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Student Health Services’ designation for LGBTQ+ health care practices is the latest recognition of George Mason’s inclusive campus environment

Shayla Brown — Thu, 30 May 2024 16:51:55 +0000

Student Health Services’ designation for LGBTQ+ health care practices is the latest recognition of George Mason’s inclusive campus environment Shayla Brown Thu, 05/30/2024 - 12:51

��AV’s Student Health Services (SHS) is one of 462 health care facilities to receive the “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer” designation from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2024 Healthcare Equality Index. 

“Medicine in general has a significant history of systemic inequality, so one of the big focuses of my job is to make sure that we are addressing those inequalities and promoting health equity,” said Megan Symanowitz, SHS’s Access to Research and Inclusive Excellence health equity lead nurse. “SHS is very enthusiastic about supporting our LGBTQ+ students and learning more about how to better serve that population.”

This year was George Mason’s first time applying for the designation, said Symanowitz.

Megan Symanowitz. Photo provided.

“It's something we've been working on at the clinic for years now in collaboration with the LGBTQ+ Resource Center and George Mason’s School of Nursing. They've really helped us to identify areas where we needed to serve this community better,” said Symanowitz, who is also an alumna of the School of Nursing.

For example, acknowledging the pronouns and chosen name of every individual is one area where staff received input and made improvements, she said.

“The center guided us in making in our electronic medical health records, so people are able to self-identify their sexuality, and trans or nonbinary statuses if they want,” said Symanowitz.

“That way from the very first time we interact with a student, we’re addressing them correctly and they're not constantly having to explain themselves.”

Their team also conducts Safe Zone training, name change clinics, trans health workshops, and provides regular updates on the best health practices for the LGBTQ+ community.

This designation, which exemplifies how George Mason facilities go above and beyond the average health care practices of LGBTQ+ patient care in higher education, is one of several inclusive recognitions George Mason has received.

Last year, George Mason was one of 30 universities in the United States and the only Virginia-based institute to be awarded a “best of the best” ranking by Campus Pride.

George Mason also received a five-star Premiere Campus ranking by the Campus Pride Index, the highest possible ranking, said Josh Kinchen, director of LGBTQ+ Resources Center.

According to Forbes Advisor, George Mason is the #1 online LGBTQ+ friendly college of 2024.

Mary Lucal. Photo provided.

“Student Health Services' recent designation, coupled with Forbes Advisor naming us the top LGBTQ-friendly university, really speaks to the efforts of our faculty, staff, and students in making George Mason a place where everyone can be their authentic selves,” said Mary Lucal, vice president and chief human resources officer at George Mason.

As of August 2023, George Mason is one of 20 Division-I institutions to achieve a score of 100 on the Athletic Equity Index, in part due to efforts of the George Mason Athletics LGBTQ+ Student-Athlete Group.

“We often collaborate with athletics and offices like the resources center to expand our audience,” said Jake Kornfeld, a senior government international politics major and co-president of Pride Alliance, a registered student organization of George Mason.

“Our main goal is to provide safe spaces for healing and asking questions,” he said.

For example, the Pride Alliance organized an event where former Harvard swimmer Schuyler Bailar, the first transgender athlete to compete in on a NCAA Division I men’s team, came to speak at George Mason’s Fairfax Campus.

“He’s from the [D.C.] area, and he swam at George Mason’s pool as a kid. He shared his story about being a trans athlete. That was something that was really meaningful for a lot of people at George Mason,” said Kornfeld.

Josh Kinchen. Photo provided.

Collaborative efforts across different offices, affinity groups, and departments show George Mason’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community and to promoting inclusivity and diversity.

Other resources for the health and safety of the LGBTQ+ community at George Mason include the LGBTQ+ Peer Mentoring Program, LGBTQ+ residential Learning Community, and the Safe Zone+ Workshop Series among others.

“What we want is for families and students to be able to choose George Mason as a place where they feel that they can be academically successful while also being who they are without fear of violence or discrimination, and thrive in their identity,” said Kinchen.

