College of Visual and Performing Arts

Honors College alum spearheads professional development program

Sarah Holland — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 16:11:36 +0000

Honors College alum spearheads professional development program Sarah Holland Mon, 12/09/2024 - 11:11

When preparing for college, prospective students and parents often ask about career readiness. How is the university preparing its students for the workforce? What’s the rate of job placement? Do the students succeed in their respective careers?

��AV has a strong track record of preparing students for careers. And the Honors College is working to make sure Honors students are ready to shine in a competitive job market.

Jeff Shen provides opening remarks at the roundtable. Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

“These are incredibly motivated students. I am beyond impressed with their enthusiasm and intellect. And they’re ready. They have all the tools to succeed in the workforce, they just need the knowledge of how to find the right opportunity,” said Jeff Shen.

Shen, who graduated from what was then known as the Presidential Scholars Program in 1996 with a degree in decision sciences, is president of Red Team Consulting and a member of the Honors College Advisory Board. Last year, he came to Dean Zofia Burr with an idea for how to prepare Honors College students for their careers: a roundtable for students to meet with professionals in government contracting, supported by the Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting.

“I spoke with some students during graduation,” Shen said, “and in asking them about their post-graduation plans and job opportunities, I realized that these really bright and promising students were missing some of the foundations for approaching the job market: how to network, where to look for opportunities, and so on. So I thought, there must be some way we can address that gap.”

The idea for the roundtable coincided with plans to develop the Honors College Professional Development Fellows program. As part of the program, the roundtable was one of a series of workshops that help students in the program craft their resumes, build their LinkedIn profiles, practice interviewing, and otherwise prepare for internship and career opportunities.

The first roundtable event in Spring 2024 featured 12 George Mason alumni, all of whom are major executives at government contracting companies. The first was such a success that Shen and the Honors College decided to host a second event in Fall 2024.

“In government contracting, you can be a writer, a clinical researcher, a health care professional, you can be in sales: It does not matter the background, there’s going to be a position in government contracting for that person,” Shen said. “I wanted students to see the world of possibilities in terms of what they could do with their degrees.”

Students had the opportunity to speak with each executive in small groups, gaining valuable insights and advice on how to prepare for their career.

Jessica Taylor, studying music technology with a minor in computer science, was one of the fellows in the spring. “As a music major who wants to go into software engineering, I have an untraditional background that needs to be particularly explained and presented when I’m introducing myself to potential employers,” she said. “The fellows program taught me that my variety of creative experience is actually one of the things that makes me stand out.”

Photo by Cristian Torres/Office of University Branding

“We received [the mentors’] personal emails, offering the opportunity to follow up on potential career opportunities and further discussions,” said Monica Amaya, a management information systems major with a minor in computational and data sciences. Amaya attended the roundtable in Fall 2024. “The entirety of the Professional Development Fellows program has given us valuable networking opportunities to build meaningful relationships with successful government contracting leaders in the area.”

“I learned a lot about what it takes to build a business,” said cyber security engineering student Cameron Portis. “Hearing some of the stories about how these leaders overcame difficulties and changed their plans really inspired me to keep pushing toward my goals no matter what.”

The program continues to grow. In Spring 2025, the roundtable opportunities will expand to two new fields: Health administration and leadership, organized by Inova Health System’s Loren Rufino, BS Health Services ’12, and arts/performing arts nonprofit leadership, organized by Deb Gandy. Both are members of the Honors College Advisory Board.

And for Shen, opening doors for students is only part of the mission. “This is a great way for alumni and community members to get involved with George Mason,” he said. “I’m hoping this opens the door for them as well."

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Zofia Burr

Meet the Mason Nation: Marit Majeske

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:52:36 +0000

Meet the Mason Nation: Marit Majeske Lauren Reuscher Thu, 10/10/2024 - 09:52

Marit Majeske

Job: Education Coordinator, Hylton Performing Arts Center

Marit Majeske helps bring the arts to people of all ages as education coordinator at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

The Hylton Performing Arts Center opened its doors at ��AV in 2010, and Marit Majeske, education coordinator, has been along for the ride ever since.

Located on George Mason’s Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, Virginia, the Hylton Center is managed by the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The center was created in partnership with Prince William County, the City of Manassas, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, with help from private donors and local business members. Today, it boasts 102,000 square feet of space to serve the community through performances and arts programming.

Hometown arts: After graduating from college, Majeske worked on political campaigns. But in 2010, she was ready for a change, and something was calling her to the arts, which had long been her passion. When Majeske heard that George Mason was opening a performing arts center in Prince William County—where she grew up—she decided to apply for a job.

Getting the house in order: Majeske started out as the front of house manager, where she built the volunteer usher and accessibility programs and created procedures to ensure a smooth visitor experience. In 2016, she took the additional role of interim education coordinator, which later became a full-time position. While working at the Hylton Center, Majeske earned her master’s in arts management from George Mason.

