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First-generation alumna and MBA student shares recipes for creating treasured memories in new book

Jennifer Anzaldi — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 15:14:34 +0000

First-generation alumna and MBA student shares recipes for creating treasured memories in new book Jennifer Anzaldi Thu, 11/07/2024 - 10:14

Born and raised in Paris, France, Ava Uppal, BS Marketing ’19, fondly recalls baking with her mother and turning simple ingredients into heartfelt memories.

Uppal grew up eating her mother’s freshly baked French yogurt cakes for breakfast and enjoyed every bit of it. Now, as a part-time Costello College of Business at ��AV MBA student and a working mother of two children, she’s a small business owner and author of a new cookbook.

Uppal, a self-described dream chaser, is the founder of Baked à la carte, a French bespoke cakes and dessert bar catering company in Washington, D.C. She credits her success in starting and managing a small business to the business education she received at ��AV, and the cadre of amazing mentors she encountered in the business college’s alumni community. “Being a student at Mason was the start of my American Dream journey,” says Uppal. “The alumni network has been a tremendous support to me along my journey, from student to post-graduate.”

“The alumni network has been a tremendous support to me along my journey, from student to post-graduate.”

She began Baked à la carte to carry on her mother’s legacy of spreading love with baked goods, using recipes she learned from her mom and which she now shares in her new book, Baking Memories. The cookbook is a nod to her Parisian roots and her mother’s baking legacy.

Baking Memories is filled with a collection of simple and fun recipes that readers can use to start their own family traditions and create treasured memories. The recipes have a French flair and include a variety of tasty treats—from French-style cakes and cookies to madeleines and other baked goods—all inspired by her beloved mother and Ava’s own life as a first-generation immigrant, George Mason alumna, working mom, military spouse, and entrepreneur.

She and her daughter, Zoya, were recently featured in a Small Business Spotlight segment on WJLA ABC 7’s Good Morning Washington show. During the broadcast, she shared her recipe for French Yogurt cakes with co-hosts Eileen Whelan and Britt Waters. As Uppal demonstrated, her recipes are easy to follow and customizable, which makes them appealing to almost everyone in the family.

Uppal continues to share her creative ideas and recipes as an on-air lifestyle expert and has appeared on television stations including affiliates of ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC.

“There is something special about being in the kitchen and creating,” says Uppal. “The process of baking allows us to explore, express our creativity, and get something delicious at the end.” Uppal also notes that baking appeals to our senses—sight, smell, taste, touch, and even hearing—and can serve as a psychological cue in awakening treasured memories. One of her fondest childhood memories is sitting on the kitchen counter bonding with her sister and late mother, while baking French yogurt cakes.

Uppal expects to complete her Costello MBA in 2025.

In the meantime, she’s focused on building treasured memories with her own family while chasing her dream of growing her business portfolio. Her recipe for personal and professional success includes generous portions of passion, hard work, and balance, which is making quality time for her family and involving her children in her life’s work.

Uppal’s debut cookbook is available for purchase on avauppal.com.

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PhD student’s research on COVID-19 transmission leads to discovery of a major model gap

Colleen Rich — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 20:52:40 +0000

PhD student’s research on COVID-19 transmission leads to discovery of a major model gap Colleen Rich Fri, 08/09/2024 - 16:52

Scientists have long studied the spread of diseases, but the emergence of COVID-19 and its profound impact on society have underscored the critical need to understand where and how diseases spread. As ��AV doctoral student Jericho McLeod reviewed literature on disease transmission as part of his work toward a PhD in computational science and informatics, he and George Mason professor Eduardo López noticed a gap in the models and now seek to correct it.

From left, PhD student and George Mason alum Jericho McLeod with Professor Eduardo López in front of their research poster at the International Pandemic Sciences Conference at Oxford University. Photo provided

In trying to understand why disease transmissions were worse in some areas over others, McLeod and López dove into COVID-19 data looking specifically at extended family ties—meaning family members beyond the nuclear family of parents and children, such as cousins, aunts, uncles, or grandparents.

“According to research on social networks in the United States, individuals during crises like COVID-19, contract their social circles yet become more active with them,” said McLeod. “During lockdown, you saw your friends less, but may have still delivered groceries to your grandmother regularly.”

Studies by McLeod, López, and George Mason PhD student Unchitta Kan previously confirmed that people migrated closer to family more frequently after the pandemic began and that availability of extended family plays a primary factor in influencing face-to-face interaction, laying the groundwork for this research. Now, McLeod and López wanted to know if these extended family ties played a role in the spread of COVID-19.

