Press Release

��AV announces its first NASA Space Mission, which seeks to uncover the secrets of dark energy

Jeannine Harvey — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 13:34:19 +0000

��AV announces its first NASA Space Mission, which seeks to uncover the secrets of dark energy Jeannine Harvey Mon, 06/10/2024 - 09:34

��AV will be the home of the $19.5 million recently approved Landolt NASA Space Mission that will put an artificial “star” in orbit around the Earth. This artificial star will allow scientists to calibrate telescopes and more accurately measure the brightness of stars ranging from those nearby to the distant explosions of supernova in far-off galaxies. By establishing absolute flux calibration, the mission will begin to address several open challenges in astrophysics including the speed and acceleration of the universe expansion.

"This mission marks another first for ��AV, a milestone that proves our impact as a major public research university truly knows no bounds,” ��AV President Gregory Washington said. “It's an honor for George Mason to lead this unique team seeking to expand the boundaries of knowledge through College of Science associate professor Peter Plavchan’s collaboration with NASA, one of George Mason's most prestigious research partners.”

Scientists know the universe is expanding, which is measured by calculating the brightness of numerous stars and by the number of photons-per-second they emit. According to Plavchan, a George Mason associate professor of physics and astronomy and the Landolt Mission primary investigator, more accurate measurements are needed for the next breakthroughs.

Landolt Mission Principal Investigator Peter Plavchan, associate professor of physics and astronomy at ��AV's College of Science. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Named for late astronomer Arlo Landolt, who put together widely used catalogs of stellar brightness throughout the 1970s through the 1990s, this mission will launch a light into the sky in 2029 with a known emission rate of photons, and the team will observe it next to real stars to make new stellar brightness catalogs. The satellite (artificial star) will have eight lasers shining at ground optical telescopes in order to calibrate them for observations. The effort will not make the artificial stars so brightly to see with the naked eye, but one can see it with a personal telescope at home.

“This mission is focused on measuring fundamental properties that are used daily in astronomical observations,” said Eliad Peretz, NASA Goddard mission and instrument scientist and Landolt’s deputy principal investigator. “It might impact and change the way we measure or understand the properties of stars, surface temperatures, and the habitability of exoplanets.”

The artificial star will orbit earth 22,236 miles up, far enough away to look like a star to telescopes back on Earth. This orbit also allows it to move at the same speed of the Earth’s rotation, keeping it in place over the United States during its first year in space. “This is what is considered an infrastructure mission for NASA, supporting the science in a way that we’ve known we needed to do, but with a transformative change in how we do it,” Plavchan explained.

Landolt Mission contributor Peter Pachowicz, associate professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in George Mason's College of Engineering and Computing. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The payload, which is the size of the proverbial bread box, will be built in partnership with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a world leader in measuring photon emissions. “This calibration under known laser wavelength and power will remove effects of atmosphere filtration of light and allow scientists to significantly improve measurements,” said Piotr Pachowicz, associate professor in Mason’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who is leading this component of the mission.

George Mason faculty and students from Mason’s College of Science and College of Engineering and Computing will work together with the NASA and NIST and nine other organizations for a first-of-its-kind project for a university in the Washington, D.C., area.

“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity for George Mason and our students," said Pachowicz. "Our team will design, build, and integrate the payload, which—because it’s going very high into geostationary orbit—must handle incredible challenges.”

With mission control based at George Mason on its Fairfax Campus, the team also includes Blue Canyon Technologies; California Institute of Technology; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Mississippi State University; Montreal Planetarium and iREx/University of Montreal; the University of Florida; the University of Hawaiʻi; the University of Minnesota, Duluth; and the University of Victoria.

With more accurate measurements, experts will use the improved data from the project to enhance understanding of stellar evolution, habitable zones or exoplanets in proximity to Earth, and refine dark energy parameters, setting a foundation for the next great leaps in scientific discovery. “When we look at a star with a telescope, no one can tell you today the rate of photons or brightness coming from it with the desired level of accuracy,” Plavchan, who is also the director of Mason’s Observatories in Fairfax, said. “We will now know exactly how many photons-per-second come out of this source to .25 percent accuracy.”

"Flux calibration is essential for astronomical research.” explained NIST’s Susana Deustua, a physical scientist in the NIST Remote Sensing Group. “We constantly ask: ‘How big? How bright? How far?’ and then ponder: ‘What is the universe made of? Are we alone?’ Accurate answers require precise measurements and excellent instrument characterization,” Deustua said.

Learn more at landolt.gmu.edu

Learn more about the mission

Landolt partners weigh in on importance of this mission

Did You Know

The Landolt Space Mission is named for the late astronomer Arlo Landolt, one of the most recognizable American astronomers. Renowned throughout the astronomical community for his discoveries, astronomers and physicists worldwide continue to use his series of papers, which established the “Landolt Photometric Standard Star Catalog,” and his standard stars are among the most heavily used photometric standards throughout the globe.