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Mason has 14 graduate programs in the top 50 in U.S. News rankings

Colleen Rich — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 16:11:29 +0000

Mason has 14 graduate programs in the top 50 in U.S. News rankings Colleen Rich Wed, 04/10/2024 - 12:11

George Mason’s nursing doctorate program is 1st among public universities in U.S. News and World Report graduate program rankings; the law school is top three in the Washington, Maryland and Virginia region

��AV’s nursing programs climbed to the top in graduate program rankings from U.S. News and World Report, ready to meet the commonwealth’s increased workforce demands for highly skilled career-ready health care talent.

Mason’s doctor of nursing practice program ranked No. 1 among public institutions—up 27 spots from last year—and No. 2 among institutions nationally—up 37 spots. The nursing master’s program came in at No. 4 (up 17 spots) for public universities and No. 10 (up 28) nationally.

The master of public health program also jumped ahead 23 spots to become No. 53 nationally among all institutions, and 35th among publics. The social work program is 47th among public institutions, and the heath systems management program is 17th among public institutions and 32nd nationally. Mason is home to Virginia’s first College of Public Health.

"At Mason, our focus is clear: to foster excellence and innovation in public health education, research, and practice,” said College of Public Health Dean Melissa Perry. “As the pioneering College of Public Health in Virginia, we are setting the standard for interprofessional education in this vital field. Our programs are designed to equip the next generation of health professionals with the knowledge and skills to address the complex health challenges of our time."

Overall this year, Mason has 21 graduate programs in the top 50 among public universities and 14 programs in the top 50 of all universities nationally. (All U.S. News graduate program rankings, including previous years, are available here.)

Antonin Scalia Law School’s law program advanced to No. 11 among public schools and No. 28 among all law schools nationally. With this move, it ranks third among all law schools in Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. The part-time program ranks second nationally among all public law schools.

“The law school achieved the highest ranking in the school’s history at No. 28,” said Scalia Law Dean Ken Randall. “The part-time JD program remains among the top five nationally. Despite its relative youth, Scalia is ranked No. 3 among the 16 law schools in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland, behind only UVA and Georgetown.”

The College of Education and Human Development’s special education program gained ground as well, coming in at No. 16 for publics (up one) and No. 17 for all institutions (up two).

“We are so proud of our special education program,” said Dean Ingrid Guerra-López. “This recognition affirms our commitment to excellence, innovation, and the belief that every individual has the potential to make a meaningful impact in the world. It is a testament to our faculty, staff, and students, who work tirelessly to push boundaries and inspire change.”

The Schar School of Policy and Government is 4th in homeland security both nationally and among publics. The school ranks 39th nationally overall and 26th among publics for public affairs; 10th among publics for nonprofit management (13th nationally); 33 nationally and 24 among publics for public management and leadership; and No. 31 nationally and No. 17 among publics for public policy analysis.

“These rankings are affirmation of the strong quality of the Schar School’s academic programs and cutting-edge research,” said Schar School Dean Mark Rozell. “The continued growth in the rankings aligns to the value proposition that Schar provides to students and career-seekers located in the Washington, D.C., region, offering direct access to leaders, news makers, policy advocates, and amazing faculty expertise.”

“Mason has made significant investments in graduate education and the latest U.S. News rankings reflect our commitment to excellence as well as reaffirm the quality and hard work of our faculty, students, and staff,” Interim Provost Ken Walsh said. “I’m proud that our teaching and learning is recognized, as well as the impact of research and scholarship these programs produce.”

In 2022, Mason launched its Graduate Division, expanding student support services and creating a dedicated graduate success center, to increase graduate funding for programs. New professional development programs, such as the Accelerate to Industry program, the Graduate Student Career Conference, the Communication Academy four-part performance workshop series, and a Skillcraft Series for graduate teaching through the Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning, offer students a roadmap combining their academic learning with work-readiness skills.