A broad palette: Today, Majeske leads the Hylton Center’s Education Initiative, which offers learners of all ages free opportunities to experience and engage in the arts. “Through in-person and virtual programming such as field trips, backstage tours, lecture-demonstrations, and masterclasses led by professional artists, every community member can experience the arts in meaningful ways,” Majeske said.

Arts class: Working with local school districts is one of Majeske’s favorite parts of the job. The Hylton Center hosts students from public schools in Prince William County, the City of Manassas, and the City of Manassas Park, as well as others, for arts programming.

“These schools have impressive arts programs, and I enjoy getting the opportunity to provide additional experiences to students and teachers that support their work in the classroom,” Majeske said.

Peak performance: In the 2023–24 season, nearly 20,000 learners of all ages participated in Hylton Center Education Initiative programming. Majeske says that meeting the growing needs of the community is one of the most fulfilling, but also the most challenging, parts of her jobs.

Marit Majeske has worked at the Hylton Center since it opened in 2010, and she is also a George Mason alum. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“We have seen significant growth in our Education Initiative engagement since 2020, and we hope to continue to expand in a way that provides a wide range of arts experiences reaching learners of all ages—from preschool through lifelong learners,” Majeske said.

Introducing the cast: Majeske’s work intersects with the Mason Artist-in-Residence program, in which artists participate in creative activities with the community prior to their public Hylton Center performances.

“One of my favorite things is getting to know the artists’ interests beyond their art form, which lends itself to creating unique opportunities for engagement with our community members,” Majeske said.

Behind the curtain: Building opportunities for connection between artists and their audiences drives Majeske’s work. And sometimes, it goes off-script. A lifelong fan of Broadway, one of her fondest George Mason memories was when Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell performed at the Hylton Center.

“That evening, while I was addressing our ushers backstage prior to the performance, Mr. Stokes Mitchell stumbled upon our meeting and had been quietly listening in the background,” Majeske said. “Unprompted, he stepped forward, introduced himself, and thanked everyone for welcoming him. What a lovely surprise for our ushers!”

All the world’s a stage—and a classroom: Through her work at Hylton and her own educational experiences, Majeske knows that valuable learning happens outside the confines of a classroom. When she’s not working or taking in performances, she loves to explore, frequently taking in historic sites, museums, and independent bookstores. “I am a firm believer in lifelong learning,” she said.

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Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico Returns to Center for the Arts, Leads Hispanic Heritage Month Events

Laura Mertens — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 19:35:55 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico Returns to Center for the Arts, Leads Hispanic Heritage Month Events Laura Mertens Fri, 09/27/2024 - 15:35

��AV’s Center for the Arts presents a full residency, culminating in a Great Performances at Mason program, featuring Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico this October. During Hispanic Heritage Month, the company will visit Northern Virginia for four days to offer a range of educational and interactive dance programs, leading up to its mainstage performance at the Center for the Arts on October 5.

“We’re excited to have Ballet Hispánico back in our community to help us celebrate Latino culture through dance and cultural enrichment activities. We will certainly feel the presence of this dynamic and fun group across campus, and I’m delighted to have them engage with so many different community stakeholders,” said Victor Adebusola, programming and engagement manager at the Center for the Arts at George Mason.

Recognized as one of America’s cultural treasures, Ballet Hispánico celebrates the ever-growing and multifaceted Hispanic diasporas through vibrant contemporary dance. The company was founded in New York City by dance luminary Tina Ramirez in 1970, on the principle that everyone deserves dance, quality dance training, and innovative performances. Since becoming its artistic director and CEO in 2009, Eduardo Vilaro has further built Ballet Hispánico to uplift the intersection of Hispanic cultures, pioneeringly breaking down boundaries and stereotypes.

The October 5 program at the Center for the Arts features: Sombrerísimo by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, inspired by the surrealist world of Belgian painter René Magritte; Buscando a Juan by Eduardo Vilaro, inspired by the life of Juan de Pareja, the Afro-Hispanic painter who was enslaved in Spanish painter Diego Velázquez’s studio for over two decades before becoming an artist in his own right; and Club Havana by Pedro Ruiz, which transports audiences through classic Cuban culture with the intoxicating rhythms of conga, rumba, mambo, and cha-cha-chá.

As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Ballet Hispánico will engage George Mason students and the local community through a variety of classes, talks, and interactive workshops in the days ahead of the company’s performance. Details about these events are listed in the schedule below.

Launched during the 2019–20 season through George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Mason Artist-in-Residence Program connects artists appearing at the Center for the Arts and its sister-venue the Hylton Performing Arts Center with on- and off-campus communities.