Find out more >>

Topics

National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST

College of Engineering and Computing

Mason Momentum

��AV announces James Soto Antony as new provost and executive vice president

Jeannine Harvey — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 15:01:37 +0000

��AV announces James Soto Antony as new provost and executive vice president Jeannine Harvey Mon, 04/29/2024 - 11:01

FAIRFAX, VA (April 29, 2024) – ��AV President Gregory Washington today announced James Soto Antony as the next Provost and Executive Vice President. He is a nationally recognized higher education scholar and leader with substantial experience as a faculty member and administrator at the University of Washington, Yale University, Harvard University, and University of California San Diego. He will begin this new role on July 1, 2024.

James Soto Antony

“We searched the nation for the very best provost for ��AV, and James Antony was our number one choice,” Washington said. “He has the perfect mix of academic credentials, knowledge, and temperament to lead our academic enterprise as this university takes its place as one of America’s new leaders in higher education. I look forward to having Jim on the team.”

Antony is currently Dean of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs at UC San Diego, where he also serves as Professor of Education Studies with a secondary appointment in the Rady School of Management. At UC San Diego, he has led a transformation of graduate and professional student financial support, created infrastructure to advance student professional development, prioritized student access and opportunity, and launched grant-funded initiatives to improve mentoring.

As Provost and Executive Vice President, Antony will help cultivate a dynamic and forward-thinking academic environment. In collaboration with senior leaders, faculty, staff, and students, he will be instrumental in advancing academic excellence, research, and scholarly pursuits in alignment with Mason’s core values and strategic direction. He will oversee all colleges, schools, and academic support units.

“��AV is an inspiring students-first institution that prioritizes inclusive access and opportunity. As a first-generation college student from a low-income family, this resonates deeply with me,” Antony said. “As a young top 50-ranked university with significant research investments, Mason is on a fast track as one of the most compelling institutions in the nation. I look forward to being part of the Mason Nation helping to advance student, faculty, and staff successes and collaborating to continue the university’s rise as a world-class research university.”

A national search was conducted from September through March, following the departure of Mark Ginsberg, now president at Towson University. Interim Provost Ken Walsh will return to his position as chief of staff on July 1, 2024. Megan Healy, interim chief of staff, will also return to her role as special advisor.

"James Antony shares our strong commitment to ensuring access to a world-class education, an engaging campus experience, and a culture of belonging,” added Professor and Faculty Senate President Melissa Broeckelman-Post, who chaired the 20-member search committee. “His nearly three decades of leadership experience make him an ideal provost to help Mason navigate the many opportunities and challenges ahead.”

From 2015 to 2019, Antony served as Faculty Director of the Graduate School of Education’s Higher Education Program at Harvard University, and Co-Director of the Management Development Program. From 2012 to 2015, he was an Associate Provost at Yale University, where he worked on issues ranging from faculty development to the promotion of undergraduate student leadership. From 1995 to 2012, he held faculty and leadership roles at the University of Washington, including Professor in Educational Leadership and Policy and Adjunct Professor in Sociology; Associate Vice Provost and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Graduate School; and Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the College of Education. While at Washington, he also served as Director of the Graduate Program in Higher Education and was founding Executive Director of the Center for Leadership in Athletics, and its associated degree programs.

As a scholar, Antony’s research and teaching focus on the preparation of forward-thinking leaders in college or university settings, both domestically and globally. He has written about higher education faculty, the socialization and leadership development of future faculty and college leaders, and data-driven decision-making in higher education settings. He has taught courses in such topics as leadership theory, organizational change, assessment and evaluation, data-based decision making, introductory and advanced quantitative research methods, student affairs administration, leadership ethics, college athletics and athletic leadership, sociology of higher education, and the history of higher education.

Antony earned his baccalaureate degree in Psychology, and his master’s degree and PhD in Higher Education and Organizational Change, all from UCLA.

About ��AV

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

Get to know Provost Antony

Did you know...

The Office of the Provost has primary responsibility for George Mason's academic mission, including supporting scholarly excellence among faculty members and fostering academic success for students on all four campuses.

Learn more about the Office of the Provost

This content appears in the Summer 2024 print edition of the Mason Spirit Magazine with the title "George Mason Welcomes New Provost."

��AV tapped by HRSA to lead health workforce initiatives in Virginia

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 15:23:53 +0000

��AV tapped by HRSA to lead health workforce initiatives in Virginia Mary Cunningham Fri, 04/19/2024 - 11:23

In This Story

Caroline Sutter, DNP

PJ Maddox, EdD, MSN, RN

Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner allocate $921,000 to expand training capacity and accelerate workforce development. Federal funding supports Mason’s Center for Health Workforce to serve as centralized technical assistance hub for Virginia health workforce development.

