S. News & World Report.

The NAACP President’s Award, granted at the discretion of the branch president, is a distinguished honor given to an individual or group/organization that is “actively challenging others to embrace diversity and ensure greater opportunity for all people.”

"We are grateful for this honor," said Artis. "This recognition is confirmation that the research, teaching, creative activities, and service our students, faculty, and staff are leading and engaged in are having a positive impact at Mason and in the community."

In October, Mason hosted the first ARIE Conference at Mason Square (formerly Arlington Campus), celebrating the impact of research and the shared goal of shaping a more equitable future. More than 400 faculty, staff, students and community members attended in-person or virtually.

“I’m so proud of the work we do at Mason to engage the community,” Andrews said. “We have a very special relationship with our community partners. Initiatives, like the ARIE Conference, allow us the opportunity to showcase Mason’s talented students and faculty and share our knowledge with the community.”

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diversity equity and inclusion DEI

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Conference draws faculty, students to Mason Square to share a vision for an inclusive, anti-racist future

Colleen Rich — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:02:42 +0000

Conference draws faculty, students to Mason Square to share a vision for an inclusive, anti-racist future Colleen Rich Wed, 10/26/2022 - 17:02

��AV’s first Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Conference celebrated both the impact of research and the shared goal of shaping a more equitable future.

The Research Panel: Conducting Research through and Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence Lens. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

“There’s so much research happening today—and this is the beauty of this conference,” said keynote speaker Gail Christopher, executive director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity and a senior scholar in Mason’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. “We can do the research to change the narrative to drive new stories, to amplify those new stories, to demystify and refute the fallacies. Research is an important part of getting rid of antiquated beliefs.”

More than 400 people attended the Monday conference either at Mason Square or virtually. Sharnnia Artis, Mason’s vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion, marked the event as a milestone for one of Mason President Gregory Washington’s signature objectives. Artis, who facilitated the Mason groups that planned the conference, also served as emcee.

Washington launched ARIE within weeks of arriving at Mason in July 2020 to root out any biases in Mason practices and policies with the ambition that Mason would become a national exemplar for inclusive excellence. Mason is the seventh most diverse public university in the country—and the most diverse public university in Virginia— according to U.S. News & World Report.

Anne M. Kress, president of Northern Virginia Community College (left) with Mason's Sharnnia Artis. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

“There is a generation coming behind us—68 million people of the most diverse group of individuals that this country has ever had,” Washington said in opening the afternoon session of the conference. “They’re going to inherit the country, and they’re going to have to know how to deal with an environment that’s diverse. They need to be prepared to deal with one another.”

Washington later welcomed Northern Virginia Community College President Anne M. Kress and Virginia State University President Makola Abdullah for a presidential panel on advancing anti-racism and inclusive excellence in higher education.

The morning panel focused on conducting research through that lens. It featured three Mason professors and panelists from Harvard and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Charles Chavis, director of Mason’s John Mitchell Jr. Program for History, Justice and Race, noted that he had returned the previous day from a research trip with students to the Maryland Eastern Shore to work with descendants of racial violence. He talked about treating research subjects as collaborators and partners and empowering them to tell their own story.

Mason students shared their research during the poster session. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

“I see what we do as service first,” Chavis said. “And in that service our research needs and our research focus really is birthed out of the expressed needs of those we’re serving.”

During that morning panel, Jerome Offord Jr., Harvard associate university librarian for anti-racism, said he isn’t looking for allies in the cause. He’s looking for “co-conspirators.” That term caught on in the room came up throughout the day.

“This is not just a BIPOC issue,” Offord said. “This is an us issue. I need people who are going to take the risk professionally, personally, academically. People have to be willing to be in the front of the center conversation with me, not in a break room supporting me, not sending me emails saying ‘great job.’”

On an afternoon panel about translating research into action, Mason professor of integrative studies and history Wendi Manuel-Scott used the Enslaved People of George Mason Memorial as an example. The memorial, dedicated earlier this year, came about after five students set out to learn more about the people George Mason IV enslaved at Gunston Hall.

