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Martin (Marty) Abruzzo excels as student services coordinator and academic advisor in ��ɫ��Ƶ's School of Integrative Studies (SIS). A vital part of the school, Abruzzo has helped more than 7,000 students since joining the department in 2018. In addition to advising, Marty teaches several classes including INTS 391 Understanding Integrative Studies, CHSS 101 CHSS First Year Experience, INTS 395 College to Career, and UNIV 100 Introduction to Mason.  

An alum with an MEd in counseling and development, he has been recognized as a Top Ten Academic Advisor of the Year in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2026, and awarded the 2021 Outstanding Faculty Award and the 2024 College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Service Excellence Award. Adding to his list of accolades, Abruzzo has been awarded the November Employee of the Month for his competence, kindness, and dedication to the school and George Mason.  

"From day one, Marty modeled what it means to put students first, and his mentorship shaped how I approach my own work with students. I have watched him go above and beyond for students facing difficult circumstances, and everyone who works alongside him feels his commitment to the department's culture of care," said academic advisor Candace Stanfield. 

Kelly Dunne, SIS associate chair and director of undergraduate programs, said, "Marty is a dedicated employee and an incredible colleague. He is generous with his time, knowledge, and skills and works to ensure everyone feels welcome, heard and valued."  

"Marty is consistent, fair, and honest. If Marty says he'll do something, he does it, and he does it well,” said academic advisor Amollie Stoermer. 

Stephanie Zeher, SIS operations manager, called Abruzzo “a beacon of light,” adding, “I cannot emphasize enough how valuable he is not only to our students, but to our colleagues in SIS and around campus. He is always cheerful, respectful, and very thoughtful."  

"Marty's great performance is rooted in his empathetic manner and strong organizational skills. He is a trustworthy employee who gets the job done and gets along well with everybody he has worked with,” said P. Daniel Chen, SIS chair and an associate professor in the Higher Education Program.  

How did you come to Mason: 

In May 2009, my late wife, Jenna Kappel, and I moved to Fairfax for her career during the housing crisis in Washington, D.C. When looking at apartments, the representative told me that George Mason was just a few blocks away. I had known the name of the school from the 2006 NCAA basketball run. I came to explore the campus, fell in love, and got my master’s in counseling from here while I was a stay-at-home dad. While Jenna was facing chemo and treatments, I completed my practicum/internship at University Career Services. I have been helping our amazing students ever since.  

I believe I have served about 6,500 students in eight years. I have been honored with the top 10 advisor of the year award four times, UNIV 100 Faculty of the Year award, and the very first College of Humanities and Social Sciences Service Excellence award recipient. All of this for doing what I love to do, I am just so grateful! 

Best day on the job:  

There are so many to choose from! I will say that working at George Mason is like being on the set of a sitcom. So many great and diverse characters and each one is from anywhere all over this great country, some from right here in Fairfax. So many people have helped build me and this honor of Employee of the Month is kept by me with them in mind, always. 

I think the best was receiving an invitation to attend the graduation of a student who had struggled during his academic career. I got to know him and his family, and I told him he would be a 3.0 student by the end. He proved me right and is now going to teach in Fairfax County. I was able to go to his graduation this past spring. There are so many stories like this here. We get the privilege to invest in our youth and make a strong impact on their decisions. What a career of bliss this has been so far! 

What do you like best about working at Mason:   

The students. The amount of thank ��dz�’s, smiles, appreciation, and talent these students have is overwhelming at times. I like to joke that I never really left college, and why would I!? I also have met amazing staff who have helped me learn in this role and grow at this university. As the son of two elementary school principals, I am lucky to be working in higher education every day and am grateful out loud and often to have the opportunity to help students every day.

What do you like to do when you’re not working:  

My girlfriend Rachel and I are very busy these days as she has two daughters, 22 and 17, and I have two sons, 19 and 15. We attend band performances, will attend crew meets in the spring, and visit East Carolina University where my son Jack goes. I enjoy reading about history and government, walks with my dog Winnie every day, and the World Series!