Spirit Summer 2023

Mason Dining launches kosher program at Southside

Janelle Applewhite — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 19:05:52 +0000

Mason Dining launches kosher program at Southside Janelle Applewhite Fri, 07/07/2023 - 15:05

Mason Dining has worked closely with Mason Hillel and the Chabad at Mason to provide students, faculty, and staff with an eclectic mix of kosher cuisine at Southside Dining Hall, enabling Jewish students to easily follow kosher dietary rules.

Bracha and Rabbi Ezra Wierner of Chabad at Mason with Char Bar owner Michael Chelst at the opening of Mason Mensch. Photo by Sofia Vetrova

The station, known as Mason Mensch, launched in January and serves kosher dinners Sundays through Thursdays on a first-come, first-served basis.

Rabbi Daniel Novick from Mason Hillel says his team is grateful to their Mason colleagues for years of partnership that helped get them to this point. “We are not only excited about what this means for our Jewish community now, but how this will help our efforts to make Mason an attractive destination for Jewish students for years to come.”

Char Bar, a well-known kosher establishment in downtown Washington, D.C., is providing a selection of brisket tacos, hot honey chicken, burgers, kabobs, sandwiches, and more. Production and service will be overseen by a mashgiach—an expert kosher supervisor—to ensure the highest standards are followed.

This addition to the dining program has been in the works for years and aligns with the university’s overall mission of inclusion. Mason Dining is thrilled to be able to bring the Mason community food that is both delicious and respectful of kosher rules.

“With such a diverse campus and requests for foods that fit into a kosher lifestyle, we are very excited to bring this innovative and inclusive concept to fruition at Mason,” says Pascal Petter, executive director of Mason’s Auxiliary Services.

“There’s a Jewish expression, ‘May we go from strength to strength!’” says Rabbi Ezra Wiemer, co-director of Chabad at Mason. “This is a huge milestone for the Jewish community, and we are thankful to the Mason administration for their true commitment to inclusion.”

Learn more about dining options at Mason

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Patriots Win Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship

Janelle Applewhite — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 17:29:26 +0000

Patriots Win Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship Janelle Applewhite Mon, 07/03/2023 - 13:29

Photo by Mason Athletics

The Mason baseball team claimed the 2023 Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship with a 6-2 victory over fourth-seeded Saint Louis on Saturday, May 27, at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia. This is the Patriots’ second A-10 title. Mason won its first A-10 title in 2014, the program's first season in the conference.

Mason is making its eighth NCAA Tournament appearance. At press time, the Patriots were headed to the Winston-Salem Regional of the 2023 NCAA Baseball Tournament in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

This season the Patriots won 34 games under first-year head coach and Mason alum Shawn Camp, BA Sociology ’21, the most the team has posted since 2014. Camp played baseball for Mason from 1995 to 1997.

Find out how they did at gomason.com.

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A Hat Trick for Mason Athletics

Janelle Applewhite — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 15:56:57 +0000

A Hat Trick for Mason Athletics Janelle Applewhite Mon, 07/03/2023 - 11:56

Mason Athletics has been building its leadership roster this spring with the addition of a new athletic director, a new men’s basketball head coach, and the extension of Mason’s women’s basketball head coach’s contract.

Marvin Lewis

Marvin Lewis is the new assistant vice president and director of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Germantown, Maryland, native boasts 15 years of athletic administrative leadership with various impressive NCAA Division I institutions. Lewis, who begins July 1, assumed senior leadership roles at Georgia Tech, University of Maryland, Georgia State, and most recently at Brown University as the school’s assistant vice president for athletics and recreation/chief operating officer.

Lewis is regarded as one of the nation’s most respected up-and-comers in athletics administration, having been named to the CollegeAD Next Up list in 2017 and the 2018-19 College Athletic Business Management Association (CABMA) Manager of the Year. He successfully completed the prestigious NCAA Pathway Program for aspiring athletics directors and conference commissioners in 2020.

“I am attracted to Mason because of its distinct blend of world-class academics, nationally competitive athletics, and the location in Northern Virginia,” says Lewis. “Mason is everything that is right about higher education, creating diverse and inclusive communities that enhance the experience for all students.”

Tony Skinn

Tony Skinn, BA Communication ’06, was named the 12th head coach in Mason men’s basketball program history. A key starter on Mason’s celebrated 2006 Final Four team and one of the best all-around guards in program history, Skinn returns to his alma mater after nearly a decade of collegiate coaching.

During that decorated coaching career, he’s guided three different programs, including University of Maryland, to the NCAA Tournament, been a part of six 20+ win campaigns, and established himself as a stout recruiter both within the talent-rich Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region, as well as across the country.