Manuel-Scott said that early in her teaching career she used to get “blank eyes” from students when she talked to them about civil rights actions.

Mason President Gregory Washington chats with students during the poster session. Photo by Stephanie Aaronson/Office of University Branding

“Today, I don’t get blank eyes,” she said. “Students are incredibly engaged and passionate and fearless. That is everything. Don’t lose that audacity, don’t lose that courageous spirit. Continue to ask those questions. Because the memorial that you see today would not exist if our students hadn’t been willing to ask the questions that they asked and challenge us as faculty members to step up.”

Student and faculty researchers across disciplines displayed about 40 posters highlighting research related to anti-racism and inclusive excellence.

Christopher noted that it takes more than passion to eradicate racism. It requires realistic strategy and creativity to assess the challenges, particularly in the age of disinformation.

“It’s a matter of grace and it’s a matter of love and understanding that we’re all on this journey, and we’re each at different places,” Christopher said. “There are extremes, and some people will stay at their extreme no matter what. But there is a wide swath in the middle, and our job is to mobilize that middle and to do so with great intention.”

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ARIE

President's Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence

diversity equity and inclusion DEI

Student Research

Strategic Direction

Can virtual reality simulation help address racism, discrimination, and microaggressions in teaching?

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 20:20:34 +0000

Can virtual reality simulation help address racism, discrimination, and microaggressions in teaching? Mary Cunningham Mon, 10/10/2022 - 16:20

In This Story

Bethany Cieslowski, DNP

Dr. Cathy Tompkins

Jeanne Booth

Kimberly Holmes, PhD, MEd

Jhumka Gupta, ScD

New training will educate faculty to recognize and react to implicit bias and microaggressions through a VR simulation.

Tackling systemic challenges such as racism and implicit bias in teaching and learning requires innovative approaches and is integral to ��AV’s academic mission. The College of Health and Human Services is investing in virtual reality (VR) simulation to help address racism, discrimination, and microaggressions in teaching. Bethany Cieslowski, the College’s simulation coordinator, is developing an evidence-based training program to educate faculty to recognize and react to implicit bias and microaggressions using VR simulations.

The training will teach interprofessional groups of faculty within the College to mitigate the harmful effects of racism and discrimination by discussing the nature of microaggressions, applying strategies to react to microaggressions from multiple perspectives, and demonstrating confidence and commitment to act. The pilot initiative will initially focus on College faculty and expand to include staff and students.

Cieslowski is leading the training development along with the leadership team of the College’s Inclusive Excellence Working Group: Assistant Professor of Social Work Jeanne Booth, Associate Dean for Student Affairs Kim Holmes, Associate Professor of Global and Community Health Jhumka Gupta, and associate dean of Faculty and Staff Affairs Cathy Tompkins.

“Immersive VR provides a unique platform, enabling faculty to experience microaggressions from different perspectives, including the receiver, witness/bystander, and the source, in a real-life context. VR offers the opportunity for deliberate, repeated practice required to gain the confidence and skills necessary to react to the negative effects of racist language and actions,” says Cieslowski. “Evidence demonstrates that active engagement provides a deeper understanding, increases learning retention, and builds confidence.”

Participants will complete surveys pre- and post-training to measure the impact on participants’ mindsets, knowledge, and confidence in using the skills they learned to reduce and eliminate racism, microaggressions, and discrimination.

“Based on knowledge from the simulation, faculty can develop course policies, practices, and learning activities allowing for discussions with students related to racism and microaggression in a safe environment,” said Tompkins, co-leader of the College’s Inclusive Excellence Working Group.

This project is funded in part by an Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence (ARIE) Faculty Capacity Building Grant from Mason’s Stern Center for Teaching and Learning. The training is anticipated to launch in 2023 in the VR Simulation Lab.

This training and other initiatives are being developed by the College’s Inclusive Excellence Working Group, which is working to create an inclusive environment that supports diversity, further values, and incorporates equity into all functions of the College.