As part of a federal priority to address health care workforce shortages, ��AV’s Center for Health Workforce has received $921,000 in federal funding from the Health Services Research Administration (HRSA) to serve as a catalyst and facilitator for regional health workforce planning and development. The center uses data and a collaborative model involving health and educational organizations, policy makers, community planners, and other regional stakeholders to understand local challenges related to the supply, demand, distribution, and deployment of health workers in Virginia.

"Virginia urgently needs to expand its health workforce to meet community needs and ensure local businesses can supply essential health care services, and we appreciate the efforts of Senator Warner and Senator Kaine for moving our proposal through the Senate,” said Caroline Sutter, co-director of Mason’s Center for Health Workforce and a professor of nursing.

This strategic investment in Mason’s Center for Health Workforce will address this critical need to grow and retain the health workforce by prioritizing regional and population health recruitment and retention through evidence-based planning and targeted interventions. These targeted interventions will help regional educational and training programs identify future workers who want to stay in the area to give back and improve the region that trained them.

The new funds will help the center expand from supporting three GO Virginia regions to all nine GO Virginia regions. GO Virginia is a bipartisan, business-led economic development initiative focused on changing the way Virginia’s diverse regions collaborate on economic and workforce development activities.

"Virginia's health care system is grappling with both immediate workforce shortages and the imperative need for long-term strategic planning to build a sustainable workforce," said Sutter. "These shortages threaten to exacerbate existing health disparities and impede access to quality care in Viriginia.”

Nurses, physicians, allied health professionals, and support staff are in short supply due to increased demand from chronic staffing shortages, unfavorable or unsafe work environments, and unrelenting workloads, leading to overworked personnel and compromised patient care. Demand for health care is skyrocketing while the workforce is shrinking; in fact, 23% of physicians and at least 30% of nurses reported they would leave their jobs if they could and 50% of workers said they plan to leave their health care jobs in the next few years.

“Mason is stepping up as a leader to respond to the needs in health care workforce development in Virginia, setting a precedent for effective planning and collaboration across sub-state regions,” said Melissa J. Perry, dean of the College of Public Health.

Additionally, the center will support the development of employer-led public-private partnerships that can leverage private resources and address barriers in public needs.

“This funding will allow our teams to identify and increase bi-directional communication between employers and academic institutions or programs that train future health workers, so that future employees feel prepared and supported in their workplace, thereby retaining great talent,” said P.J. Maddox, center co-director and professor of health administration and policy at Mason.

The center has the only integrated data system in the commonwealth to help strategize with data-based decisions around health workforce recruitment and retention that employers and academic institutions can employ in each region. For example, the center has analyzed the supply and demand for today and in 10 years for behavioral health specialists for a specific region. With this information, regions can better target their recruitment and retention strategies to help keep the future workers they train in their area when they are ready to practice.

This funding was allocated in the Fiscal Year 2024 Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, by Virginia Senators Warner and Kaine.

“As the first College of Public Health in Virginia and home to the highly ranked School of Nursing, Mason is bringing together education, research, and community partners for the health and well-being of all, everything that we do. We are grateful to Senators Warner and Kaine recognizing the impact the center has already had in three of Virginia’s regions and for supporting our efforts to further support our roles as an integral hub for additional health workforce centers and organizations seeking to increase health workforce across the commonwealth,” said Perry.

Because population health needs, economic conditions, and resources vary widely by region (rural, suburban, and urban), there is no one-size-fits-all set of strategies to address regional health workforce needs and population health priorities. More importantly, regional problem solving is necessary to develop strategies for improving education and career development to meet employer’s needs, expand supply, and improve retention.

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

About the College of Public Health at ��AV
Mason’s College of Public Health—the first College of Public Health in Virginia—enrolls more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students in its nationally recognized programs, including six undergraduate degrees, eight master’s degrees, five doctoral degrees, and six professional certificate programs. Comprising the School of Nursing and the Departments of Global and Community Health, Health Administration and Policy, Nutrition and Food Studies, and Social Work, the college also conducts transdisciplinary research that seeks to understand the many factors that influence the public health and well-being throughout the lifespan. With more than 500 partners, the college serves the community and engages its students through research, practice, and clinical care.

Topics

Center for Health Workforce

workforce training

public health workforce

Press Release

Press Releases

HRSA

Mason and AWS collaborate on Renewable Energy Lab and Sustainable Data Center Engineering concentration

John Hollis — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 16:45:52 +0000

Mason and AWS collaborate on Renewable Energy Lab and Sustainable Data Center Engineering concentration John Hollis Tue, 03/05/2024 - 11:45

For Immediate Release

Mason and AWS collaborate on Renewable Energy Lab and Sustainable Data Center Engineering concentration

Fairfax, Va. (March 4, 2024)—Working with Amazon Web Services (AWS), ��AV will unveil a new Renewable Energy Lab within the soon-to-open Fuse at Mason Square in Arlington and launch a companion curriculum concentration in sustainable data center engineering this fall 2024.