U.S. News announced April 8 that they would delay the release of Engineering School rankings and rankings for Clinical Psychology programs, as well as Medical School rankings.

The complete rankings released on Tuesday, April 9, can be found on the U.S. News and World Report website.

Mason students enjoy a spring afternoon by Mason Pond. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

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Nine Mason online programs ranked by U.S. News in top 50 among public universities

Melanie Balog — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 17:25:00 +0000

Nine Mason online programs ranked by U.S. News in top 50 among public universities Melanie Balog Wed, 02/07/2024 - 12:25

��AV continues to advance as a top 50 university in the national rankings. U.S. News & World Report rankings of online master’s degree programs, announced today, include nine Mason programs in the top 50 among public universities and eight in the top 50 among all institutions. Nursing, education, business, and offerings for veterans were among the top-ranked programs.

Peterson Family Health Sciences Hall is home to the College of Public Health, whose online graduate nursing program was ranked best in the Virginia-Maryland-D.C. region by U.S. News and World Report. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“These rankings are a testament to the strength of our degree programs, the talent of our faculty, the excellence of our student body and their aptitude for rigorous coursework,” College of Education and Human Development Dean Ingrid Guerra-López said. “Our year-over-year rise confirms and reinforces our ongoing commitment to innovate and grow to meet the needs of today’s workforce.”

As a university that prides itself on access and affordability, Mason’s strong showing in online rankings resonates with students, professionals looking to enhance their careers, and others looking for flexible class offerings. The online program rankings come on the heels of several top 50 rankings for Mason last fall as well. You can check out all of Mason rankings on our rankings page.

The nursing program climbed to 34th in U.S. News, best in the Virginia-Maryland-Washington, D.C., region, up 12 spots from last year, and the program’s overall national ranking rose 15 spots to 49th. In the nursing program geared toward veterans, Mason is 11th among public universities and 18th overall nationally.

“��AV’s interprofessional approach to nursing and our innovative teaching practices, including virtual reality applications, prepare students for tomorrow’s health care challenges today,” College of Public Health Dean Melissa J. Perry said. “Mason nurses build knowledge and gain cultural competencies, distinguishing them as some of the most well-rounded nurses in the country.”

Amid a national shortage of special education teachers, Mason ranks eighth nationally in special education, and eighth among public universities, up three spots in both from last year. Education for veterans is 14th among publics and overall, up three and four slots from last year, respectively. In addition, education is 40th among publics and 45th overall, topping by eight and seven spots the rankings from last year. Curriculum and instruction is 17th among publics and overall.

Mason’s education program is why Northern Virginia is home to some of the nation’s top public school systems. An estimated half of Northern Virginia K-12 school administrators, and by some estimates one-third of teachers, have Mason degrees or certifications.

“We are so proud to support the region with skilled and well-prepared professionals,” Guerra-López said. “We work collaboratively with school divisions, community organizations, government, business, and other partners to help build an educated and thriving community.”

The Costello College of Business earned three high rankings, including 41st among publics, and 50th overall, in online MBA for veterans. About 1 in 10 students at Mason identifies as active duty, veteran, or dependent.

“Mason is a place of possibility for active-duty service members and veterans to acquire new skills and qualifications, and to ease the transition to civilian life and advance their careers,” Costello College of Business Dean Ajay Vinzé said. “This is an important role Mason plays for the military community as they continue to contribute and lead in society.”

Non-MBA business is 44th among publics and up four spots to 62 nationally. MBA is 54th among publics and 74th overall.

Among the other highlights from the rankings are information technology at 35th among publics and 50th overall, both slightly up from last year. Engineering came in at 51st among publics and 67th overall.

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NSF rankings show Mason ahead of research funding goals

Colleen Rich — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 19:04:05 +0000

NSF rankings show Mason ahead of research funding goals Colleen Rich Mon, 01/29/2024 - 14:04

Mason in top 25 in social, computer, and information science research funding

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

��AV’s $230 million in research funding in fiscal year 2022 was a 7% increase from 2021, putting the university three years ahead of its goal of $225 million by 2025.