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virtual reality

CHHS

College of Public Health

Public Health

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TTIP

Tech Talent Investment Program

Schar School Alumna Jennifer Vasquez Joins Golden State Warriors as VP of DEI

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 13:08:05 +0000

Schar School Alumna Jennifer Vasquez Joins Golden State Warriors as VP of DEI Andrew J Schappert Mon, 10/03/2022 - 09:08

Jennifer Vasquez: ‘I felt that at George Mason I could be authentic, and it helped me define my identity and led me to realize the impact I wanted to have.’

NBA superstar Stephen Curry and his world champion Golden State Warriors have a new teammate.

��AV graduate Jennifer Vasquez joined the Warriors this year as vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), a new position in the San Francisco-based sports and entertainment company that boasts some 2,500 employees.

She will also lead the franchise’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council.

The Arlington, Virginia, native earned her bachelor’s degree in government and international politics in 2001 from what is now Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government—and says that her time at Mason, as a first-generation college student, made a lasting impact.

“It was transformative for me by how [Mason] embraced different cultures and prioritized the success of each student,” she said. “There was so much diversity that it prompted me to continue my passion in this work and to really venture into DEI with a systems-change lens.”

Her degree, she said, “gave me grounding in how to navigate multicultural and political environments. I felt that at George Mason I could be authentic, and it helped me define my identity and led me to realize the impact I wanted to have.”

Vasquez, whose parents immigrated from El Salvador to Northern Virginia during that country’s civil war, made the most of her college career at Mason, working as an intern at three embassies before interning at the Department of Defense. That position turned into a full-time job, she said.

As for her new job, Vasquez, who has worked in the DEI field for more than 15 years, said her goal with the Warriors is to remove barriers that exist, inadvertently and otherwise, in the male-dominated sports industry.

“There are not only barriers of entry for getting into sports, but also barriers of advancement and upward mobility,” she said. “My work is grounded in providing a safe space where everyone feels they can belong, and where everyone is in a position to thrive, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disabilities.”

As for working in an organization that also employs Steph Curry and has won seven NBA championships, Vasquez said “that’s an added bonus—the icing on top of the cake to be part of his legacy.”

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Schar School News September 2022

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Schar School BA in Government and International Politics

College of Visual and Performing Arts

��AV sees a .9 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment for Fall 2022

Colleen Rich — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 12:54:54 +0000

��AV sees a .9 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment for Fall 2022 Colleen Rich Mon, 10/03/2022 - 08:54

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Bucking a statewide trend of declining college enrollment, ��AV, a top 10 public university for diversity, innovation, and cybersecurity, welcomed its largest and most diverse freshman class in school history for the Fall 2022 semester.

Enrollment figures released by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) reaffirm Mason’s status as Virginia’s largest public university, with 39,510 students enrolling at Mason, an overall increase of 368 students. Statewide, public university student enrollment dropped slightly from 221,946 in the fall of 2021 to 220,466 in fall 2022.

Mason’s nearly 7,000 total new undergraduate students included 4,156 first-time freshmen and 2,781 transfer students. They collectively accounted for a 3.5% increase in freshmen students, a .9% increase in undergraduate enrollment overall. Mason also saw a 1.1% increase in graduate enrollment from the previous year, with 3,502 new graduate students.

More than 63% of incoming freshmen identify as being of a racial or ethnic minority or an international student, up from 57% from a year ago.

“Mason’s consistent enrollment growth is a true testament to the strength and rigor of our academic programs and faculty, and, importantly, the role that Mason plays in the nation’s capital and a thriving Northern Virginia economy by providing access and providing the generation of talent for the region,” Provost Mark Ginsberg said.

The top majors for the incoming freshmen included computer science, business, cybersecurity, information technology, and nursing.