“It is with great excitement that I return home to Mason,” Skinn says. “I’ve had some of my greatest memories here and I’m looking forward to making new ones with our fans and our community. Our best days are ahead!”

Vanessa Blair-Lewis

Women’s basketball head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis’s contract has been extended through the 2027-28 season. The extension comes after the Patriots’ rapid improvement under Blair-Lewis’s leadership during her first two seasons in Fairfax.

The team saw victories in back-to-back Atlantic 10 Conference Tournaments while the number of regular season wins increased by double digits in a short time. Blair-Lewis has seen major success with the women’s basketball team as Mason finished 16-15 this season and 8-8 in Atlantic 10 play, the Patriots’ first winning season since 2017-18. In both seasons since her arrival, Blair-Lewis has led the Patriots to a win in the conference tournament, including a run to the A10 quarterfinals this year. In the upcoming 2023-24 season, Mason will return with its top four point scorers.

“In a short period of time, we have built an amazing family environment and a strong culture in which everyone is loved, valued, and respected,” says Blair-Lewis. “I am proud to serve this great university and will continue to make Mason Nation proud. In all we do, excellence is our standard.”

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Mason Now: Power the Possible

Colleen Rich — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 15:54:24 +0000

Mason Now: Power the Possible Colleen Rich Mon, 07/03/2023 - 11:54

On April 20, 2023, President Gregory Washington announced the launch of Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one billion dollar comprehensive campaign for ��AV.

In his remarks, he laid the foundation for the work ahead. As critical players in the Mason story, we share with you President Washington’s vision for the future—in his own words—explaining why it is Mason’s time to power the possible.

It’s Mason’s Time

There is a long precedent in our state for institutions of higher education rising to address the needs of a country at specific times. It began with William & Mary, whose many firsts mirrored the development of a new nation. The University of Virginia then emerged early in the 1800s with a focus on creating a broader educated populace. The establishment of land-grant universities under Abraham Lincoln—focused on agriculture, science, and engineering to meet the needs of the increasingly industrialized nation— gave birth to Virginia Tech.

A little more than 50 years ago, a group of visionary leaders saw that it was time for a new kind of university, one that could meet the needs of a region that was on the verge of unprecedented growth and boundless possibility. Nicknamed “the 123 Club,” they recognized that what Northern Virginia needed was a first-rate university—one that could educate the workforce that would fuel business growth, enrich the community, increase access to opportunity, and drive innovation.

That is how—often against considerable odds—a branch campus became a commuter school, a commuter school grew into a residential campus, a residential campus added professional schools and an Institute of Science and Technology, and a young university became a Tier 1 research institution.

All of this was possible because our founders had more than vision—they had an enduring commitment to turn that vision into reality. They were lifelong supporters—as donors, board members, advocates, and advisors. And we’ve had great leadership over the last 20 years with Presidents Johnson, Merten, and Cabrera.

Because of them and the generations of Mason alumni who have laid the foundation, we can state with confidence what is increasingly apparent to the region, the commonwealth, and the nation. Now, it is Mason’s time.

To fully realize the future we can create, we need more than our talent, our grit, and our audacity.

President Gregory Washington

Why Mason Now?

Why Mason now? Because Mason is the engine that drives the most populous region in the state. Mason is at the nexus of government and industry, policy and health care, business and technology, culture and innovation.

Why Mason now? Because Mason is an integral partner in why Northern Virginia is home to more than 100 U.S. and global corporate headquarters.

Why Mason now? Because we produce graduates for the 21st century, much as our sister institutions met the needs of previous times. And in true Mason fashion, we defy definitions and exceed expectations. We are a new kind of flagship institution—focused on creating an informed diverse populace for a democracy that is in peril—and a new kind of land-grant institution, one that prepares all of our citizens to be leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, business, the arts, health care, politics, and more.

Why Mason now? Because we reflect the diversity of what our country is today and what it will be tomorrow. Beyond race and ethnicity, our inclusivity extends to diversity of thought, experience, and belief systems. Black, white, rich, poor, gay, straight, right, left, American, international, progressive, conservative—and every shade in between. Whoever you are, you can find yourself here, at Mason.

Students test soil samples at the Ahn Wetland Mesocosm Compound on the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Evan Cantwell.

Why Mason now? Because we know that difference makes us stronger. At a time when our society is increasingly divided, all too often seeing things as binary and in opposition, Mason is proof positive that the free exchange of ideas is a defining characteristic of a free society.

And that was there from the beginning. It’s part of our DNA: As one of the original 123 Club members put it, “We had Republicans and Democrats. While we had different political beliefs, we decided not to figure out who is right, but what is right.”

I am proud to be part of an institution that is home to the Antonin Scalia Law School and the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution. I would have loved to have been able to invite them both to campus for a dialogue. And you know what? I think they would have accepted, because they understood that holding an opposing viewpoint doesn’t make someone “evil,” and that open forums re much more productive than echo chambers. And you know it would have been a pretty lively and entertaining evening.