“We are very appreciative of our continuing collaboration with AWS,” Mason President Gregory Washington said. “Because of their support, we are providing our students and faculty with cutting-edge technology and tools that unite our researchers across many disciplines to further their knowledge about data centers. With this level of education and experience, our students are well-prepared to enter the tech workforce.” 

“Investing in expanded laboratory experiences for students is critical,” Nicholas Lee-Romagnolo, program lead of workforce and economic development at AWS, said. “George Mason students from all disciplines will have access to real-world technologies and hands-on simulations. This type of immersive learning complements the breadth of new programs offered to students and helps ensure they have the opportunity to develop the skills needed to fill high-demand jobs across the region.”

The new concentration in sustainable data center engineering will focus on renewable energy generation, storage, and distribution training and hands-on experience. The course builds upon the Data Center Engineering course launched last year that develops student expertise in data center infrastructure design, operations, efficiency, cooling, and decarbonization.

With advanced equipment and software tools funded by AWS, Mason’s new Renewable Energy Lab will allow students to explore, analyze, and simulate data related to renewable energy sources as well as the complex design and operation of microgrids. The lab will replicate real-world equipment, such as power grids, wind power plants, and other renewable energy sources.

“AWS’s investment in the renewable energy lab provides another critical piece to Mason’s experiential ecosystem designed to prepare the next generation of engineers for roles that did not exist ten years ago,” said Liza Wilson Durant, associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement. “Mason will now expand the number of students in our power engineering and data center engineering programs with hands-on skills development, which is essential to bridge between the classroom and industry practice.

The new lab will be based at Fuse at Mason Square and is part of Mason’s broad partnership with Amazon. The curriculum also strengthens Mason’s participation in the Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP), a statewide program that aims to increase the number of undergraduate and graduate students completing degrees in the fields of computer science, applied computer science, computer engineering, and software engineering.

Kamaljeet Sanghera, executive director for the Institute for Digital Innovation (IDIA) adds, “Mason consistently delivers on its promise to foster collaboration across disciplines and industries not only to deliver the best student experience but also to advance critical solutions to the nation’s grandest challenges.” 

Contacts:

Martha Bushong
College of Engineering and Computing
��AV
Email: mbushong@gmu.edu
Website: www.cec.gmu.edu

Rosa Salinas
Community Impact Programs
Amazon Web Services
Email: salirosa@amazon.com

###

ABOUT ��AV

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

Topics

Press Release

Press Releases

Amazon

��AV Receives $4.85 Million Gift to Increase Intimate Partner Violence Detection and Reporting

mthomp7 — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:32:37 +0000

��AV Receives $4.85 Million Gift to Increase Intimate Partner Violence Detection and Reporting mthomp7 Tue, 03/05/2024 - 09:32

In This Story

Katherine Scafide, PhD, RN, FAAN

Janusz Wojtusiak, PhD

David Lattanzi

Melissa J. Perry, Sc.D., MHS

"By prioritizing inclusivity and recognizing the unique challenges faced by survivors with darker skin tones, Scafide's research aligns seamlessly with our vision to end domestic violence in our lifetime."

Ruth Glenn

President of Survivor Justice Action

Dr. Katherine Scafide discusses Alternate Light Sources (ALS) on NBC Nightly News. Click here to view.

Learn More About the Study

��AV Receives $4.85 Million Gift to Increase Intimate Partner Violence Detection and Reporting

FAIRFAX, VA (March 5, 2024) – ��AV today announced an anonymous $4.85 million gift to advance groundbreaking research on bruise and injury detection for individuals who experience interpersonal violence. The funding will help develop new tools in imaging technology using a light source that is five times better than white light for identifying and visualizing bruising across all skin tones for use by forensic nurses, social service providers, and law enforcement.

“This single largest gift to support research in the College of Public Health’s history underscores Mason faculty’s leadership in life-changing work affecting those who experience interpersonal violence,” said Melissa J. Perry, Dean of the College of Public Health. “A gift of this magnitude brings transformative resources to Mason’s cross-disciplinary research and collaborative approach that takes ground-breaking research to new heights with the potential for greater use and impact.”

Mason’s acclaimed interdisciplinary research in using Alternate Light Sources for bruise detection, as featured on NBC Nightly News, is led by Katherine Scafide, David Lattanzi, and Janusz Wojtusiak. The funding will expand the team’s bruise detection system that leverages artificial intelligence (AI), imaging and light technologies, forensic reports, and clinical expertise to increase data collection and access to care for trauma victims. The technology can be used across all skin tones and responds to deficits in the identification of physical injuries particularly among people with darker skin tones.

Filmmaker and humanitarian Angelina Jolie examines bruising using alternate light.