The increase shows the value of a Mason education at a time when college enrollment numbers are dropping across Virginia and nationally. Mason has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the state’s most diverse and innovative university. Other rankings rank Mason No. 1 in the nation for veterans and No. 2 among public universities for nontraditional students.

“This record enrollment is not new for us. In the last 20 years, Mason has grown its enrollment every year except for two,” said David Burge, Mason’s vice president for enrollment management. “Despite this growth, the Mason Virginia Promise, now needed more than ever, is helping ensure families access to education and future career successes, especially the nearly one-third of Mason’s incoming class who are first-generation college students.”

Mason’s freshman Class of 2026 accounted for the highest averages in terms of GPA and SAT scores (3.8 GPA, 1240 SAT) and represented 45 different states and U.S. territories and 48 countries. The majority of incoming freshmen were students of color, with Asian students accounting for nearly 25% of the class, followed by Hispanic students (14.1%) and Black students (13.8%). Nearly half (48%) of Mason’s incoming freshmen are females.

Editor's note: The numbers in this story have been updated.

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Mason now a top 10 public university for diversity, innovation, and cybersecurity education, U.S. News rankings show

Colleen Rich — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 19:48:02 +0000

Mason now a top 10 public university for diversity, innovation, and cybersecurity education, U.S. News rankings show Colleen Rich Mon, 09/12/2022 - 15:48

Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

��AV is among the top 10 most diverse and innovative public universities in the country, as well as top 10 in undergraduate cybersecurity, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “2023 Best Colleges List” rankings released Monday.

Mason jumped five spots to seventh nationally for diversity, and moved up one place to eighth nationally and first in Virginia for innovation. Mason remains first in Virginia for both categories. The undergraduate cybersecurity program jumped to 10th nationally among public universities, up from 15th.

In addition, Mason moved up three spots in the overall rankings to 64th among public universities.

��AV President Gregory Washington said the three top 10 rankings and other U.S. News recognition acknowledge that Mason, with an enrollment nearing 40,000, is an institution that equally values providing opportunities, through the Mason Virginia Promise and other programs, and offering world-class academics and research that drive innovation in the dynamic Washington, D.C., region.

“It’s great to see that the country is recognizing what we already know—��AV is continuing its ascent among the nation’s best universities,” Washington said.

The rankings highlighted several other Mason programs (see a complete list at bottom), including:

Undergraduate computer science climbed five spots to 40th among public universities.
Undergraduate business, engineering and nursing programs also fared particularly well.

Mason has long been known for innovation, an ingrained experiential and entrepreneurial focus developed as a young university. Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation and economic development and president of the ��AV Research Foundation, said those strengths continue to grow through multidisciplinary research and external partnerships that bring together different thought leaders, from science and technological experts to the humanities and social sciences, to fuel innovation.

“Mason’s ability to discover and translate new ideas and technology is one of its signature strengths developed over 50 years of taking novel approaches to needs and opportunities,” Marshall said. “Mason is a large-scale university with large-scale impact.”

Mason’s jump in the U.S. News diversity rankings reflects the university’s increasingly diverse freshman classes and Mason’s ability to attract, retain and graduate students from all backgrounds with no marked disparities in outcomes.

Mason’s Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence efforts underscore that commitment, as does a recent National Science Foundation grant dedicated to building and maintaining more diverse faculty and staff. Mason was also recently ranked by College Factual as No. 1 in the nation for serving veterans and No. 2 among public universities for serving nontraditional students.

“Diversity in its many forms is among our greatest assets at Mason and is in fact one of the many reasons students choose Mason,” said Sharnnia Artis, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion. “Students feel welcome and supported in our university community. These interpersonal experiences on our campuses is another way in which we prepare our students to be successful.”

The cyber and computer science rankings emphasize Mason’s leading role in the Tech Talent Investment Program, a statewide initiative to fill critical job vacancies in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition to the cyber and computer science rankings, undergraduate engineering was 57th among public universities, another indication that Mason is educating and graduating the digital innovators of the future.