“We’re ahead of schedule and that is a testament to faculty, students, and staff researchers and those who support them who continue to drive discoveries with real-world impacts that make a difference in our communities,” said Andre Marshall, Mason’s vice president of research, innovation, and economic development. “The scholarship and community partnerships that thrive in our multidisciplinary and collaborative culture are a testament to the university’s commitment to research of consequence.”

The latest figures released by the National Science Foundation (NSF) show Mason’s research funding in the top 25 nationally in the areas of:

Social sciences: 10th among all universities (best in the Washington, D.C., area) and seventh among public universities.
Computer and informational science: 21st among all universities and 13th among public universities in federally funded research.
Engineering continued its impressive gains by moving up five places to 73rd nationally among all universities (rising 69 places since 2018), and advancing four spots to No. 52 among public institutions.

Overall, Mason’s research and development funding was 75th among public institutions and 60th among public institutions without medical schools.

“These rankings are a testament to the commitment of our remarkable social sciences faculty to lead impactful research that drives action that addresses the interconnected needs and priorities of our regional, national, and global communities,” Ann Ardis, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), said.

Added Ken Ball, dean of the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC): “The groundbreaking work in our college demonstrates our continued strength and substantial contribution to Mason’s overall research portfolio. For decades, Mason has proudly and consistently been a national leader in computer science. I’m proud that our research has lasting impacts across society.”

Some of the long-term projects either funded or ongoing in FY 2022 that have positioned Mason as a leader in research of consequence include:

An interdisciplinary team from CEC and the College of Science (COS) studying underwater explosions and their effects on civil engineering infrastructure.
A study on health equity and the impact of Medicaid telehealth policy from the CHSS and the College of Public Health.
Research in machine learning, cloud security, and hardware security led by CEC assistant professor Khaled N. Khasawneh.
Helping military personnel fight hemorrhagic diseases through research led by COS professor Aarthi Narayanan.
Identifying natural mechanisms to boost the immune process through research by COS associate professor Ramin Hakami.
Brain research by the CEC professor Giorgio Ascoli.
The researchers are from Mason’s Center for Ocean Land Atmospheric Studies updating the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s drought forecasting system.
Establishing the Virginia Climate Center, an effort is led by faculty from the COS, CEC, and CHSS.
A team from the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy working to enhance research and practice in police encounters of individuals in mental health crisis.

Funding for the Virginia Climate Center was made possible through the efforts of Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11). Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine were the primary sponsors of the project to help police in encounters with individuals in mental health crisis.

In the social sciences, which includes CHSS, the College of Public Health, the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, the Schar School of Policy and Government, the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), and the Donald G. Costello College of Business, initiatives came in several forms.

"The Schar School is a proud contributor to Mason's social science research drawing from a deep pool of esteemed scholars and rising stars engaged in cutting edge interdisciplinary and disciplinary research," said Schar School Dean Mark J. Rozell.

Some examples:

Examining the human response to climate change during the last glacial period with CHSS’s Jamie Clark leading an international team.
Translating research into actionable guidelines to help probation officers support their clients to achieve better outcomes, a collaboration between the College of Public Health and the Schar School.
Exploring the intricacies and prevalence of the illicit trafficking of human kidneys. Headed by the Schar School with input from the CEC’s Systems Engineering and Operations Research Department.
Identifying ways to use human-robot teaming to open the field of construction to neurodiverse individuals, specifically those with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Teams are from the Schar School, CEC, and CEHD.
Examining whether school safety and security measures have negative, academic, behavioral, and social effects on low-income students and students of color. The effort is led by CEHD.
A team from the Schar School, led by Louise Shelley and CEC’s Edward Huang, is investigating how to disrupt illicit supply chains and influence policy.
Researchers in the College of Public Health and CEC are developing a machine learning approach to accurately identify the age of bruises.
Creating an interprofessional Learning Laboratory for Community Health that trains students to serve and improve health care for underserved communities. Led by professor of nursing Rebecca Sutter, the effort includes faculty from the College of Public Health and the Costello College of Business.
Developing accessible and culturally appropriate communications of new scientific findings to communities most affected by the opioid crisis. The research is led by Schar’s Faye Taxman and CHSS’s Xiaoquon Zhao.