With the help of Kan and doctoral students Bryan Adams, Valentin Vergara Hidd, and Mailun (Alan) Zhang, they aimed to confirm that these networks mattered enough to warrant future research and updates to disease modeling.

The team gathered obituaries in the Unites States between 2020 to 2022 to examine familial relationships with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data on deaths by geography, age, and gender. They found that during COVID-19, there were more instances of multiple family members dying within short periods (e.g., 60 days) compared to 2018 and 2019, where such cases were less common. This rise in deaths aligns with CDC data on excess deaths but is more noticeable between different waves of the pandemic. So, should these relationships be considered in models demonstrating the spread of disease? McLeod says yes.

In July, McLeod presented his research at the International Pandemic Sciences Conference at Oxford University and was awarded best poster presentation in the epidemiology, data and analytics category.

“I am very proud of our work, and it has been collaborative in every way,” said López, who is an associate professor of computational data sciences. “Jericho has a strong ability to work through the data engineering portion of a problem, but also has the intuition necessary to make this research happen. We were optimistic that we would see the effects that we did, and now we have this great opportunity to study something that people have just completely overlooked.”

McLeod earned a degree in accounting from the University of South Alabama before attending George Mason to earn an MBA. In one of his business courses at the Costello College of Business taught by Pallab Sanyal, professor of information systems and operations management, McLeod was introduced to data analytics and machine learning—and found it fascinating. He went on complete a graduate certificate in data analytics at George Mason before deciding to pursue a PhD.

“Attending the [Oxford] conference was so energizing,” McLeod said. “It brought together a collection of top minds, and Dr. López knew the right people to introduce me to, which led to additional conversations, ideation, and thoughts on future directions for this research.”

George Mason’s Graduate Student Travel Fund, offered by the Office of the Provost, supported McLeod’s trip to the Oxford-based conference.

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Costello MBA global residency experience: consulting project with Circle Care Clinic in Dubai, UAE

Greg Johnson — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 21:25:23 +0000

Costello MBA global residency experience: consulting project with Circle Care Clinic in Dubai, UAE Greg Johnson Wed, 07/24/2024 - 17:25

Each summer, MBA students at the Costello College of Business at ��AV travel abroad as part of their global residency experience. The goal of the global residency experience is for these students to fully immerse themselves in the business culture of the country they are currently visiting. This year, four cohorts traveled to Greece, Japan, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), each having unique experiences based on their destination.

Cohort in front of the Burj Khalifa

During the global residency, the agenda includes site visits at companies ranging from multinationals to startups, delving into their business practices, and learning about the local culture with scheduled tours and events.

As Nirup Menon, professor of information systems and operations management and the faculty lead for the UAE trip, put it, “Sure, reading about doing business in Dubai is useful. But conducting a competition and market analysis for geographic or product scope expansion in Dubai gives students specific and lasting impressions about global business.”

John Davis, the Costello MBA student ambassador, shared his experience and the project he and his team completed in the UAE. Their consulting project aimed to leverage their analytical skills and fresh perspectives to enhance Circle Care Clinic's services and operational efficiency.

The following project recap is written by John Davis, Costello MBA student ambassador.

Project Overview

Our consulting project focused on analyzing Circle Care Clinic's current services and facilities. My team and I conducted multiple meetings and site visits with Circle Care Clinic’s business director Joe Hawayek, immersing ourselves in the clinic’s daily operations to understand its strengths and areas for improvement. We also received great feedback from Mr. Hawayek: “Partnering with the Costello MBA program has been a transformative experience for Circle Care Clinic. Their insightful analysis and strategic recommendations have provided us with a clear roadmap for enhancing our services and expanding our footprint in the UAE healthcare landscape.”

Recommendations

At Circle Care Clinic

Our top recommendation was expanding the services offered by Circle Care Clinic. Recognizing the growing trend and necessity of digital healthcare, we proposed integrating telemedicine services for specific specialties such as dermatology. This addition would broaden the clinic's reach and cater to the increasing demand for convenient and accessible healthcare options. Furthermore, we suggested introducing additional specialties and expanding current ones to attract a wider patient base and provide more comprehensive care. Specialties such as dermatology, women’s health, and orthopedics were highlighted as potential growth areas based on our market research.