“Mason is holding up its end of the bargain in delivering career-ready tech talent in high-demand fields,” said Ken Ball, dean of the College of Engineering and Computing. “These accolades also shine a light on Fuse at Mason Square, which will soon be a hub of innovation in support of Amazon HQ2 and the tech industry throughout the region.”

Other Mason undergraduate programs U.S. News rated particularly highly were undergraduate business (53rd among publics) and nursing (70th).

The business school ranking highlights a host of strengths in serving students, including the school’s national and international focus, said School of Business Dean Ajay Vinzé, whose ambitious goals include building a new business school.

“This ranking affirms our ability to produce career-ready graduates, stay atop of technology and innovation, conduct impactful research, and collaborate with the business community,” Vinzé said.

The undergraduate nursing category was a ranking that U.S. News added last year. Mason’s ranking, up from last year, comes at a time when the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) is vying to become the state’s first College of Public Health.

CHHS Dean Melissa J. Perry noted that health care careers are expected to increase by more than 2 million jobs in the next decade. Mason has been supplying the region with nurses for almost five decades.

“There is a nursing crisis, and there is a health care provider crisis,” Perry said. “The U.S. News recognition signals to the country that Mason is rising to this challenge by providing top-notch educational opportunities to ensure a future with expertly prepared health care providers.”

Overall ranking
Publics: 64 (up from 67)
Nationally: 137 (up from 148)

Diversity
Publics: 7 (up from 12) Best in Virginia
Nationally: 13(up from 21)

Innovation
Publics: 8 (up from 9) Best in Virginia
Nationally: 20

Undergraduate Cybersecurity
Publics: 10 (up from 15)
Nationally: 19 (up from 28)

Undergraduate Computer Science
Publics: 40 (up from 45)
Nationally: 72 (up from 82)

Undergraduate Business
Publics: 53
Nationally: 86

Undergraduate Engineering
Publics: 57
Nationally: 94

Undergraduate Nursing
Publics: 70 (up from 71)
Nationally: 93 (up from 96)

Best for Veterans
Publics: 58 (up from 62)
Nationally: 89

A+ School for B Students

Explore Mason's Academic Programs

Apply to Mason

More About How Mason Stacks Up in the Rankings

George Mason’s vital role in advancing Virginia as America’s top state in business
July 15, 2024
George Mason in the Rankings
June 18, 2024
Student Health Services’ designation for LGBTQ+ health care practices is the latest recognition of George Mason’s inclusive campus environment
May 31, 2024
Mason has 14 graduate programs in the top 50 in U.S. News rankings
April 10, 2024
Mason’s research is best in Virginia in multiple EduRank rankings
April 3, 2024

In This Story

Gregory Washington

Kenneth Ball

Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS

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College of Engineering and Computing

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President's Task Force on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence

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diversity equity and inclusion DEI

Assoc prof awarded Mason’s Presidential Award for Faculty Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion

Jennifer Anzaldi — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 12:54:31 +0000

Assoc prof awarded Mason’s Presidential Award for Faculty Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion Jennifer Anzaldi Mon, 09/12/2022 - 08:54

In This Story

Cameron Harris

Cameron Harris, BA Integrative Studies ’06, associate professor of business foundations in the School of Business, was recently awarded the ��AV Presidential Award for Faculty Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion. Sponsored by the Office of the President, the Presidential Awards for Faculty Excellence were created to recognize, promote, and honor outstanding members of the ��AV community for excellence in teaching, research, social impact, and diversity & inclusion. The Faculty Excellence Award in Diversity & Inclusion recognizes activities that directly advance diversity and inclusion within and outside of the Mason community.

“It is quite an honor to be recognized for the Presidential Award, but also to serve in the various places around the university and in spaces related to DEI,” says Harris.

In addition to receiving the Presidential Award, Harris was also one of only two faculty members at Mason appointed to the ��AV, Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning Anti-Racist and Inclusive Excellence Task Force (ARIE) as a Faculty Fellow. ARIE Fellows are tasked with implementing more successful inclusive and equitable teaching strategies through resources to support faculty with course design, assessment, and student engagement, as well as designing and leading workshops to support Mason faculty in anti-racist and inclusive teaching.