"By improving documentation of physical trauma, we hope to address disparities in clinical care which can lead to improved healthcare for all as well as legal recourse for all survivors of violence," said Scafide, forensic nurse, research leader, and Associate Professor of Nursing in Mason’s College of Public Health. “This gift expands Mason’s leadership in developing new technologies to empower vulnerable communities.”

One in 3 women worldwide experience physical trauma at the hands of an intimate partner or stranger. In the United States, over 10 million women and men grapple with intimate partner violence each year. Among domestic violence survivors, bruises and soft tissue trauma are the most reported injuries. When injuries are accurately documented, survivors are more likely to participate in the criminal justice process, according to recent studies on interpersonal violence and reporting. In addition, family and partner violence and elder abuse can lead to a host of other public health issues such as infectious and noninfectious diseases, mental health trauma, and reproductive health problems.

"A vital piece to success is ensuring that any AI tool has access to in-depth data from all skin tones and skin characteristics alongside human expert analysis,” said Lattanzi, associate professor in the Sid and Reva Dewberry Department of Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering in the College of Engineering and Computing.

Supporters working on ending domestic violence commended the announcement.

Ruth Glenn, President of Survivor Justice Action, applauds the groundbreaking work led by Dr. Katherine Scafide at ��AV, harnessing alternate light source (ALS) technology to support and uplift the needs of domestic violence survivors. “In a nation where domestic violence disproportionately impacts communities of color, this innovative research holds immense promise. By prioritizing inclusivity and recognizing the unique challenges faced by survivors with darker skin tones, Scafide's research aligns seamlessly with our vision to end domestic violence in our lifetime. Continued research on this technology not only has the potential to revolutionize the identification of bruising in diverse populations but also signifies a vital step toward justice and empowerment for those who have long been marginalized. Survivor Justice Action stands firmly in support of initiatives that demand systems change and establish resources for survivors and advocates.”

“The Scafide team’s research and findings are revolutionizing medical forensic examinations. The ability for medical professionals to visualize and identify previously ‘invisible’ injury substantively advances quality medical assessment and patient care. Visibility and documentation of trauma/ injury provide valuable forensic corroboration for law enforcement and the courts to hold offenders accountable,” said Ann Burdges, CEO of End Violence Against Women International.

This project is led by Mason’s College of Public Health in collaboration with the College of Engineering and Computing. More information on the study can be found at bruise.gmu.edu.

About ��AV

About the College of Public Health at ��AV

The College of Public Health at ��AV is the first College of Public Health in Virginia combining public health transdisciplinary research, education, and practice in the Commonwealth as a national exemplar. The College enrolls more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students in our nationally recognized programs, including six undergraduate degrees, eight master’s degrees, five doctoral degrees, and six professional certificate programs. The College is comprised of the School of Nursing and the Departments of Global and Community Health, Health Administration and Policy, Nutrition and Food Studies, and Social Work. The College’s transdisciplinary research seeks to understand the many factors that influence the public’s health and well-being throughout the lifespan, from the cell structures to the policy decisions. Areas of focus include environmental exposures, pregnancy outcomes, youth risk behavior, interpersonal violence, infectious disease, nutrition, mental and behavioral health, inequality and populations that are marginalized, health informatics, health policy, and novel methods for causal inference. With more than 500 partners, the College serves the community and engages our students through research, practice, and clinical care.

About the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC)

The College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) is a fast-growing force for innovation in research and education. Ranked nationally in the top 100 in both undergraduate and graduate education, the CEC enrolled a record high of 10,933 students in fall 2023. The college has 34 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs including several first-in-the-nation offerings. As part of a nationally ranked research university, CEC research teams expended $65 million in sponsored research awards in the past year and had projects with over $119 million in current and anticipated awards. The college stands out for its leading research in areas such as artificial intelligence, data analytics engineering, cybersecurity engineering, biomedical imaging and devices, healthcare, autonomous systems, 5G/Next G communications, systems architectures, computational biomedicine, advanced materials and manufacturing, sustainable infrastructure, and more.

Topics

Intimate Partner Violence

Artifical Intelligence

Machine Learning

Press Release

Press Releases

Tech Talent Investment Pipeline (TTIP)

TTIP

Tech Talent Investment Program

��AV Engages Accenture to Transform Student Experience with Salesforce Education Cloud

John Hollis — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 19:11:34 +0000

��AV Engages Accenture to Transform Student Experience with Salesforce Education Cloud John Hollis Tue, 02/27/2024 - 14:11

��AV and Accenture finalized a two-year agreement to roll out Salesforce Education Cloud and new marketing solutions as part of the university’s efforts to transform the student experience.

Enabling improved data-driven, connected, and streamlined processes, Mason and Accenture will initially focus on data alignment through two Education Cloud tools: Student Success and Recruitment and Admissions. Accenture will also identify and deploy additional marketing and communication tools to enhance these applications.