Our analysis also covered the strategic expansion of Circle Care Clinic to a third and fourth location within the UAE. We identified optimal locations based on demographic trends, population density, and competition analysis. The recommended sites were selected to ensure maximum accessibility and convenience for potential patients, aiming to solidify Circle Care Clinic's presence in the region. The expansion strategy included detailed plans for resource allocation, marketing, and phased implementation to ensure sustainable growth.

Takeaways

Sightseeing in the desert

This consulting project with Circle Care Clinic in Dubai provided us with valuable insights into international business and healthcare. We navigated the UAE’s healthcare market, learning about its regulations, cultural nuances, and operational challenges. This experience enhanced our understanding of global business and equipped us with skills to thrive in diverse settings. Our team demonstrated analytical prowess and strategic thinking, contributing to the clinic's vision of exceptional healthcare services. This collaboration benefited both Circle Care Clinic and us, allowing us to bring together everything we learned throughout the course of our MBA program and provide insights and actionable growth plans to an established business in a foreign country.

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Nirup Menon

Sustainability MBA elective matches student teams with partner companies

Greg Johnson — Thu, 16 May 2024 15:09:06 +0000

Sustainability MBA elective matches student teams with partner companies Greg Johnson Thu, 05/16/2024 - 11:09

When hearing the term “sustainability” in business circles, there’s often a misconception that it hinders growth. For the last three years, the MBA elective course Environmentally Sustainable Operations has offered interested graduate students from across ��AV the opportunity to work with companies from multiple industries on making the business case for sustainability.

Dominic Leone, Jordan Heisen,
Sabrena Snow (Hyde), Rachel Edwards

Each year, new companies participate, mobilized by George Mason alumni, faculty and staff, and other community members. “I only need to have one conversation with them, and then they're on board,” says Ioannis Bellos, an associate professor of Information Systems and Operations Management (ISOM) at the Costello College of Business at ��AV and director of the MBA Program; Bellos developed the course and has been teaching it since Spring 2022. This latest semester the course featured consulting projects with: Schneider Electric, 4P Foods, Hyde, MAXSA Innovations, and Future Acres Urban Farming.

Because of the partnership building done by Bellos and others at George Mason, this course offers an excellent experiential learning opportunity where students help real companies, gaining insight from the executives in the process. “It was an exceptional opportunity to mentor MBA students from George Mason’s Environmentally Sustainable Operations course,” says Kevin DeLeon, program manager of sustainability business at Schneider Electric. “We were excited to participate and offer students a glimpse into the practical aspect of driving sustainable improvements. This collaboration is a reflection of Schneider Electric’s mission to champion sustainability and our commitment to engaging and educating future leaders.”

MBA students Rachel Edwards and Jordan Heisen had previously participated in the Global Residency program at the Costello College of Business, where they visited Sweden and Denmark to meet with businesses in the sustainability field, sparking both of their interests in the subject. For their sustainable operations project, they joined fellow MBA student Dominic Leone to work with Hyde, a Washington, D.C., based company pioneering AI-driven solutions to combat excess inventory in the apparel industry. The three of them worked closely with Hyde representatives to examine ways they could make their practices more sustainable.

“Apparel clothing discarded in landfills is now visible from space,” says Sabrena Snow, Hyde’s vice president of partnerships and sustainability. “We began working with the Costello College of Business to really quantify the impact of excess inventory, and its disposal, on the environment.”

The team of Costello MBA students examined Hyde’s business practices to see how they could best help them.

“A lot of companies are pumping out new fashion trends,” says Leone. “If that trend is going to continue, how can we do it in a more sustainable way where we don’t overorder and have a crazy amount of excess inventory?”

Once a week, the team met with CEO Rahul Jindal and Snow. “Going through the paper with Hyde and hearing the feedback from both representatives, they were an incredible pleasure to work with,” says Heisen.

“By building a framework, and combining our EPA data, company interviews, and Hyde's proprietary data, the George Mason team was able to size the impact of producing and dumping excess apparel inventory in the United States,” says Snow. 

The Hyde representatives took it a step further and connected the students with high-profile contacts from the fashion industry’s sustainability field. “When we started this project, Hyde was trying to get partners and funding,” says Edwards. “Being able to attach this white paper to any sort of funding that they’re trying to get later, this is their documentation of what’s going on.”

