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School of Nursing naming honors Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry

ckearney — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 15:40:19 +0000

School of Nursing naming honors Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry ckearney Mon, 10/26/2026 - 11:40

In recognition of a transformative $15 million gift from Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry, ��ɫ��Ƶ’s School of Nursing will be renamed the Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry School of Nursing. The naming was approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, effective November 15, 2026.

Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry. Photo provided

“Arlene and Barry's generosity will help advance the school’s mission, create greater opportunities for students, and strengthen the preparation of the next generation of nursing professionals,” said George Mason President Gregory Washington. “The gift also recognizes the dedication and expertise of the faculty and staff who have built the School of Nursing’s reputation and who continue to move it forward.”

This investment positions the school and its graduates to meet growing workforce demands and address increasingly complex patient needs.

“The Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry School of Nursing honors the school's remarkable history while investing in the people who will shape its future,” said College of Public Health Inaugural Dean Melissa Perry. “The generosity of the Evans Dewberry family will help expand possibilities for students and working nurses, advance academic and clinical preparation, support faculty excellence, and enhance the technologies and learning environments long into the future.”

The gift comes as nurses are called upon to strengthen the health workforce, improve access to care, lead interprofessional teams, embrace emerging technologies, and respond to increasingly complex health needs. This investment positions George Mason to accelerate what comes next.

“Nurses are essential to the strength and future of our health care system,” Evans said. “They are highly skilled professionals who provide critical care, improve patient outcomes, and help expand access to health care. As a former operating department nurse, I have seen firsthand the knowledge, compassion, and leadership nurses bring to patients and families every day. Barry and I are proud to support the education of future nurses and the dedicated faculty who prepare them to serve, innovate, and lead.”

For the college, this gift also affirms nursing’s essential place within its broader mission. The strongest solutions to today’s health challenges emerge when nursing, public health, social work, nutrition, health policy, informatics, and community partners work together. This gift will enable the college to lead integrated, innovative, and community-centered approaches to education, health, and care.

Students working in the College of Public Health's Lab for Immersive Technologies and Simulation. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

Founded in 1976, George Mason’s School of Nursing is one of the largest and most comprehensive nursing programs in Virginia. As part of the College of Public Health, it is among a small number of nursing schools nationally embedded within a public health-focused college, giving students a broader understanding of population health, prevention, and community-based care.

“The naming of the School of Nursing honors Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry’s remarkable commitment to nursing education and health care,” said Trishana E. Bowden, vice president for advancement and alumni relations and president of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Foundation. “Their philanthropy will leave a lasting legacy, empowering future nurses and supporting the continued excellence of a school that plays a vital role in meeting the health needs of our communities.”

Evans and Dewberry are among the region's leading supporters of health care and nursing-focused philanthropy, with a longstanding commitment to advancing health and education in Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C., area. Dewberry is executive chairman of a planning, design, and construction company. Evans is a former operating department nurse at VHC Health in Northern Virginia.

The school enrolls nearly 1,000 students across undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs and prepares nurses to serve in clinical, leadership, research, and community health settings throughout the region and beyond. Its master of science and doctor of nursing practice degree programs are ranked #1 in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report.

At the forefront of nursing technology and simulation-based education, the school provides hands-on training through the College of Public Health's Lab for Immersive Technologies and Simulation, where students learn using advanced simulation, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and standardized patient encounters that mirror real-world clinical practice.

With nearly 11,000 alumni, many of whom work in Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, George Mason graduates make up nearly one-third of the region's nursing workforce.

A special event will take place on November 10 to celebrate the naming, hosted by the College of Public Health, with guests including Evans, Dewberry, university leaders, faculty, students, alumni, and partners. The celebration will recognize the Evans Dewberry family's investment in nursing education and the future of the profession.

The naming of the Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry School of Nursing at George Mason is part of the Mason Now: Power the Possible, George Mason’s historic $1 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. Designed to enhance the university’s capacity and broaden its impact, Mason Now focuses on expanding access to education, driving innovation, and deepening the university’s influence across the region and beyond.

Key Takeaways

A transformational $15 million gift from Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry, the largest in College of Public Health history, will rename George Mason’s School of Nursing and expand opportunities for students, faculty, and practicing nurses.
The investment will strengthen nursing education through advanced technologies, simulation-based training, faculty support, and enhanced learning environments while helping meet growing health care workforce needs.
One of Virginia’s largest nursing programs, the newly named Arlene Evans and Barry Dewberry School of Nursing prepares nearly 1,000 students annually and is home to Virginia’s top-ranked Master of Science and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.