Open-to-the-Public Residency Events:

Field Trip: Ballet Hispánico

Friday, October 4, at 11 a.m.
Center for the Arts at ��AV (4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required

In conjunction with the Great Performances at Mason series, the Center makes it easy for your class or group to attend field trips, which are all offered in person. From their seats, students will be introduced to dance, theater, and music from around the world.

Artists in Conversation: Latin Social Dance Workshop with Ballet Hispánico

Friday, October 4, at 7 p.m.
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required

This Hispanic Heritage Month event celebrates the ever growing and multifaceted Hispanic diasporas, featuring an interactive social dance workshop led by the “smashingly theatrical” dance company (Chicago Sun-Times) Ballet Hispánico. Move to the rhythms of salsa, merengue, cha chá, and more!

Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and the Center for the Arts at ��AV

Residency Activities for George Mason and Local Communities:

The events listed below are not open to the general public.

Tuesday, October 1, at 9 a.m.

Ballet Hispánico and Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro will virtually visit the class “Survey of Latin American History,” taught by Associate Professor Joan Bristol from George Mason’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Vilaro will present to the students on topics that include the history of Ballet Hispánico and how the need for visibility for a community spurned rich innovation based on the intersection of Latin diasporas; colonization, the cross-Atlantic slave trade, and the legacy of movement throughout our history; and the history of Latin dance in modern dance and culture in the United States. There will also be a Q&A for the students.

Wednesday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m.

Ballet Hispánico will offer a masterclass on modern repertoire to students in George Mason’s School of Dance.

Wednesday, October 2 at 1 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico will offer a masterclass on modern repertoire to local high school students in the Fairfax Academy.

Thursday, October 3 at 1:30 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro will join the virtual class “Introduction to Arts Management,” taught by Professor Sam Sinagra from George Mason’s Arts Management Program. Vilaro will present the history of Ballet Hispánico and how the company centers its mission when creating programs and initiatives. There will also be a Q&A for the students.

Thursday, October 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico will lead a Latin Social Dance Workshop and Community Party, hosted by the Latin Student Association and Mason Dining at Southside Dining Hall. This event is open to George Mason students, faculty, and staff.

Friday, October 4 at 1 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico will offer a dance workshop to a limited number of participants from the school time matinee.

Center for the Arts Public Performance Information:

Mason Artist-in-Residence
Ballet Hispánico
Saturday, October 5 at 8 p.m.
$55, $47, $33; half-price for youth through Grade 12

Tickets for Center for the Arts performances are on sale to the general public and available for purchase in person at the Center for the Arts Ticket Office (open Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and two hours prior to ticketed events in the Center for the Arts Concert Hall), by calling 703-993-2787, or through the Center for the Arts website (cfa.gmu.edu).

A pre-performance discussion with Ballet Hispánico’s Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro, moderated by George Mason School of Dance Professor Lawrence Jackson, will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.

About Ballet Hispánico
Ballet Hispánico was born from a bold vision to transform the world through the power of dance and reimagine how Latinx culture is celebrated on the global stage. Since its founding in 1970 by the trailblazing Tina Ramirez, Ballet Hispánico has been breaking barriers and reshaping expectations, using dance as a dynamic force for cultural expression, empowerment, and meaningful change.

Today, Ballet Hispánico proudly stands as the largest Latino cultural organization in the United States and an acclaimed "America’s Cultural Treasure." Through our three core pillars—the professional Company, School of Dance, and Community Arts Partnerships—we lead with purpose, uplifting the vibrant, diverse voices of the Hispanic diaspora. Our Company brings the work of visionary Latinx choreographers to life, delivering groundbreaking performances that ignite cultural dialogue and challenge artistic boundaries.

Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro, who began his journey with Ballet Hispánico as a dancer in 1985, the company continues to chart new paths forward. Building on Tina Ramirez’s legacy, Vilaro has expanded the company’s impact, amplifying the intersectional stories of Latinx identities. Programs like Instituto Coreográfico, the Latinx Leaders Summit, and Diálogos foster innovation and leadership, nurturing the next generation of Hispanic artists and cultural leaders.

A true trailblazer in the world of dance, Ballet Hispánico has performed for more than 2.5 million people across three continents. As we look to the future, our unwavering commitment is to empower communities, inspire through the beauty of dance, and continue elevating Latinx voices on the world stage.www.ballethispanico.org.

About Eduardo Vilaro
Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director & CEO of Ballet Hispánico since 2009, has revitalized the company with his vision of dance as a reflection of America’s diverse cultural tapestry. Born in Cuba and raised in New York, Vilaro’s choreography explores the Latin American experience and its intersections with other cultures. He previously founded Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago, promoting Latinx artistry. Vilaro’s work has earned him numerous awards, including an honorary Doctorate from Adelphi University, recognizing his leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.