One of the community partners who worked to recruit participating companies for the course was Fairfax County Government’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination. “When we were approached about working with Professor Bellos, it seemed like a perfect opportunity for companies in our Green Business Partners program,” says Gina Weil, co-manager of the Green Business Partners program. “We know that green business is good business, and helping businesses identify both the economic and environmental benefits to adopting sustainable practices is central to our mission.  We were thrilled to be able to connect his students with Future Acres Urban Farming, and we know the experience for the students and the company was incredibly positive and beneficial for both.” The mission of the Green Business Partners program is to support Fairfax County businesses in creating a carbon neutral economy through collaboration and learning opportunities that advance climate action.

Students with guest speaker Ian Gayman,
MBA '23 (Partner at Environmental
Resources Management)

Though there was more to the course than this collaborative project, the experiential aspect brought the learning experience full circle. Bellos worked closely with the company representatives to ensure that their organizations got the most out of the projects.

Heisen appreciated how he explained case studies in the classroom. “He does a really great job of breaking down each case and ultimately getting you to thinking of another perspective,” he says. Sustainable operations lead to profit, says Edwards, “Unless it’s actually making money and it’s financially viable, there’s no reason for a company to do it.”

Recently, 68% of all prospective graduate students surveyed by the Graduate Management Admission Council said that sustainability is important or very important to them. This course is in direct response to this increasing market need.

If you want to learn more about how you can become a business leader with a sustainability mindset, please learn more about the Costello College of Business MBA program.

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Costello College of Business

Sustainability

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Ioannis Bellos

Mason alumna named Business Person of the Year by Virginia Business

Colleen Rich — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 16:10:44 +0000

Mason alumna named Business Person of the Year by Virginia Business Colleen Rich Mon, 02/26/2024 - 11:10

Kristen Cavallo already had an undergraduate degree in business under her belt, but she knew she needed additional knowledge and skills to truly get ahead in the field. “I wanted to make sure I focused on a different concentration so my additional schooling wouldn’t feel redundant but would feel cumulative or additive,” she said. “So I focused more on the math side.”

Kristen Cavallo. Photo provided

As it happened, the Master of Business Administration Program at ��AV’s Costello College of Business featured a math-intensive concentration in decisions sciences and statistics, ideal for her needs. She earned her MBA in 1992.

Flash forward to three decades later: In 2023, Cavallo was CEO of two major advertising and marketing firms and was named the Virginia Business Magazine Business Person of 2023, a distinction that recognizes her achievements in growing companies while emphasizing diversity in leadership.

For the past six years, Cavallo has been CEO of the Richmond, Virginia-based Martin Agency which represents name brands including Geico, DoorDash, CarMax, Papa Johns, and any number of instantly recognizable products and services. In November 2022, Cavallo became CEO of London-based MullenLowe Global, an international marketing and communications network that is owned by a parent holding company with Martin, Interpublic Group of Cos.

That had Cavallo leading some 5,000 employees in 13 countries, with 400 of them in Richmond.

While the award took her by surprise, it’s not the first time her work has been recognized by industry leaders. The Martin Agency—did you see their OREO cookie “twist on it” spot during the Super Bowl?—has been named Agency of the Year three times by Adweek magazine; in 2019 Cavallo was Ad Age’s Executive of the Year.

Cavallo was CEO of the Martin Agency, which represents name brands including Geico, DoorDash, CarMax, Papa Johns, and any number of instantly recognizable products and services. Photo provided

“Growth is our shield,” Cavallo said of her business strategy. “I spend a lot of time talking about growth and determining what businesses we go after and what we don’t.”

Something must be working: Martin’s topline revenue increased by 50% under Cavallo’s leadership.

As she grew the profit line, she also diversified the corporate leadership, bringing in Danny Robinson as the agency’s first Black chief creative officer to a leadership team that is “35-40% people of color,” she said, and assuring “a pretty even split of male and female leaders.” Robinson was named CEO of Martin in January 2024.

The diversity, she said, “has been part of my strategy. I believe diverse leadership teams produce higher morale, higher revenue, higher margins, higher employee participation. And it’s proven to be true.”

As it happens, Cavallo is just one in a family with deep Mason ties. “It’s the one school all three of us have in common,” she said of her siblings. “It kind of ties us all together.”

One of her brothers, Mike Pflugrath, has a MEd in education leadership from Mason and, since 2019, has been principal of Osborn High School in Manassas; the former Virginia assistant principal of the year has worked with Mason to become partners in the Direct Admissions Program.