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College of Public Health

CPH - School of Nursing

workforce

Communication students glean career lessons from award-winning broadcast journalist

Katarina Benson — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 17:23:01 +0000

Communication students glean career lessons from award-winning broadcast journalist Katarina Benson Fri, 10/23/2026 - 13:23

As an aspiring journalist, George Mason senior Leila Campbell left a recent conversation with award-winning broadcast journalist Geoff Bennett inspired.

While Campbell hopes to pursue a career in journalism, the creative writing major with a concentration in fiction also wants to publish a book. So hearing Bennett, co-anchor of national primetime news broadcast PBS News Hour, discuss his process of balancing his day job while also finding time to publish his first book was promising for Campbell.

“Learning more about his process and his dedication, persistence, and patience in getting that done really gave me an idea of what my five-year plan would look like,” she said.

Award-winning broadcast journalist Geoff Bennett spoke at Fall for the Book on October 8 about his book Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to ‘90s Sitcoms. Photo by Aster Equine Photography

Before speaking at George Mason’s annual Fall for the Book Festival on October 8 about his debut book Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to ‘90s Sitcoms, Bennett sat down with communication students for an in-depth question-and-answer session at Horizon Hall.

“It was such a wonderful opportunity,” Department of Communication Chair Kimberly Meltzer said. “I was glad to hear that he still believes—he is doing it himself—and sees the future of journalism upholding some of these longstanding tenets of good journalism. Continuing those standards for evaluating news and information—that’s what we’re teaching students in our classes.”

Bennett emphasized the importance of gaining experience in the field or through producing pieces. He urged the next generation of journalists to be curious and to hone their writing skills, while also encouraging them to embrace being team players in an industry that has seen the emergence of individual content creators.

“Bring the same rigor and same fidelity to the facts. It is harder to do,” Bennett told the group. “News is a team sport, whether you’re at the New York Times, PBS News Hour, Daily Wire, or whatever… Having sources you have cultivated that you can call upon, and being as transparent as you can about your sourcing with your audience without giving up your sources—that’s what I hope exists in this next iteration of journalism, whatever it is. Because it is so easy to impugn people’s motives, and people will assume bad faith where there is none. So if your process isn’t solid, it becomes really hard to do the work.”

Bennett sat down with communication students for an in-depth question-and-answer session before his Fall for the Book event. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The conversation was coordinated by Meltzer and LaNitra Berger, an associate professor of history and art history. Berger moderated Bennett’s conversation at Fall for the Book at the Center for the Arts and gave Bennett a tour of the Enslaved People of George Mason Memorial on Wilkins Plaza at George Mason’s Fairfax Campus.

Bennett’s discussion with students spanned his career progression, which has included stops at ABC, NBC, and NPR. He also provided insights on the state of journalism, offered career advice, and delved into his book, which focuses on the history of Black comedians and performers from 19th-century minstrel shows to the era of sitcoms. The book is expected to be turned into a documentary.

“It was really informative,” said communication major Gabriela Meza, who also wants to create documentaries. “He tailored each of his responses to our own path and made sure the things he was saying to us we could use. I’m walking away from this conversation with some things I could do with my work and how I can help the journalism community but also what I can do in my line of work as a documentary filmmaker.”

Explore the Department of Communication

Discover the Fall for the Book Festival

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Fall for the Book

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In the ‘End Hunger Games,’ the tributes fought food insecurity on George Mason’s campuses

lclarkg — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:36:55 +0000

In the ‘End Hunger Games,’ the tributes fought food insecurity on George Mason’s campuses lclarkg Thu, 10/22/2026 - 10:36

��ɫ��Ƶ’s Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC) empowers students to navigate barriers to academic success and well-being through advocacy, holistic support, inclusive services, and prevention education—fostering resilience, safety, stability, and lifelong success for students.

The center recently honored its 10th anniversary with a series of events, including a donation drive to benefit one of its key services: the Patriot Pantry, which provides access to nonperishable food and hygiene items to George Mason students who are experiencing food insecurity. The “End Hunger Games” competition brought the campus community together for a common cause and highlighted the work SSAC does to address food insecurity.