“I have been working in faculty development spaces for a few years and have done some work with the Stearns Center in the past,” says Harris. “This position will allow me to dedicate energy and effort to the development of anti-racist pedagogical and curricular change for faculty across the university.”

Since joining the Mason faculty in 2015, Harris has built a long list of accomplishments to support diversity in the Mason community. Harris recently co-led a year-long effort to incorporate issues relating to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) into the school’s faculty hiring process. He is the faculty advisor to the Black Student Alliance, and was recognized as Student Organization Advisor of the Year by University Life’s Student Involvement Office. Harris participated in the Diversity and Inclusion Summit and the Anti-Racism Teaching Excellence committee. Harris is a member of the social justice and advocacy working group of the Mason Chooses Kindness initiative and has also served for three years on the leadership team of the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) project.

Harris has served as a co-faculty advisor to the School of Business Living Learning Community since 2016, and has facilitated multiple opportunities for students to network. In 2019, Harris was elected as vice president of Mason’s Black Alumni Chapter (BAC), where he served the Mason community through program development and engagement, and recognized alumni through the first ever BAC Mason 40 under 40 initiative. Harris was nominated for the Pillar Award for Outstanding Faculty/Staff at the 2019 Black Excellence Gala. He has served as co-chair on the Diversity Committee for the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education (POD), and as chair of the Stanley Award for Diversity and Inclusion Research in Educational Research Committee. This award is dedicated to the development and recognition of faculty who have demonstrated an unequivocal commitment to advancing research on diversity and inclusion issues in teaching and learning.

“Cameron is an asset to our institution and a valued and respected member of the faculty in the School of Business,” says Jacquelyn Brown, area chair of business foundations at ��AV School of Business. “He has consistently proven an integral part of our team and shown a willingness to engage and support the needs of our students, area, and school. I have seen his dedication to our students and his genuine enthusiasm for teaching, curriculum design, innovation, and service firsthand, as well as his natural and at times pointed inclusive approach toward each one.”

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Schar School Alumna Jennifer Vasquez Joins Golden State Warriors as VP of DEI

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��AV sees a .9 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment for Fall 2022

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Mason now a top 10 public university for diversity, innovation, and cybersecurity education, U.S. News rankings show

Explore Mason's Academic Programs

Apply to Mason

More About How Mason Stacks Up in the Rankings

In This Story

Topics

Assoc prof awarded Mason’s Presidential Award for Faculty Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion

In This Story

Topics

diversity equity and inclusion DEI

Students present research on therapeutic alliances, neurodivergent voices, and immigrant parental support groups

Learn more about the ARIE National Conference

Read about the keynote speakers

More research stories

Topics

Harmony in Diversity – Mason's Jazz Vocal Ensemble Hits the Global Stage

In This Story

Topics

Podcast - Ep 56: A view from the pulpit

Listen to this episode

Access to Excellence Podcast Episodes

In This Story

Topics

NAACP Arlington honors Mason’s ARIE Initiative and community partnership

Topics

Learn more about the ARIE initiative

More ARIE Stories

Conference draws faculty, students to Mason Square to share a vision for an inclusive, anti-racist future

Topics

Can virtual reality simulation help address racism, discrimination, and microaggressions in teaching?

In This Story

Topics

Schar School Alumna Jennifer Vasquez Joins Golden State Warriors as VP of DEI

Topics

����AV sees a .9 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment for Fall 2022

Topics

Mason now a top 10 public university for diversity, innovation, and cybersecurity education, U.S. News rankings show

Explore Mason's Academic Programs

Apply to Mason

More About How Mason Stacks Up in the Rankings

In This Story

Topics

Assoc prof awarded Mason’s Presidential Award for Faculty Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion

In This Story

Topics

��AV sees a .9 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment for Fall 2022