Why Mason now? Because new challenges require new ways of thinking and new folks at the table. Those with the willingness to break the mold and question the status quo. People who believe that a university can accept 90 percent of its undergraduate applicants and also be a Tier 1 research institution. And who refuse to accept that a student’s zip code should determine their educational prospects.

The world doesn’t need to wait for that way of thinking, for those people, or for that university. Because it already exists right here, right now.

The Future We Can Create

To fully realize the future we can create, we need more than our talent, our grit, and our audacity.

To take this next step, we need a level of financial support that we richly deserve but have yet to receive. That is why we are launching Mason Now: Power the Possible, the Campaign for ��AV, with the goal of raising one billion dollars.

Let me share a few examples of how this campaign will help Mason lead Virginia into the future.

We will dramatically increase scholarships and support services for our students.

We will also name five of our current schools and colleges to add to the Carter, Dewberry, Scalia, Schar, and Volgenau schools. And because we are Mason, we are already off and running: a $50 million planned gift to the ��AV Foundation has established the Donald G. Costello School of Business.

We will build upon the Mason Virginia Promise— one of the first initiatives I launched as president.

If you are a Virginian, we will provide a pathway for you to earn a four-year degree at Mason. Or, if you want to start your own business, one of our more than 27 Small Business Development Centers around the state will support you. This program exemplifies why this is Mason’s time: it empowers individuals; it rewards entrepreneurship; it powers the economy; and it uplifts communities.

We will strengthen our position as a cultural beacon for Northern Virginia with the reimagination of the Center for the Arts. With increased accessibility, amenities, and technical capabilities, the reimagined center will enhance our ability to educate and entertain for generations to come. The arts invite all to our campuses to share experiences, engage in debate, and enrich perspectives. That is the essence of community-building.

Fuse at Mason Square. Concept rendering by Mason Innovation Partners/EYP

We will strengthen our campuses as true hubs of partnership and innovation, underscoring our symbiotic relationship with the communities in which we are located. A prime example is the transformation of the Arlington Campus into what is now called Mason Square, an urban destination of learning, collaboration, and economic development.

As the largest producer of computing graduates in Virginia, we will forge a new model for what is possible when a university brings scholars, students, and industry together to drive innovation and bring ideas to market. Fuse at Mason Square, a technology-forward building that broke ground last year, is the largest public-private partnership in the state’s history, and it will be Virginia’s first LEED- platinum facility, underscoring our commitment to a sustainable future.

We will continue to expand our commitment to the life sciences, building on last year’s opening of the commonwealth’s first and only College of Public Health. We will meet the critical needs of our region by building a strong talent pipeline based on an inclusive approach to education, research, and practice. I believe this work can lead to Northern Virginia’s first collegiate medical school. Did you notice how I snuck that in? That’s the Mason in me, going right from launching a School of Public Health to envisioning a Mason School of Medicine.

That is just a glimpse of what this campaign will make possible.

Mason’s Next 50 Years

As we look to Mason’s next 50 years, let us remind ourselves that Mason began as a noble experiment, a “what if.” What if a major university could be formed in the second half of the 20th century—far removed from the established power of the state government—to serve the needs of a growing and diverse population? A new kind of land-grant university, one born and willed out of the community. With the core support of a handful of business leaders who saw what this dream could become, the Mason experiment was launched. And because of the audacity of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community, it is an experiment that continues to this day.

And knowing the Mason character, I believe it is an experiment that will never end. Because we will never stop questioning, we will never stop exploring, we will never stop discovering.

Our power is proven.

Our possibilities are endless.

Our time is now.

Built by grit, ability, and vision. Help make Mason's next 50 years even more impactful than it's first 50.

Join the ongoing campaign

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The Write Stuff

Colleen Rich — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 17:59:45 +0000

The Write Stuff Colleen Rich Thu, 06/15/2023 - 13:59

Henry “Hank” Jones, BA English ’07, MA ’10, first dreamt of becoming a film and television writer in graduate school. He attended writing courses at film festivals, read scriptwriting books, and watched any movie he could on Netflix. “This was back when they still mailed DVDs,” he says.

Hank Jones. Photo by Van Green

His study of the craft has paid off, with writing credits that include shows such as Motown Magic, Family Reunion, The Neighborhood, Grown-ish, Bel-Air, Truth Be Told, The Game, Black-ish, The New Edition Story, and Dear White People. He is currently a writer and producer on ABC’s Will Trent.

Jones, the first African American Mason alumnus to write for a dramatic network television series, says the road to success was not easy. “I faced self-doubt, doubt from others, poverty, joblessness, breakups, isolation...I can keep going.”