The NSF collected its data from 900 universities in the Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey, sponsored by the NSF’s National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics unit.

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Mason named to top 100 list for patents awarded in 2022

Colleen Rich — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 13:30:11 +0000

Mason named to top 100 list for patents awarded in 2022 Colleen Rich Thu, 10/12/2023 - 09:30

It isn’t surprising that ��AV, a university that has been recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, would be among the top 100 universities in United States for patents. This fall, the National Academy of Inventors ranked Mason No. 91 in its list of the top 100 universities granted patents during 2022.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“Mason is in the business of discovery,” said Andre Marshall, vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact. “Our researchers are curiosity-driven. As such, we don't always know where our research will lead or what impact it may have. I am absolutely delighted that the Mason Enterprise tech transfer team is working with our researchers on inventions and patents to transform our discoveries into impact.”

In 2022, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued 15 utility patents to Mason inventors including a method to monitor physical cues for people in recovery, a wearable device for knee injuries, a system for detecting power grid states and determining appropriate actions, and therapeutics for dealing with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), to name a few. Utility patents cover the creation of a new or improved—and useful—product, process, or machine.

Mason professors Padmanabhan Seshaiyer of the Department of Mathematical Sciences and Holly Matto, Department of Social Work, share a patent for systems and methods for biobehavioral-regulation treatments. Their invention provides recovery support for users by monitoring their biobehavioral state and strategically delivers, in real time, personalized recovery cues to treat and prevent relapse. It is the first patent for the Department of Social Work.

Researchers Marissa Howard and Lance Liotta at Mason’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine patented a wearable device that measures, tracks, and monitors a wearer's physical physiological conditions during a rehabilitation period. The device collects metrics, such as temperature, patellar shifting, limb circumference, and acceleration, and communicates them through a networked communication system so medical personnel and patients can stay updated with the patient’s rehabilitation progress and make adjustments.

Mason alum Eniye Tebekaemi, PhD Information Technology ’18, and Duminda Wijesekera of the College of Engineering and Computing were awarded a patent for a secure overlay communication model for decentralized autonomous power grids. The model is a logic-based system deployed onto computing devices in power grid stations and substations. In response to detecting various power grid faults, such as line failures and over-current states, the system can automatically rearrange power line configurations.

Researcher Yuntao Wu, a professor in Mason’s School of Systems Biology and the Center for Infectious Disease Research, was awarded two patents in 2022 for his work on HIV: “Targeting the Cofilin Pathway” and “Method and System for Inactivating Virus Infectivity for Producing Live-Attenuated Vaccines.” Wu has devoted his career to HIV research. In 2013, he founded the biotech company Virongy after licensing an HIV drug-screening technology that was developed in his Mason lab.

“The Office of Technology Transfer takes great pride in the quality of patented innovations brought forth by our dedicated researchers,” said David Grossman, senior director of Technology Transfer and Industry Collaboration at Mason. “We are honored to help these innovators transition their groundbreaking concepts from the laboratory to the marketplace. This collaboration between academia and industry underscores our unwavering commitment to harness the full potential of research for the betterment of society.”

The academy’s Top 100 lists are created using data provided by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Other Virginia universities in the top 100 included University of Virginia at 52 and Virginia Commonwealth University at 86.

According to the National Academy of Inventors press release, “This new list was created to highlight and celebrate American innovation and to showcase the universities that play a large role in advancing the innovation ecosystem within the U.S. and beyond.”