The Student Support and Advocacy Center hosted the "End Hunger Games" donation drive to support the Patriot Pantry. At the wrap-up event, attendees relished in the spoils of victory and celebrated the successful initiative with carnival games. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

Each team in the competition was assigned a specific item to donate. The Office of University Branding was dubbed "District Black Bean." Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

“The purpose of the event was to demonstrate that anyone can be a part of addressing food insecurity on our campuses,” said John Eichler, coordinator for Basic Needs Services in SSAC.

Twenty-six teams participated across the Fairfax Campus and Mason Square, representing university offices, departments, and student organizations. Each team was assigned a specific nonperishable food item or hygiene product to collect for the pantry.

As a result, 1,730 pounds of nonperishable food items and hygiene products were collected during the month-long donation period. The Office of University Branding claimed first place in the competition, collecting a total of 500 pounds of black beans.

“Students often feel they face food insecurity alone,” said Eichler. “Creating a campus-wide event brings more visibility to college students’ hunger and lets students know there is a community that strives to support their right to basic needs like food.”

With the large influx of donations through the End Hunger Games, community members can support the Patriot Pantry in the following ways:

Donate to the Student Food and Housing Insecurity Fund and the Patriot Pantry Expansion Fund;
Order still-needed items from the Amazon wish lists for the  Fairfax  and  Mason Square pantries. Ship directly to the pantry address included on the wish list, or drop off items in the donation bins on the Fairfax Campus, Student Union Building I, Room 3011, or at Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, Room 211;
Sign up to receive information about individual or group volunteer opportunities with the Patriot Pantry. Contact pantry@gmu.edu with questions.

Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

More about the Student Support and Advocacy Center

Student Support and Advocacy Center (SSAC)

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University Life Mason Square

Office of University Branding

Faculty and Staff News

One on One with Rector Sumeet Shrivastava

Katarina Benson — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:43:25 +0000

One on One with Rector Sumeet Shrivastava  Katarina Benson Thu, 10/22/2026 - 08:43

In July, ��ɫ��Ƶ alumnus Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA ’94, was elected rector of George Mason’s Board of Visitors (BOV), after previously serving as vice rector. Shrivastava is president and CEO of federal consulting and software development company Unissant. He has served in many capacities at George Mason, including past chair of the ��ɫ��Ƶ Foundation Board of Trustees and past president of the Alumni Association board. 

You’ve seen George Mason from just about every angle—student, parent, alumnus, employer, philanthropist, leader of various university boards and now as rector. Given all those vantage points, what do you find most remarkable about George Mason?

Every vantage point has opened my eyes to how much George Mason is doing, how comprehensive it is, how deep we are. What’s amazing me right now, even as rector with just a few months of seeing from this perspective, is how much more there is still to discover. At the Grand Challenge Initiative Exchange Day in September, every time I’d run into a faculty member, I found myself exposed to another new capability, and then it makes me want to keep exploring.

Rector Sumeet Shrivastava, MBA ’94. Photo by William T. Gallagher

You moved to the United States when you were 5, and you were a working parent while earning your MBA here. How is your story similar to many George Mason students, and how does that inform the work you do on behalf of the university?

That story is part of the core ethos of George Mason from its beginning. When I talk to our Golden Patriots, who graduated 50 or more years ago, you hear the same stories. We've always been this sort of heads-down, high work ethic university. The fact that we started as a commuter school is something we embrace. It's something that builds on who we are, because it meant that we were always highly relevant to industry. We were always delivering talent.

As rector, you lead the Board of Visitors, a group with extensive experience in business, technology, education, finance, real estate, law, government, and a host of other areas. What are the board’s goals for the university at this pivotal time in higher education?

Almost all of us have a direct relationship with George Mason whether as a corporate partner, philanthropist, engagement in one of the centers, programming, or research. That has allowed us to step into our respective roles and be running right away. I think a primary focus right now is to understand the current aspects of how George Mason is operating, in the context of the broader challenges that higher education is facing and then being the best advocates and supporters for the strategy that President Washington and the team are implementing to move through those challenges. In doing so, it’s also our responsibility to make sure we're challenging assumptions and creating the environment for positive and effective dialogue amongst all stakeholders—especially strategically.

As an employer who hires interns and graduates from George Mason, what are the critical skills that our graduates need to be successful?