He recently shared what he’s learned from his journey and what’s next.

What were your career goals when you enrolled at Mason as a freshman in 2003?

I transferred to [Mason] after changing my major from communications (advertising) to English. My freshman composition instructor at my previous college told me I needed to focus on writing as a career. I still wasn’t sure what type of writing—and I knew I loved movies—so I concentrated on film and media studies with the thought of being a movie critic/entertainment journalist.

Which actors have been the most fun or interesting to work with?

Anthony Anderson was great on Black-ish. That guy can do anything you ask in a scene. [He would say] “Can I play ping-pong? Sure! I won a tournament.” “Break-dance? You know I used to be a semi-professional break-dancer, right?” He really was. Google it. Outside of work, Anthony would throw parties or pay for a table at a party and invite everybody out—even the assistants (me). It was always a great time.

Jenifer Lewis was amazing to work with, too. She was never not funny, and she told the best stories. Other greats include Erika Christensen, Wood Harris, Michael Rappaport, Regina Hall, and Lala Anthony.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to break into TV writing?

Write from the most personal place you can with your samples. Don’t worry about what you think audiences might like or what’s hot right now. Your truth will always be more interesting and evergreen—and that’s what people will respond to the most. Afterwards, revise your script until you hate it. Once that’s done, submit it to any writing contest or program. Sundance, American Black Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Film Independent’s Episodic Lab, and Project Involve are all great options. This will get you the attention you need to get into TV writing—especially if you’re doing it from outside Los Angeles.

What can we expect from you next?

2023 is the year I get both feet into the feature [film] world. I have a few projects I’m writing and hoping to sell. I’ll keep y’all posted!

Check out Mason's English Program

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Tackling Virginia’s Challenges

Colleen Rich — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 17:44:04 +0000

Tackling Virginia’s Challenges Colleen Rich Thu, 06/15/2023 - 13:44

��AV has long been adept at transforming scarce resources into measurable results, and that grit and perseverance are now being rewarded. Thanks to the efforts of two Virginia representatives and two U.S. Senators, Mason now has funding for five separate projects that address some of the state’s most urgent challenges.

U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) secured funding for projects focusing on cybersecurity and on mental health, while U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) championed funding for projects that take on the opioid epidemic and tick-borne illnesses. U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) won funding for a unique tutor-to-teaching program that also combats pandemic-related declines in K-12 learning achievement. All of the funding comes as part of the federal omnibus appropriations bill that President Biden recently signed into law to fund the government through Fiscal Year 2023.

Such funding doesn’t just provide a financial boost. It’s recognition of the university’s reputation as a bold innovator, and a vote of confidence in our ability to push further with research and technologies that can have far-reaching benefits.

Connolly agrees, saying “��AV is a pillar of our community, but the effects of its world-class education and world-changing research can be felt throughout the country.”

Read on to find out more about the projects being funded and their anticipated impact on Virginia.

Securing the Nation’s Data

As technology quickly changes, the U.S. government similarly must adapt its systems and policies to ensure that the nation’s data and technology remain secure—and they will soon have a valuable partner in Mason.

47% of American adults have had their personal information exposed online by cybercriminals.

Mason is a leader in cybersecurity, with a program that is currently ranked No. 9 in the world, and a bachelor’s degree in cyber security engineering that was the first of its kind to be offered in the United States. That pioneering expertise will be put to use via the new Mason Center for Excellence in Government Cybersecurity Risk Management and Resilience, which will be supported by $1 million in federal funding secured by Connolly.

The center will act as a strategic partner in cybersecurity and IT modernization efforts through education and workshops for federal government IT and cybersecurity executives and middle managers. In developing and offering these resources, the center will also leverage Mason’s Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA), to be housed within the new Fuse building at Mason Square, by leaning on IDIA’s deep interdisciplinary expertise across all facets of cybersecurity research, governance, policy, and education.

Amarda Shehu, associate vice president of research at IDIA and professor of computer science, will operate the center along with J. P. Auffret, director of research partnerships and grants initiatives in Mason’s School of Business and director of the Center for Assurance Research and Engineering.

With a 25-year history in government IT leadership and governance education, Mason is uniquely qualified to lead this effort. Connolly expressed optimism about the center, saying, “I can’t wait to see the results in action.”

Addressing Mental Health Care Needs

Of the pandemic’s many lasting effects on society, declining mental health and well-being are among the most critical, and youth are particularly susceptible. Federal statistics show that more than a third of young people in the United States have reported persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and suicide is the second-leading cause of death for those ages 10 to 24. In Virginia alone, 86 children in the state died by suicide in 2020.

50.6% increase in emergency department visits during the pandemic for youth suicide risk.