About the Center for the Arts
A Mason Arts venue, the Center for the Arts is the centerpiece of performing arts on ��AV’s Fairfax campus. Each year, the Center welcomes hundreds of thousands of community members into its nearly 2,000-seat Concert Hall. The Center presents an annual season of national and international professional artists through its Great Performances at Mason and Family Series—offering the best of classical music, opera, jazz, global music, dance, theater, and more. Managed by George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Center hosts many student and faculty performances presented by the Schools of Music, Theater, and Dance and supports the events of the School of Art, Film and Video Studies, Computer Game Design, and Arts Management programs. The Center brings distinguished visiting artists as Mason Artists-in-Residence for extended engagements designed to engage and inspire diverse audiences both on and off campus. The Center for the Arts serves as a performance home for many community arts organizations in the greater Washington, D.C. area. cfa.gmu.edu.

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

For more information, please visit:
��AV’s Center for the Arts

In This Story

Victor Adebusola

Get tickets for the October 5 Ballet Hispánico performance

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Mason Korea celebrates 10 years with kickoff reception

Lauren Reuscher — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 14:20:34 +0000

Mason Korea celebrates 10 years with kickoff reception Lauren Reuscher Thu, 06/13/2024 - 10:20

��AV Korea kicked off its 10th anniversary celebrations with a lively reception that brought together Mason Korea students, faculty, and staff, current and past leaders, visitors from George Mason's Fairfax Campus, and members of the Mason Korea advisory board.

��AV leaders gathered for Mason Korea's 10th anniversary kickoff celebration. Photo by Mason Korea

The event included a recognition ceremony for Mason Korea employees with five to ten years of service. Janette Muir, vice provost for academic affairs and chair of the Mason Korea LLC Board, presented awards to five-year employees. Robert Matz, dean of Mason Korea, honored those with six to nine years of service, and ��AV President Gregory Washington recognized faculty and staff with 10 years of service—those who have been at Mason Korea since it opened.

President Gregory Washington (right) and faculty/staff with 10 years of service at Mason Korea. Photo by Mason Korea

President Gregory Washington and faculty/staff with 6–9 years of service at Mason Korea. Photo by Mason Korea

President Gregory Washington and faculty/staff with 5 years of service at Mason Korea. Photo by Mason Korea

Matz thanked the faculty and staff in attendance for their contributions to the campus. “You do not need to be told of Mason Korea’s successes because you are the reason for them—you are their engine,” said Matz.

The event featured a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the Green Machine pep band and Mason Korea's student bands, Crescent and Sketch. The electric energy of the bands filled the banquet hall with a mix of English and Korean pop hits.

Photo by Mason Korea

Sherlin Amaya Medrano, Mason Korea Student Government president, also offered her congratulations to the campus community. The 10th anniversary celebration continues throughout the week with a series of public events.

Photo by Mason Korea

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A second chance at a college degree for this Mason Korea computer game design graduate

Colleen Rich — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:12:29 +0000

A second chance at a college degree for this Mason Korea computer game design graduate Colleen Rich Wed, 04/17/2024 - 10:12

Juyoung Cha was the first in her family to consider studying abroad for college. Starting in high school, she wanted to experience a different culture, specifically the United States.

Computer game design major Juyoung Cha by Mason Pond on the Fairfax Campus. Photo provided

After she faced closed doors to her fine arts college applications in Korea, her local pastor who had lived in the United States recommended that she take the community college route in the state of New York. Cha decided to study accounting, a pathway she considered to be more stable than fine arts in terms of career outcomes.

Cha spent three semesters at a community college and three semesters at the City University of New York. However, due to family financial difficulties, Cha and her sister returned home to continue their college education.

Coming back to Korea as a transfer student was a huge challenge for Cha, as Korean universities only accept transfer students who enrolled for more than two years at a single institution. With her six semesters at two institutions, she was limited in options for continuing her undergraduate education.

At the point where she was about to give up on her college education, her pastor’s wife introduced her to Kelley Chung, Mason Korea’s associate dean for admissions and government affairs, who helped Cha see that she could continue her fine arts pursuits through the field of computer game design at a U.S. institution in Korea.

“While it was not as abstract as plain fine arts and had a clear career route, the thought of building something in the digital world that cannot be constructed in the real world sounded exciting,” Cha said.

Learning computer programming, design, and game modeling was challenging for Cha. “As the days of being a college student prolonged, the goal of graduating felt farther away the more I got close to it,” she said.

Cha found that computer game design faculty members wanted to see her succeed, showing flexibility on deadlines and even offering the chance to retake classes for a better grade. Her internship supervisor at Mason Korea’s Office of Development and Strategic Partnerships, Christina Cha, was her biggest supporter when she was on the brink of dropping out of college.