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Andre Marshall, PhD

Holly Matto, PhD, LCSW-C

Lance A. Liotta

Duminda Wijesekera

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Mason soars in national rankings

Colleen Rich — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 21:31:32 +0000

Mason soars in national rankings Colleen Rich Fri, 09/15/2023 - 17:31

Multiple national college rankings released in recent weeks have placed ��AV among America’s top 50 public universities, top 100 among all public and private institutions, and Virginia’s No. 1 public university for social mobility.

Released today, U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2024 ranks Mason at #51 among all public universities and #105 among all universities nationwide. Mason also remains a top 20 university nationwide for innovation and a top 50 (#49) for veterans, according to these national rankings.

^{The rankings are confirming what we here at Mason and Virginians have known for some time; based on our performance, ��AV is one of America’s top 50 public universities,” Mason President Gregory Washington said. “Further, today’s rankings reflect the value and performance families are looking for from a college education, and Mason’s year-over-year enrollment increases and placement of our graduates confirm that we are now a destination for graduates from Virginia and beyond.”}

Social mobility now factored

The most significant change in this year’s rankings is the addition of social mobility factors to ranking methodologies, in recognition of growing public demand for more affordable, inclusive, and accessible universities. Mason places No. 1 in Virginia for public universities across all rankings that measure social mobility. Among public universities nationwide, Mason ranks #41 with the Wall Street Journal and #34 with Washington Monthly National University Rankings, both for social mobility, and #19 in the New York Times Top U.S. Colleges with the Greatest Economic Diversity.

“All students deserve access to a college education and experience that will deliver on a promise to transform their lives and set them up for lifelong success. Mason delivers in access, innovation, excellence, and opportunity. We are not just in the education business – we are in the success business,” added Washington.

National consensus about Mason

Mason is now a top 50 public university in the Wall Street Journal Best Colleges in the U.S. (#33, up from #95) and Forbes America’s Top Colleges (#40). In addition, U.S. News & World Report put Mason in a tie at #51 (up from #64) among public universities, and Washington Monthly ranked Mason 60th among public universities.

Among all universities, both public and private, Mason earns a tied ranking of 105th in U.S. News (up from #137), 95th with the Wall Street Journal (up from #179 in 2021), 93rd with Forbes, and 91st with Washington Monthly (up from #94).

A place to belong and succeed

These high-profile recognitions follow other recent rankings that highlight Mason for being one of America’s most inclusive and welcoming universities. FIRE, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, updated its rankings this month, naming Mason No. 8 in the nation for First Amendment observation, up from 17th last year.

Campus Pride also gave Mason its “Best of the Best” designation again for offering safe and welcoming campuses to the LGBTQ+ community, one of just 30 universities in the nation and the only university in Virginia to earn this distinction.

“The measurements of success are starting to change to favor institutions that are more inclusive and less exclusive,” Washington said. “That adjustment is long overdue. Mason is all about helping hard-working students reach their Point B, no matter where their Point A happens to be.”

The university’s total student enrollment has surpassed 40,000 this year, a first for the Commonwealth of Virginia, including the largest freshman class in school history with 4,500 students. Mason’s graduation rates are higher than the national average. In addition, 86% of recent graduates are employed in the greater Washington, D.C., area and 89% in positions related to their career goals.

Currently, about one in four Mason students is in the first generation of their family to attend college, and a slightly higher percentage of Mason students qualify for Federal Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduates with exceptional financial need.

This year, U.S. News also ranked several of Mason’s undergraduate programs in the top 100 nationally, including business, economics, psychology, computer science, and teaching.

Over the years, Mason has been recognized in numerous college rankings as Virginia’s top public university for diversity, innovation, cybersecurity, homeland security, service to military veterans, and service to students outside the traditional college ages. Check out all of Mason’s updated rankings: gmu.edu/news/rankings.