Thanks to nearly $1 million in federal funding won by Connolly, Mason will continue its existing efforts in addressing this mental health crisis through the Saving Lives and Decreasing Health Disparities project. The project aims to train community clinicians to serve diverse, low-income youth and families and provide access to low- to no-cost, culturally sensitive evidence-based assessments that can be easily implemented in community mental health settings.

The project leads—Mason psychology professor Christianne Esposito-Smythers and Psychology Department chair Keith Renshaw—hope to make a significant impact within the region. “This work is intended to increase the effectiveness of mental health services, reduce the likelihood of life-threatening behavior, and decrease the costs of care for our lowest-income youth and families,” Esposito-Smythers says.

Collaborating to Counter a Crisis

Already a crisis before the pandemic, the opioid epidemic has steadily worsened nationwide, with federal, state, and local officials reporting alarming spikes in drug overdoses.

80% increase in fatal opioid overdoses in Virginia between 2019 and 2021.

According to the most recent data from the Virginia Department of Health, fatal overdoses in the state from all substances increased by 69 percent between 2019 and 2021; fatal opioid overdoses increased by 80 percent. Nearly three quarters of all Virginia’s drug overdose deaths in 2020 involved fentanyl, an opioid that is more than 50 times more potent than heroin.

Continued isolation from the global pandemic, economic devastation, and disruptions to the drug trade have all fueled the surge. Large numbers of opioid overdose deaths have disproportionately been among those of less privileged socioeconomic status living in rural areas. State statistics also show that the formerly incarcerated who have substance abuse disorder are up to 129 times more susceptible to overdose in the first two weeks following their release.

Mason’s College of Public Health is well positioned to tackle these issues with their expertise in directly supporting health in surrounding communities. Now, with the help of federal funding won by Wexton, researchers at Mason will work to alleviate the substance abuse crisis via the future Empowered Communities Partnership Center.

With the one-time federal investment of $1,037,519, the center aims to coordinate care across systems of support and gather data to develop new models of community care to both prevent opioid overdoses and limit the burden to the state health care system.

Looping in existing Virginia statewide and local criminal justice and public health partners in a collaborative network will be key to the center’s work. There are additionally plans to expand the coordination of care for those with opioid use disorder reentering the community following their release from incarceration.

Mason nursing professor Rebecca Sutter, MSN ’01, DNP ’12, co-director of the Mason and Partners (MAP) Clinics and the Empowered Communities Program, will oversee the center. She emphasizes that Mason’s existing programs and community partnerships are foundational to the center.

“We are building upon our programs to expand our impact,” Sutter says. “This is a partnership center with the local community guiding its work while acting as a learning laboratory for the next generation of public health strategists and leaders.”

Taking on Ticks

Like many parts of the United States, Virginia is experiencing an increase in tick-borne illnesses, with particularly high numbers of confirmed cases in Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, and Rappahannock counties. Left untreated, tick-borne infections can lead to chronic suffering, disability, and even death. Early diagnosis ensures patients receive appropriate treatment, but there is currently a shortage of adequate and accessible testing throughout Virginia.

600 estimated samples tested for tick-borne illness each month at five Virginia clinics.

Mason’s Center for Advanced Testing: Tick-Borne Disease Diagnostic Clinic will soon help change that. The center will use the one-year federal investment of $820,000 secured by Wexton to deploy diagnostic testing—utilizing a suite of unmatched Mason-developed technologies—that will allow for a quicker and more efficient diagnosis.

“Our unique medical technology to diagnose tick-borne diseases began many years ago,” says University Professor Lance Liotta, co-director and medical director of Mason’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine. “Our team is thrilled to expand our clinical trial under this special funding to now offer routine testing for the entire commonwealth.”

Mason’s technology for patient sample self-collection does not require refrigeration, and results are communicated to the requesting physician within 24 hours to enable appropriate therapy to begin immediately. This is a stark improvement from conventional technologies, which typically take 6 to 12 days to process at major diagnostic laboratories. Additionally, only one patient sample is needed to detect signatures derived from all the major known tick-borne pathogens.

“Mason scientists have been leaders in helping to prevent long-term illness and disability from these diseases, which are becoming more common in Virginia and across the country,” Wexton says. “I'm grateful to Mason for their work on this issue.”

Given that Mason officials anticipate seeing 600 samples per month at five clinics, the program promises to have a dramatic impact on the region. It’s an impact that is indicative of Mason’s culture of tackling problems in singular ways that create measurable results.

One Project, Two Goals

Nationwide, one of the pandemic’s most dire effects has been the sharp decline in learning achievement for K–12 students. Additionally, the number of teachers leaving the profession has sharply risen, with about 40 to 50 percent leaving within the first five years of their careers.

40% of new teachers leave the profession in the first five years.