Cavallo said the program is “really is a statement about George Mason and their collaboration to really get the best out of students today from all walks of life, and I know my brother appreciates it enormously.”

Brother Pete Pflugrath earned his MS in software systems engineering and is now executive vice president of federal contractor ARServices. His wife, Clara Hauth, is a Mason PhD grad in Educational Leadership/Special Education, His daughter, Lauren Pflugrath, earned her law degree from Mason, and Lauren's husband, Bill Boyle, has a Mason master’s degree in accounting.

“We come from a family of educators,” Cavallo said. “Education has always been a priority in our family, and George Mason is the common link with most of us.”

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MBA military veterans share how the Mason MBA impacted their careers

Marianne Klinker — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 20:01:54 +0000

MBA military veterans share how the Mason MBA impacted their careers Marianne Klinker Thu, 11/09/2023 - 15:01

The Donald G. Costello College of Business at ��AV is committed to the active-duty military service members and veterans who come to Mason to enhance their education.

We caught up with some military veterans who recently graduated from the Mason MBA program who shared the impact the MBA program has had on their career already, and how the Mason MBA could be beneficial for others.

Matthew Scott

Matthew Scott, MBA ’21

Military Branch: United States Army 
Current Role: Acquisition Modernization Program Manager, Defense Logistics Agency

Earning an MBA from ��AV assisted with my transition from military to civilian life. The comprehensive management and technical skills acquired during my MBA journey significantly contributed to my hiring as the new Acquisition Modernization Program Manager for the Defense Logistics Agency.  

I believe one of the most valuable factors in gaining an MBA from Mason is expanding your real-time knowledge basis in critical areas to further develop and achieve current strategic goals while concurrently orchestrating future value in an ever-changing world. 

Matt Munsch

Matt Munsch, MBA ’22

Military Branch: United States Air Force 
Current Role: Director, Dark Wolf Solutions 

After graduating from Mason's MBA program, I was able to enter the next phase of my career.  

Shortly after graduating, I joined Google as a Technical Program Manager. After learning and growing with Google, I was able to continue propelling my career forward, joining Dark Wolf Solutions as a Director. 

The Mason MBA program gave me the skills, qualifications, and confidence to continue up leveling my career. Going back to school after more than a decade in the workforce was daunting but I do not regret my decision! 

Bradley B. Son

Bradley B. Son, MBA ’21

Military Branch: United States Army 
Current Role: Product Manager, Cyber Platforms & Systems, Defensive Cyber Operations, United States Army 

For myself, the MBA was more than career progression and networking. The aspect of my job in the Army Acquisition Corps requires me to fundamentally understand the aspects of business management to make decisions not only on behalf of my organization, but for the Army and the Department of Defense. My experience at ��AV greatly assisted me in many facets of my profession, which includes leadership, ethics, economics, marketing, information systems and operations management, project management, and many more! I can't thank the incredible organization, my outstanding cohort, and more importantly, the incredible instructors that helped guide me throughout my journey!

John Goetchius

John Goetchius, MBA ’21 

Military Branch: United States Army, Retired 
Current Role: Company Manager 

The Mason MBA program imparted new, useful technical and analytical skills—and the confidence to solve current, real-world business and management problems. I benefited from contact with an engaged, dedicated, highly competent faculty and a smart, diverse group of fellow students. Inside a well-planned curriculum, I found the program challenging—and deeply rewarding. 

Connor Mallon

Connor Mallon, MBA ’23 

Military Branch: United States Army 
Current Role: Strategy Consultant, NOVACES 

An MBA and the skillset that accompanied the degree helped me stand out in a saturated and competitive market. The program gave me the edge I needed to hit the ground running in a new career and the confidence to navigate complex challenges and demanding stakeholders. 

Ramon Walker

Ramon Walker, Jr., MBA ’23 

Military Branch: United States Air Force  
Current Role: Intelligence Research Specialist, United States Custom and Border Protection 

The Mason MBA program gave me an opportunity to network and I gained experience and skills that could be applied to reaching the upper echelons of my career field. 

Douglas Chapman

Douglas Chapman, MBA ’22 

Military Branch: United States Army 
Current Role: Vice President of Operations, CoreSys Consulting Services, LLC 

The MBA program at Mason enabled me to improve my business skills and expanded my aperture as related to strategic thinking.   

Did you know ��AV is a Yellow Ribbon Participant? Mason provides additional funds to eligible service members to pay education costs without charging your GI Bill® entitlement. Visit Mason's Office of Military Services to learn more about education benefits for veterans.