A George Mason student is typically one that is juggling jobs, family, life, and studying, all at the same time. They aren't single threaded. And that already brings with it a lot of character, a lot of discipline, a lot of the basics and foundational things you want in an employee. The Mason Core highlights the importance of critical thinking, the importance of working in an environment where you're running into people from all sorts of backgrounds. Some people call those soft skills. I heard someone use the term “enduring skills,” and I really like that because those really are the things that you carry with you, no matter what technical skills or degrees you pick up along the way. It’s also important to make sure that we’re training people to learn how to learn so they understand how to evolve with change and how to augment that with the capability that is coming forward now, especially in the world of AI.

You’ve been actively involved in many George Mason launches and expansion efforts. What impact do you see our responsive growth and our centers and institutes having on the region?

They're critical. By default, they tend to be interdisciplinary. They're developed with a high degree of collaboration with industry input. We’ve seen that recently with the launch of the Virginia Quantum Hub. The relevance to local industry and employers in the region comes in the form of the way we're training students through programs from centers, the way we're doing research coordinated through centers, and delivering thought leadership into that industry. And then the convening capability, because academic institutions have a great role to convene government, industry, academia, all in one place, and be sort of a safe space for the kind of conversations you have to have, especially about things like grand challenges.

You and vice rector Anne Altman for years now have led the fundraising efforts for what would be the university’s first building devoted solely to the business school. What would the benefit be to the Costello College of Business, and what would the benefit be to the region and state?

The Costello College of Business enrolls more than 5,000 undergraduates and 800 graduate students. A modern, purpose-built home with smart classrooms and labs for AI, analytics, fintech, and risk management will match the space to the quality of the school. It also positions our Centers of Excellence under one roof, including the Sharma Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship, and the Baroni Center for Government Contracting, so students, faculty and industry leaders can work side by side. The Northern Virginia Technology Council estimates more than 130,000 open jobs in our region, and 87% of Costello's 44K+ alumni stay here, generating an estimated $360 million in economic impact across the DMV. The new Innovation and Workforce Exchange will bring workforce development, executive education, career services, and those centers together in one hub where employers can upskill their people, connect with students and encourage lifelong learning. Anne and I, along with the more than 220 business leaders from 168 companies who already advise Costello, see this building as a strategic investment in Virginia's workforce and competitiveness, and in George Mason's role as one of the commonwealth's strongest engines of economic opportunity.

George Mason is about two-thirds of the way to its goal in Mason Now: Power the Possible, the university’s one-billion-dollar comprehensive campaign. What would you say to fellow business leaders and alumni who are considering supporting George Mason?

My first question would be—why haven’t you? The dollar you put into George Mason has such reverberating effects that go far beyond a dollar put into other institutions. As a comprehensive campaign, we are making it clear to anyone considering supporting the university that there are many, many ways that you can impact the community through this campaign. But to me what it really boils down to is the role that George Mason has in this community for the last 50 years, delivering an ROI that is at the top tier nationally. It’s kind of a unicorn. At scale, to be able to have an upward mobility story that we do, to be able to have the corporate and industry integration that we do, is remarkable. We were built by industry as an institution. We continue to be supported by that integration with industry. To my friends in the community who are not alums, my pitch to them is: This is the region that raised us. This is where our parents decided to settle. This is where you’re raising your families. And this is the institution that made Northern Virginia what it is today. We can't achieve our vision if we don't have this strong standalone university here in Northern Virginia.

Topics

Costello College of Business

Board of Visitors

Alumni

George Mason breaks ground on Basketball and Academic Performance Center

Katarina Benson — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:49:47 +0000

George Mason breaks ground on Basketball and Academic Performance Center Katarina Benson Wed, 10/21/2026 - 12:49

��ɫ��Ƶ celebrated a major milestone for the future of Athletics today with the groundbreaking ceremony for the Basketball and Academic Performance Center (BAPC), a transformational project that will elevate student-athlete development, enhance academic support services, and strengthen Patriots Basketball.

Located at the northwest corner of the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC), the approximately 34,000-square-foot facility will serve as the future home of George Mason's men's and women's basketball programs while expanding academic resources that benefit more than 500 Patriots student-athletes across all 22 sports. The center is expected to be completed in spring 2028.

Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The groundbreaking ceremony brought together university leadership, student-athletes, alumni, supporters, community partners, and donors to celebrate the next phase of a project that reflects George Mason's continued investment in competitive excellence and holistic student-athlete development.