“As we build a more modern university for Virginia’s largest and most diverse student body, Mason is committed to delivering a comprehensive and unparalleled student experience and the best education outcomes for all," said Ken Walsh, Mason’s interim provost and executive vice president. “Accenture’s experience customizing and integrating Salesforce Education Cloud into existing systems will help advance the university’s goals to comprehensively support students at every step of their academic journey at Mason and beyond.”

In March 2023, Mason issued a request for proposal for a strategic partner to improve Mason’s student lifecycle management with Salesforce Education Cloud, selecting Accenture as a result of the procurement process.

“Higher education leaders recognize the opportunities to redesign the student journey, from recruitment through graduation and beyond, by focusing on the moments that matter to each individual,” said David Metnick, Accenture public sector and education lead for Virginia. “Mason’s move to the cloud will substantially strengthen its digital core, allowing it to deliver excellent student services and meet ever-evolving needs as new tools and opportunities emerge.”

Accenture will integrate the new technology into the university’s existing infrastructure, consolidating data and operations. This will provide faculty and staff with tools to improve collaboration by connecting and streamlining diverse information and processes. It will also help Mason support students’ individual needs and provide educational opportunities to ensure their success.

“Our mission at Salesforce is to empower institutions with the tools they need to deliver better student experiences and outcomes,” said Balakrishnan Subramanian, VP & GM of Education at Salesforce. “We’re excited to see George Mason and Accenture work together to implement Salesforce Education Cloud to create a student-first experience for learners, increase enrollment, and improve the admissions process.”

“We are excited to embark on this journey with Accenture,” added Renate Guilford, Mason’s vice president for academic administration. “Together we’ll build an integrated system that enhances Mason’s technological framework while keeping our students at the center of our operations.”

About ��AV

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

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the world’s leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen services—creating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 743,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the world’s leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. We are uniquely able to deliver tangible outcomes because of our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song. These capabilities, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360° value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360° value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com. For more information on the Accenture and Salesforce relationship, visit www.accenture.com/salesforce.

# # #

Contacts:

Joe Dickie
Accenture
512-694-6422
Joseph.r.dickie@accenture.com

John Hollis
��AV
571-396-1578
Jhollis2@gmu.edu

Salesforce, Education Cloud and others are among the trademarks of Salesforce Inc.

Topics

The Carter School Partners with Rotary to Scale Up Peacebuilding

Paul Snodgrass — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 21:36:36 +0000

The Carter School Partners with Rotary to Scale Up Peacebuilding Paul Snodgrass Mon, 02/19/2024 - 16:36

Dean Özerdem at the signing with John Hewko, CEO of Rotary International, Sarah Crawford, Director of Programs and Grants at Rotary International, and Dr. Charles Davidson of the Carter School.

The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School at ��AV, the top-ranked national public institution for peace and conflict resolution, has partnered with Rotary International, one of the largest global membership service organizations, to provide education and develop modalities to assist Rotary clubs in promoting local, regional, and global peace.

For nearly a year, Carter School faculty have met with Rotary to identify areas in which their missions overlap and where each organization may benefit from the expertise of the other.

Through this partnership, the Carter School and Rotary will incubate new peacebuilding ideas and accelerate existing ideas to make them more effective. The Carter School will also assist in developing replicable modalities of peacebuilding – peacebuilding action “templates” that can be duplicated and applied to address the needs of different conflicts.

“This critical partnership will open many opportunities for both organizations as they can build on each other’s strengths and expertise in peacebuilding,” said Alpaslan Özerdem, dean of the Carter School. “We have taken our time in forming this partnership as we wanted to ensure that it is a bottom-up process and incorporated a vast body of viewpoints in shaping how it would be transformational with its impact on peace. We are ready to scale up our efforts to build more peaceful societies worldwide. Knowing that we will take this transformational journey with an organization like Rotary fills me with confidence, excitement, and hope.”

Additionally, the Carter School will tap into its Better Evidence Project (BEP) expertise, which hosts an online depository of peacebuilding research and applied successes. Under this partnership, Rotary’s peacebuilding efforts will be integrated into the BEP database, making their organization’s work accessible to other peacebuilders. Plans include an online forum, tying Rotary into a global community of researchers and practitioners where peacebuilders can strategize and discuss their work.

Dean Ozerdem at the signing with Gordon McInally, President of Rotary International.

Taking advantage of its expert faculty, the Carter School will provide educational strategies to equip Rotary members and their leaders to be more effective peacebuilding practitioners. In addition to seminars, the Carter School will host several “Peace Salons,” intimate gatherings to raise awareness and build networks with Rotary members in peacebuilding practice. In Fall 2024, Rotary and the Carter School will host the first Peacebuilding Praxis Conference, illustrating the nexus of theory and practice.

“Creating peaceful, welcoming, and inclusive societies is at the heart of what Rotary is about,” said Rotary International President Gordon McInally. “We’ve made peacebuilding the cornerstone of our global mission with everything we do, from fighting disease to supporting education, building toward the optimal conditions for more peaceful and resilient societies. But we can’t do this alone. Through our partnership with the ��AV’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, we will help empower, educate, and increase the capacity of our members and participants to become even more effective catalysts for peace.”