“Juyoung’s diligence and willingness to learn new skills was impressive to me and to all of us in the office,” her internship supervisor said. “She was also an active member of G-nonymous, Mason Korea’s student RSO for [computer graphic design] majors, quietly yet persistently honing her skills. I’m so happy that she rose above her own doubts and decided to complete her education journey at Mason and become our alumnus!”

Now Cha is just weeks away from reaching the finish line in Fairfax—earning her BFA in computer game design. In May she plans to walk proudly across the graduation stage in EagleBank Arena along with her younger sister, Subin Cha, who is a Mason Korea student in accounting.

“Being the first five students among Mason Korea’s first computer game design cohort and one of the few female students in my major’s graduating class from Mason Korea, to me being a Patriot symbolizes endurance and patience,” said Cha. “Studying abroad in the United States and coming back to an American college through Mason were both non-traditional routes that exposed me to different challenges that allowed me to see the value of a college degree.”

Mason Korea opened its doors to in 2014. As part of Mason Korea’s 10th anniversary, Mason will host events in Korea and on the Fairfax Campus. This is the first in a series of stories highlighting Mason Korea students.
Learn more about Mason Korea's anniversary >>

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Mason’s research is best in Virginia in multiple EduRank rankings

Sarah Holland — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 16:41:23 +0000

Mason’s research is best in Virginia in multiple EduRank rankings Sarah Holland Wed, 04/03/2024 - 12:41

Eighteen ��AV programs are ranked the best in Virginia in a new report by EduRank that focuses on performance in research.

Students enjoy the cherry blossoms on the Fairfax Campus. Photo by Eduardo de Souza/Office of University Branding.

Topping the list is Mason’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, which for the second consecutive year was ranked No. 1 among all public institutions and No. 2 among all institutions nationally.

Best-in-Virginia programs were spread across the university and included those from the Costello College of Business, the Schar School of Policy and Government, the College of Engineering and Computing, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS), the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Antonin Scalia Law School, the College of Education and Human Development, and the ROTC.

That research is supported by entities such as the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact, which has overall responsibility for Mason’s research enterprise and support of entrepreneurship and innovation. And Costello College’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship lets students dig into entrepreneurship, from the theoretical to the experimental.

Mason’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is anchored by the university and reaches out into the broader community. Mason Enterprise, a division of the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact, is a strategic collection of 24 programs that support entrepreneurs and small business owners across Virginia, and conducts more than 1,500 training programs and more than 30,000 hours of one-on-one counseling with entrepreneurs in the community and from universities each year.

It is that environment of research, discovery, and innovation, which is a main contributor to Mason’s R1 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Higher Education as one of the nation’s top research universities.

And though the EduRank rankings focus mainly on research performance, they are an indicator of the quality of the programs from which that research is produced.

“Mason is committed to accelerating the translation of research into practice by leveraging university talent, infrastructure, and partnerships to create solutions for societies’ toughest challenges at speed and scale,” said Andre Marshall, Mason’s vice president for research, innovation, and economic impact. “It is a credit to our faculty and students that Mason is a place where we can put theory into practice.”

Added Paula Sorrell, Mason’s associate vice president of innovation and economic development, “Mason was originally created by the business community to serve its needs, and for 50 years it has been doing just that. In the past four years, we’ve significantly amped up our tech entrepreneurship to support and mirror the rapidly growing tech economy, adding 16 new programs and counting.”

Research is the bedrock of entrepreneurship, Costello College dean Ajay Vinzé said.

The university’s top rankings “are in many ways reflective of our approach to business education and the business of higher education,” he said. “Our approach—built on the foundation of a rich university-wide entrepreneurial ecosystem, powered by a growing body of faculty research across multiple fields of study—is changing the arc of higher education expectation and delivery as we prepare the next generation of leaders.”

Costello College is a contributor to the top entrepreneurship ranking, along with the Schar School and the Mercatus Center, all of which produce volumes of research, articles, and papers for an abundance of publications.

Schar School dean Mark J. Rozell called entrepreneurship research “a very distinguishing feature for a public policy and government school.”

Its research at the Center for Micro-Economic Policy Research (CMEPR), for example, is focused on diversity and disadvantaged groups among entrepreneurs, especially those who are Black, immigrants, and female. It also looks at job creation by minority entrepreneurs in minority and low-income communities.

“The center brings an unusual contribution to research on entrepreneurship by focusing on these issues,” said John Earle, the center’s director and a Distinguished University Professor, who has published more than 60 articles and scholarly papers. “While the typical focus for entrepreneurship studies is for performance, especially for firms receiving venture-capital support, CMEPR research analyzes a much broader range of businesses, and how public policies affect the entry, growth, and survival of those owned by minority entrepreneurs.”

At the College of Engineering and Computing, Dean Ken Ball noted that CEC faculty garnered more than $119 million in research awards in 2023.

Dean Alpaslan Ozerdem's Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution class. Photo by: Ron Aira/Office of University Branding.

