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For more than 30 years, the ��ɫ��Ƶ Alumni Association (GMUAA) has recognized alumni whose excellence and distinction reflect the university’s enduring impact on its community. The heart of this year’s celebration were individuals whose talent, drive, and service exemplify the very best of George Mason.

“This is what it’s all about: George Mason alumni—across schools, colleges, professions, and generations—coming together to share their accomplishments,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington.

Hosted on October 15 at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, the celebration brought together with friends and family to commemorate their milestones and achievements. George Mason’s schools and affinity alumni chapters recognized 18 distinguished alumni, and GMUAA selected five of its own awardees: Alumnus/a of the Year, the Alumni Service Award, Faculty Member of the Year, Senior of the Year, and Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award.

“Tonight’s honorees represent the very best of ��ɫ��Ƶ—not only in what they have achieved, but in how they have chosen to lead, serve, and make a difference,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president of advancement and alumni relations and president of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Foundation.

Guylaine Saint Juste, BA International Studies '94, is Alumna of the Year. She is the president and CEO of NABA, a national organization representing more than 200,000 business professionals in accounting, finance, and related fields. Saint Juste has more than 30 years of executive experience in financial services, governance, and organizational transformation. In 2025, Accounting Today named her one of its Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting for the fifth consecutive year. Learn more. 

Charity Rankins, BS Psychology '22, received the Alumni Service Award. While Rankins is a human resources leader professionally, her most visible impact is through her entrepreneurial work in the community. She is the founder of P.S. Karma Arts and Crafts Enrichment Company, an organization dedicated to the creative and emotional development of children, particularly in high-risk communities. The organization’s work has been recognized as among the best arts and crafts programs in the region for five years. 

Anthony Amos, MPP '24, received the Graduate of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D.) Award. He is only the second African American to serve on the City of Fairfax City Council. He leads multiple council committees and initiatives and serves as the city’s representative on the water and air quality committees with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Virginia Municipal League. Among Amos’s projects are creating the city’s first-ever affordable housing strategic plan and Virginia’s first kindergarten-to-college fund. 

Cher Weixia Chen, a professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences’ School of Integrative Studies, is the Faculty Member of the Year. She is the founder of the Human Rights and Global Justice Initiative, a senior scholar of the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, and a faculty fellow of the Institute for a Sustainable Earth. Her teaching and mentoring work have received numerous awards. Chen’s research focuses on women’s and Indigenous rights, among other marginalized groups. She has written and edited six books and numerous articles and chapters related to human rights law and policy. 

Rakibul Alam, BS Management; Marketing '26, is the Senior of the Year. As a student, Alam focused on connecting his business education with real-world impact. He held eight internships, five leadership roles, and went on three study-abroad experiences. He was the cofounder and president of Mason Consulting Group, which offers pro bono consulting for local Fairfax businesses. He also helped to found the Collective Organizations of South Asia and served as a student senator for Student Government. He was a U.S. State Department Gilman Scholar and an OSCAR research grant recipient and led research and community impact programs in South Asia.  

Throughout the evening, guests celebrated through conversation, dinner, and live music from pianist Megan Slay, MM ’21, DMA ’25. Hosted by GMUAA president Jeff Fissel, BS ’06, and emcee, College of Visual and Performing Arts dean Rick Davis, they reflected on George Mason’s evolution through a curated collection of videos and images representing each college and unit, highlighting the university’s rich history, growth, and enduring impact. 

“You all inspire your fellow alumni, reminding all of us that success is not only measured by professional accomplishment, but by integrity, generosity, and the willingness to lift others along the way,” said Bowden.