Charles Davidson, a Carter School professor specializing in local peacebuilding and partnerships between international and local constituents, will facilitate connections between Rotary members and faculty with expertise in a geo region or peacebuilding specialty. “With the global reach of Rotary and the world-renown expertise of the Carter School, I believe this collaboration will innovate peacebuilding efforts at both the local and global levels with specific but far-reaching impact and education,” Davidson said.

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

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

About ��AV

About Rotary International

Rotary unites a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and creating lasting change. Rotary connects 1.4 million people of action from more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org.

In This Story

Alpaslan Özerdem

Charles Davidson

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Peacebuilding

Better Evidence Project

Rotary International

Rotary Carter School Collaboration

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Major League Cricket, George Mason, and Sanjay Govil Initiate Study for New World-Class Cricket and Baseball Facility

Melanie Balog — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 22:11:39 +0000

Major League Cricket, George Mason, and Sanjay Govil Initiate Study for New World-Class Cricket and Baseball Facility Melanie Balog Fri, 02/16/2024 - 17:11

Ballpark would host Major League Cricket matches and Mason baseball

Major League Cricket (MLC) and its Washington, D.C.-based investor Sanjay Govil announced today the approval to work with ��AV (Mason) to study the feasibility of a new multi-purpose cricket and baseball facility. The ballpark would be designed to host Major League Cricket matches, Mason baseball games, and other events on the University’s Fairfax Campus in the Washington D.C. region.

Funding support for the study and plan development comes from Govil, a founding investor in MLC, the Founder and Chairman of Infinite Computer Solutions and the CEO of Zyter. The effort represents part of MLC’s long-term strategic plan for American cricket, which also includes the launch of the first U.S. professional Twenty20 cricket league.

With a goal to be operational by Summer 2025, the ballpark at Mason would be home to an MLC franchise in the heart of one of the largest cricket-loving populations in the United States and feature an international-grade pitch. The pitch would meet International Cricket Council (ICC) accreditation and allow the ballpark to host the highest level of international cricket competition.

“This study with Mason is an important milestone in a new era for Major League Cricket and international matches in the United States and brings new athletic resources to ��AV and the region,” said Govil. “We look forward to taking the next steps to fully realize a vision for the first international cricket venue in the northeastern United States.”

“Mason is the educational, economic and cultural hub of one of the most dynamic regions in the country and is the most diverse public university in Virginia,” Mason President Gregory Washington said. “This opportunity would bring the second-most popular global media sport to the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and base it at a location known for attracting international students and audiences. At the same time, this proposed facility would enhance the Mason athletic experience for our student-athletes, alumni network, and fan base.”

Mason’s main campus is located in Fairfax County, VA, home to more than one million people, with a thriving global community and adult and youth cricket leagues which provide a significant base of grassroots support for cricket in the area.

In collaboration with Mason on an innovative cross-functional design that would maximize facility utilization, MLC is working with internationally renowned architects HKS, one of the nation’s leading architecture firms which is developing multiple cricket stadium concepts for MLC nationwide.

“Major League Cricket is grateful to ��AV for working with us to plan an innovative facility that can maximize use for the venue during the college season for Mason baseball and then host world class cricket in the summer months,” said Sameer Mehta, co-founder, Major League Cricket.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Tom Dunmore tom@majorleaguecricket.com

John Hollis jhollis2@gmu.edu

Maureen Nasser mnasser@gmu.edu

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE CRICKET

Major League Cricket will be the first professional Twenty20 cricket championship in the United States. Exclusively sanctioned by USA Cricket, Major League Cricket will feature top players from around the globe while also providing an opportunity for domestic cricketers to showcase their talents to a global audience, bringing world-class T20 cricket to America for the first time. For more information, visit www.majorleaguecricket.com and follow MLC on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MLCricket

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 past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. In 2022, Mason celebrates 50 years as an independent institution. Learn more at gmu.edu.

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��AV is Virginia’s Top University for Social Mobility and a Top 50 National Public University

Jeannine Harvey — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 11:46:39 +0000

��AV is Virginia’s Top University for Social Mobility and a Top 50 National Public University Jeannine Harvey Mon, 09/18/2023 - 07:46

September 18, 2023, Fairfax, Va. – 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 university for social mobility.

Released today, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2024 rankings puts Mason at #51 among all public universities and #105 among all universities nationwide. Mason retains its top 20 ranking position for innovation and improved to a top 50 (#49) university 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.”

Overall rankings

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 National University Rankings ranked Mason 60th among public universities.

Among all universities, both public and private, Mason earns a tied ranking of 105th from 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).