“I’m proud that our research has informed and strengthened our academic programs and led to innovation and economic growth that benefits society,” Ball said. “Mason has consistently been a national leader in cybersecurity, data analytics, software engineering, aviation, and web development. These rankings reflect the impact CEC researchers have in areas of engineering and computing that are relevant to everyone, as well as our leadership position among Virginia’s public universities.”

CHSS dean Ann Ardis said her college’s contributions to research in best-of-Virginia areas such as criminology, broadcasting, law enforcement, journalism, and political economy “are a testament to the scholarly excellence of our faculty. We take immense pride in our researchers’ contributions to Mason’s growing reputation nationally as a comprehensive R1 institution with strengths across a range of research areas.”

For Alpaslan Özerdem, dean of the Carter School, the ranking in conflict resolution “fuels our dedication to shaping a more peaceful and understanding world.”

Özerdem noted that the school has been at the forefront of teaching, researching, and implementing conflict resolution for four decades.

“So being recognized as the premier institution for conflict resolution in Virginia deepens our pride and reaffirms our vital role within the broader conflict resolution ecosystem of the commonwealth,” he said.

Here are the programs ranked the best in Virginia, with ranking among public institutions and overall national ranking; best in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland (DMV) where noted:

Aviation: 8, 11 (best in the DMV)

Broadcast Journalism: 40, 58

Cinematography: 29, 48 (best in the DMV)

Conflict Resolution: 15, 28

Criminology: 19, 26

Cybersecurity: 21, 33

Data Administration: 19, 29

Entrepreneurship: 1, 2 (best in the DMV)

Human Rights Law: 9, 28 (best in the DMV)

Intellectual Property Law: 6, 18 (best in the DMV)

Law Enforcement: 5, 10 (best in the DMV)

Military Science: 33, 47

Political Economy: 14, 28

Public Policy Administration: 17, 29 (best in the DMV)

Radio & TV Broadcasting: 37, 55

Remote Sensing: 29, 39

Software Engineering: 11, 15

Web Development: 12, 18

See EduRank’s methodology here.

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Wherever I May Roam: Mason alum directs marching band to victory in Metallica competition

Sarah Holland — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 14:39:49 +0000

Wherever I May Roam: Mason alum directs marching band to victory in Metallica competition Sarah Holland Tue, 02/06/2024 - 09:39

Smoke glides across the Oakton High School football field. A black curtain—20 yards long—hangs in the center of the field with giant silver letters: “Parade to Black.”

As the opening bars of “Enter Sandman” play on vibraphones, 50 high school marching band members emerge in ’80s hair metal wigs. They join the arrangement of the hit Metallica song, head-banging in between choreography and music cues.

Photo by Dave Custer.

“Enter Sandman” concludes the eight-and-a-half-minute medley of Metallica’s most popular songs, performed by Oakton High School’s marching band and color guard. Directed by Mason alum Jamie VanValkenburg, BM ’97, MM ’00, the Marching Cougars won the approval of Metallica itself, winning the small high school category in the inaugural “For Whom the Band Tolls!” marching band competition, beating out more than 450 other competitors. Other than praise and acclaim from the gods of metal themselves, the band will also receive a prize of $15,000 for instruments and equipment.

“It’s surreal. I grew up listening to Metallica,” VanValkenburg said. “Their albums were huge when I was in middle and high school, so when I saw the initial announcement on social media about the competition, I thought doing a Metallica show and entering their competition would be fun. I never expected that we would win.”

Jamie VanValkenburg, BM ’97, MM ’00, director of the Marching Cougars. Photo by Dave Custer.

VanValkenburg, an upstate New York native, chose Mason at the encouragement of his middle school band director, whose college band director was Anthony Maiello, University Professor of Music in the Dewberry School of Music in the College of Visual and Performing Arts. Before he came to Mason, Maiello taught a number of future New York band directors at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music, in northern New York state.

“Once he moved to Mason, those directors encouraged their students who showed interest in majoring in music to look into Mason,” VanValkenburg explained. “We joked that in the Mason music department, if you weren’t from Virginia, you were probably from New York.”

VanValkenburg met his future wife at Mason, also from Upstate New York and with a Maiello connection, Holly (Constantine) VanValkenburg, BA Music ‘00. Maiello was also the conductor for VanValkenburg’s New York All-State high school band.

While Maiello brought VanValkenburg to Mason, it was retired professor Roger Behrend who put VanValkenburg on the path to teaching. “Behrend insisted that those of us interested in music performance get our degrees in music education,” VanValkenburg said. “It would ensure we had a plan if we were unable to sustain a career in performance. It was some of the best advice I ever got.”