Mason’s Tutors to Teachers program focuses on tackling both problems simultaneously. The program trains student tutors to address the most pressing gaps K–12 children currently face while nurturing those tutors for careers as future teachers. Now, through federal funding secured by Warner and Kaine, the program will have the support to extend its efforts to even more students and future teachers throughout the state.

Currently, Mason and Virginia Community College System students work with in-service teachers and receive training to provide online tutoring services to low-income K–12 children who are showing pandemic-driven learning gaps. The $1.95 million in federal funding will be used to prepare tutors to help K–12 students become self-regulated learners. Additionally, through relevant course work, mentoring experiences, and guidance provided by Mason faculty, student tutors will be empowered to enter the teacher workforce prepared with the skills needed to make a positive impact.

The funding enables Mason to build off an existing partnership with Fairfax, Arlington, and Alexandria school districts and extend its reach to Prince William County, Franklin City, Frederick County, and Spotsylvania public schools. Plans for expansion include Historically Black Colleges, Native American tribes, and other school districts in Virginia.

Mason’s TEACHERtrack Office administers the program, developed by Mason professors Anastasia Kitsantas and Roberto Pamas, both faculty with Mason’s School of Education.

Priyanka Champaneri, BA ’05, MFA ’10, and John Hollis contributed to this story.

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Building a Legacy to Share

Colleen Rich — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 17:22:00 +0000

Building a Legacy to Share Colleen Rich Thu, 06/15/2023 - 13:22

At ��AV, we believe that while talent and passion are distributed equally, opportunity is not. So we look for the talent other institutions miss, and proudly welcome those who are prepared to take on the rigor of pursuing a degree at Virginia’s largest public research university.

We take our role as an institution serving a student body that represents diversity of all kinds seriously, and expanding opportunities for students in financial need is a fundamental part of this mission. Many of our students are the first in their families to pursue a college degree, and they need our support in many ways to be successful.

In fiscal year 2022, the ��AV Foundation was able to offer 1,300 scholarships to students, all made possible by gifts from alumni and friends of Mason.

Scholarship recipient Betzy Balladares Oviedo, an Honors College student majoring in social work, says she’s grateful “not just for financial assistance, but inspiration for excellence…I will do everything in my power to make [the scholarship] count.”

Mason is in the business of guiding students like Balladares Oviedo toward success. However, the university relies on the generosity of donors such as the Kimmy Duong Foundation, which funded Balladares Oviedo’s scholarship, to ensure students have the necessary resources.

As the university moves into its ambitious fundraising campaign, the support of our donors continues to be crucial.

For Trishana E. Bowden, president of the ��AV Foundation and Mason’s vice president for advancement and alumni affairs, that inspiration for excellence that Balladares Oviedo speaks of is a powerful catalyst that can propel a student to make the most of their opportunities.

“The proof of your impact is right here in front of you,” she says. “Any time you have a chance to meet ��AV students in person, to get to know them a little bit and hear their stories, you realize just how great an investment you are making when you donate to scholarships. And it is a wonderful feeling to know that your generosity is truly making a difference in their lives.”

In this feature, we’d like to introduce you to some of those Mason students and graduates.

Bianca Akins. Photo by Ben Powell

Bianca Akins

Computer Science, Kelsie R. Troutman Endowed Scholarship Recipient

College didn’t always look like a possibility for computer science major Bianca Akins. Akins’s mother passed away when she was 11, and family financial hardships made pursuing a college degree challenging. But she persevered.

“With the federal loans and grants, I was able to support my first semester,” Akins says, “but then I got my second semester bill and I started to panic.”

Then she received the Kelsie R. Troutman Endowed Scholarship, one of a number of scholarships supporting students in Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing.

“It was just a huge relief,” she says. “I felt safe knowing that I could go into my next semester of college and not have to worry about my financial situation.”

Growing up, school was always a safe place for Akins. “I always felt comfort in it, and I really loved learning and growing.”

The scholarship offered Akins immediate help with her college expenses, but it also created a more lasting effect: It was a vote of confidence for her, especially as a woman pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“For somebody to see that potential in me and to be able to recognize me and grant me a scholarship, I feel like that's telling me that I can do it,” she says. “It gives me the determination to continue on into the future. I would love to one day be able to help people in the way that I've been helped.”

Jordan Hassani. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Jordan Hassani

Psychology, Dean’s Challenge Scholarship, and 2022 Alumni Chapter Scholar Award Recipient

Honors College student Jordan Hassani, BS Psychology ’23, has been involved in Mason research since arriving on campus his freshman year from his hometown of San Diego, California.

After taking a class on executive function with Mason psychology professor Sabine Doebel, he asked to work in her lab. Since then, he has been a research assistant in the Developing Minds Lab, where the work focuses on executive function and working memory in preschoolers. He recently completed his honors thesis with Doebel as his advisor and received the Outstanding Honors Thesis Award. His peers also voted him Best Honors Researcher.