Social mobility

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 across all rankings that measure social mobility. Among public universities nationwide, Mason ranks #41 with the Wall Street Journal and #34 with Washington Monthly, 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.

Other national recognitions

These high-profile rankings follow other recent scores 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 17^th 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 qualifies 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 the 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.

About ��AV

Mason in the Rankings

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U.S. Air Force and ��AV Partner to Modernize Warfighter Mission Training, Education and Research

Colleen Rich — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 18:15:23 +0000

U.S. Air Force and ��AV Partner to Modernize Warfighter Mission Training, Education and Research Colleen Rich Mon, 07/17/2023 - 14:15

FAIRFAX, Va. (July 17, 2023) – Headquarters Ninth Air Force (U.S. Air Forces Central) formalized a partnership with ��AV for joint research, rapid capability development, warfighter training, and education to support the mission readiness of the Ninth Air Force. The Educational Partner Agreement (EPA) was signed on July 14, 2023, at Mason’s Fairfax Campus by Mason Provost Mark Ginsberg and Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich, Commander, Ninth Air Force (U.S. Air Forces Central).

Provost Mark Ginsberg and Lt. Gen Grynkewich shake hands after signing of EPA agreement. Photo by William Gallagher/Powell Media Concepts

“Mason is committed to access to excellence in education and innovative student learning experiences, while providing cutting-edge breakthrough research and capabilities to address the nation’s greatest challenges more quickly, said Provost Ginsberg. “This partnership will strengthen Mason’s unique approach to supporting our military professionals and provide the Air Force access to the world-class thought leadership of the largest, most innovative public research university in Virginia. This model of shared research and curriculum development with the Air Force opens opportunities for additional collaborations with public and governmental organizations.”

“We’re very thankful for this partnership with George Mason, where we see tremendous opportunities for collaboration, thinking creatively, and building a culture of innovation,” said Lt. General Grynkewich.

The partnership will include applied research and development programs with the College of Engineering and Computing's national security and defense teams Mason’s Rapid Prototyping Research Center along with digital transformation efforts coordinated through Mason’s Institute for Digital Innovation. Ninth Air Force personnel will also gain access to customized executive, continuing, and professional education programs, along with specialized graduate and PhD programs offered through Mason’s School of Business and College of Engineering and Computing.

“As the most diverse and innovative university in the commonwealth, Mason is meeting today’s needs and inspiring future insights of public and private sector organizations,” said School of Business Dean Ajay Vinzé. “By providing multiple pathways for all students, Mason is fueling success in both the public and private sectors. As a highly ranked university for business analytics, this collaboration will provide direct impact and a transformative experience for the men and women of the Ninth Air Force and beyond.”

"Our relationship with Mason has grown since August 2022, as they collaborated with us early on our journey to become a data-centric organization through delivery of customized data-driven decision-making and senior leadership programs executed by School of Business faculty and Executive Development teams," said Lieutenant Colonel Chaz LeDeatte, Chief Technology and Data Officer. "By December of 2022, the success of the relationship sparked interest in expanding to a formal partnership with Mason across multiple disciplines."

Leaders from Mason’s School of Business, the College of Engineering and Computing, and the Institute for Digital Innovation began working with AFCENT warfighters and senior leaders to design research and curriculum. They included programs in innovation and creativity, digital transformation, applied research in systems engineering and integration, program management, and military transition of advanced technologies.

"Collaboration efforts will prioritize refining our digital education program, freeing the data, digital and unmanned tech operational validation, and making our air bases more efficient and effective," said. Lt. Col. LeDeatte.

Additionally, Mason and AFCENT will collaborate on projects related to accelerating the digital capabilities in areas to include digital transformation, cyber security and resiliency, sensor fusion and anomaly detection, predictive analytics, systems engineering, and 5G and data analytics capabilities at the battlefield's edge, as well as advances in robotics, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and unmanned aerial systems, among other collaborations.

About Ninth Air Force Central (U.S. Air Force Central)

Ninth Air Force is the air component of United States Central Command, a joint Department of Defense combatant command responsible for U.S. security interests in 27 nations that stretch from the Horn of Africa through the Persian Gulf region, into Central Asia. USAFCENT is responsible for air operations, either unilaterally or in concert with coalition partners, and developing contingency plans in support of national objectives for USCENTCOM’s 21-nation area of responsibility in Southwest Asia. Additionally, USAFCENT manages an extensive supply and equipment prepositioning program at several Area of Responsibility sites. USAFCENT is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. Learn more at www.afcent.af.mil.

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 past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity and commitment to accessibility. In 2023, the university launched Mason Now: Power the Possible, a one billion dollar comprehensive campaign to support student success, research, innovation, community, and sustainability. Learn more at gmu.edu.

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����AV announces its first NASA Space Mission, which seeks to uncover the secrets of dark energy

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Landolt partners weigh in on importance of this mission

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����AV announces James Soto Antony as new provost and executive vice president

Get to know Provost Antony

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