VanValkenburg still draws on the lessons from his time at Mason. In particular, he remembered Maiello’s influence. “Professor Maiello had very high standards, but he knew how to rehearse a band to meet those standards. He taught us how to reach those heights, and that’s something I try to emulate. He was incredibly inspiring on the podium, and I owe a lot to him.”

The Oakton High School marching band performs their award-winning show "Parade to Black" at the VBODA State Marching Band Assessment. Photo by Dave Custer.

VanValkenburg isn’t the only Mason alum in the Oakton High School community: Multiple members of the band staff are either alumni or current students of Mason, including the marching band music arranger Kent Baker, BA Music ’21 ; percussion arranger Nick Kraemer, BM Music Education ’15; percussion instructors Ricky Carrero, BA Sociology ’17, and Bronson Rodriguez, BA Music ‘23; and color guard instructor Malcolm Wood, BM Music Education ’23. Current Mason students on staff include Elaine Hopkins and Carly Wolfrey. Together, they created the winning Oakton High School performance.

Putting together a marching band show is a months-long endeavor, which VanValkenburg compared to a “1,000-piece puzzle.” Students are given the music arrangement near the end of the school year to learn over the summer. At marching band camp in August, they learn the drill and choreography, and develop the show as an ensemble. The show learned at band camp would be their show for the full season, including football games and competitions, which runs through October.

The road to this victory wasn’t easy. School music programs are still feeling the impacts of COVID-19, including reduced student numbers and loss of group performance skills.

“For a full year, none of them were able to play together. Once back in person, they didn’t know how to listen to each other, how to work as an ensemble anymore,” he explained. “And the process of virtual band was so painful we saw a lot of students not continue with their music programs.”
VanValkenburg suspects that recovery will take a few more years, but he hopes that this victory will encourage student interest.

“I’ve heard from directors around the county that after the winners were announced, their middle school students came into class all abuzz with the news. It’s awesome that everyone is as excited about this as we are,” he said.

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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute honored for its contributions to arts education

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:05:55 +0000

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute honored for its contributions to arts education Lauren Reuscher Wed, 11/15/2023 - 13:05

The ArtsFairfax Awards celebrate visionary contributions to arts and culture in Fairfax County. On Oct. 26, ArtsFairfax honored the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at ��AV with its Education Award for providing exceptional arts education and opportunities to the community.

Participants in an OLLI Mason workshop taught by the LADAMA quartet, former Mason Artists-in-Residence

For more than 30 years, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI Mason) has offered educational, cultural, and social opportunities for adults in their retirement years. A nonprofit affiliate of ��AV, OLLI Mason offers more than 600 courses each year on a broad spectrum of subjects, as well as clubs, social events, and excursions.

As Fairfax County’s local arts agency, ArtsFairfax distributes public funds for the arts, connects artists and arts organizations to each other and other sectors, and promotes arts and culture activities for residents.

“OLLI Mason exists to bring intellectual stimulation, social engagement, and arts and educational enrichment to its membership, as well as the wider community,” said Jennifer Disano, executive director of OLLI Mason. “ArtsFairfax champions our efforts and lifts us up as an example of excellence within Fairfax County as a premier educational institute—this is a great honor.”

Volunteer-run and member-driven, OLLI Mason offers classes and activities designed and taught by its members, Mason faculty, and regional experts. Through courses in creative arts, music, writing, poetry, and more, OLLI sparks the creativity and interests of its intellectually curious and active senior membership.

Disano expressed gratitude for the volunteers and supporters who contribute to OLLI programs. “We owe much of our success to the all-volunteer OLLI teacher corps, nonprofit partners, and Mason departments, especially the College of Visual and Performing Arts and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, for their contributions to art appreciation courses within our organization,” said Disano.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, OLLI Mason has expanded its methods of delivering courses and is providing new experiences and programs for its members. Programming is available in person, on Zoom, and in hybrid formats. A robust archive of over 1,000 recorded lectures is available in its electronic library.

With over 1,200 members, the institute’s impact continues to grow. One of its latest partnerships is with local retirement communities, where OLLI provides programming to residents.

“The 2023 ArtsFairfax Awards honorees demonstrate how the arts revitalize communities, improve our wellbeing, and spark creativity in unexpected places,” said Linda Sullivan, ArtsFairfax president and CEO. “We’re thrilled to celebrate each of these awardees for enriching the lives of Fairfax County residents.”

View the complete list of ArtsFairfax awardees.

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The Student Academy Awards recognized this student-directed film

Shayla Brown — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 17:56:06 +0000

The Student Academy Awards recognized this student-directed film Shayla Brown Mon, 11/06/2023 - 12:56

Andrew Opitz first came to ��AV as a freshman over a decade ago. After taking a hiatus from school, he graduated from the Film and Video Studies (FAVS) Program in May 2023. Opitz’s film, Jazz, which he directed for his senior capstone, was a semi-finalist in the Student Academy Awards Alternative/Experimental category.