During his time at Mason, he received a Dean's Challenge Scholarship from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), an award that was established in 2007 to acknowledge exceptional undergraduates who have excelled while making academically challenging choices. More recently, he received the 2022 Alumni Chapter Scholar Award. He says he has also received travel grants from Mason that have enabled him to present his research at conferences.

“College is incredibly expensive, so every bit helps,” says Hassani, who aspires to one day earn a PhD. “And it is nice to be recognized.”

Hassani, who graduated in May, said the travel grants he received from the Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research (OSCAR) were critical in his development as a researcher. It’s a skill he used throughout the spring as he applied to full-time research positions around the country to get some more experience before applying to PhD programs in the extremely competitive field of clinical psychology.

“These awards have enabled me to travel around the United States presenting at four different national conferences,” he says. “I am grateful for what that financial assistance has enabled me to do.”

Stacy Maravi. Photo by Ben Powell

Stacy Maravi

Neuroscience, Pre-Med, University Scholar, and Merten-Womble Scholarship Recipient

One of the first hurdles Honors College student Stacy Maravi had to overcome in her pursuit of a college education was at home. Maravi admits that, in the beginning, her parents were skeptical and didn’t see college as a path.

This is where the Early Identification Program (EIP), Mason’s college preparatory program for first-generation students in partnership with area public school systems, helped this former Fairfax High School student follow her dream of medical school and becoming a neurologist.

“I knew I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to make an impact on the world,” says Maravi. “EIP helped me strive for higher education. [They] gave me a support system and helped me get that push and have that confidence in pursuing college.”

Not only was Maravi able to secure a spot as a University Scholar, a program that provides tuition and fees for high-achieving students, she also received a Merten-Womble Scholarship, which is an endowed award that supplements a University Scholar award by covering room and board.

“Without EIP, I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am,” says Maravi. “I hope to pay it forward one day to help a student who is in the same situation to achieve their dreams.”

Colleen Kearney Rich, MFA ’95, contributed to this story.

This story will appear in the Summer 2023 of the Mason Spirit.

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Inspiring the Class of 2023 to embrace their role in building our future world

Colleen Rich — Thu, 18 May 2023 20:11:07 +0000

Inspiring the Class of 2023 to embrace their role in building our future world Colleen Rich Thu, 05/18/2023 - 16:11

In congratulating the largest public university graduating class in state history, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and ��AV President Gregory Washington shared a message of renewal and growth at Mason’s Spring Commencement on Thursday, May 18.

Photo by Evan Cantwell

Noting that the Class of 2023 is the last four-year class to have entered college before the pandemic, Washington compared the graduates weathering that public health crisis to branches that withstand storms and become strengthened by the winds of change.

“The pandemic put so much stress on the fabric of our world that society seemed to start coming apart at the seams,” Washington told the graduating class of nearly 11,000 degree and certificate earners at EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax Campus in a ceremony livestreamed on Mason’s main YouTube channel and on the Mason homepage.

“But you all stuck together. You did what you had to do in order to get through the pandemic. You didn’t fight each other. You fought the virus. And together, we won,” Washington said to applause. “You are part of the first generation of Americans who will lead the new world that now rises up ahead of us.”

Youngkin, echoed that theme of progress, predicting that the Mason graduates would distinguish themselves across professions and industries. He cited three graduates by name and shared their stories as examples of the Class of 2023’s promising future.

The 74th Governor of Virginia, referencing Mason’s humble beginnings as 17 students in one building, hailed Mason as “a first-class institution” and one that is “truly breaking out as a great university.”

“No matter your faith, no matter your nationality, no matter your race, your culture or creed, as you walk across this stage you will have the opportunity to become a builder of Virginia, a builder of this nation, a builder of the world,” Youngkin said. “All of the men and women who attend George Mason are prepared to be builders. … The world needs builders. And you will build.”

Rector Horace Blackman presented Youngkin with an honorary doctorate of humane letters and presented the Mason Medal, the university’s highest honorary award, to Kimmy Duong, vice chairwoman and chief financial officer for innovative solutions provider Pragmatics.

Duong has provided opportunities to hundreds of students in Vietnamese and American communities through the Kimmy Duong Foundation. She and her husband, Long Nguyen, a previous Mason Medal recipient who was also in attendance Thursday, in 2011 donated $5 million to the university for what is now known as the Long and Kimmy Nguyen Engineering Building on the Fairfax Campus.

Mason is the largest and most diverse public university in the state, and the Class of 2023 enhances that status, with graduates from 111 countries, 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and military installations.