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Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School ranked second in the commonwealth and D.C. area, U.S. News rankings say

Colleen Rich — Wed, 10 May 2023 14:00:01 +0000

Mason’s Antonin Scalia Law School ranked second in the commonwealth and D.C. area, U.S. News rankings say Colleen Rich Wed, 05/10/2023 - 10:00

��AV’s Antonin Scalia Law School is the No. 2 law school in the commonwealth in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. The school also ranks No. 2 among all law schools in the Washington, D.C., area. Overall, Scalia Law is ranked 12th nationally among public universities.

Mason Square. Photo by Ron Aira/Creative Services

Scalia Law also has the No. 1 part-time law program nationally among public universities. The school’s intellectual property program shone as well, with a No. 9 ranking nationally among public institutions. The University of Virginia School of Law was ranked No. 1 overall in the commonwealth.

The U.S. News rankings for law and medical schools were originally scheduled for release on April 25 with the rest of the graduate school evaluations, but were postponed until today to allow U.S. News to verify data.

“We are pleased to be ranked as the No. 2 law school in the commonwealth and the DMV, with the nation’s No. 1-ranked public, part-time JD program,” Scalia Law Dean Ken Randall said. “While the values used in the rankings continue to evolve, as a general matter, the rankings reflect the strong performance of our outstanding students and faculty and our alumni support.”

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U.S. News & World Report: Mason has 10 graduate programs in the top 30 nationally

Colleen Rich — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 15:21:12 +0000

U.S. News & World Report: Mason has 10 graduate programs in the top 30 nationally Colleen Rich Mon, 04/24/2023 - 11:21

��AV has 10 graduate programs in the top 30 among public institutions, according to the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report, reflecting the university’s reputation for innovation and ability to make significant impacts on the national stage.

The list is led by the homeland security program in the Schar School of Policy and Government, which is ranked No. 5 among public institutions and among all universities nationally. It is the sixth consecutive year the program has ranked in the top 10. Also in the top 30 are four other Schar School programs, three from the College of Public Health, the special education program in the College of Education and Human Development, and the industrial engineering program in the College of Engineering and Computing.

Overall, Mason has 14 programs in the top 50 among public universities and 10 in the top 50 of all universities nationally. Several other programs made significant gains.

“I am very proud that Mason’s graduate programs are of exceptional quality, are well respected while providing areas of study that enhance our student’s academic success and help them to achieve their career aspirations,” Provost Mark Ginsberg said. “The recognition provided by U.S. News & World Report affirms that Mason is a cutting-edge university that is thriving locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.”

Mason, Virginia’s largest, most diverse, and innovative university, conferred the most graduate degrees of any four-year public institution in the commonwealth in the 2021-22 academic year, including 24% of all master’s degrees, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Schar School’s profile keeps growing

Five Schar School programs are in the top 30 among public institutions and in the top 50 among all national universities.

In addition to homeland security, there is nonprofit management (No. 9 among publics, No. 13 overall); public finance (18, 24); public policy analysis (21, 34); and the overall public affairs program (27, tied with Virginia Commonwealth, 39).

Homeland security, nonprofit management, and public finance are also ranked best in Virginia. And the nonprofit management program saw its ranking improve by 14 places among public institutions and 19 among all universities.

“These rankings are a recognition of our high-quality academic programs.” Schar School Dean Mark J. Rozell said. “In a highly competitive market, we continue to rank among the best in graduate professional education.”

On the rise

A strong showing by Virginia’s first College of Public Health includes the health care administration program (17th among public institutions and 32nd nationally, tied with Georgetown); the nursing master’s program (21, 38); and the Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program (28, 39), which saw its ranking among publics rise by 10 places and its overall national ranking improve by 13. Mason’s public health programs overall are ranked 50th among public universities, tied with Virginia Commonwealth.

“As the first College of Public Health in Virginia, our graduates are now even better positioned to lead public health initiatives and continued to advance health and well-being for all,” College of Public Health Dean Melissa J. Perry said. “All of our graduate programs provide interdisciplinary public health education, research, and practice that allow our graduates to innovate public health and health care for their communities.”

The College of Education and Human Development’s special education program is ranked 17th among public institutions and 19th nationally.

Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing also showed strength. Its industrial engineering program is ranked 25th among publics (tied with University of Virginia) and 34th nationally. Computer science came in at 38th among publics and 65th nationally, and computer engineering moved up six spots to No. 38 among publics and 11 spots to No. 64 nationally, tied with George Washington University.

The School of Business’ part-time MBA program is ranked 40th among public institutions (tied with the College of William and Mary) and moved up two spots to No. 65 nationally.

Other big movers include engineering (53rd among publics and up 10 spots to 82nd nationally); mathematics (56th among publics and up 24 spots to 91st nationally; and physics (72nd among publics and up 19 spots to 113th nationally).

Mason’s new Graduate Division, a major unit of Academic Affairs within the Office of the Provost, will elevate graduate education at the university by increasing the global impact of its graduate students and programs, fostering a collaborative culture of academic excellence, and contributing to the research productivity and the workforce development appropriate to an R1 institution.

U.S. News announced on April 19, 2023, that the medical and law school rankings will be released at a later date.

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Schar School of Policy and Government

Costello College of Business

Scalia Law school rises to 13th among U.S. public institutions in Shanghai ranking

Colleen Rich — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 16:08:56 +0000

Scalia Law school rises to 13th among U.S. public institutions in Shanghai ranking Colleen Rich Mon, 10/03/2022 - 12:08

Photo by Sierra Guard/Creative Services

Law is one of Mason’s five top-100 programs in the worldwide evaluation.

��AV has five programs in the top 100 in the world in the latest Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, with the Antonin Scalia Law School leading the way at 28th worldwide, 17th in the United States, and 13th among U.S. public institutions.

Mason also gained in the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Both rankings are compiled by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy.

The ranking reinforces Scalia Law as a rising star among law schools. Its part-time law program is ranked No. 1 nationally among public institutions and No. 4 overall by U.S. News and World Report. See more Mason rankings.

“We are honored to receive this ranking from ShanghaiRanking,” said Ken Randall, Allison and Dorothy Rouse Dean and ��AV Foundation Professor of Law. “It reflects the excellence of our faculty, students, and alumni, and our continuing tradition of providing a forum for robust debate of today’s most important legal issues.”

Atmospheric sciences came in at No. 45 worldwide while economics, public administration, and education placed in the 76-100 grouping.

Atmospheric science (16th among U.S. public institutions and 24th nationally), public administration (23rd among publics and 31st nationally), and communication (40th among publics and 49th nationally) were judged best in Virginia.

Economics (17th among publics and 38th nationally) tied with the University of Virginia for the top-ranked program in the commonwealth.

In the Academic Ranking of World Universities, Mason placed in the 150-201 group worldwide (up from the 201-300 group last year), along with the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth and the George Washington University.

That position placed those institutions tied for 63rd nationally and tied for 33rd among public universities, which does not include George Washington.

Rankings compiled by ShaghaiRanking Consultancy are based on indicators such as the number of papers authored by an institution in an academic subject; the average impact of those paper as measured by InCites; the number of papers published in top journals and conferences in an academic subject; and the number of staff at an institution wining significant awards in an academic subject.

Other Mason rankings in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects

	Among publics	Nationally
Clinical medicine	20	47
Public health	23 (tied with UMD-Balt.)	50 (tied with Georgetown)
Transportation science	29 (tied with UVA, Old Dominion	38
Education	30 (tied with Virginia Commonwealth)	42
Business administration	33	54 (tied with George Washington)
Tourism and hospitality	37	40
Electronic engineering	39 (tied with UVA)	60 (tied with George Washington)
Psychology	43	68
Management	44	66
Political science	44	73
Finance	45	79 (tied with American)
Sociology	48 (tied with UVA, Virginia Tech)	71 (tied with Georgetown)
Ecology	62 (tied with UVA, William & Mary)	78
Computer science	65 (tied with Virginia Commonwealth)	98 (tied with George Washington)
Earth science	67 (tied with UVA, William & Mary)	88

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