^{“Jazz started years ago when I first came to Mason as a student. I would be driving, and little ideas would come into my head, but they were very skeletal, shallow ideas,” said Opitz.}

Film and Video Studies students at the Best of Film at Mason 2023.
Photo by Emily Schneider/CVPA

"Film was the first art that swept me off my feet. Music inspires me just as much,” said Opitz, who enjoys listening to different eras of music from the 40s to the 70s.

Opitz describes the film as a story about a jazz musician, “trying to get to a show and we’re under the impression that he’s playing in front of thousands of people at this theater,” said Opitz, “but when we get there, he’s playing on the street. That little twist that he is technically playing at that theater and in front of lots of people who are passing by was all I had. The hard part was fleshing it out.”

Opitz’s film, along with seven of his classmates' films, was featured at the annual Mason Film Festival, hosted by FAVS program director Cynthia Fuchs.

Although Opitz’s film received much acclaim after its release, he and his team faced challenges throughout the filming process.

“There are problems every which way you turn, especially with student films where it's very spur of the moment and you do what you can. Problem solving is probably the biggest job of a lot of the people on the set. That's the nature of filmmaking,” said Opitz.

Andrew Opitz during the Q&A portion of Best of Film.
Photo by Emily Schneider/CVPA

Iana Lee, a senior film and video studies major with a concentration in producing, joined the production team of Jazz in the early stages after signing up at one of Mason’s production fairs.

“Mason has a great filmmaking community. Everyone is very much motivated to be making films and everyone wants to get involved, which is very helpful when you need to pull people together for a film crew,” said Lee. “The professors at Mason are knowledgeable and experienced in filmmaking. They will support you through the process and that was what I needed, so we're supported from all sides of the community, which is nice.”

Rebekah Wingert-Jabi is a Peabody Award-winning filmmaker and adjunct professor in Mason’s FAVS Program.

"There is deep talent and ability among the film students at Mason,” said Wingert-Jabi who helped the students to make small edits including color and sound adjustments to their films. “These tweaks can make the difference between a film that is almost where it needs to be and a film that is polished. Andrew had the patience to go through that tedious process with Jazz, and it clearly paid off."

“It’s been a saga getting to the finish line, but I finally did it,” said Opitz.

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Film was the first art that swept me off my feet. Music inspires me just as much.”

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This Mason student manages her talents on and off stage

Sarah Holland — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 14:49:39 +0000

This Mason student manages her talents on and off stage Sarah Holland Fri, 09/15/2023 - 10:49

��AV rising senior Alexandra “Ali” Coburn is an arts management major who loves working on and off the stage.

“Arts management was eye-opening for me [because] it’s so versatile, and it incorporates so well into my performing career,” said Coburn, who is originally from Houston, Texas.

Ali Coburn poses at Atlas Theater in Washington, D.C. where she works throughout the year. Photo by Ron Aira/��AV

Coburn studied voice at the Potomac Vocal Institute and did work with the Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center, where she made many lasting connections in the performing arts field. So, when she posted on Facebook about needing to complete volunteer hours for the Intro to Arts Management course, Erin Feng, the executive director of Capital City Symphony responded to her.

“[When] I started working for [the symphony], I told her that I would eventually have to do an internship as well. Just based off the work that I had done volunteering, she offered me an internship working mainly in development and operations,” said Coburn.

Coburn’s responsibilities include creating content for their social media pages, various writing assignments, and designing their quarterly newsletter. Coburn designed the company’s first newsletter in five years.

“It's been a little bit intimidating because I have never done anything like working in an office before. Most of my jobs have been teaching kids,” said Coburn, who is currently the musical director and director of Handbell Choirs at Browne Academy in Alexandria, where she works with students in kindergarten through eighth grade. She also gives voice and piano lessons.

“I've done a lot of teaching and performing, but never anything on the administrative side,” she said. “It’s a little nerve wracking being thrown into it, but I've really enjoyed everything I've been working on. This is definitely something I was meant to do.”

Although Coburn’s internship ended on August 31, she continues to work at Capital City Symphony as the executive director’s assistant.

“My goal in arts management, development, and fundraising is to create an atmosphere of younger audience members for opera, and just classical music in general. That’s why I enjoy working with Capital City Symphony,” said Coburn. “This internship taught me that happiness is where you choose to find it. It’s been a challenge to find my way, but now I get to work on stage and off.”

“It's a struggle sometimes to get people in the doors for classical music nowadays. I really admire that Capital City Symphony is multigenerational; it’s awesome that we are the first symphony that younger people are coming to. I love that I’m able to be part of a company that shows the DC community what true value classical music has for anyone willing to attend.”

Learn more about Arts Management at Mason

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This content appears in the Spring 2024 print edition of the Mason Spirit Magazine as part of "Career-Ready, Set, Go."

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