When Washington asked first-generation graduates to stand, a sea of rising green gowns rippled across the arena floor to a rousing ovation. Attending such a diverse university will give Mason graduates an advantage over many of their peers, Washington said.

“By the time you reach mid-career … America will be a nation without ethnic majorities,” Washington said. “That America will just be many different people of different backgrounds and beliefs all still trying to build a more perfect union.

“That diversity of origin, identity, circumstance, and thought is what we affectionately call, ‘All Together Different.’ It has caused some struggles and many triumphs, but it isn’t just a Mason slogan—for you all, it is actually your future.”

Graduates processed to EagleBank Arena, led by drummers and the Patriot himself. Photo by Ron Aira

Provost Mark Ginsberg introduced the student speaker, Galilea Sejas-Machado, who reflected on how she found strength in community at Mason through an active campus life, including as founding president of the Hispanic Latine Leadership Alliance.

“Don’t focus on ‘What do you want to be?’ or ‘What do you want to do?’” said Sejas-Machado, an Honors College student who double-majored in sociology and criminology, law and society. “Instead, ask, ‘Who do you want to be and who do you have in your corner?’”

Mason Alumni Association president Christine Landoll, BS ’89, MS ’92, welcomed the new graduates to the association network of more than 225,000 members worldwide. She encouraged the new alumni to stay connected to the university through mentoring, guest speaking, serving on advisory boards, and attending Mason events.

“This is your Mason family,” Landoll said. “So use them. Leverage them. Help each other out. That’s what we do.”

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��AV School of Business to be named in honor of Donald G. Costello

Colleen Rich — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 20:44:08 +0000

��AV School of Business to be named in honor of Donald G. Costello Colleen Rich Wed, 04/26/2023 - 16:44

FAIRFAX, Va.—A $50 million planned gift to ��AV, the largest school naming gift in the 51-year history of the Northern Virginia-based university, will name its business school in honor of Donald G. Costello. School of Business Dean Ajay Vinzé announced the gift at the launch of Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university’s $1 billion comprehensive campaign.

“It is fitting that we announce this transformational gift at the launch of the Mason Now campaign,” said Mason President Gregory Washington. “As the most innovative university in Virginia, Mason leads the way in creating new academic programs to meet the evolving needs of the 21st-century economy. Mr. Costello’s success is a testament to his hard work, tenacity, and steadfastness—the same qualities we seek to instill in our students.”

From left, ��AV Foundation President Trishana E. Bowden; Mason BOV Rector Horace Blackman; School of Business Dean Ajay Vinzé; Mason President Gregory Washington; Joe Contrucci, trustee of the Donald G. Costello Trust; Sara Costello, daughter of Donald Costello; Peg Contrucci; Mason BOV member Jimmy Hazel. Photo by Risdon Photography

The gift, which will establish the Donald G. Costello College of Business, reflects Mason Now’s fundraising priorities: student success, research, innovation, community, and sustainability. The School of Business is taking steps to begin its transition and expects to officially adopt the new name later this year.

The planned gift establishes an endowment that will provide scholarships to undergraduate and graduate School of Business students to help prepare them for successful careers as entrepreneurs.

“This gift is a game-changer for the business school and the region,” Vinzé said. “We are deeply grateful to Joseph Contrucci, Trustee of the Donald G. Costello Trust, and Mr. Costello’s daughter, Sara Costello, for their confidence in our ability to extend the legacy of a forward-thinking entrepreneur whose creativity, hard work, and determination changed the lives of people around him.”

Donald G. Costello was born May 31, 1942, in Leesburg, Virginia. He graduated from Loudoun County High School in 1960 and trained as a forward observer in the U.S. Army. In 1976, he and a partner founded Century Stair Company, which grew to become the largest stair manufacturer on the East Coast. He died on July 21, 2017.

“Don and I have always seen ��AV and its School of Business as a catalyst in fueling the Northern Virginia economy,” Joseph Contrucci said. “This gift will further that impact by creating career opportunities and new businesses for decades to come.”

Entrepreneurship and innovation at Mason are at the center of the School of Business strategic plan. The school’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship works with area entrepreneurs, city and civic leaders, businesses, and other colleges and universities to explore business partnerships and entrepreneurial training opportunities to benefit underserved youth.

The School of Business was founded in 1977 and currently enrolls more than 4,600 undergraduate and 650 graduate students, making it the second largest business school among public universities in Virginia.

With a growing physical presence that includes three campuses in Northern Virginia, Mason continues to drive economic growth in a region that extends beyond its host counties of Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Mason Now campaign will support that growth and enhance the university’s ongoing commitment to educational access, innovative research, and impactful community engagement.

About ��AV

��AV is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls nearly 40,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the last half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a $1 billion comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and sustainability. Learn more at www.gmu.edu.

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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.