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Meet the Mason Nation: John Tyree

Sarah Holland — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 19:16:52 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: John Tyree Sarah Holland Thu, 07/20/2023 - 15:16

John Tyree

Job: Consultant, University Business Consulting

John Tyree is a two-time Mason alum and current staff member in University Business Consulting. Photo provided.

John Tyree is one of Mason’s University Business Consulting (UBC) consultants. The university launched UBC in 2020 to help Mason offices reach their goals through increased efficiency, data insights, and capitalizing on opportunities for innovation. Tyree started working at Mason in 2019, but his connection to the Mason Nation dates back to 2010 when he started working on his bachelor’s degree in information systems and operations management. Since then, he has added an MBA and a graduate certificate in business analytics to his resume.

Understanding the ‘WHY’. After graduating from Mason with a BS in in 2013, Tyree returned to Mason as an IT manager. He was inspired to pursue his MBA to, “better understand the ‘why’ of business processes I was supporting as an IT professional. I am able to use the business skills I learned to approach challenges from a higher strategic level.” The move to business consulting, in tandem with his completion of the MBA program, was an opportunity to “round out my business acumen. I’m able to better see how departments interconnect and serve a common mission. And the skills I gained through the MBA program—such as identifying deficiencies in processes and creating improvements—have served me well in my role as a consultant for the university.”

Lessons abroad. The MBA program allowed Tyree to expand his horizons not only through a new career path, but also through experiences abroad. “The most memorable class I took in the MBA program was the Global Residency course,” he said. “We traveled to Singapore to learn from various businesses about operating in a global market. We were able to talk with senior leadership and learn the similarities and key differences about conducting business in different parts of the world.” Tyree and his fellow students also had the opportunity to take guided tours and attend cultural dinners to learn about the country. “The whole experience was a great way to bond with my cohort as well as obtain a global prospective as I continue my business career,” Tyree said.

Part of the process. In his work with UBC, Tyree has the opportunity to see how processes and departments function across the university and, using his expertise in business analytics, he helps them find more efficient and effective ways of operating. “My work is focused on gathering and synthesizing information for our clients so they can make informed decisions on improving departmental organization and efficiencies,” he said. “I do this through various means including executive reports, data analysis and visualization, benchmarking, and general project management.”

Helping Mason succeed. “Consulting” is a broad term, encompassing everything from project management to data visualizations to business planning. Some of UBC's projects include implementing the university's new Strategic Direction and designing key performance indicators (KPIs) and dashboards to measure its progress; coordinating with multiple offices to design, implement, and manage the university's COVID-19 response; and saving the university $1.7M in transportation costs by analyzing shuttle ridership post-pandemic. And at no cost to Mason units—yes, this service is complimentary!—this work is critical to supporting Mason’s mission and helping others do the same.

Macy the golden doodle showing off her Patriot pride. Photo provided.

Puppy love. Tyree is an avid outdoorsman. From roads and trails to rivers and lakes, he cycles and kayaks through state and national parks. And while the great outdoors holds a special place in his heart, his one-year-old golden doodle is his greatest treasure. Macy, named after Mason, walks around her namesake campus with Tyree. “She gets to greet lots of students,” Tyree said, which bodes well for her future application to Mason in approximately two to three years (which is 16 to 24 in dog years!).

Patriots brave and bold! With two Mason degrees and an ongoing career at the university, it’s no wonder that Tyree bleeds green and gold. Over a decade since he began his journey at Mason, Tyree still loves to cheer on Mason basketball. "I've been attending games since 2010. I still root for the green and gold at EagleBank Arena any chance I get!”

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Meet more of the Mason Nation

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February 23, 2024

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MBA alumnus establishes the Michael S. VanPatten Family Endowed Scholarship

Jennifer Anzaldi — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 15:24:39 +0000

MBA alumnus establishes the Michael S. VanPatten Family Endowed Scholarship Jennifer Anzaldi Tue, 11/01/2022 - 11:24

Michael S. VanPatten

Despite living and working in the Atlanta metropolitan area, Michael VanPatten, MBA ’90, never lost touch with Mason. Immediately receptive to post-graduation calls from the alumni relations team, he was eager to connect with alumni and assist students in attaining an MBA. The positive experience he had at Mason, with instructors who had working knowledge in the areas they were teaching, encouraged his continued engagement. “One of my awesome professors who really stood out was Raphael Coleman, and he was dean at the time, which made it even more special,” he says.