“Today we're not just breaking ground on a building. We're actually strengthening a promise and we have been defined by our momentum,” President Gregory Washington said, noting that the idea of the BAPC originated 20 years ago, when the men's basketball team went to the Final Four. "We're going to build a championship culture in every sport, and we're going to invest in getting support like we're building champions."

Rendering of the BAPC exterior. Illustration by Perkins&Will

“Today represents an exciting step forward for George Mason Athletics and the future of our student-athletes," said Assistant Vice President and Director of Athletics Marvin Lewis. "The Basketball and Academic Performance Center is much more than a basketball facility. It is an investment in people, providing the resources, support systems, and environment that will allow our student-athletes to thrive academically, athletically, and personally. This project demonstrates our commitment to competing at the highest level while delivering a world-class student-athlete experience.”

Designed by Perkins&Will and constructed by Doyle Construction, the BAPC project includes a multi-story addition and renovation to the RAC, creating a modern facility designed to support student-athletes through every aspect of their collegiate experience. The center will feature two dedicated basketball practice courts, coaching staff suites, locker rooms, student-athlete lounges, strength and conditioning areas, athletic training space, and approximately 4,000 square feet of academic support space.

Marvin Lewis at the BAPC groundbreaking. Photo by Ron Aira/Office of University Branding

The Academic Services suite will serve student-athletes from all varsity programs, providing study areas, tutor rooms, collaborative learning spaces, and staff offices. The facility will replace the academic support trailers and create a centralized hub focused on academic achievement and student success.

As NOVA's Team, George Mason Athletics serves as a prominent gateway to the university, connecting students, alumni, supporters, businesses, and community leaders across Northern Virginia. The new center will strengthen that platform while creating opportunities for continued growth and engagement throughout the region.

The BAPC is a key philanthropic priority for George Mason Athletics. Naming opportunities and other investment options remain available throughout the project. To learn more about supporting the Basketball and Academic Performance Center, contact the Patriot Club.

"The momentum behind this project reflects the belief our alumni, donors, and supporters have in the future of George Mason Athletics," Lewis added. "We're grateful for everyone who has helped bring this vision to life and look forward to welcoming future generations of Patriots into this facility."

For more information on the BAPC, contact the Patriot Club at masonpc@gmu.edu or visit the Future is Now BAPC Information Page.

Power the Possible

George Mason Athletics

Topics

Athletics

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

New Veterans and the Arts Initiative Workshop Helps Veterans Find Camaraderie in the Theater

Tionge Johnson — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:23:40 +0000

New Veterans and the Arts Initiative Workshop Helps Veterans Find Camaraderie in the Theater Tionge Johnson Wed, 10/21/2026 - 12:23

This fall, the Veterans and the Arts Initiative at ��ɫ��Ƶ introduced a new workshop: In Service of Theater: A Staged Reading Program for the Military and Veteran Community. Held in several spaces throughout the venue, including the Hylton Center’s Gregory Family Theater, and led by George Mason College of Visual and Performing Arts Dean Rick Davis and the Veterans and the Arts Initiative team, the new staged reading program gives Veterans and service members the opportunity to explore works that focus on military service and bring them to life with fellow members of the military community.

Dean Rick Davis guides participants in the workshop In Service of Theater: A Staged Reading Program for the Military and Veteran Community.

The texts participants read during the six-week program are diverse—drama, poetry, and even a bit of music—reflecting human experiences with war and military duty throughout history and across cultures. They “range from Greek tragedy to modern drama, both serious and satiric, and some classic war poems,” said Davis.

“One of my favorite pieces in the workshop is the Chorus from The Cure at Troy, an adaptation by the great Irish poet Seamus Heaney of a Greek tragedy by Sophocles," he continued. "We are having fun exploring how a Greek Chorus sounds (with a modern translation), splitting up some of the lines and trying to create that sense of the ‘voice of the people’ that we think was the original purpose of the Chorus. I also love the famous World War I poem by Wilfred Owen, ‘Dulce et Decorum Est.’” 

Building a sense of camaraderie is an important part of the workshop process. Davis works on breathing and vocal production in the classes, but participants also work on “listening and speaking with intention.” In a group with such a wide range of ages and experiences, everyone brings different insights, Davis observes, regardless of whether they have acted before or not. No theater experience is required to participate.