As the chief financial officer at True Influence (now part of Anteriad), VanPatten reflects on how instructors in the MBA program went out of their way to give students a leg up. “Another professor who really helped me was Raj Sisodia who taught marketing,” he says. “He shared my paper ‘A Normative Conceptual Model for Marketing Technology-Centered Products’ with acclaimed marketing authors, Al Ries and Jack Trout, and they shared immensely positive feedback with me.” The result was an “A” in the course, but more importantly it gave him exposure and confidence in his skills at a high level. The finance portion of the program prepared VanPatten exceptionally well, and he was excited that he could build upon his background in calculus. “Tools from those finance classes have since helped me convince investors to buy into new programs,” he says.

VanPatten’s zeal for Mason is demonstrated by his communication with students and graduates, establishing his own scholarship, and his participation in a number of Mason alumni get-togethers in the Atlanta area. With the Michael S. VanPatten Family Endowed Scholarship recently established, he is excited to witness the effects it will have on recipients. Working with Carolina Camargo De Luca, the major gifts officer at the School of Business, he was able to lend support to the program in a personal way that fit him best, providing support to high-performing MBA students who have completed two courses in the program.

“Throughout my education I received help from many people, including employers, and I think it’s really important that I give back as well,” he says. Recognized as a Prominent Patriot in 2020, Michael VanPatten is a sterling example of how graduation only marks the beginning of the journey as a Patriot. Soon, MBA students will begin benefitting from his scholarship and author their own stories of success.

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MBA Outstanding Student of the Year offers advice to those coming next

Jennifer Anzaldi — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 13:42:57 +0000

MBA Outstanding Student of the Year offers advice to those coming next Jennifer Anzaldi Thu, 10/13/2022 - 09:42

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More from Mason's MBA Program

U.S. Army Vet and MBA alum credits Costello for expanding his dreams
November 11, 2024
First-generation alumna and MBA student shares recipes for creating treasured memories in new book
November 7, 2024
PhD student’s research on COVID-19 transmission leads to discovery of a major model gap
August 9, 2024
Costello MBA global residency experience: consulting project with Circle Care Clinic in Dubai, UAE
August 2, 2024
Sustainability MBA elective matches student teams with partner companies
May 20, 2024

Graduating this past May, Doug Chapman MBA’22 was honored as the 2022 MBA Outstanding Student of the Year; a recognition by faculty of his demonstrated overall excellence in academic performance.

Chapman was recently featured in a video spotlight where he shared memories of his experiences at Mason and offered advice to both current and future Mason graduate students.

“I am very thankful to have [had] the full support of my employer and my family, which I really think was vital in order to make my overall experience successful, because you can’t do it without a good support system,” says Chapman.

He later added that although working full-time and being in the MBA program was a challenge, it enabled him to incorporate what he learned in the classroom in real time. “I was able to use my company as a live example of how to do a strategy for the project [in class], and that actually helped because we were able to use some of that [in our company] for our annual strategic planning,” says Chapman. “I’m able to give back to my company and give them something of value while I’m actually learning.”

Chapman says he chose the Mason MBA for three main reasons: its reputation, being military friendly, and offering in person learning.

The MBA program is ranked #67 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Part-Time MBA Programs. It is also ranked one of the Best Part-Time MBA Programs for Veterans.

“Working full-time, doing the MBA program full-time, really when it comes down to administrative things, you really need someone to help you quickly navigate through them,” says Chapman. “I was very thankful that both before I accepted the program as well as ongoing during the program, that those support structures were there to really help make me successful so I could focus on learning.”

“One thing I would tell anyone else is number one that the Mason faculty here is invested in your success. I really felt that throughout my entire program that each of my instructors made themselves available to me and try and get to know you as a person, and I really appreciated that.”

Chapman currently is the vice president of operations at CoreSys Consulting Services, LLC.

Conveniently located in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Mason’s in-person MBA program delivers the flexibility and accessibility working professionals need to fast track their careers, pivot industries, or grow their own businesses. Students gain diverse business skills, broader insights, and confidence while developing their professional network by connecting with classmates and Mason’s international business school alumni network of more than 35,000 members. Students have the opportunity to broaden their global business perspective with firsthand international experience through the Global Residency Program. Accelerated or part-time options are available. Learn more about the Mason MBA.

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