Davis and Niyati Dhokai, program director for the Veterans and the Arts Initiative, said that “The common factor is that the community members who have come together for this workshop series have served our country, so what they bring to the texts that they have studied is a profound series of intergenerational reflections on service, war, and the importance of community.”

At the end of the workshop, members of the group will have a chance to present what they have learned during a public performance. But participants receive other valuable takeaways from their time with In Service of Theater: A Staged Reading Program for the Military and Veteran Community.

“As one of the members said on the first day, this kind of workshop gets you out of your comfort zone a little, but in a safe and supportive way,” Davis said. “You can see the connections being made among the participants, how they are there for each other. And they should come away from the workshop with a greater appreciation for the art of performance—and maybe a spark might be kindled in some to keep looking for more opportunities."

The Veterans and the Arts Initiative will be offering a spring session of the workshop in 2027. Keep an eye on the Hylton Center calendar for scheduling and sign-up information.

In Service of Theater: A Staged Reading Program for the Military and Veteran Community is funded in part by Creative Forces®: NEA Military Healing Arts Network, an initiative of the National Endowment in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Creative Forces Community Engagement Grant program is managed by Mid-America Arts Alliance. 

Presented in partnership with Virginia Department of Veterans Services.

Learn more about the Veterans and the Arts Initiative

Explore the College of Visual and Performing Arts

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Hylton Center

Military

innovative classes

National Endowment for the Arts

See the full list of awardees.

2026 Celebration of Distinction honors alumni leaders from across the university

Katarina Benson — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 20:59:35 +0000

2026 Celebration of Distinction honors alumni leaders from across the university Katarina Benson Fri, 10/16/2026 - 16:59

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.

The Celebration of Distinction honored more than 20 alumni this year. Photo by Risdon Photography

Hosted on October 15 at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, the celebration brought honorees 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. Photo provided

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. Photo provided

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. Photo provided

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. Photo provided

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. Photo provided

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.

Read about the Awardees

Learn more about the Alumni Association

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Alumni

Alumni Association

Ferrer wins 2026 New American Voices Award

Katarina Benson — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 14:04:47 +0000

Ferrer wins 2026 New American Voices Award Katarina Benson Fri, 10/16/2026 - 10:04

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Ada Ferrer received the ninth annual Institute for Immigration Research New American Voices Award for her memoir, Keeper of My Kin: Memoir of an Immigrant Daughter, at the Fall for the Book Festival at ��ɫ��Ƶ on October 8.

Ferrer received a $5,000 prize in recognition of her work, which explores the experiences of immigration, family separation, and the challenges of starting over.

“The New American Voices Award is a very special prize,” Ferrer said. “Especially in a moment such as this, it is important to share immigrant stories as part of the fabric of American life. I am moved and honored to be this year’s recipient.”

Established in 2018 by Fall for the Book and the Institute for Immigration Research, the award recognizes recently published works by immigrants and first-generation writers whose voices have historically been underrepresented in literature and publishing.

Ada Ferrer eceived the ninth annual Institute for Immigration Research New American Voices Award. Photo provided

The award's two other finalists, Bindu Bansinath, author of the novel Men Like Ours, and Chantel Acevedo, author of the novel Cages, each received $1,000.

The winner and the finalists each read excerpts from their books and discussed their work during the event.

Judges Angie Cruz, Donna Hemans, and Weike Wang praised Ferrer’s memoir for its portrayal of immigration and the emotional struggles experienced by families separated by political and historical upheaval.

“Through vivid imagery and a scrapbook-like accumulation of letters, documents, and family stories, Ferrer gives a human face to histories too often reduced to politics, sanctions, and humanitarian crises,” the judges wrote.

The judges also highlighted the memoir’s exploration of maternal relationships, family separation, and the difficult choices faced by immigrants.

Ferrer is the Dayton-Stockton Professor of History at Princeton University. Before joining Princeton, she taught at New York University from 1995 to 2024. Her previous book, Cuba: An American History, won the Pulitzer Prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in history and was a finalist for the Cundill History Prize.

Previous recipients of the New American Voices Award include Hernan Diaz, Patricia Engel, and Rachel Heng.

Fall for the Book is Northern Virginia’s oldest and largest festival of literature and the arts. All events are free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of sponsors including ��ɫ��Ƶ, the City of Fairfax, ArtsFairfax, and the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

The Institute for Immigration Research is at the forefront of immigration research, producing high-quality, timely research and analysis that examines the economic contributions of immigrants in the United States.

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